Top Cartoon Shows for Adults: Best Animated Series to Watch Now

Cartoon shows aren't just for kids anymore. Over the past two decades, animated series aimed at adults have exploded in popularity, earning Emmy Awards, building massive fanbases, and tackling themes that live-action shows sometimes struggle with. If you've been searching for the top cartoon shows for adults, you're probably looking for something sharp, funny, emotionally complex or all three at once. This guide covers the best of the best, what makes them work, and how to find the right show for your taste.

What makes a cartoon show "for adults"?

An adult cartoon goes beyond slapstick humor. It uses animation to explore mature themes like relationships, existential dread, political satire, addiction, and identity. The animation format gives creators freedom exaggerated visual storytelling, surreal worlds, and characters that would be impossible in live action. Shows like Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman, and Archer prove that animation can be just as emotionally heavy or intellectually sharp as prestige drama.

What separates a great adult cartoon from a forgettable one isn't just crude humor. The best ones balance comedy with substance. They make you laugh and then hit you with a gut punch two episodes later.

Why are so many adults watching cartoons now?

There are a few real reasons. First, streaming platforms made these shows easy to find and binge. Second, a generation that grew up on The Simpsons and South Park now wants animated content that grew up with them. Third, animation studios have attracted serious talent writers, voice actors, and showrunners who treat the medium with the same respect as film or live-action TV.

Adults also watch cartoons because animation handles certain stories better. A show about a talking horse dealing with depression (BoJack Horseman) sounds absurd on paper. But the animated format makes it work in ways a live-action version never could. That creative freedom is a huge draw. You can explore some of these storytelling strengths by looking at what the best animated series of all time have achieved across decades of the medium.

What are the top cartoon shows for adults right now?

Here's a list of widely praised adult animated series that consistently rank high among viewers and critics:

BoJack Horseman (Netflix) A washed-up sitcom horse navigates fame, addiction, and regret. Often called one of the best TV dramas of the 2010s, animated or not.
Rick and Morty (Adult Swim) A genius grandfather and his grandson travel through dimensions. Mixes absurdist sci-fi with surprisingly dark emotional beats.
Archer (FXX/Hulu) A spy agency comedy with rapid-fire dialogue, running gags, and sharp writing. The earlier seasons are considered peak adult animation comedy.
Invincible (Amazon Prime Video) A young superhero learns his father isn't who he seems. Violent, emotional, and surprisingly faithful to the comics.
Big Mouth (Netflix) Puberty is terrible, and this show captures every awkward, horrifying moment of it with honesty and absurdity.
Primal (Adult Swim) Almost no dialogue. A caveman and a dinosaur survive prehistoric horrors together. Visually stunning and emotionally brutal.
Arcane (Netflix) Based on the League of Legends universe but stands entirely on its own. Gorgeous animation, layered characters, and real political tension.
Solar Opposites (Hulu) From a Rick and Morty co-creator. Aliens try to understand Earth. The "Wall" subplot alone makes it worth watching.
F Is for Family (Netflix) Set in the 1970s, a frustrated father deals with family life. Bill Burr's voice work gives it a raw, honest edge.
Human Resources (Netflix) A Big Mouth spinoff focusing on the creatures that manage human emotions. Slightly more adult, surprisingly heartfelt.

If you're also curious about newer releases gaining traction, check out what new cartoon series from 2024 are worth your time.

How do adult cartoons compare to family-friendly animated shows?

They serve different purposes, and there's room for both. Family-friendly shows like Bluey, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Gravity Falls are written to entertain across age groups without relying on mature content. Adult cartoons, on the other hand, are written specifically for grown-up sensibilities darker humor, complex moral questions, and themes that wouldn't land with younger audiences.

That said, plenty of people enjoy both. A household might watch a family-friendly animated series together on a weeknight and then an adult cartoon after the kids go to bed. There's no conflict between the two they just target different moments.

What are common mistakes people make when picking an adult cartoon?

A few things trip people up:

Judging by the animation style alone. Some shows look simple (Archer, Bob's Burgers) but have incredible writing. Others look gorgeous but lack depth. Don't skip a show because the art style doesn't grab you immediately.
Assuming all adult cartoons are comedies. Invincible and Arcane are action-dramas. Primal is survival horror. The genre range is wide.
Giving up after one episode. Many of the best adult cartoons find their footing by episode three or four. BoJack Horseman famously starts slow before becoming something much deeper.
Ignoring subtitles on non-English animation. Shows like Castlevania and select anime-influenced Western productions deserve attention even if you're used to English-language content.

Where can you watch the best adult animated shows?

Most of the top cartoon shows for adults live on a handful of platforms:

Netflix BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, Arcane, Human Resources, F Is for Family
Adult Swim / Max Rick and Morty, Primal, Smiling Friends
Hulu Archer, Solar Opposites, Hit-Monkey
Amazon Prime Video Invincible, Legend of Vox Machina
Paramount+ Beavis and Butt-Head (reboot), South Park specials

If you already have one or two of these services, you can access a solid chunk of the best adult animation without adding another subscription.

Are there underrated adult cartoons worth watching?

Absolutely. Beyond the well-known titles, there are shows that flew under the radar but deserve attention:

Clone High Teen clones of historical figures attend high school. Absurd premise, sharp writing. Got a revival on Max.
The Venture Bros. A parody of Jonny Quest that became one of the most layered animated shows ever made. Ran for seven seasons on Adult Swim.
Undone (Amazon) A woman discovers she can manipulate time after a near-death experience. Uses rotoscope animation. Quiet, strange, and beautiful.
Close Enough (Max) From the creator of Regular Show. A young couple navigates parenthood and absurd Los Angeles life.
Inside Job (Netflix) A conspiracy-theory workplace comedy. Cancelled too soon, but the two seasons that exist are solid.

How do you pick the right adult cartoon for your mood?

Think about what you actually want from the experience:

Want to laugh hard? Try Archer, Solar Opposites, or Smiling Friends.
Want something emotional? BoJack Horseman or Undone.
Want action and violence? Invincible, Primal, or Castlevania.
Want smart sci-fi? Rick and Morty or Arcane.
Want nostalgia with a twist? Clone High or Beavis and Butt-Head.

Matching your mood to the show prevents the "I watched two episodes and wasn't feeling it" problem. If something doesn't click, move on there's enough variety that you'll find something that does. If you're building a watchlist that spans different styles and eras, browsing through the top-ranked animated series of all time can help you spot gaps in what you've seen.

What's next for adult animation?

The genre is growing, not slowing down. Studios are investing more in adult animated content because the audience is there and the production costs while not cheap are often lower than live-action equivalents. More creators from comedy, drama, and indie film are crossing into animation. Even the visual style is diversifying, with shows borrowing from anime, European comics, and experimental art. Typography and design culture also feed into how these shows brand themselves bold, expressive typefaces like Bangers capture that same playful, loud energy you see in adult animation marketing.

Expect more genre-blending, more international influence, and more shows that refuse to fit neatly into one category.

Quick checklist: picking your next adult cartoon to watch

✅ Decide what mood you're in comedy, drama, action, or something weird
✅ Check which streaming services you already have
✅ Give a show at least 3 episodes before deciding it's not for you
✅ Don't skip shows just because the animation style looks unfamiliar
✅ Mix well-known titles with underrated picks to keep things fresh
✅ Read episode-specific reactions (not just reviews) to avoid spoilers while gauging quality
✅ Keep a running watchlist so you always have something queued up

Try It Free