Top 10 Best Adult Cartoon You Should be Watching
For this list, we'll be ranking quality animated shows aimed at adult audiences that are currently on the air.
#10: “Robot Chicken” (2005-)
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To be honest, “Robot Chicken” has survived a lot longer than we thought it would. This stop motion sketch comedy was created by Matthew Senreich and Seth Green back in 2005 and has since aired over 170 episodes. It’s just finished its ninth season, which tackled hot pop culture topics like Westworld, Star Wars, and of course, Donald Trump. What animated show HASN’T satirized Trump in recent years? Some fans may argue that it’s jumped the shark or become too politicized in recent years, but even its worst episodes are still good for at least a chuckle or two.
#9: “The Venture Bros.” (2004-)
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“The Venture Bros.” is a comedy/drama/action/adventure/science fiction/pretty much everything else series that follows the story of unethical scientist Thaddeus Venture, his two enthusiastic sons, and his bodyguard. It has since become an Adult Swim staple and its longest-running series, having aired over eighty episodes across seven seasons since 2004. Not only is it consistently funny, violent and filled with an insane amount of parodies and homages, but it’s also moving, complex, full of rich characterisation, character development, and a deep mythology. It keeps getting better, and its recently-finished seventh season is one of the best yet.
#8: “Family Guy” (1999-)
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We don’t need to tell you what “Family Guy” is. We’re sure you’re all well aware. While many will argue that “Family Guy’s” prime is long behind it, it’s still good for a laugh, a shock, or a killer musical number. Fans have criticized the stories as of late for being too wacky and the humor for being too dark and offensive, but it’s telling that people are still talking about it at all after twenty years and three hundred episodes. It’s not perfect, but it’s still one of TV’s most enjoyable animated comedies.
#7: “American Dad!” (2005-)
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Speaking of Seth MacFarlane comedies that have seemingly been around since the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, “American Dad!” is a less wacky version of “Family Guy” that grounds its surreal stories in the characters and their relationships. It was never as popular or zeitgeist-y as “Family Guy,” but it has arguably remained more consistent over the years. While “Family Guy” had suffered a noticeable dip in quality long before season ten, “American Dad!” is still enjoying a relatively good reputation into its fifteenth season. As it approaches 250 episodes, “American Dad!” shows no signs of slowing down.
#6: “Big Mouth” (2017-)
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Netflix’s “Big Mouth” is maybe not for everyone. It follows the adventures of seventh graders going through puberty and learning about things like menstruation, ejaculation, and sexual arousal. Joining them on their soon-to-be acne-filled journeys are the appropriately named hormone monsters, who control the kids’ sexual desires. If you can get past the scatological humor and uncomfortable concept, you will find a series that treats its young characters and its themes with a surprising amount of respect and maturity. Who knew that a show about a bunch of horny kids could be so smart and empathetic?
#5: “Bob’s Burgers” (2011-)
Another Top 10 Cartoon Shows For Adults
“Bob’s Burgers” is a show that takes a little bit of patience to get through. Along with the primitive-looking animation, the show also contains some truly annoying characters with some truly annoying voices. There’s also the roadblock of the first season, which many fans and critics call the show’s worst. However, those who soldier through enjoy a smart and original show that has become not only one of television’s greatest animations, but one of the greatest comedies, period. It’s both surreal and a heartwarming family comedy, and it’s unlike anything else on network TV.
#4: “South Park” (1997-)
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Honestly, we don’t know how Trey Parker and Matt Stone do it. “South Park” has been around since 1997, when parents and critics were calling it the most disgusting and offensive thing on the planet. That said, viewers lapped it up, and it’s remained one of the most topical and scathing shows on television. Not only are the characters now iconic, but the show’s humor is just as sharp and biting as ever. It goes places other shows wouldn’t dare, and it’s not afraid to make enemies. This bold and fearless approach has helped it remain the go-to show for piercing cultural satire. It’s a classic.
#3: “Archer” (2009-)
“Archer” has been going strong on FX for nearly ten years now. Yeah, it doesn’t feel that long to us, either. “Archer” follows an idiosyncratic group of secret agents, chief among them being Sterling Archer, a James Bond-esque character brilliantly voiced by H. Jon Benjamin. The show contains instantly memorable characters, razor-sharp and whip-fast writing, and some nicely plotted stories. It’s more than just a simple James Bond spoof, that’s for sure. Some of its later seasons, particularly 8 and 9, have been criticized for being predictable and a lack of narrative coherence, but it always keeps things fresh, and we must commend it for that.
#2: “BoJack Horseman” (2014-)
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Who knew that a show about an anthropomorphized celebrity horse could be so damn good? “BoJack Horseman” is one of Netflix’s most surprising hits, as no one was really expecting an animated comedy to become one of the best shows around. While it’s true that it suffered a rocky first season, its subsequent seasons have all received critical acclaim. It’s wickedly funny, but it’s also surprisingly introspective and poignant, an intelligent and complex look at Hollywood, pop culture, and depression. A talking horse is now one of the most interesting characters on TV, and the show itself one of the best. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “F Is for Family” (2015-) “Disenchantment” (2018-) “Castlevania” (2017-)
#1: “Rick and Morty” (2013-)
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We know that “Rick and Morty” is basically just a giant meme at this point, particularly due to its headline-grabbing and controversial fanbase, but it’s popular for a reason. It not only works as a comedy, but as a creative science fiction romp and deeply personal character drama. It’s an exceptionally well-made show, from the colorful and vibrant animation to the brilliant voice cast to the imaginative writing and storytelling. Season 3 was arguably its darkest and most ambitious yet, and we can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
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