13 Best Animated Series For Adults - Futurama to The Simpsons

From the upcoming revival of Futurama to classics like Rick & Morty to The Simpsons, here are the 13 best-animated series for adults you are going to love.

By Ayushi Balani

Updated on Aug 11, 2023 | 05:20 PM IST | 4.8M

Best-animated series for adults you are going to love.

When it comes to animated shows, plenty of folks set them aside because they think cartoons are for kids. But hardcore fans of anime and other forms of animation are certainly aware there’s no such thing as “just for kids.” While we are fans of all kinds of animations, this time we were determined on picking out animated series for adults. Right from classics and long-running shows like The Simpsons and The Family Guy to shows that are awaiting a revival like Futurama, we have picked out only the must-watch content that’s worth checking out.

With everybody talking about the upcoming revival of the Hulu show Futurama on July 24, 2023, we figured, a list of best-animated series for adults will spark your attention. So what are you waiting for? Scroll on for the perfect assortment of the best-animated shows specially created for adults.

Below, find the best-animated shows for adults

1. Undone (2019 - 2022)

Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy
Cast: Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral, Constance Marie
Director: Hisko Hulsing
Seasons: 2
Episode Duration: 23 min
Year of release: 2019
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

There is a reason we started the list with this underrated show. While it’s not the regular witty animated series, it is worth watching. The show is not only visually stunning but it’s aesthetic. Interestingly, it’s so brilliantly made, at times, you’ll forget it’s an animation. The plot is reliable and packed with complex but relevant emotions. Also, we highly recommend watching this show for the time-bending concept and how the show is capable of taking you on a journey of the progranist’s growth and personal discovery. Rosa Salazar’s voice is hypnotizing, you’d wish your Siri sounded like her. If you are even remotely interested in fantasy or mental health, this show is for you. Directed by Hisko Hulsing, this animated show is available on Amazon Prime Video to watch. The show is definitely one of the best animated shows for adults. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 23 min.

2. Bojack Horseman (2014-2020)

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Cast: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie
Director: Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Seasons: 6
Episode Duration: 25 min
Year of release: 2014
OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Another animated series that you will love is Bojack Horseman. Released in 2014, the show will make you laugh right from the first episode. The show revolves around serious issues like alcoholism and depression in an artistic yet humorous way. The entertaining show is full of pop-cultural influences, obscene humor, and emotionally honest suffering. Directed by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the show features Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, and Alison Brie. It is available on Netflix to watch. The highly rated show is definitely one of the best animated shows to watch right now. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 25 min.

3. Rick & Morty (2013-)

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer
Creators: Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland
Seasons: 6
Episode Duration: 22 min
Year of release: 2013
OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10

If you have watched Back to the Future IV, Rick and Morty has to be your new favorite show. The show is created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. The animated comedy features the best of Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, and Spencer Grammer and is available to watch on Netflix. The show revolves around Rick Sanchez who is an egotistical genius who drinks. Watch the show to witness his wacky adventures with his grandson. The classic show is awkward, brilliant, bold, witty, and magnificent all at the same time. The show has an IMDb rating of 9.1 out of 10. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 22 min.

4. The Simpsons (1989-)

Genre: Animation, Comedy
Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer
Creators: James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Sam Simon
Season: 36
Episode Duration: 22 min
Year of release: 1989
OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

No list of animated series for adults is complete without The Simpsons. The classic animated series revolves around The Simpsons family and their fun-to-watch misadventures. Created by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Sam Simon, the show features the best of Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, and Harry Shearer. The show is controversially offensive at times and seems to know all about the future. Spanned over thirty long years, this show is simply hard to miss. This iconic show is available on Disney Plus Hotstar to stream. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 22 min.

5. Family Guy (1999-)

Genre: Animation, Comedy
Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green
Creators: Seth MacFarlane, David Zuckerman
Seasons: 21
Episode Duration: 22 min
Year of release: 2019
OTT Platform: Netflix, Dinsey Plus Hotstar
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

The show controversially took shots at Stranger Things, Kanye, & The Orville. Created by Seth MacFarlane, and David Zuckerman, the show features the best of Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, and Seth Green. The raunchy show features a story of a dysfunctional family and their adventures. Moreover, it features value-based messages focussed on elements like racism, sexism, and homophobic gags. The highly rated show has also been in the headlines for its political views. Released in the year 2019, it is available on Netflix to watch. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 22 min.

6. Love, Death, & Robots (2019- )

Genre: Animation, Short, Action
Cast: Fred Tatasciore, Scott Whyte, Nolan Nort
Creators: Tim Miller
Seasons: 3
Episode Duration: 15 min
Year of release: 2019
OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

Created by Tim Miller, this Netflix show is one of the best-animated anthology shows ever created. Love, Death, & Robots is a collection of some of the finest animated short stories that are visionary. While every episode is a brand new story, most of them feature elements like action, romance, love, and other mature subjects. The show’s concept matches Black Mirror and is available on Netflix to watch. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 15 min.

7. F is for Family (2015-2020)

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Cast: Bill Burr, Laura Dern, Justin Long
Creators: Bill Burr, Michael Price
Seasons: 5
Episode Duration: 30 min
Year of release: 2015
OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8/10

There’s no way, you like animated series for adults and you still haven't watched F is for Family. The show with an IMDb rating of 8 out 10, revolves around an ex-Korean War veteran named Frank Murphy played by Bill Burr. Watch the show to witness how a veteran works at an airport as a baggage handler The animated comedy is not only hilarious but features a thought-provoking storyline with quick wit. Created by Bill Burr and Michael Price, the show is available on Netflix to watch. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 30 min.

8. Big Mouth (2017 - )

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Romance
Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein
Creators: Jennifer Flackett, Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll
Seasons: 6
Episode Duration: 30 min
Year of release: 2017
OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Another animated series for adults we highly recommend watching right away is Netflix’s Big Mouth. Created by Jennifer Flackett, Andrew Goldberg, and Nick Kroll, the show features the best of Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, and Jessi Klein. The coming-of-age sitcom has 6 seasons and is undoubtedly one of the best Netflix original shows ever created. When it comes to the plot the animated show features elements of adolescence. Plus, you are going to love its raunchy real humor and real talks about sex and puberty. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 30 min.

9. Paradise PD (2018–2022)

Genre: Action, Animation, Comedy
Cast: David Herman, Tom Kenny, Kyle Kinane
Creators: Roger Black, Waco O'Guin
Seasons: 4
Episode Duration: 28 min
Year of release: 2018
OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Another animated show that’s full of comic moments is David Herman, Tom Kenny, and Kyle Kinane’s Paradise PD. The comedy animation follows the story of Officer Randall Crawford and how he handles a police department in a pretty dense way. The show is certainly not for kids and features comedy that’s almost barbaric but manages to make viewers chuckle. The show features the best of David Herman, Tom Kenny, and Kyle Kinane and is available on Netflix to watch. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 28 min.

10. Hit-Monkey (2021)

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Action
Cast: Fred Tatasciore, Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Munn
Creators: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
Seasons: 1
Episode Duration: 22 min
Year of release: 2021
OTT Platform: Hotstar
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Watch Josh Gordon, Will Speck’s Hit Monkey on Hulu or Hotstar to witness the best of Fred Tatasciore, Jason Sudeikis, and Olivia Munn. The action adventure animation features a story of an assassin named Bryce and how he discovers a Japanese macaque in a sauna. The Marvel show stands out and is worth your time. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 22 min.

11. American Dad (2005 - )

Genre: Animation, Comedy
Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Scott Grimes
Creators: Mike Barker, Seth MacFarlane, Matt Weitzman
Seasons: 19
Episode Duration: 22 min
Year of release: 2005
OTT Platform: Hotstar, Hulu
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Another animated show for adults, we vouch for is American Dad. The long-running show features the life of the Smith family and followers how Stan Smith voiced by Seth MacFarlane explores life as an American Dad. Watch the show on Hotstar or Hulu to witness the life of a CIA agent and his family. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 22 min.

12. Futurama (1999-2023)

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal
Creators: David X. Cohen, Matt Groening
Seasons: 11
Episode Duration: 22 min
Year of release: 1999
OTT Platform: Hulu
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

The show is a creation by the makers of The Simpsons. This long-running show was released in 1999 and is still going strong. The plot revolves around Phillip J. Frye who wakes up thousands of years after being cryogenically frozen and suddenly is stuck as an employee of an interplanetary delivery company. The show features the best of misadventures that’ll make you laugh out loud. Created by David X. Cohen, and Matt Groening, the show features the voices of Billy West, John DiMaggio, and Katey Sagal and is available on Hulu to watch. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 22 min.

13. The Boondocks (2005-2014)

Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy
Cast: Regina King, John Witherspoon, Gary Anthony Williams
Creator: Aaron McGruder
Seasons: 4
Episode Duration: 22 min
Year of release: 2005
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

Another animated show that’s both hilarious and socially mindful, is The Boondocks. The show is created by Aaron McGruder that features the best of Regina King, John Witherspoon, and Gary Anthony Williams. When it comes to the plot it features the best of Robert Freeman and his grandkids named Riley and Huey. Watch the show to witness how they move into a neighborhood. It is available on Amazon Prime Video to stream. The episodes of this show have an average duration of 22 min.

Anyone who believes animated shows and movies are just entertainment for kids certainly hasn't found the right animated series for adults. We have been hoping, this list managed to change your minds. Every show enlisted above is an iconic animated drama that features the most relatable and real emotions in the form of animations. While most of them are comic, each one of them has a certain depth entrenched in it. We highly recommend you share this article with anyone who says animations are just for children and bookmark this page for the ways you need a quick recommendation for an animated show.

A bonus list of top animated movies for adults according to their IMDb ratings

If you loved the above list of best-animated series for adults, this bonus list of top animated movies is for you. The movies are listed according to IMDb ratings. Right from highly rated animated movies like Grave of the Fireflies and Your Name to The Girl Without Hands and I Married a Strange Person, this list is an all-inclusive assortment of the best animated movies ever made.