10 Great Adult Animated Shows You Might Have Missed

Thanks to shows like South Park and The Simpsons, adult cartoons have become a staple. There are now numerous cartoons on streaming services aimed at adults.

While there are plenty of imitators, there are also some trailblazers who are not being as heavily advertised. Adult animation can be about more than sitcoms and comedy. There’s science fiction, superheroes, and even conspiracy thrillers. It’s no longer just about cartoons being for kids; it’s now about cartoons being more than one genre.

10

Scavengers Reign

Based on a short film, Scavengers Reign centers on a starship crew’s dark and thrilling survival adventure. Marooned on the planet Vesta, the cargo ship Demeter 227’s survivors struggle to live in this uncertain environment. As they explore, they discover odd and telepathic creatures that could aid or threaten their journey home.

With breathtaking 2D animation, Scavengers Reign has the look and feel of cracking open an indie comic book. Its pacing is atmospheric and wonderfully weird in its surreal, bizarre setting. This is a must-watch show for anybody who wants their sci-fi series to have extra helpings of the psychological, gritty, and mysterious.

Creators Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner had hoped to develop the show for Adult Swim, the Cartoon Network block where the short film originally aired. Although Adult Swim didn’t pursue the show, HBO Max picked it up with animation by Titmouse. After acquiring the first, Netflix had shown interest in a second season, but ultimately backed out, making this atmospheric sci-fi series one that was short-lived.

MAX

Scavengers Reign is a mature sci-fi adventure for adults who crave a survival adventure on strange planets.

9

The Midnight Gospel

The Midnight Gospel is part podcast and part Adventure Time, not just because it comes from creator Pendleton Ward. Based on The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, Duncan voices podcaster Clancy Gilroy in the surreal void of Chromatic Ribbon. Each episode features real interviews with notable figures, including Drew Pinsky, Damien Echols, and Caitlin Doughty.

While the show does give the interviewees memorable character roles, the conversations are genuine. This is especially true in the final episode, where Duncan interviews his cancer-stricken mother. The show is playful with its visuals, insightful discussions, and is surprisingly emotional. It’ll invest you with the podcast format and rip your heart out with the emotional honesty on display.

For those who grew up loving the wonder of Adventure Time, think of this as the grown-up version of that. It still has Ward’s love of wonderfully unorthodox settings, but isn’t afraid to delve deeper into existential subjects. It’s focused and free-flowing at the same time, unlike any other animated show on streaming, and essential viewing for those who love philosophically stimulating chats.

Netflix

The Midnight Gospel blends podcast interviews with surreal animation to create an entirely original adult animated show.

8

Love, Death & Robots

If this adult animated anthology seems like the TV version of the comic magazine Heavy Metal, it was intentional. Producers Tim Miller and David Fincher originally planned to adapt it, but they ultimately created a similar series: Love, Death & Robots. This show doesn’t carry the same name, but it has all the sex, violence, and profanity expected from the source material.

Each episode features different stories, utilizing various animation mediums and fantastical elements. Some episodes are genuinely funny, as in the sequence of three robots exploring a post-humanity Earth. Some are intense displays of cosmic horror, as intergalactic soldiers pierce the unknown. And some episodes are just fantastically mesmerizing, as with the story about a pool-cleaning robot that becomes sentient and evolves to find its purpose.

What makes Love, Death & Robots so exciting is that you never get one type of adult animation. The variety in tone, running times, styles, and animation formats keeps each season fresh and engaging. So, if you didn’t enjoy the CGI story about a killer vacuum cleaner, you might love the 2D story of archeologists finding Dracula. There’s a little something for everybody, and watching this show brought back the thrill of thumbing through a new issue of Heavy Metal.

Netflix

Love, Death & Robots is an adult animated anthology featuring stories that span multiple genres and animation styles.

7

Common Side Effects

Produced by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels (King of the Hill), Common Side Effects is an off-beat conspiracy thriller akin to Twin Peaks. The story centers around a mysterious mushroom that can cure any human suffering, including death. However, there are lingering mysteries about its effects, while environmental, commercial, and governmental forces vie for control over the wonder drug.

Despite the exaggerated design of characters with big heads and small hands, Common Side Effects is very effective as a serious thriller. Creators Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely take this concept and run with it, bringing cleverness and quirkiness to an intriguing premise. It’s highly recommended for thriller fans, and the building mystery has so many lingering secrets that you’ll want to brush up on the episodes for the upcoming season.

MAX

Common Side Effects is a conspiracy thriller that features surreal detours in its animation about mortality and drugs.

6

Creature Commandos

Creature Commandos takes place in the newer and giddier DC Comics universe helmed by James Gunn. Similar to Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, the show follows the adventures of misfit monsters forced to work for the government, ranging from the stitched-together Bride to the radioactive Dr. Phosphorus. The monsters become more sympathetic as they progressively unravel a conspiracy of imperialism.

Based on the comic book ensemble, the show boasts dark humor and a wild Eastern European soundtrack. While the roster boasts numerous new characters for the DCU, it also features some familiar faces from The Suicide Squad, including Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis) and Weasel (portrayed by Sean Gunn). For any DC Comics fans who loved Gunn’s work on the Peacemaker TV series (which he also wrote), this same style of anti-heroes should carry you over until the new season.

MAX

Creature Commandos features more of James Gunn’s misfit ensemble approach to DC Comics with wry humor and brutal action.

5

F is for Family

Set in 1970s suburbia, F is for Family is one of the most adult-oriented animated sitcoms, willing to explore some dark and unconventional themes. Bill Burr voices Frank, an overworked and easily aggravated father struggling to keep it together. His life becomes a chaotic mess of work worries, clashing neighbors, and the generational disconnect with his kids.

Armed with vicious satire of the 1970s, F is for Family has a fearless style of writing that plays like a grittier version of All In The Family. With its balance of dark comedy and blunt drama, the show is so intoxicating to watch it unfold with every anxiety of the working class. But the biggest reason to watch is that Bill Burr is at his blustering best, especially since he wrote a handful of the scripts. It’s one of the best animated Netflix originals.

Netflix

F is for Family takes a blunt approach to 1970s suburban life with an intense performance by Bill Burr.

4

YOLO

Created by Michael Cusack of Smiling Friends fame, YOLO takes place in a cartoonish version of Australia. The vulgar Sarah and innocent Rachel are best friends who seek out the wildest parties. Their friendship is tested as they are pursued by the odd stalker, Lucas, and encounter the weirdest of transmundane villains.

YOLO shares much of the fast-paced comedy present in Smiling Friends, but with a distinctly Australian level of humor. So if you can’t wait for the next season of Smiling Friends, this show should tide you over. The bizarre depiction of the outback and the mismatched chemistry of the two friends make each season such a strange journey to get lost within.

MAX

YOLO is a fast-paced animated comedy from the co-creator of Smiling Friends with a distinct Australian sense of humor.

3

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Lower Decks is set in the Star Trek universe and takes an almost-parody approach to the long-running sci-fi franchise. As the title suggests, the show follows the adventures of the crew members of the starship Cerritos who don’t work on the bridge. Their friendship is tested as they face alien threats to the ship and the challenges of promotions that keep them apart.

As the most comical of Star Trek shows, Lower Decks was tailor-made for astute Trek fans. It doesn’t just feature familiar cameos of actors like George Takei and Jonathan Frakes. It also manages to poke fun at the lore of Star Trek while still adding to the franchise’s history, including a crossover episode with Strange New Worlds. It’s the type of Star Trek show that can laugh at itself while still feeling like Star Trek.

Paramount Plus

Star Trek: Lower Decks is a fun sci-fi adventure cartoon that was built for adult fans with a wealth of Trek in-jokes.

2

Harley Quinn

Based on the DC Comics character, Harley Quinn follows the adventures of Joker’s sidekick, striking out on her own. After escaping a toxic relationship with the Joker, Harley assumes the role of a primary Gotham villain with Poison Ivy by her side. Harley and Ivy will have their bond tested as they try to define themselves in a world of villains and occasionally superheroes.

Initially airing on the short-lived DC Universe streaming app, Harley Quinn became such a breakout hit that it carried over to Max. The series has garnered high praise for its postmodern portrayal of familiar DC Comics characters. The success has also led to a spin-off series, Kite Man: Hell Yeah, also airing on Max, which is a hidden gem TV show.

MAX

Harley Quinn parodies familiar DC Comics characters while also offering a grounded portrayal of relationships.

1

Solar Opposites

From the team behind Rick & Morty, Solar Opposites follows the absurd adventures of space aliens living in suburbia. Conflict arises between the aliens, who want to terraform the Earth or embrace its pop culture, resulting in humorous arguments about Christmas movies and sci-fi shenanigans of humans being turned into wine bottles. The animated series was initially developed for Fox, but stalled long enough to find a home on Hulu (it’s one of the best shows on Hulu, animated or otherwise.)

Although it contains some of the meta humor present in Rick & Morty, Solar Opposites differs in its positive portrayal of a gay couple. The show is also worth noting for its dramatic diversions into stories of humans either shrunk down by alien technology or launched into space. This show was made for those who loved the humor of Rick & Morty but want an added dash of spicy romance in their adult animation.

Hulu

Solar Opposites is an absurd alien animated sitcom with wry humor, pop culture mockery, and surprising detours of drama.

These adult animated shows are superb, but they’re not as widely known as South Park or Bob’s Burgers. Without much notoriety, some of these series have been unceremoniously canceled or struggled to secure another season. So don’t miss out on the adult animated shows currently airing to ensure they continue. You never know which one might be your new favorite series.