7 Best Animated Series for Adults [That Aren’t Family Guy]

Tired of hearing about Family Guy every time you search for the best adult cartoons? You want smart stories, good laughs, and sharp writing without watching the same show everyone talks about. You want fresh jokes. You want clever characters. You want plots made just for you.

There are great animated series out there that deliver exactly that. For example, Rick and Morty is filled with wild adventures and science fiction themes that keep fans coming back for more.

This list points you to 7 best animated series for adults that break away from old routines. Each one offers a different style of humor or drama suited for mature viewers.

Get ready to find your next favorite cartoon series. Something new waits on this screen!

BoJack Horseman

BoJack Horseman paints a raw picture of fame, regret, and second chances. You might laugh one minute and feel a gut-punch the next. It is widely considered one of the best TV shows of the 2010s, animated or otherwise.

Synopsis and Themes

A faded TV star struggles with fame and self-worth in Hollywood. He faces real issues like addiction, depression, and loneliness. The show uses talking animals and human characters to create a strange yet relatable world.

Each episode explores deep themes such as regret, hope, mental health, and the cost of being famous. The humor is dark but sharp. It often pokes at celebrity culture in Los Angeles.

People see the main character fight his own worst habits while ignoring friends who try to help him. You will meet bold characters like Princess Carolyn (voiced by Amy Sedaris) and Mr. Peanutbutter. Each faces their own battles too.

This animated series started in 2014 on Netflix. It kicked off adult animation’s big boom era for streaming shows about grown-up problems that cartoons rarely show so honestly.

Why It’s a Must-Watch for Adults

BoJack Horseman shines with sharp adult humor and deep storytelling. The show holds a stellar 93% average on Rotten Tomatoes, with later seasons reaching a perfect 100%.

The writers take risks most cartoons do not. For instance, the episode “Free Churro” consists almost entirely of a single monologue by Will Arnett. It is a masterpiece of writing that proves animation can handle serious drama.

• The Voice Cast: Will Arnett brings incredible depth to BoJack, supported by Aaron Paul and Alison Brie.
• Real Consequences: Unlike sitcoms where everything resets, characters here carry their scars from season to season.
• Visual Gags: Pause any scene to find hidden jokes in the background, like animal puns on movie posters.

With its mix of animated comedy and dark themes, BoJack offers more than jokes. It starts honest conversations about mental health and self-worth. Viewers see characters make mistakes that are messy but real.

Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty spins wild stories with clever jokes, sharp wit, and plenty of surprises. The show mixes science fiction with family drama. It pulls you in from the very first scene.

Unique Storytelling and Humor

Plenty of animated series reach beyond simple laughs, but Rick and Morty hits hard with its smart storytelling. Every episode warps reality, bends time, or pokes holes in science fiction tropes.

Plots twist suddenly. One moment you see a family dinner. The next they fly across dimensions chasing space bugs. No other cartoon peppers such mind-bending stories with raunchy jokes and sharp satire.

Writers slip pointed adult humor between wild cosmic scenes and heartfelt moments. A character like Rick Sanchez calls out TV clichés while causing planetary chaos.

Google “Pickle Rick” from 2017 for proof. That single episode turned into a pop culture giant thanks to offbeat wit and clever sci-fi gags. This mix keeps adults laughing even after the credits roll.

Key Highlights of the Series

Rick and Morty exploded onto Adult Swim in 2013. It quickly became a fan favorite for its wild sci-fi plots, dark humor, and smart satire. The show features brilliant scientist Rick Sanchez and his nervous grandson Morty as they travel through strange worlds and timelines.

The show has evolved significantly over the years. Following a major casting change in 2023, new voice actors Ian Cardoni (Rick) and Harry Belden (Morty) took over the roles seamlessly. They helped carry the show through its eighth season in 2025.

The animation stands out with bright colors and weird creatures. Guest stars like Stephen Colbert add extra laughs to many episodes. Each season brings more twists that catch viewers off guard.

Archer

Archer fires off sharp jokes and wild spy adventures, always with plenty of dark humor. This animated series brings quick-witted banter, chaos, and flawed but lovable characters that keep you hooked.

Spy Satire with a Dark Twist

Sterling Archer drinks too much. He makes fun of his boss. He still takes down bad guys.

The show parodies old spy movies, but with a dark sense of humor you cannot miss. Each episode throws the team into chaos. Sometimes they fire guns and other times they bicker like kids at recess.

“I swear to god I had something for this.” – Sterling Archer

Jokes often cross the line into adult cartoons territory. Few shows handle satire this sharp.

Characters drop one-liners about workplace drama, failed romance, or strange missions. People laugh at danger instead of running from it. Known for bold animation styles and quick wit, this series stands out in mature cartoons alongside hits like “Rick and Morty” or “Beavis and Butt-Head.”

What Sets It Apart

Archer grabs attention with its sharp satire and bold storytelling. The show pokes fun at spy dramas. It mixes clever adult humor and fast-paced action in almost every episode.

The series enjoyed a massive 14-season run that concluded with the “Into the Cold” finale event in December 2023. It remains one of the longest-running and most consistent adult comedies in history.

The characters never stand still either. Their lives get messy. Their jokes cut deep.

Shows like “King of the Hill” or “Bob’s Burgers” lean on family life or simple gags, but Archer throws viewers into chaotic missions where no one stays safe for long. Fast dialogue mixed with sudden plot twists keeps audiences laughing while they try to catch up.

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn flips the script on classic superheroes, tossing in fast jokes and wild action. The show thrives on chaos. It makes even longtime comic fans grin from ear to ear.

A Fresh Take on DC Characters

Forget the old suit-and-tie Batman or the brooding Joker. DC characters get a new life in this adult animated series.

Quinn cracks jokes. She chats with Poison Ivy over coffee. She stirs up chaos across Gotham City—and later Metropolis in Season 5.

Fans get to watch familiar faces like King Shark tackle everyday problems, not just supervillain fights.

Quinn’s crew adds layers to classic characters from DC Comics that fans grew up watching. The creators use fast-paced storytelling and unexpected humor. They make the cast fresh again for mature viewers.

Even die-hard comic readers can spot nods to older animation favorites while laughing at sharp satire aimed at pop culture and superheroes alike.

Humor and Violence Combined

Harley Quinn serves up laughs and chaos in equal measure. The show’s sharp animated comedy hits hard with action-packed fight scenes, wild jokes, and lots of satirical moments.

Harley teams up with quirky DC characters like Poison Ivy and King Shark. They trade witty banter while battling villains or smashing through walls together. Kaley Cuoco leads a stellar voice cast that brings a frantic, hilarious energy to every scene.

• Relationship Goals: The evolution of Harley and Ivy’s relationship (“Harlivy”) is the heart of the show.
• Critically Acclaimed: The series maintains a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its ability to balance gore with genuine emotion.
• Spin-offs: The universe is so popular it spawned a spin-off series, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!.

The series stands out from other animation genres by blending slapstick humor with bright streams of blood and over-the-top stunts. Fans will find the same adult humor that made South Park famous mixed with big explosions straight out of a superhero movie.

Love, Death & Robots

Love, Death & Robots spins wild tales with sharp visuals and bold stories. Every episode grabs you by the collar. It is perfect for nights when plain cartoons just won’t cut it.

Anthology of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Love, Death & Robots keeps things exciting with fresh stories each episode. Some tales last just six minutes; others stretch twenty.

One week, you get a wild robot adventure on Mars. The next, you see monsters fighting in underground arenas or witness clever twists about artificial intelligence gone wrong.

The series pulls creative talent from many backgrounds and studios. It packs adult themes, dark humor, and stunning animation into every story. Producers Tim Miller and David Fincher curate a collection that ranges from hyper-realistic CGI to traditional 2D art.

Fans of Cowboy Bebop or South Park will pick up on the sharp satire and grown-up jokes throughout each short film. Even if sci-fi is not your usual cup of tea, these quick episodes offer something different.

What Makes It Stand Out

Stories grab your attention from the start. Each episode uses different styles, like 3D or hand-drawn animation. Some shorts get silly, while others turn dark or even sad.

This variety makes it easy to find a favorite. Here is a quick guide to help you choose your first episode:

Awards pop up often for this series because it pushes the envelope of what animated shows can be. Netflix releases the episodes all at once so fans binge them right away.

Invincible

Invincible flips the superhero script with hard-hitting action and deep, messy family drama. It doesn’t pull its punches. Expect shocks, laughs, and characters you can’t easily forget.

Superhero Drama with Adult Themes

Blood splatters. Bones crack. Secrets spill in this serious superhero cartoon.

Mark Grayson starts as a normal teen but gains powers like his dad, Omni-Man. Fights get brutal fast. Innocent lives hang in the balance at every turn.

The show explores betrayal, loss, and tough choices more than saving the day with flashy powers.

This animated series for adults pushes beyond classic comic book stories. It shows what happens after heroes punch through walls or break promises to loved ones. Characters struggle with moral gray areas and real-world consequences while balancing family issues with cosmic threats.

“Think, Mark! Think!” – Omni-Man

Strong language mixes with graphic violence to make sure viewers know this is not your typical Saturday morning cartoon.

Its Impact on the Genre

Invincible shook up adult animation with its bold superhero drama and graphic scenes. The series put a spotlight on real consequences, showing what happens when heroes fight in a regular city.

Violence got gritty, not slapstick. Adult themes like family struggles, betrayal, and moral choices took center stage.

Other animated shows soon followed this new tone. Fans who love The Simpsons or Rick and Morty noticed Invincible offered something fresh for adults. Animation that pulled no punches.

Streaming numbers soared after its release in 2021. With Season 3 airing in early 2025 without a mid-season break, the show proved mature cartoons could tell bigger stories about life’s hard moments without losing entertainment value.

F is for Family

F is for Family puts a spotlight on the gritty side of everyday life, showing family struggles with blunt honesty. It mixes dark humor with real emotion, making every episode hit close to home.

Relatable Family Dynamics with a Dark Edge

This animated TV show peeks into family life and hits close to home for many viewers. The main characters yell, laugh, fight, and make up in ways that feel real yet harsh. Arguments can turn wild fast.

Parents say things they regret. Kids act out or fall apart under stress from adults who mean well but mess up often.

Set in the 1970s Midwest, it throws a dark shadow over everyday moments. Dad’s job troubles lead to angry rants at the dinner table. Mom cracks jokes while trying to hold everyone together.

• Created by: Comedian Bill Burr and Michael Price (The Simpsons).
• The Voice: Bill Burr voices Frank Murphy, the angry but loving patriarch.
• The Setting: A perfect 1973 time capsule, complete with smoking in airports and latchkey kids.

Unlike lighter cartoons like Bob’s Burgers or King of the Hill, this series doesn’t soften its blows with too much sweetness. It shows broken dreams along with love and hope.

Why It’s Perfect for Mature Audiences

F is for Family hits hard with its raw adult humor and dark comedy. Frank Murphy yells, rants, and sometimes stumbles, but his struggles feel real. The 1970s setting offers a sharp take on tough family life and changing times.

Adult themes like job loss, broken dreams, addiction, and rocky marriages fill each episode.

The show keeps nothing off limits. Foul language flies around every corner. Some scenes can get violent or shocking in their honesty about pain or disappointment.

Grown-up viewers see themselves in these cartoon characters. That’s why fans put F is for Family alongside greats like King of the Hill and South Park on best animated shows lists for adults who want more than simple laughs.

Final Thoughts

These seven animated series prove grown-up cartoons are more than cheap laughs and crude jokes. Each show brings its own style, story, and sharp wit. They make adult animation easy to enjoy for busy nights or weekend marathons alike. You can start with any of them. Try BoJack’s raw honesty or Rick and Morty’s wild rides. Or maybe Archer’s twisted humor is more your speed. You will get something different every time.

Have you found your next binge-watch pick yet? Grab the remote. Pick a title from this list. See how much fun smart animation can bring into your nights. Sometimes a clever cartoon really does offer the fresh laugh we all need.