What To Watch
Get Drawn to These 16 Animated Shows for Adults
Because you’re never too old for cartoons.
By Derek Lawrence
May 22, 2026
16 Best Animated Shows for Adults to Get Drawn to - Netflix Tudum
Who says cartoons are just for kids?
Animated shows for adults have become a popular TV genre unto themselves, with writers finding humor in everything from famous actors who are also horses to children being terrorized by puberty (and “hormone monsters”) to crass grown-ups who just like to curse a lot.
But don’t get discouraged — is it too much to call it disenchanted? — by the ever-growing lineup of adult-friendly animated options out there, because we’ve put together a list of series worth your time. Read on for our well-drawn recommendations.
Arcane
Praised for its gorgeous animation and emotional storytelling, this action-packed sci-fi series is based on Riot Games’ League of Legends. It follows two sisters — Jinx (Ella Purnell), also known as Powder, and Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) — who find themselves on rival sides of a brewing war between the rich, utopian city of Piltover and its oppressed underbelly, Zaun. As the conflict grows, the sisters find their bond tested as they veer down two very different paths.
Big Mouth
Puberty sucks. That’s the premise of this raunchy coming-of-age series from creators Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett. Kroll voices middle schooler Nick, a late bloomer trying to navigate his ever-changing reality alongside his right-hand man, Andrew (John Mulaney). The two pals and their classmates also have to deal with the sexual devils on their shoulders — a rotating group of mouthy “hormone monsters” that include Maury (Kroll), Connie (Maya Rudolph), Rick (also Kroll), and Mona (Thandiwe Newton).
BLUE EYE SAMURAI
“Kill Bill meets Yentl” is how co-creator Amber Noizumi described this striking animated series, which is set in 17th-century Edo-period Japan. The story follows Mizu (Maya Erskine), a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life of disguise while seeking to deliver revenge against those who made her an outcast. The voice cast joining Mizu (and viewers) on this quest includes Brenda Song, George Takei, Randall Park, Kenneth Branagh, Stephanie Hsu, Ming-Na Wen, and Harry Shum Jr.
BoJack Horseman
Set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist, the six-season series follows the titular BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett), a washed-up sitcom star hoping to mount an epic comeback — if only he could get out of his own way. His inner circle consists of unemployed roommate Todd Chavez (Aaron Paul), frenemy Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins), agent and former girlfriend Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris), and ghostwriter Diane Nguyen (Alison Brie).
Castlevania: Nocturne
This Castlevania spin-off, also based on the eponymous video game series, unfolds its story against the backdrop of the French Revolution. As the peasant class rises up against the aristocracy, a dark threat emerges: a group of powerful vampires intent on taking over the world. Those fighting against that deadly uprising include Richter Belmont (Edward Bluemel), a young hero who comes from a long line of vampire hunters and now has to uphold that family legacy.
Devil May Cry
This action-fantasy series, adapted from Capcom’s popular Japanese video game franchise of the same name, brings the adventures of demon hunter Dante (Johnny Yong Bosch) to a new medium. Dante works to protect Earth from a demonic invasion led by the White Rabbit (Hoon Lee), all while evading capture from the government and skilled soldier Mary Ann Arkham (Scout Taylor-Compton). The second season sees Dante battling his estranged twin brother, forcing him to finally confront his own devils and the feeling of family he lost as a child.
Disenchantment
This satirical fantasy series stars Abbi Jacobson as Bean, the rebellious princess of the medieval European kingdom of Dreamland. Bean is far from your stereotypical princess, preferring a night of drinking and adventure over sitting on the throne or searching for her Prince Charming. Always by her side are her optimistic elf, Elfo (Nat Faxon), and her personal demon, Luci (Eric André). The cast also includes Futurama stalwart John DiMaggio, Catastrophe’s Sharon Horgan, and What We Do in the Shadows’ Matt Berry.
Entergalactic
Kid Cudi based this special on his 2022 album of the same name and also voices its protagonist, Jabari, a young street artist on the rise. But the arrival of an intriguing new neighbor, photographer Meadow (Jessica Williams), forces him to decide whether he can make room for love in his life. Vanessa Hudgens, Christopher Abbott, Ty Dolla $ign, Teyana Taylor, Jaden Smith, Macaulay Culkin, and Timothée Chalamet are also among the cast.
F is for Family
Bill Burr is the co-creator, producer, writer, and star of this ’70s-set series, which centers on a lower-middle-class Irish American family in fictional Rustvale, Pennsylvania. The patriarch is Frank (Burr), a short-tempered veteran who would love nothing more than to come home from work, sit in his recliner with a beer, and enjoy some peace and quiet. But ensuring that’ll never happen are matriarch Sue (Laura Dern), delinquent eldest child Kevin (Justin Long), constantly bullied middle child Bill (Haley Reinhart), and Frank’s highly intelligent princess, Maureen (Debi Derryberry).
Haunted Hotel
This ghostly comedy centers on a single mother of two who struggles to run the Undervale, a hotel that happens to be haunted. Luckily, she has some help from her estranged brother — now one of the ghosts — who thinks his fellow phantoms have some pretty good ideas. Already renewed for a second season, the series has a voice cast featuring Will Forte, Eliza Coupe, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides, and Jimmi Simpson.
Long Story Short
BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg has done it again with this already renewed animated title, which follows a Jewish American family over various periods of their lives. The episodes jump back and forth through the years, offering relatable moments of triumph, disappointment, joy, and compromise. The central Schwooper family is voiced by a star-studded cast, including Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, Max Greenfield, Angelique Cabral, Nicole Byer, Lisa Edelstein, and Paul Reiser.
Love, Death & Robots
This anthology series, created by Deadpool director Tim Miller and executive produced by David Fincher, taps into a variety of different animation styles and genres to probe the three subjects of its title: love, death, and robots. Expect everything from dark comedy to terrifying creatures and mind-bending realities. No two installments are the same, which makes for an enthralling watch.
Mating Season
They may be horny, but they still have heart. This romantic comedy tackles topics like love, sex, relationships, and the universal need to find a partner — but does so from deep within the animal kingdom and with characters who are bears, raccoons, deer, foxes, and a host of other lusting and lovable forest critters. The series hails from the creators of Big Mouth, and includes Nick Kroll, June Diane Raphael, Zach Woods, and Sabrina Jalees in the cast.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
This anime series, based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s hit graphic novels (which were also adapted into the 2010 live-action film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) brings back the titular bass player, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera); his love interest, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead); and her seven evil exes. The film’s entire voice cast reprise their roles, including Cera, Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Ellen Wong, Satya Bhabha, Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, and Mae Whitman.
Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Though Stranger Things has come to an end, this series features new adventures with our Hawkins heroes. It’s set during the winter of 1985, when the group has settled back into a quiet life of D&D and snowball fights. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down, the depths of Hawkins Lab, or from somewhere else entirely? Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max must race to save their town from the terror of this paranormal mystery.
Strip Law
Adam Scott voices Lincoln Gumb, an uptight lawyer who is way too boring to win cases in Las Vegas. In an attempt to win over juries, he decides to team up with Sheila Flambé — a local magician (and hedonist) voiced by Janelle James — to bring some much-needed flash and pizzazz to the stupidest cases the Nevada city can throw at them. Stephen Root, Shannon Gisela, and Keith David are also part of the cast.
Additional reporting by Jessica Derschowitz and Ashley Lee.
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