Cartoons and animated shows have been a saving grace for countless during the pandemic. Sure, live-action content remains popular, but animated shows provide the perfect way to escape for people who just want to forget about their worries for a moment.
However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that cartoons are only for kids. Although animations are still largely successful with younger viewers, there are adult-orientated animations with mature themes that resonate with an older audience.
We’ve highlighted some of our favourite shows streaming right now on Netflix.
1. Bojack Horseman
Animated shows don’t come much more adult than Bojack Horseman. With its titular character voiced by the incredibly charismatic Will Arnett, this hugely popular cartoon tells the story of a washed-up sitcom star who struggles to come to terms with his fading celebrity status.
Bojack Horseman treads a thin line between dark and comedic, delving into complex themes of addiction, narcissism, and fame, using comedy to provide relief from the serious subjects explored. With 6 seasons to binge through, this is a great series to immerse yourself in.
2. Rick and Morty
Premiering on Adult Swim in 2013 , Rick and Morty has since become a global sensation. One of the wilder cartoons you’ll ever come across, it tells the story of a genius (but alcoholic) scientist Rick Sanchez and his adventures with his kind-hearted 14-year-old grandson Morty.
As the unlikely duo explore the universe together, they go through a range of misadventures. Rick’s selfish and unpredictable behaviour – combined with his extreme intelligence – leads to endless outlandish situations that make for great entertainment.
All this in addition to family drama back on earth, it’s no surprise that Rick and Morty is one of the most beloved cartoons and top Netflix shows today.
3. The Midnight Gospel
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of immersing yourself in the weird and wonderful world of Adventure Time, you'll be sure to find the same in The Midnight Gospel, as it's the brainchild of the eclectic Pendleton Ward, who created Adventure Time, and comedian Duncan Trussell.
The Midnight Gospel tells the story of a ‘spacecaster’ named Clancy Gilroy, who uses an unlicensed multiverse simulator to travel to distant worlds and interview aliens for his intergalactic podcast. Renowned for its mind-blowing animation and the mature themes it touches on, this dark comedy animated television series is one for the ages, with each episode making for a highly immersive experience.
4. Death Note
Many Japanese anime touch on adult themes, yet few have made a cultural impact as strongly as Death Note. Though it originally aired in the mid-2000s, Death Note has continued to have a lasting fanbase.
The story follows Light Yagami, a disturbed high-school student who discovers a magical notebook which allows him to kill anyone by writing their name in it. As he becomes obsessed with this power, Light takes it upon himself to destroy anyone whom he believes has done wrong.
However, enigmatic detective L and his elite police force have decided that these crimes must be stopped at all cost. With this famous anime having received several adaptations, including a Death Note movie, be sure to check out the original series of 37 episodes on Netflix.
5. Family Guy
The Griffins are perhaps one of the most dysfunctional families.From their home in Rhode Island, each member bounces from one bizarre scene to the next. With Family Guy following in the footsteps of cartoons like The Simpsons and South Park, you can expect crude, vulgar jokes and references to real-life events characters to regularly break the fourth wall, mock their own TV network, and satirise pop culture icons.
With so much political insensitivity jam-packed into one show, it's a wonder how it’s survived with almost 20 seasons under its belt.. For more of the best animated TV shows on Netflix, subscribe to M1’s Netflix package deal. With 3 Netflix subscription plans to choose from and the convenience of having your subscription cost included in your monthly M1 bill, never worry about missing out on the best shows Netflix has to offer. Watch your favorite shows on the go with our 5Go Access pack, or watch while connected to your home broadband so it doesn't eat into your mobile data.