With networks in the midst of the Golden Age of Television, more and more fantastic series have been produced to the joy of fans everywhere. From Game of Thrones to Breaking Bad to Daredevil, show after show has been released that left its mark and proved even better than movies.
But not every amazing show has been live-action. That’s why Ranker put together a list of some of the best animated series that are airing right now. And, though they are vastly different, each is genuinely a fantastic show.
Hilda
A young girl in a world full of monsters, Hilda is rarely afraid of the world around her. Instead, she explores and befriends each of the monstrous creatures she comes across along the way. Having moved out of her forest home, she’s forced to get used to big city life while helping the creatures she meets.
A show led by an insatiably sweet protagonist, Hilda is a genuinely lovable story that really capitalizes on its premise and depicts a lighthearted world with endless adventures for the titular character. The animation is also perfect for the show’s subject, which adds an additional element of charm.
Young Justice
Though showcasing characters that are very different from their comic selves, Young Justice portrays a cast of young DC heroes, as they cast aside the “sidekick” mantle and begin to grow into adult heroes of their own. With a huge ensemble cast and a thrilling story, Young Justice features a compelling narrative that isn’t afraid to get dark.
With each season featuring a unique overall arc, the show is never afraid to jump into storylines that are both comics-based and entirely original. The cast itself is full of fun and interesting powers with unique powersets that help them feel like fully realized heroes.
Harley Quinn
While more of a comedy than Young Justice, Harley Quinn is an iconic show that uses violence and gore as often as it does vulgarity. Though most animated shows tend to shy away from the kind of brutal humor this series is known for, it’s a perfect fit for a show about one of DC’s fiercest anti-heroes.
Still, there are moments when Harley Quinn gets heartfelt, especially when it comes to Harley’s relationship with Poison Ivy. The two are the heart of the show, and their romance drives its core, even through some of the darkest moments in the arcs of each character.
The Owl House
After arriving in another world, a little girl without powers finds herself in a magical found family of her own as she pursues her dreams of becoming a true witch. The Owl House features a diverse cast that even offers LGBTQ+ representation, while also featuring characters from wildly different backgrounds.
The show is a great fit for both kids and adults and has some amazing messages that have seriously resonated with fans. The animation is also incredible, and each character is extraordinarily well-designed for this charming series.
Archer
A show about a misfit spy who regularly fails at his every mission, Archer is certainly a show made for adults. With a hilarious protagonist and a series of underrated supporting characters, Archer is an incredibly distinct series that has left its mark on animated shows for over a decade.
With its unique art style, it’s recognizable at a glance, which helps to make the show feel even more amazing. It also has great voice acting from well-known actors that helps to make it memorable and realistic.
SpongeBob Squarepants
Though most of the greatest SpongeBob episodes came early in the show’s run, the series continues to air today to help fans learn more about the lives of Bikini Bottom’s own sponge. SpongeBob Squarepants showcases each of the struggles experienced by a talking sponge as he struggles to navigate driving school, serving as a fry cook, and taking care of his pet snail.
The ensemble cast of characters is also fun for both kids and adults. With Squidward’s tired petulance, Patrick’s general ignorance, Mr. Krab’s greed, and Plankton’s desperate desire to figure out the secret recipe of the Krabby Patty, there have been countless adventures that still excite kids today. Each episode is completely rewatchable, even for adult viewers.
The Simpsons
After over 30 years on air and nearly 1,000 episodes, the show has certainly outgrown its humble origins as part of The Tracey Ullman Show. Following a family of misfits in small-town Springfield, The Simpsons has amassed quite a cast of characters that have each had some significant focus over the years.
While some episodes zero in on the kids coping with school and relationships, others focus on serving as real-world satire by exploring the troubles the father of the family, Homer, faces at his job at the nuclear power plant. As the longest-running sitcom on TV, The Simpsons has certainly left its mark and deserves to be seen at least once.
South Park
A raunchy show following the lives of four children in a small town, South Park is a series where each episode tends to follow an entirely new subject matter. While some focus on typical sitcom situations, others involve real-world issues in politics.
Given that the show is turning 25 in 2022, it has touched on a vast array of events, like Presidential elections, wars, and even celebrity in-fighting. Though the show’s premise makes it look inconsequential, the stakes in each episode tend to be high, and fans often leave each season pondering the state of the world as a whole.
Bob’s Burgers
Much like SpongeBob but with a much more adult atmosphere to the show, Bob’s Burgers follows the lives of a single family as they try to manage their burger shop. After over a decade and a movie of its own, the show has grown a sizable fanbase that adores the wacky situations the Belcher family gets into.
Between marriage troubles, issues running the store, and difficulty with the kids becoming more and more independent, the Belcher family has had enough problems to last a lifetime. Still, they remain incredibly entertaining all the while, and it’s why fans love each season of Bob’s Burgers as much as they do.
Rick and Morty
A cartoon made explicitly for adults, Rick and Morty is not a show that any kid should see. Following the life of a typical teenage boy and his mad-scientist grandfather, the show depicts some of the wild journeys that the two take through time, technological experimentation, and multiversal crises.
The show often borrows themes from movies, comics, and sci-fi books, and executes them incredibly while along the way. It also isn’t afraid to delve into comedy, as Rick and Morty displays fun and interesting settings as often as it does genuinely hilarious comedy.
