7 adult cartoons on Netflix filled with dark humour
(Credit: Netflix)

Must Watch Series

7 adult cartoons on Netflix filled with dark humour

As children, we enjoyed watching cartoons as they served as a source of escape from reality for us. But as adults, grappling with various struggles and issues in our daily lives, stuck in the quagmire of routine, we often find ourselves swimming in sitcoms, trying to find a perfect pick.

More often than not, adult cartoons provide a getaway from our difficulties and help us find solace in momentary laughter, raunchy comedy and gags. 

Humour lies in a grey area between acceptable and offensive. Adult cartoons are dangerous provocateurs. They are, unlike children’s cartoons, based in the real world and provide funnier twists to real-life scenarios, with umpteen cuss words, references to the hedonistic pleasures of life and more, while basking in the glory of nihilism and existential dread.

The modern human condition gains precedence and we forget our worries momentarily as we live vicariously through the experiences of the flawed, pathetic characters. 

Out of the many cartoons available, we, at Best of Netflix, have compiled a list of 7 adult cartoons on Netflix that abound in dark humour: 

7 adult cartoons on Netflix filled with dark humour 

7. Paradise PD (Roger Black, Waco O’Guin, 2018-)

While Brooklyn Nine-Nine sees the cops in a good light, where they joke around yet solve cases quite seriously, Paradise PD sees under-performing cops with crass mouths and dysfunctional selves that range from obesity to obscenity, violence to substance dependence. 

With scathing, sardonic humour, the show cracks umpteen jokes at popular pop culture figures. While some gags are genuinely crude, the characters are bizarre and outlandish. The edgy content is definitely inspired a lot by Seth MacFarlane it seems and is not for those who do not enjoy the offensive comedy. However, it tries too hard at times and fails to achieve the greatness of its predecessors and/or contemporaries.      

Available: All regions

6. Disenchantment (Matt Groening, 2018-)

After The Simpsons and Futurama, Groening is back with an animated adult fantasy series that sees a typical fairytale being subverted by an alcoholic princess and her personal demon embarking on various escapades that turn sour. They, along with an elf, encounter various supernatural and human elements who help add oddball humour to this strange series. 

Although the series has not attained the stature of his other works, the audience will find themselves cracking up at the sheer hilarity and stupidity of the situations in the medieval world when the bizarre characters are met with funny situations it is comparatively more light-hearted and fun.  

Available: All regions

5. Q-Force (Gabe Liedman, 2021)

Created by the creator of Big Mouth, this ten-episode queer series is unabashed and unapologetic and indulges in crude queer humour. It is about the Queer Force that comprises a group of LGBT spies and a “gay James Bond”-like secret agent named Steve Marywhether (Agent Mary). These spies try to prove their worth via various private and professional endeavours. Agent Mary soon faces a new problem when the American Intelligence Agency needs to appoint a straight man as a part of their team. 

Starring Sean Hayes, Gary Cole, David Harbour, Laurie Metcalf, Patti Harrison and more in voice roles, the show subverts the tropes of masculinity that are an unwavering characteristic of espionage films. With explicit scenes and gay humour, the show is a must-watch for all who wanted to see James Bond in a new avatar! 

Available: All regions

4. Big Mouth (Gabe Liedman, 2017-)

The insecurities and the anxieties we experience during puberty are personified into monsters on this brilliantly quirky show. It revolves around a group of teenagers who are overwhelmed by the onslaught of adolescence and raging hormones that lead to various emotional and physical changes. With the disconnect they feel from their bodies along with the pangs of young love and other urges, the relatability of the show reaches its zenith. 

A raunchy coming-of-age comedy show, Big Mouth explores a variety of themes relevant to the struggles in this journey of self-acceptance. It deftly deals with the various issues middle-schoolers get entangled in; horny classmates, masturbation, menstruation, unannounced erections, personal drama, social media addiction, domestic disturbances, mood swings, academic and peer pressure etc.   

Available: All regions

3. South Park (Trey Parker, Matt Stonie, 1997-)

Set in the titular town of South Park, the sitcom follows the lives of four boys, namely Stan, Eric, Kyle and Kenny, who are in elementary school yet deal with various mature topics. The show abounds in dark humour and has carved out its own niche. Filled with sexist and racist jokes that often border towards obnoxious, the show is not for those who are easily offended. 

It provides a lighthearted satirical commentary on contemporary issues and exposes the hypocritical modern condition. Hilarious and wild characters galore, the children are weirdly philosophical in contrast to the irresponsible adults, providing a strong mockery of society. 

Available: All regions

2. Rick and Morty (Justin Roiland, Dan Harmon, 2013-) 

This ingenious and quirky adult cartoon revolves around the lives of the dysfunctional lives of the Smith family that comprises Jerry and Beth, their children, Morty and Summer as well as Beth’s alcoholic, mad scientist father, Rick. Rich in zany and irreverent humour, the series sees the various escapades and misadventures of Rick and Morty as they venture across realms and dimensions. 

Rick and Morty act as the perfect foil to one another where the former’s Machiavellian ego is pitted against the latter’s humble morals. The show is a surreal visual treat with a hint of metaphysical idiosyncrasies. Obscene jokes compliment the intellectually stirring, highly philosophical dialogues with subtle humour and a poignant social commentary.  

Available: All regions

1. BoJack Horseman (Raphael Bob-Waksberg, 2014-2020)

If you cannot wait to dive into your plethora of insecurities and bask in the utter disillusionment and hopelessness of life, go watch the six seasons of BoJack Horseman and contemplate how despairing our condition is.

While other entries on this list have relied on crude comedy for their star power, Bojack does the exact opposite. Steeped in existential dread, nihilism and philosophical conversations, the vivid imagery presents a self-loathing, anthropomorphic eponymous horse who is the lead protagonist of this tragicomedy. 

With its brilliant portrayal of alcoholism, depression, substance abuse, childhood trauma, relationships and life itself, the show is heartbreakingly beautiful and makes one ponder in the most poignant moments. It is a literary and audio-visual masterpiece that boasts well-rounded characters and profound dialogues that do not lose the touch of humour at the height of seriousness.

Available: All regions