The five best adult animated series to watch on Netflix
For the longest time, the showbiz prejudice persisted that animation is for the kids. Yet, if you dig deep on Netflix, you’ll find many such series that shatter those assumptions.
But just because Netflix has no limits on entertainment, it doesn’t mean the audience has endless time on their hands. In case you’re tired of seeing your siblings and cousins playing around with animated titles that no longer make sense to you, this list is particularly for you. But this is also just as much for those whose love for animation never slowed down, from childhood to puberty to adolescence to adulthood.
While Netflix went crazy this year with an expanded list of adult animated releases that had social channels buzzing, the streamer’s interest in the genre is not exactly new. It was always there. And perhaps, it’s growing by the minute.
So, strap in your seatbelts, grab your popcorn, and make sure your underage cousins don’t mistake it for Doraemon. Curated just for you, here are the five best adult animated series currently streaming on Netflix.
The five best adult animated series to binge on Netflix:
Love, Death + Robots (Tim Miller, 2019–Present)
If you want to watch an adult animated series that spoils you with choice, go for Love, Death + Robots, eyes blindfolded. Conceived as an anthology series, the episodes are a collection of pre-existing short stories, produced by a diverse cast and crew, although they overlap in a few cases. The most unique approach it takes with the stories is that their distinct animation styles span multiple genres too, including sci-fi, black comedy, fantasy, horror, and, of course, comedy.
The Emmy-winning series is the potion in case you’re scared of committing to a four-season-long show, as each episode runs no longer than approximately five to 20 minutes. Highly recommended through Reddit channels, Love, Death + Robots shines with an 89% approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes.
Long Story Short (Raphael Bob-Waksberg, 2025–Present)
Despite being a relatively recent release, Long Story Short has viewers completely hooked, and for good reason. Hot off the coattails of BoJack Horseman’s creator, this adult animated series lives up to the reputation of Netflix’s trailblazing genre collection, becoming a feather in Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s hat.
The series uses a non-linear timeline to follow the Schwoopers through their childhood and adulthood, travelling back and forth, connecting moments from various eras and showing how growing up and healing traumas is a lifelong battle below and above the surface. Created in the classic style of animation we have come to associate with the man, it strikes the perfect balance of humour and sentimentality. The family’s journey and struggles are approached in such a nuanced tone that they feel real, in fact, ridiculously like at home. Stay tuned to this one as there’s more to officially come.
BoJack Horseman (Raphael Bob-Waksberg, 2014–2020)
Unless you’re Patrick Star, it’s practically impossible not to have heard of BoJack Horseman. Whether it’s beamed from Netflix screens, spread word-of-mouth, or simply gleaned from the bounty of memes, one way or the other, we all have been introduced to the tragicomic star. The series was an absolute harbinger of evolution in the animation genre, particularly in the adult sphere.
BoJack Horseman has always had a cult following, and that has a lot to do with relatability and the moral questions raised in the wake of the protagonist’s missteps. Despite its animated premise, its nuanced and potent blend of tragedy and comedy to the themes of a declining starship and the acute portrayal of mental health, the series parks itself in a garage that never feels out of style. It’s a biting social commentary that draws you in slowly but steadily.
Arcane (Christian Linke and Alex Yee, 2021–2024)
Arcane was not just any adult animated release; it was one-of-a-kind. Although it has stunning 3D CGI effects with 2D textures, the animation is hand-painted to elevate the viewing experience. Compared to high-stakes animation films in Hollywood, it’s not short of a strong crux. It’s set in the world of League of Legends, but you can still view it without any prior knowledge of the game.
Arcane, much like BoJack Horseman, is a character-driven story. It follows the fragmented bond between two sisters, Vi and Jinx, against the backdrop of love, betrayal, and power-packed action. The characters bring layers to a worldbuilding that is god-tier. And if you mistake this for a straightforward, simple watch, you’re in for surprises at every turn.
Big Mouth (Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett, 2017–2025)
To end the adult animated session on Netflix, it’s always fun to give a break to adulthood with Big Mouth. The coming-of-age story is absolutely raw in its outlook, and that alone makes it stand out. The series perfectly captures the struggles and challenges of puberty, and when you watch it, you are bound to feel “we’ve all been there”.
With its premise based on Andrew Goldberg’s upbringing in suburban New York, and by embracing subjects of menstruation, ejaculation, rising hormones, mental health issues and concerns with body image, the series tackles the often-unaddressed themes and questions that trouble every teenager. Sure, the humour is unflinching and no-holds-barred, tending crass, but the emotional gravity reels it all in for a soft realisation that you may have been alone, but a younger generation might just open up.