15 Lesser-Known Animated Shows for Grown-Ups

1. BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)

This is the story of a washed-up '90s sitcom star—except he's a horse. BoJack Horseman, voiced by Will Arnett, spends his days wallowing in self-pity, drinking, and making bad decisions. Over six seasons, we see him grapple with addiction, failed relationships, and a career on the downswing. You'll see him publish a memoir with the help of a ghostwriter, Diane Nguyen, and even attempt a Hollywood comeback with a biopic. Things spiral further downward when his past catches up to him, leading to severe consequences.

2. F Is for Family (2015-2021)

Ever wonder what a family from the '70s would be like if they were animated? Say hello to the Murphy family. The patriarch, Frank, is a war veteran turned airport employee, consistently annoyed with how life has turned out. Meanwhile, his wife Sue dreams of entrepreneurial glory while dealing with three kids. Over four seasons, we see the Murphy clan tackle issues like job loss, unplanned pregnancies, and yes, lots of screaming.

3. Big Mouth (2017-present)

Puberty. Remember those awkward years? Big Mouth dives headfirst into this tumultuous period, but with a twist. Our main characters, Nick and Andrew, have personal "Hormone Monsters" that guide (or rather, misguide) them through the challenges of puberty. The series covers everything—your first crush, the perils of menstruation, even the concept of shame. In one memorable plot, they even end up in a parallel dimension, the "Depression Ward," when dealing with their mental health.

4. Archer (2009-present)

Meet Sterling Archer, the world's most self-centered spy. Working for the International Secret Intelligence Service, he goes on missions with a team as dysfunctional as he is. His mother Mallory runs the agency, and let's just say, their relationship is... complicated. Across the seasons, the show's setting and premise change radically. You'll see Archer in a coma, dreaming up different realities ranging from a '40s noir setting to a space opera.

5. Final Space (2018-2021)

Gary Goodspeed is a prisoner serving time on a spaceship. He befriends a mysterious alien named Mooncake, who, unbeknownst to him, is a planet-destroying weapon. They're joined by a group of misfits, including a cat-like creature named Avocato and Quinn, a woman Gary has a crush on. Throughout the series, they're chased by the ominous Lord Commander, who wants to use Mooncake's powers for evil.

6. The Venture Bros. (2004-2018)

A world where superheroes and supervillains are a dime a dozen, and being extraordinary is just par for the course. Enter the Venture family, led by Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture, a failed scientist who's constantly trying to escape his legendary father's shadow. He's got twin sons, Hank and Dean, who are more interested in pop culture than actual education. Their bodyguard Brock Sampson is a violence-loving ex-spy who has a knack for killing.

7. The Boondocks (2005-2014)

Based on Aaron McGruder's comic strip, The Boondocks features two African American brothers, Huey and Riley Freeman, who move from inner-city Chicago to a fictional, predominantly white suburb. With their granddad Robert, they tackle life's challenges with plenty of satire and social commentary. For instance, Huey tries to stage a hunger strike to free a wrongfully imprisoned teacher, while Riley dreams of becoming a gangster rapper.

8. Bob's Burgers (2011-present)

Bob Belcher, the patriarch of a family running a burger joint, is eternally optimistic about his failing restaurant, despite his family's, let's say, 'quirks.' His wife Linda is an overly enthusiastic theater lover, while their kids range from Tina, the awkward teen obsessed with butts, to Louise, the anarchic younger daughter. Over the years, we see the Belchers deal with various scenarios: from getting stuck in a loft during a storm to hosting an underground rave to save the restaurant.

9. Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (2000-2007)

Remember Birdman, the superhero from the '60s Hanna-Barbera cartoons? In this series, he's Harvey Birdman, a lawyer who defends other classic cartoon characters in court. Cases range from Shaggy and Scooby being arrested for possession to Fred Flintstone being accused of being a mob boss. In each episode, Harvey faces off against a series of increasingly bizarre legal challenges, with the help of his quirky colleagues, including his boss, Phil Ken Sebben, who's completely insane.

10. Rick and Morty (2013-present)

Rick Sanchez, the most brilliant yet emotionally stunted scientist in the multiverse, and his good-hearted but easily influenced grandson Morty. These two go on the craziest adventures across dimensions. From fighting off aliens to messing with time, there's no scientific principle they won't exploit for their own gain. One time, they even turn themselves into pickles.

11. Moral Orel (2005-2008)

Picture a claymation show set in the fictional Bible Belt town of Moralton, where young Orel Puppington is on a quest to be the perfect Christian. Only, his good intentions often go horribly wrong, like when he tries to resurrect his dead pet and ends up creating zombies. Despite its mock-up of religious dogma, the series takes a darker turn in its later seasons.

12. King of the Hill (1997-2010)

A slice-of-life take on the American Dream, this series follows Hank Hill, a propane salesman from Arlen, Texas, and his quirky family and friends. Hank's all about honor, hard work, and propane (and propane accessories, of course). In one episode, he runs against a socialist for the local school board and ends up teaching American values to a Laotian neighbor.

13. American Dad! (2005-present)

Created by Seth MacFarlane, the same mind behind Family Guy, this series dives into the life of Stan Smith, a conservative C.I.A. agent, and his oddball family. His wife Francine is a stay-at-home mom, and they have two kids: a nerdy son, Steve, and a hippie daughter, Hayley. They live with a sarcastic alien named Roger and a goldfish named Klaus with a human brain. Their adventures include thwarting terrorist plots, time-traveling to change history, and, believe it or not, helping Roger pursue his countless bizarre personas.

14. Xavier: Renegade Angel (2007-2009)

This series is about Xavier, a faun-like creature wandering across the American landscape, seeking the meaning of life. He has a snake for a hand, talks in cryptic phrases, and usually ends up causing more problems than he solves. In one episode, he reverses a town's gravity because he's seeking enlightenment and wants to reach the heavens—literally.

15. Tuca & Bertie (2019-2022)

This colorful show created by cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt, who also worked on BoJack Horseman. It revolves around two anthropomorphic bird best friends in their 30s: Tuca, a toco toucan, and Roberta "Bertie" Songthrush, a song thrush. While Tuca's a carefree, unemployed extrovert, Bertie's an anxious introvert working a 9-5 job. The show explores their daily lives, from the struggles of adulthood to confronting past traumas.