Top 10 Best Animated Television Series

The Top Ten
1 The Simpsons The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening that originally started on April 19, 1987 as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. It got its own series on December 17, 1989 and is still running as of 2023, making it the longest running animated sitcom. It is about a man named Homer... read more

The best TV show ever! Well, for the first nine seasons, but this is the only show that went on for nine seasons without a single glitch in it. From the tenth season, everything went downhill. I recommend this TV show for everybody from the age of 5 (better 3 or 4) to "God only knows".

Simpsons is enjoyable. I think this show should be down a little lower, but all in all, it's a great show. Not so much a family show all the time. It is on FOX, so there is some adult content on it, but the swearing is kept to a minimum. I started watching it two years ago, and it is pretty enjoyable to watch.

2 SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by marine biologist and animator the late Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. SpongeBob is currently the most popular show on Nickelodeon, as well as the longest running show, running for 23 years, and is beginning its 13th season... read more

This should be much higher. I can understand why other age groups might not have grown up with it, but it has funnier plots than The Simpsons, more structure than Family Guy, less obnoxious crude humor than South Park, and much funnier dialogue. All in all, it's one of the most entertaining shows I've ever seen. Everyone should love it.

I love reminiscing about my childhood - though I'm the first to admit the recent ones are terrible - and everything I mention in conversation about it makes me laugh hard. I can't think of a single bad joke or unfunny plot from when it was actually good. It's the perfect comedy show and can be enjoyed by everyone, not just kids.

3 South Park South Park is an American adult animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. The show is about four boys, who are Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, and their adventures in South Park, Colorado.

This is by far one of the best things I have ever seen on television. You either laugh your ass off or you are strongly offended. My appreciation for this show knows no limits. Not only do you get humor with your main characters, but you also get humor from the pop culture it makes fun of. This show delivers a message that has already been said in the show: "Either it's all okay, or none of it is."

This show is one of the best shows I've ever watched, and probably the funniest. Sorry, Family Guy, you're second now. But here are my favorite things in it.

Characters:
5. Butters
4. Kenny
3. Stan
2. Eric
1. Kyle

I just like Kyle. I can relate to him.

Episodes:
5. Butt Out!
4. ManBearPig (No one takes me seriously!)
3. I forgot the name, but it was when the girls made a private list of the boys from cutest to ugliest, and Kyle was voted the ugliest.
2. The episode where Sarah Jessica Parker got shot, and the Kardashians got killed because of Butters.
1. Again, I forgot the name. But it was when all the kids in the town called the police on the adults and said they 'molested' them, until two adults get stuck in the town run by the kids. (And yes, Kenny dies in it.)

Favorite Quote:
"I hate all of you, especially you, Kyle." ~ Cartman

4 Gravity Falls Gravity Falls is an American animated television series produced by Disney Television Animation that first aired on Disney Channel, and then on Disney XD from June 15, 2012 to February 15, 2016. The series follows the adventures of Dipper Pines and his twin sister Mabel in the fictional town of Gravity... read more

Oh, Gravity Falls, such a wonder. This show gives me chills every time I rewatch it. It's such a great wonderful trip to one of the oddest places on Earth. "If you've ever taken a road trip through the Pacific Northwest, you've probably seen a bumper sticker for a place called Gravity Falls. It's not on any maps, and most people have never heard of it. Some people think it's a myth. But if you're curious, don't wait. Take a trip. Find it. It's out there somewhere in the woods, waiting." Gravity Falls indeed is a miracle.

5 Looney Tunes Looney Tunes is an American animated series of comedy short films produced by Warner Bros. from 1930 to 1969 during the golden age of American animation, alongside its sister series Merrie Melodies.

The Looney Tunes are classics! I prefer the shorts to the new show, though. I loved how they were so unexpected. You never knew what the characters would do next! Plus, I love how they're appealing to everyone, not just kids. They're also timeless cartoons. Anyone of any generation would enjoy these cartoons.

I love Gravity Falls, but Looney Tunes should be above that. I find SpongeBob to be overrated as well.

This is a show from the theaters just before it was on TV.

6 My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is an animated children's television series based on the fourth incarnation of Hasbro's My Little Pony franchise. The show follows a studious unicorn (later an alicorn) pony named Twilight Sparkle (Tara Strong) and her friends Applejack (Ashleigh Ball), Rarity (Tabitha... read more

Honestly, if there's one show I'd recommend people to watch, it's MLP:FiM. Not because it crosses gender or age boundaries or something like that. I like it because it's genuinely a good show. The plots, while at times simple, are engaging in a way that brings you well into a comfort zone. The characters are written in such a way that, even though they might seem bland on the outside, as the episodes go on, they develop their own complex personalities and relationships.

It may not be something as adult as South Park, but I personally think MLP:FiM is one of the best animated shows out there and deserves a place at the very top of this chart.

7 Batman: The Animated Series Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman.

Okay, I am a little biased due to my love of Batman, but this is truly an amazing show. It has an impossibly great score, wondrous voice acting, and the most beautiful animation possible. Each episode is truly a work of art. What's more, it somehow manages to capture the characters, settings, and themes of Batman's world better than any movie ever has (don't get me wrong, The Dark Knight was great, but this does a better job of what I'm describing). I won't belittle any other show on this list, but in terms of a product that can be appreciated at any age and stands alone as an art form, Batman: The Animated Series is simply the best.

8 Avatar: The Last Airbender Avatar: The Last Airbender is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in an Asiatic-like world in which some people are able to manipulate the classical elements by use of psychokinetic variants of Chinese... read more

Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) was the first series that I watched from start to finish. I knew exactly when it started in the morning and watched it every time it was on. When I got old enough, I paid for it and could finally watch every episode without missing anything. I fully believe it's the best story-telling/continuous series of all time. I love The Simpsons too, but it isn't a storytelling series with a clear beginning and ending.

I can't really find any flaws in ATLA, whether it's the plot, the characters, or the dedication of the animators. The only thing I can think of is the early animation that looked a little off, but that was greatly improved in under half a season. It tackles a lot of dark themes such as genocide, abuse, manipulation, assassination, murder, betrayal, trauma, isolation, torture, dictatorship, and the most obvious, war. It doesn't sugar-coat the horrors of war and the losses Team Avatar has gone through.

It doesn't explicitly show any gruesome scenes, but the flashbacks from Kaya's death, the scream in the flashback showing how Zuko got his scar, and the scene where Aang finds Monk Gyatso's skeleton surrounded by dozens of Fire Nation soldiers is gruesome enough. It does a great job showing that many of the citizens of the Fire Nation are just innocent people and aren't the problem. It's one of the most mature kids' shows of all time, and I love it for that.

9 Futurama Futurama is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company.

While The Simpsons kept getting dumber and dumber to try and be more like Family Guy, Matt Groening stayed true to the original premise of the show. The series was so well-liked by true fans that when Fox got rid of it for other 'worthless' animated shows, fans petitioned hard enough to bring the show back. Done in the form of 3 movies and then picked back up by Comedy Central.

The series also had critical acclaim, being nominated for 17 Annie Awards and 12 Emmys. Not bad for a show that lasted 7 seasons. Not many shows in general (let alone animated) can garner that kind of fan base or praise.

10 Tom and Jerry Tom and Jerry is an American animated series of comedy short films created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Best known for its 161 theatrical short films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the series centers on a rivalry between the title characters Tom, a cat, and Jerry, a mouse. Many shorts also... read more

This show has always had a special place in my heart as I remember my father recording episodes of this show on Cartoon Network when I was little. After all these years, this is still my #1 animated TV show of all time.

Looney Tunes is a classic and it is just a tad more iconic, but unlike Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry is the one that still makes you laugh today, so they get my vote. Also, where's 2011-2014's The Looney Tunes Show?
If any replies, say +EadlumKirke.

This cartoon show makes me laugh a lot. It's one of the best cartoon shows in the world. I watched this cartoon show for the first time on a black and white TV screen.

The Newcomers

? X-Men '97
? Star Wars: The Bad Batch
The Contenders
11 Regular Show Regular Show is an American animated television series created by J. G. Quintel for Cartoon Network that premiered on September 6, 2010. The series revolves around the lives of two friends, a blue jay named Mordecai and a raccoon named Rigby—both employed as groundskeepers at a local park.

Good show. Jolly good show indeed.

I love how the characters are in real-life situations but always wind up in trouble. If I had a job, it would be at the park.

Great for all ages.

It is so funny for little kids and they're trying to get the young youth. It has a quality that no other show has, just like Adventure Time.

#12? Are you high, people? This show is great and makes you care about its characters and their stories. It's original and unique!

12 Family Guy Family Guy is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a family consisting of parents Peter (Fat, Idiotic Dad) and Lois (Nagging Bitchy Wife), their children Meg (Socially Awkward Daughter) Chris (Fat, Idiotic... read more

Haha! I never get tired of Family Guy. Their way of delivering jokes through cutaways is repetitive, but the jokes themselves never lose their touch. Been my favourite animated show since I was very young.

What is this? Seventh? It should be first, and South Park should be second. What?! SpongeBob at 2? Simpsons at 1? This is golden, it's hilarious. Oh, I forgot, this site is for little kiddies who like stupid SpongeBob? What the living hell?

I'm not a fan of this show anymore, but I used to love this show back in the old seasons. Better plots, hilarious jokes, and most of all, the characters are awesome. Credit to Seth MacFarlane from Season 1 to Season 7.

13 Adventure Time Adventure Time is an American animated television series created by Pendleton Ward for Cartoon Network. The series follows the adventures of a boy named Finn (voiced by Jeremy Shada) and his best friend and adoptive brother Jake (voiced by John DiMaggio)—a dog with the magical power to change shape... read more

One of my all-time favourite shows - definitely deserves to be higher up on this chart. This show is the perfect blend of stupid humour and creepy/dark themes. It's just plain weird, yet it has so much charm. In a world so wacky, the characters are somehow easy to make connections with and relate to.

Amongst the spontaneous nature of the episode structures, the underlying themes and backstories are fascinating and at times heartbreaking. Adventure Time did everything from twisting my emotions and bringing me to tears, to throwing out crazy plot twists to blow my mind, to making me uncontrollably laugh at the most ridiculous things (sometimes simultaneously). And I don't think I've ever cried more over a finale than I did to the ending of what was this absolute masterpiece. I'll always miss the adventures!

14 Archer

I totally agree! From the animation itself to the unique and hilarious humor, Archer is always underrated and forgotten, not just by award shows but in different aspects!

Once I watched this show, I had a hard time finding another show to take its place.

Definitely one of those shows that's pretty unique. For well, a lot of things...

15 Dragon Ball Z Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of Goku who, along with the Z Warriors, defends the Earth against evil. The action adventures are entertaining and reinforce the concept of good versus evil. Dragon Ball Z teaches valuable... read more

I grew up on DBZ! Sure, some of the jokes are kind of cheesy, but I absolutely love it. I can tell you the name of every character and everything that happened in all the episodes until the Buu Saga. I don't know about all of you, but Buu annoyed me, and I lost interest in watching after that. Anyway, DBZ is what inspired me to start writing my own adventures, and when my novel finally gets published, everyone that reads this post will know. P.S. I don't like Goku. Vegeta is the best character!

Dragon Ball is the first animated series I had seen when I was the age of 3, and at that age, it attracted me so much. This kind of action cannot be found in any other animated series and movies. Thanks to Dragon Ball Z, it gave me much pleasure. I will keep watching it my entire life.

16 American Dad American Dad! is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman for the Fox Broadcasting Company and currently on TBS. American Dad! is the first television series made to premiere on the network's Animation Domination block. The series premiered on February... read more

What's with all these Asian shows being in the top 10?

I believe American Dad is a lot better than people think. People don't realize Seth MacFarlane left the production crew when Fox renewed Family Guy, eventually causing an increase in quality.

This proves Seth MacFarlane is a talented guy. This is like a much more polished Family Guy, with better, tasteful humor, good characters, and much better stories.

Roger is the best character in history. Him and Stan breaking rocks in the hot sun. Stop, Stan, I love that song. Or, Screw it, I fought the law and the law won.

17 Phineas and Ferb Phineas and Ferb is an American animated comedy-musical television series. Originally broadcast as a one-episode preview on August 17, 2007 and again previewed on September 28, 2007, the series officially premiered on February 1, 2008 and ended on June 12, 2015 on Disney Channel, and follows Phineas... read more

For me, it has both the wacky humour of Roald Dahl and the imagination of "Pinky and the Brain". I love shows that have their own set of laws, hence every episode can be realistic according to the show's rules but unrealistic according to our own.

An absolute classic for when I was born (2006, it came out when I was 1). There is no doubt that this deserves a special place in my heart.

You two deserve better. Like around 15 to 20. Not that great, but watching this was a blast.

18 Beavis and Butthead

Wow. Number 50? I would honestly rather watch this than any show from Seth MacFarlane. Beavis and Butt-Head is labeled and demonized as immature, but it actually has quite genius and intellectual humor. I love a show where metal rules and pop sucks! I REALLY love season 4 also because they bash garbage shows like Jersey Shore. I love the originality, and I adore shows and movies from Mike Judge.

I hate how overrated Family Guy is, though. The first season is a HUGE ripoff of The Simpsons. Original? Not really. Clever puns? Not at all. Just random nonsense. Original humor? I wish. Almost every joke is ripped from a movie. You would be surprised how many times someone tells me "a joke from Family Guy" that turns out to be something I have seen in a movie. The cutscenes are okay, but they do nothing for the plot.

Believe it or not, I actually kind of like Family Guy, but not enough for a top ten list of any kind. Beavis and Butt-Head, South Park, and King of the Hill >. Family Guy, American Dad, and Cleveland Show.

19 Rick and Morty Rick and Morty is an American adult animated science fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon for Adult Swim.

Although still early in its 11:30 time slot on Adult Swim, currently airing season two, I'd happily consider Rick and Morty as one of the best animated programs out there. Its ability to balance belly-aching, quick-witted humor and hit emotional beats resoundingly are a marvel to watch. The show adds an abundance of fresh ideas within its irregular main characters (an alcoholic genius grandfather and not too bright, cowardly grandson) and satirical dark humor.

Each episode acts like a cinema spectacular, involving immense sci-fi adventures and actions, using classic science fiction tropes and adding their own unique spin to them, even adding layer upon layer of their own crazy, oddly fitting twists. The pacing of each act is spectacular, as it wastes no time on matters they don't need to delve upon. The jokes are almost always great to see come out right, and even most of the side characters are creative and fun to watch. 10/10

20 Invader Zim Invader Zim is an American animated television series created by Jhonen Vasquez for Nickelodeon. The series centers on an extraterrestrial named Zim from the planet Irk, and his mission to conquer Earth and enslave the human race along with his malfunctioning robot servant GIR.

One of the most epic shows ever. They should never have cancelled this amazing show. Invader Zim has a convention (InvaderCON) and STILL has a big fanbase after YEARS of being cancelled. This show is the best. Period.

How is this not in the top ten? Gir is adorable, plus he has a pig named Piggy. I actually didn't like this show until I was about 13, though. But anyway, Invader Zim is amazing (just because of Gir).

I love Invader Zim and its special plot and cast of characters. It's a good show and deserves to be higher on the list. Besides the fact that the animation was great, unlike some shows today, yes, I would love to see the show with new episodes.

~E.V. W

21 Teen Titans Teen Titans is an American animated television series created by Glen Murakami, based on the DC Comics characters of the same name.

One of my favorite shows behind Avatar.

22 The Boondocks The Boondocks is an American animated sitcom created by Aaron McGruder for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. It is based upon his comic strip of the same name. The series premiered on November 6, 2005.
23 Drawn Together Drawn Together is an American adult animated sitcom which ran on Comedy Central from October 27, 2004 to November 14, 2007. The series was created by Dave Jeser and Matt Silverstein, and uses a sitcom format with a TV reality show setting.
24 Dragon Ball Dragon Ball is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It made anime popular in America and is based on the manga of the same name by Akira Toriyama. It was dubbed in English on Cartoon Networks Toonami block and still has many fans today.

Ah, yes, Dragon Ball. I love this series, I can never get enough of it.

25 Pokemon Pokémon, abbreviated from the Japanese title of Pocket Monsters and currently advertised in English as Pokémon: The Series, is a Japanese anime television series, which has been adapted for the international television markets. It was first broadcast in Japan on April 1, 1997, in the United States... read more

Pokemon is the greatest thing ever created! I also believe that Best Wishes is the best thing that could possibly have happened to Pokemon. It is amazing! Can't wait for Pokemon X and Y! Pokemon was, is, and always will be the best thing that ever happened to kids, adolescents, and adults as well! Pokemon forever!

Before Black and White, I would watch like 20 episodes a day. Then, when the trash began... yuck. Iris gives me a bad taste in my mouth. All I hear is, "Ash, you're such a little kid." Then having moments like she likes him? Really? Then that's when they came back with new ideas. Ash is not a complete idiot anymore, and he finally gets a girl with a HUGE crush on him.

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