Included in this Top 5 Animated Series list are American cartoons that were created for a “mature” audience, although the Simpsons is included even though it wasn’t exclusively for an adult audience.
The Top 5 Animated Series
5. The Boondocks
(4 seasons, 2005 – 2014)
This is the right way to bring a comic strip to life. Regina King does a phenomenal job. The social commentary is top notch.
Aaron McGruder gave us three iconic characters with Huey, Riley, and Granddad.
“A Huey Freeman Christmas,”
“Return of the King,” and
“The Itis” are three of my favorites.
4. King of the Hill
(13 seasons, 1997 – 2008)
Bobby Hill is one of the greatest characters that has ever graced a television screen. His weird little soul is relatable to my core. He’s too soft for this world but he’s not dumb.
“The clock radio smells like my Game Boy, but it tastes like my library card.”
“An officer and a Gentle Boy,”
“Peggie the Boggle Champ,” and
“Hank and the Great Glass Elevator” are three good ones.
3. Rick and Morty
(7 seasons, 2013 – 2023*)
*season 8 to be released in 2025
The writing for this show is so good at times, it hurts. The people behind this show are masters. The plot structure and character development, the animation itself, the creativity on all levels, and even the self-awareness along with the science and the philosophy… it’s all just top notch. And there’s so much more. Season 7 was a decent output that proved this show could be going strong for years (and I hope it does).
“The Vat of Acid Episode,”
“It’s Pickle Rick,” and
“Rattlestar Ricklactica” are my top three, probably.
2. The Simpsons
(34 seasons, 1989 – 2024*)
*season 35 has been confirmed, fall 2024
I probably don’t have to tell you this show has four to five distinct “ages:” The ascension (first three seasons), the Golden Era (seasons four to eight), and the decline (seasons nine to thirteen) followed by a “wasteland” era littered with some pretty terrible episodes and one oasis, The Simpsons Movie (2007). I have caught glimpses of some of the more recent seasons, and although they appear to be of higher quality than what was coming out from 2002 to 2018…it’s still nowhere near what’s on display in seasons 3 to 11. I remember distinctly it was in season 13’s The Blunder Years that I gave up on the show. Season 12’s “Trilogy of Errors” was the last real good episode I can remember. My top three, though, would be
“El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer),”
“22 Short Films about Springfield” (Steamed Hams!), and finally
“And Maggie Makes Three,” which, along with “The Way We Was,” will almost always make me shed a tear or two.
Honorable Mentions
I’ve never seen Bob’s Burgers but I’ve heard good things, same for Archer and Bojack Horseman. I did consider Futurama, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Daria, Ren and Stimpy, and Beavis and Butthead.
1. South Park
(26 seasons, 1997 – 2024*)
*There will be South Park.
The main argument between The Simpsons and South Park for me revolves around consistency. While South Park has had it’s slumps, every season always had at least a few gems, even if it was surrounded by Mr. Hankies. The writers, led by Trey Parker, have consistently produced great work for the past 2 and a half decades. Since the pandemic, the new stuff has been masterful, it’s obvious they’re not being rushed and still having a blast. While The Simpsons’ “Golden Era” might be on a higher tier than South Park’s best episodes, the quiet little mountain town has been thriving on the tier just below for a much longer time. My favorite three episodes are:
"Lice Capades,”
“Good Times with Weapons," and
"Grounded Vindaloop."
top 5 animated series, written by BW Derge
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