15 Animated TV Shows for Adults That Tackle Heavy Topics Lightly

Animated shows for adults have come a long way, now offering surprisingly deep and meaningful stories. These series often use colorful, imaginative worlds to tackle tough topics like sadness and the anxieties of life, but in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. Viewers can enjoy funny, over-the-top situations while also thinking about serious questions about what it means to be human. The shows below are great examples of how humor can help us deal with life’s biggest challenges.

‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)

BoJack Horseman is a show about a former TV star struggling with addiction and depression in a funny, but also harsh, take on Hollywood. The show uses animal characters to make its realistic depiction of mental health and difficult life experiences a little easier to watch. Throughout the series, BoJack repeatedly hurts the people he loves while trying to find a way to make things right. It cleverly mixes sharp jokes about the entertainment industry with deeply emotional and honest moments, and doesn’t shy away from showing that life doesn’t always have a neat and happy conclusion.

‘Rick and Morty’ (2013–Present)

‘Rick and Morty’ follows a grumpy, brilliant scientist and his worried grandson as they travel through different universes. While the stories are complex and sci-fi based, they often explore themes of family problems and the idea that life has no inherent meaning. Rick, the scientist, hides his own sadness with a tough exterior and drinking, and frequently puts his family in peril. The show cleverly mixes crude humor with big questions about life and what it all means in a vast, endless universe.

‘Big Mouth’ (2017–2025)

‘Big Mouth’ is a show about the funny and often embarrassing experience of going through puberty, following a group of middle school friends. It uses outrageous characters, like Hormone Monsters who represent strong emotions, to help the kids deal with feelings of shame and discovering their sexuality. While the show relies on shock value and crude humor, it actually offers a surprisingly thoughtful look at the anxieties and self-acceptance struggles that everyone faces as a teenager.

‘The Midnight Gospel’ (2020)

‘The Midnight Gospel’ follows Clancy, a spacecaster who explores big questions about life and spirituality by interviewing beings from worlds that are ending. The conversations are based on real podcast discussions covering topics like death, meditation, and drug use. The show’s colorful, psychedelic animation visually represents the deep and often healing talks between the characters, encouraging viewers to find peace and acceptance even in difficult times.

‘Tuca & Bertie’ (2019–2022)

‘Tuca & Bertie’ is a show about two bird women in their thirties who are friends and neighbors. While the animation is bright and fun, the series tackles tough topics like addiction, long-term pain, and dealing with past trauma. Tuca is newly sober, and Bertie is coping with anxiety and harassment at work. Their friendship is what keeps them going through everything.

‘F Is for Family’ (2015–2021)

‘F Is for Family’ is a 1970s comedy about the Murphy family and their difficult lives. The show honestly portrays how financial struggles and emotional abuse can affect families, showing how Frank Murphy takes out his frustrations on his loved ones while they try to build their own futures. It explores how past trauma can create problems that repeat through generations.

‘King of the Hill’ (1997–2010)

‘King of the Hill’ follows Hank Hill, a Texas propane salesman, as he navigates a rapidly changing world while trying to uphold his traditional beliefs. Hank often struggles with modern ideas, but his actions always come from a place of love for his quirky family and friends. The show cleverly explores themes like what it means to be a man, dealing with biases, and the quiet dissatisfaction of suburban life. It’s a touching look at the tension between holding onto old values and accepting the way things are changing.

‘Futurama’ (1999–Present)

I absolutely love ‘Futurama’! It’s about a pizza guy who gets frozen and wakes up a thousand years in the future, which is such a cool setup. What really gets me, though, is how it deals with big feelings. Fry is constantly dealing with being the only one left from his old life, but he finds a new family with his friends at Planet Express. Seriously, some episodes are hilarious, but then they hit you right in the feels with surprisingly touching stories about loss, love, and family. It’s a really clever show that isn’t afraid to get emotional.

‘South Park’ (1997–Present)

South Park is an animated comedy that uses four young boys to cleverly poke fun at current events and difficult issues. Despite its simple, cutout animation, the show offers surprisingly insightful commentary on topics like censorship, politics, and religion. Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker work quickly to make sure each episode stays relevant to what everyone is talking about. Ultimately, the show highlights the ridiculousness of extreme beliefs and hypocrisy from across the political spectrum.

‘Harley Quinn’ (2019–Present)

‘Harley Quinn’ tells the story of Harley’s journey to find herself after leaving the Joker. The show centers on her escape from a harmful relationship and her struggle to build self-esteem without a damaging partner. With the help of her close friend Poison Ivy, Harley learns to survive and thrive in the criminal world on her own. The show’s use of strong language and violence emphasizes the wild freedom of a woman taking control of her own life.

‘Moral Orel’ (2005–2008)

‘Moral Orel’ is a darkly funny, stop-motion animated show about a very religious boy who constantly gets the wrong idea about what he’s taught in church. What starts as gentle mockery soon becomes a disturbing look at issues like alcoholism and hidden trauma. Throughout the series, Orel stays cheerfully innocent while the adults around him ruin their lives with dishonesty and indifference. Ultimately, the show is a powerful and unsettling examination of the damaging effects of religious extremism on a town and its people.

‘Archer’ (2009–2023)

“Archer” is a hilarious comedy that spoofs the world of espionage. It centers on the staff of a private spy agency, who are all deeply flawed and often behave badly. The main character, Archer, is a self-absorbed agent who’s more skilled at drinking than spying, and he has a complicated relationship with his mother. The show’s quick-witted dialogue is full of obscure jokes, but it also hints at the characters’ underlying emotional issues. Despite all the action and comedy, the series is really about a group of people who struggle to connect with others in a healthy way.

‘Solar Opposites’ (2020–Present)

Okay, so ‘Solar Opposites’ is seriously funny. It’s about these four aliens who basically have to ditch their planet right as it blows up, and they end up stuck in a typical American suburb. The best part is they can’t decide if they totally hate Earth or if they’re weirdly into how messed up humans are. But there’s this whole other thing going on with the alien kid, Yumyulack, and this wall in the basement. It’s a miniature, super-violent, post-apocalyptic world he’s created, and honestly, it’s a really dark but hilarious way to point out how ridiculous and self-destructive we humans can be.

‘Disenchantment’ (2018–2023)

Disenchantment takes place in a decaying medieval kingdom and centers around Princess Bean, who’s known for enjoying a drink. She pushes back against the marriages her father arranges for her and the responsibilities of being a princess, all while discovering a troubling secret about her family. The show explores themes of feeling powerless and searching for meaning in life. Bean turns to alcohol to deal with the pain of her mother’s actions and the weight of being royal.

‘Bob’s Burgers’ (2011–Present)

‘Bob’s Burgers’ follows the Belcher family as they try to keep their burger restaurant afloat in a coastal town. The show realistically portrays the financial struggles many working-class families face, but always maintains a hopeful outlook. Despite having limited means, Bob and Linda consistently encourage their children’s unique personalities and passions. Ultimately, it’s a heartwarming story about a close-knit family overcoming the everyday difficulties of life.

We’d love to hear about any animated shows that helped you get through a tough period – please share in the comments!

2025-11-27 22:50