8 Animated Sitcoms Better Than The Simpsons

There’s no animated sitcom more iconic than The Simpsons. First arriving on screens in 1989 and still going strong almost four decades later, The Simpsons is a staple of the small screen and perhaps the most successful animated show of all time. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best animated sitcom.

Every modern animated sitcom owes something to The Simpsons. It’s impossible to argue that the show didn’t perfect the cartoon family formula or prove how successful the genre could become. Yet, for all its innovation and cultural impact, it’s been beaten by shows that took the foundation it built and evolved it into something sharper, stranger, and funnier.

There are plenty of animated sitcoms out there that are simply better than The Simpsons. While almost all of them owe something to Springfield, they’ve also surpassed their inspiration, becoming more emotional, more consistent, and in many cases, far more daring.

American Dad (2005-Present)

American Dad Is Bolder And Funnier Without The Chaos

Despite being long dismissed as “the other Family Guy,” American Dad has quietly become one of the most consistently funny animated sitcoms of the 21st century. The show follows CIA agent Stan Smith (Seth MacFarlane) and his oddball family – including alien Roger (also MacFarlane) – as they navigate suburbia through a satirical, politically-charged lens.

Unlike Family Guy, American Dad thrives on sharp writing rather than absurd cutaways. Its humor is bold and subversive but grounded enough to keep viewers emotionally invested. The balance between heartfelt family moments and gleefully weird humor feels deliberate and hits a sweet spot that The Simpsons hasn’t touched in years.

It’s this careful balance that keeps American Dad alive and well decades into its run. Where The Simpsons has played it safe, American Dad has embraced riskier storytelling and creative surrealism, and it’s paid off in spades.

F Is For Family (2015-2021)

F Is For Family Has More Heart And Consequences

Created by Bill Burr and Michael Price, F Is For Family takes the classic animated family setup and injects it with raw honesty. Centering on Frank Murphy (Bill Burr), a hot-headed, overworked dad trying to keep his family afloat in the 1970s, the show explores the same archetype Homer represents, but with far more realism and emotional fallout.

F Is For Family doesn’t shy away from the darker sides of family life. When Frank blows up, there are consequences, real ones. That emotional accountability gives the show more depth and maturity than The Simpsons, which often resets every episode back to square one.

With biting humor and genuine character growth, F Is For Family proves that animated sitcoms can be both hilarious and heartbreakingly human. It’s The Simpsons if Homer ever had to truly live with what he said and did.

Bob’s Burgers (2011-Present)

Bob’s Burgers Feels Like Golden Age Simpsons Again

For fans that miss The Simpsons’ golden era, Bob’s Burgers might just fill that void. Following Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin) and his quirky family as they run a struggling burger diner, Bob’s Burgers strikes a perfect blend of absurdity and sincerity that recalls The Simpsons at its emotional peak.

Where The Simpsons has often leaned into celebrity cameos and outlandish plotlines, Bob’s Burgers keeps things small and character-driven. The humor flows naturally from the Belcher family’s endearing dynamic, especially Bob’s loving but exasperated parenting and Linda’s (John Roberts) offbeat optimism.

Every episode feels warm, lived-in, and deeply human. For anyone who misses the heartfelt family storytelling that made The Simpsons great, Bob’s Burgers is proof that that spirit still exists, but it now lives down the street from Wonder Wharf instead of Springfield’s Evergreen Terrace.

BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)

BoJack Horseman Outdoes The Simpsons In Emotional Depth

BoJack Horseman isn’t just one of the best animated sitcoms, it’s one of the best shows of the past decade, full stop. The titular BoJack (Will Arnett), is a washed-up sitcom star navigating fame, regret, and addiction. Despite the main character also being a talking horse, this animated Netflix series regularly dives into emotional territory The Simpsons could never dream of.

While The Simpsons has its heartfelt moments – like season 7’s “Mother Simpson” or season 2’s “Lisa’s Substitute” – BoJack Horseman manages to hit that emotional nerve nearly every episode. It’s brutally funny and devastatingly honest, using animation to explore themes of mental health, identity, and self-destruction.

The show is so dark, complex, and moving that it legitimately defies expectations of what animated storytelling can achieve. BoJack Horseman can make viewers laugh, but it can also make them stare at the wall with tears in their eyes long after the credits roll. It’s the kind of emotional depth The Simpsons once flirted with, but never fully committed to.

Futurama (1999-Present)

Futurama Is Matt Groening’s Real Masterpiece

Not only is The Simpsons not the best animated sitcom, it’s not even the best one made by Matt Groening. Futurama takes everything The Simpsons does well and rockets it into the future, blending heartfelt storytelling with science fiction brilliance.

Following Fry (Billy West), Leela (Katey Sagal), and Bender (John DiMaggio), Futurama juggles absurd humor and genuine emotional stakes effortlessly. From the tragic fate of Fry’s dog Seymour to Fry and Leela’s timeless love story, Futurama has delivered moments of profound beauty that The Simpsons hasn’t matched in decades.

This animated sci-fi show’s ability to mix complex themes, tight continuity, and sharp satire proves Groening’s true genius shines brightest in the 31st century. Futurama is smarter, funnier, and infinitely more heartfelt. The Simpson family may be more globally recognized, but the Planet Express crew are much more fun to spend time with.

South Park (1997-Present)

South Park Keeps Getting Sharper With Age

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, South Park was The Simpsons’ fiercest rival. Today, it’s outlasted the competition creatively. Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s boundary-pushing series has only become sharper with time, constantly reinventing itself while The Simpsons often feels stuck in reruns of its former self.

The show’s fearless commentary and evolving animation have helped it remain relevant for nearly three decades. From tackling current events to satirizing pop culture, South Park does what The Simpsons once did best, but with even more bite and immediacy.

It’s hard not to admire how South Park continues to evolve, refusing to grow complacent. While The Simpsons struggles to find its modern identity, South Park has turned staying provocative into an art form.

King Of The Hill (1997-2009, 2025-Present)

King Of The Hill Is The True Everyday Classic

King of the Hill might not shout for attention the way other animated sitcoms do, but that’s exactly what makes it brilliant. Following propane salesman Hank Hill (Mike Judge) and his Texas family, the quiet comedic genius that is KotH found humor and depth in the mundane, crafting one of TV’s most grounded comedies.

While The Simpsons peaked in a handful of legendary seasons, King of the Hill remained consistently excellent throughout its run. Even the 2025 revival, set years after the show’s first finale, was incredibly well-received. Its subtle humor, strong character writing, and realistic tone give it a timeless quality that Springfield lost long ago.

Simply put, King of the Hill never had to rely on spectacle. It found greatness in the small, believable moments that define everyday life. If The Simpsons is a satire of American family life, King of the Hill is its most authentic portrait.

Family Guy (1999-Present)

Family Guy Reinvented Itself Where The Simpsons Couldn’t

It’s impossible to discuss animated sitcoms better than The Simpsonswithout mentioning Family Guy. Homer Simpson may be one of the most iconic characters ever made, but Peter Griffin is a close second even when it comes to international renown. Not only is Family Guy almost as popular as The Simpsons, it’s also arguably much better.

Created by Seth MacFarlane, the Griffin family has long stood as Springfield’s loudest rival, and arguably its superior in modern times. Both shows share similar DNA, and even crossed over in a hilarious special that poked fun at their similarities. Yet while The Simpsons has stagnated, Family Guy has repeatedly reinvented itself, experimenting with storytelling and structure in ways its predecessor refuses to.

Family Guy has maintained its cultural edge and evolved alongside its audience, proving it’s still capable of shocking, surprising, and making fans laugh out loud. Meanwhile, The Simpsons too often feels like a nostalgic echo of its former self. In the battle for animated sitcom supremacy, Peter Griffin might just have Homer beat.