Animated comedy has become far more than anyone ever expected over the past two decades, branching well beyond simple gags into sharp satire, imaginative worldbuilding, and character-driven storytelling. Iconic gems like Rick and Morty,which follows a hilariously chaotic grandfather–grandson duo on adventures across the multiverses, may dominate most conversations about the ideal comedic animated watch—but it is honestly far from the only series that delivers peak fictional brilliance.
Quality shows like Futurama, whose long-running status has done nothing to diminish its brilliance, and Final Space, an underrated sci-fi gem that offers audiences a surprisingly heartfelt blend of sci-fi elements and character-driven emotion, are just two of the many animated epics that surpass Rick and Morty. The standouts compiled on this list are brilliant animated series that showcase some of the most inventive and resonant storytelling that fans of the genre have ever seen.
1
‘Bob’s Burgers’ (2011–)
Bob’s Burgersis a lovably hilarious animated series that is counted among the greatest TV cartoons of all time. The sitcom created byLoren Bouchard follows the Belcher family—Bob (H. Jon Benjamin), a burger-shop owner, his zany and supportive wife Linda (John Roberts), and their three quirky children, Tina (Dan Mintz), Gene (Eugene Mirman), and Louise (Kristen Schaal)—as they constantly struggle to run their family restaurant.
While Rick and Morty is a sci-fi comedic gem, Bob’s Burgers is an incredibly clever animated series rife with character-driven humor. The show’s comedy leans towards the lighter side of the cartoon spectrum—especially compared to something like Rick and Morty—yet it remains widely beloved for its humorous family dynamics, which are just as appealing to most adults. Bob’s Burgers is an honest blend of humor and heart, with a strong ensemble of characters. For those who favor family-centric comedy and warm character relationships, it stands as the perfect show to watch over Rick and Morty.
2
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)
This rather dark comedy series is an American adult-animated drama that has often been hailed as one of the best animated series television has to offer. BoJack Horsemancenters around a washed-up 1990s sitcom star—who also happens to be a horse—BoJack (Will Arnett), as he faces the truth about his depression and attempts to rekindle his celebrity status.
The comedy-drama is notably masterful in its art of dark comedy. BoJack Horseman has the enticing habit of bringing its audience to tears, swinging between heart-wrenching emotional pain and outright absurd hilarity. The animated show has often been cited as the superior series to Rick and Morty in both emotional weight and overall writing. Tackling tough themes like depression and addiction, BoJack Horseman stands out as a more mature and moving animated series in comparison to most adult cartoons, giving it a worthy edge over shows like the sci-fi, fun-loving epic that is Rick and Morty.
3
‘Archer’ (2009–2023)
Archer is a whopping bout of genuine jokes and spy thrills. The animated series created by Adam Reed follows the suave but incredibly narcissistic womanizing secret agent, Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), along with his colleagues at the dysfunctional ISIS spy agency.
From Archer‘s writing to its style, the animated series has received enough praise and awards to attest to its brilliance. It’s an underrated good time that wields meaningful character growth, spy antics, and outrageous humor. Featuring pop-culture references, a film-parody style, and clever world play, Archer stands as a notable spy sitcom that defiantly outshines Rick and Morty in sheer wit. With a satirical take on countless spy tropes and tons of character-driven gags, Archer is absolutely the superior animated series in comedic writing and originality in comparison to the addictive sci-fi series.
4
‘Futurama’ (1999–)
This fun sci-fi experience is a standout animated series that is well-known for its clever writing. Futurama stands as a long-running gem that centers around a 20th-century pizza delivery boy, Philip J. Fry (Billy West), who finds himself frozen and eventually revived, yet stranded in the 31st century. With no way home, Fry joins the Planet Express delivery company and works alongside a band of misfits.
Futurama is pure addictive fun, with genuinely funny moments, as well as situations that are enticingly sweet. The series’ mesh of humor and sci-fi antics mirrors Rick and Morty pretty well—only it has far more storytelling depth. It’s a notable watch that wields a devoted cult following that very much appreciates the show’s sharp satire and emotional storyline. With its blend of absurd comedy and surprisingly touching moments, Futurama sits among fan-favorite sci-fi watches and stands as a worthy successor to hits like The Simpsons—and delivering a much more experience than Rick and Morty.
5
‘The Boondocks’ (2005–2014)
There aren’t many animated series that have done what The Boondocks have, with its captivating satirical social commentary and fearless approach to hard topics. With a stunning blend of humor and cultural critique, the animated comedic-drama follows the Freeman family—Huey, a 10-year-old activist, and his gangster-obsessed younger brother Riley, both voiced by Regina King—who move from the inner city to a white suburb, with their hilarious grandfather at the helm.
The Boondocks is well-known for its extremely bold satire that entices laughter, even at the most outrageous jokes. It’s a daring animated series that has drawn in a cult following who appreciate its sharp wit and social critiques on race and culture. Fans have consistently lauded the series as a superior watch to Rick and Morty, as its fearless humor and social insight make for more impactful TV, securing its place on this list of animated favorites that outshine the well-known sci-fi animated series.
6
‘Gravity Falls’ (2012–2016)
Gravity Falls is an American mystery-comedy cartoon that is praised for its mix of supernatural adventures and pure hilarity. The series follows twins—the inquisitive Dipper Pines (Jason Ritter) and his chaotic, optimistic sister Mabel Pines (Kristen Schaal)—as they set out to spend the summer with their gruff great-uncle Stan (Alex Hirsch) in the strange, mystery-filled town of Gravity Falls, Oregon.
Gravity Falls is an extremely well-received animated series for its voice acting, addictive storytelling, and absurd comedy. The series is often lauded for its layered mysteries and incredibly clever writing that makes it something that both kids and adults can enjoy. It may be a series that wields more of a fantasy focus and a primarily kid-targeted exterior, but Gravity Falls’ emotional resonance and originality far surpass Rick and Morty‘s comedic chaos.
7
‘Adventure Time’ (2010–2018)
This Cartoon Network jewel is an animated fantasy series that is praised for its imaginative storytelling that draws in both children and adults alike.Adventure Time centers around the brave young hero Finn the Human (Jeremy Shada) and his hilarious shapeshifting dog brother Jake (John DiMaggio), as they roam the Land of Ooo, experiencing countless surreal adventures.
With its blend of heartfelt emotions and slapstick comedy, Adventure Time is a well-loved animated series that is especially appreciated by many adults. The series has been hailed as one of the most creative watches to hit screens in a rather long time. The witty mix of deep themes and fantastical whimsy within the addictive series has often impressed fans far more than Rick and Morty has. It’s the perfect balance of plain old silliness and a sophistication that can be quite moving, making it the superior comedy in terms of imagination and charm.
8
‘Final Space’ (2018–2021)
Final Space is a comedic space opera that skillfully combines adventure, action, and irreverent humor. The animated series follows the well-meaning but terribly inept astronaut, Gary Goodspeed (Olan Rogers), and his rather cute, yet extremely dangerous pet-alien, Mooncake (Kevin McDonald), as they traverse space in an attempt to save the universe from utter annihilation.
Final Space is an unexpectedly enjoyable sci-fi series that definitely gives Rick and Morty a run for its money. The series, although not as long-lasting as others in the sci-fi genre, has developed a devoted fanbase who adores the show’s mix of comedy and heartfelt moments. Final Space is a serialized space saga that has often been hailed as a richer watch to dive into in comparison to most sci-fi animated shows. Fans have lauded the series as an ambitious watch that combines humor and drama in a way that allows strong character relationships and genuine emotion to shine—mixing skillfully with its laugh-out-loud moments.
9
‘Harley Quinn’ (2019–)
This DC adult animated series is an addictive joy that both thrills and evokes genuine gut-busting laughter. Harley Quinn centers around the well-known character, Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco), as she strikes out on her own after leaving the notorious, Batman-obsessed villain, the Joker (Alan Tudyk). With a new team at her side, Harley makes the most of her time away from her controlling, villainous ex and makes plans to have the time of her life.
Harley Quinn has earned strong praise for its hilarious moments and overall outrageous parodies of beloved figures fromDC Comics. The series wields critical acclaim for its irreverent humor, feminist take on the superhero trope, and its fast-paced storytelling. Harley Quinn is a consistently enjoyable standout that hosts sharp wit and compelling character dynamics that puts it ahead of the popular Rick and Morty series in all the best ways.
Harley Quinn
- Release Date
-
November 29, 2019
- Network
-
DC Universe, HBO Max, Max
- Showrunner
-
Dean Lorey, Chrissy Pietrosh, Jessica Goldstein
- Directors
-
Juan Jose Meza-Leon, Vinton Heuck, Joonki Park, Cecilia Aranovich, Ben Jones, Colin Heck, Tom De Rosier, Brandon McKinney, Frank Marino, Mike Milo, Matt Garofalo, Christina Sotta, Michael Moloney
