20 Best Animation TV Shows to Stream Right Now
Discover animated series worth streaming now, from Over the Garden Wall and Rick and Morty to classics, new hits, and 20 total picks.
If you’re searching for animated series that are actually worth your time, this roundup brings together 20 strong picks across comedy, adventure, drama, and short-form storytelling. From the eerie charm of Over the Garden Wall (2014) to the sharp sci-fi chaos of Rick and Morty (2013) and the long-running bite of South Park (1997), there’s a lot here for different moods and tastes. You’ll also find classics like The Simpsons (1989) and Futurama (1999), plus fan favorites such as Pokémon (1997) and the fresh energy of X-Men '97 (2024). Whether you want something nostalgic, funny, or story-driven, these animated series make it easy to queue up your next binge.
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01
South Park
animation · comedy
Follow the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.
Directed by Trey Parker, Eric Stough, Matt Stone, Adrien Beard, Toni WurtsCast Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mona Marshall, April Stewart, Isaac HayesParamount Plus -
02
The Ghost in the Shell
animation · action · sci-fi
In the year 2029, Niihama City has become a technologically advanced metropolis. Due to great improvements in cybernetics, its citizens are able to replace their limbs with robotic parts.
Directed by Touma Kimura, Tooru Hasutani, Jun'ya IwakeCast Maaya Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Yamaji, Hiroki Yasumoto, Yûichi Nakamura, Tomoko KanedaAmazon Prime Video -
03
Rick and Morty
animation · adventure · comedy · sci-fi
Rick is a mentally-unbalanced but scientifically gifted old man who has recently reconnected with his family. He spends most of his time involving his young grandson Morty in dangerous, outlandish adventures throughout space and alternate universes. Compounded with Morty's already unstable family life, these events cause Morty much distress at home and school.
Directed by Wes Archer, Jacob Hair, Pete Michels, Nathan Litz, Kyoung Hee LimCast Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Justin Roiland, Kari WahlgrenHuluMax -
04
Over the Garden Wall
animation · short · adventure · comedy · drama · family · fantasy · horror · mystery
Two brothers, Wirt and Greg, find themselves lost in the Unknown; a strange forest adrift in time. With the help of a wise old Woodsman and a foul-tempered bluebird named Beatrice, Wirt and Greg must travel across this strange land, in hope of finding their way home. Join them as they encounter surprises and obstacles on their journey through the wood.
Directed by Nate CashCast Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Lloyd, Samuel RameyAmazon Prime VideoHulu -
05
President Curtis
animation · comedy · sci-fi
Follows President Andre Curtis and his eccentric staff as they deal with various crises that Rick Sanchez typically ignores.
Directed by Fill Marc Sagadraca, Erik Kling, Juan Jose Meza-Leon, Bryan NewtonCast Keith David, Stephanie Beatriz, Jim Rash, Nick Reczynski, Alanna UbachMax -
06
Futurama
animation · adventure · comedy · sci-fi
The adventures of a late-20th-century New York City pizza delivery boy, Philip J. Fry, who, after being unwittingly cryogenically frozen for one thousand years, finds employment at Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery company in the retro-futuristic 31st century.
Directed by Peter Avanzino, Rich Moore, Dwayne Carey-Hill, Bret Haaland, Gregg VanzoCast Billy West, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Katey Sagal, Phil LaMarrHulu -
07
The Simpsons
animation · comedy
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
Directed by Mike B. Anderson, Jim Reardon, Mark Kirkland, Steven Dean Moore, David SilvermanCast Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Yeardley SmithHuluDisney Plus -
08
X-Men '97
animation · action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.
Directed by Chase Conley, Emi Yonemura, Jake CastorenaCast Terri Douglas, Ray Chase, Jennifer Hale, George Buza, Ross MarquandDisney Plus -
09
Invincible
animation · action · adventure · drama · fantasy · sci-fi · thriller
Mark Grayson is a normal teenager except for the fact that his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet. Shortly after his seventeenth birthday, Mark begins to develop powers of his own and enters into his father’s tutelage.
Directed by Dan Duncan, Shaun O'Neil, Jeff Allen, Sol Choi, Ian AbandoCast Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. Simmons, Gillian Jacobs, Grey DeLisleAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
10
SpongeBob SquarePants
animation · comedy · family · fantasy
Deep down in the Pacific Ocean in the subterranean city of Bikini Bottom lives a square yellow sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob lives in a pineapple with his pet snail, Gary, loves his job as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, and has a knack for getting into all kinds of trouble without really trying. When he's not getting on the nerves of his cranky next door neighbor Squidward, SpongeBob can usually be found smack in the middle of all sorts of strange situations with his best buddy, the simple yet lovable starfish, Patrick, or his thrill-seeking surfer-girl squirrel pal, Sandy Cheeks.
Directed by Vincent Waller, Dave Cunningham, Sherm Cohen, Alan Smart, Stephen HillenburgCast Tom Kenny, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Mr. LawrenceAmazon Prime VideoParamount Plus -
11
Pokémon
action & adventure · animation · comedy · drama · fantasy · kids & family · science-fiction
Join Ash accompanied by his partner Pikachu, as he travels through many regions, meets new friends and faces new challenges on his quest to become a Pokémon Master.
NetflixDisney Plus -
12
One Piece
animation · action · adventure · comedy · drama · fantasy
Years ago, the fearsome Pirate King, Gol D. Roger was executed leaving a huge pile of treasure and the famous "One Piece" behind. Whoever claims the "One Piece" will be named the new King of the Pirates.
Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who consumed a "Devil Fruit," decides to follow in the footsteps of his idol, the pirate Shanks, and find the One Piece. It helps, of course, that his body has the properties of rubber and that he's surrounded by a bevy of skilled fighters and thieves to help him along the way.
Luffy will do anything to get the One Piece and become King of the Pirates!
Directed by Munehisa Sakai, Kōnosuke Uda, Katsumi Tokoro, Tasuku Shimaya, Yûsuke SuzukiCast Mayumi Tanaka, Akemi Okamura, Tony Beck, Laurent Vernin, Kazuya NakaiNetflixHulu -
13
Family Guy
animation · comedy
Sick, twisted, politically incorrect and Freakin' Sweet animated series featuring the adventures of the dysfunctional Griffin family. Bumbling Peter and long-suffering Lois have three kids. Stewie (a brilliant but sadistic baby bent on killing his mother and taking over the world), Meg (the oldest, and is the most unpopular girl in town) and Chris (the middle kid, he's not very bright but has a passion for movies). The final member of the family is Brian - a talking dog and much more than a pet, he keeps Stewie in check whilst sipping Martinis and sorting through his own life issues.
Directed by James Purdum, Dominic Bianchi, Peter Shin, Pete Michels, John HolmquistCast Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Mike HenryHulu -
14
Arcane
animation · action · adventure · drama · fantasy · sci-fi
Amid the stark discord of twin cities Piltover and Zaun, two sisters fight on rival sides of a war between magic technologies and clashing convictions.
Directed by Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord, Bart Maunoury, Marietta Ren, Christelle AbgrallCast Kevin Alejandro, Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Katie Leung, Harry LloydNetflix -
15
Regular Show
animation · action · adventure · comedy · drama · fantasy · sci-fi · thriller
The surreal misadventures of two best friends - a blue jay and a raccoon - as they seek to liven up their mundane jobs as groundskeepers at the local park.
Directed by John Davis Infantino, Sean Szeles, Calvin Wong, J.G. Quintel, Mike RothCast J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Mark Hamill, Roger Craig SmithHulu -
16
Batman: The Animated Series
animation · action · adventure · crime · family · mystery · sci-fi
Vowing to avenge the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne devotes his life to wiping out crime in Gotham City as the masked vigilante "Batman".
Directed by Kevin Altieri, Boyd Kirkland, Frank Paur, Dan Riba, Dick SebastCast Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings, Loren Lester, Robert CostanzoAmazon Prime VideoMax -
17
Avatar: The Last Airbender
animation · action · adventure · family · fantasy · mystery
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Directed by Oh Seung-hyun, Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave FiloniCast Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante BascoNetflixParamount Plus -
18
Bob's Burgers
animation · comedy
Bob's Burgers follows a third-generation restaurateur, Bob, as he runs Bob's Burgers with the help of his wife and their three kids. Bob and his quirky family have big ideas about burgers, but fall short on service and sophistication. Despite the greasy counters, lousy location and a dearth of customers, Bob and his family are determined to make Bob's Burgers "grand re-re-re-opening" a success.
Directed by Bernard Derriman, Tony Gennaro, Simon Chong, Chris Song, Ryan MattosCast H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen SchaalHulu -
19
Sailor Moon
animation · action · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · romance
One day, Usagi Tsukino, clumsy 2nd-year middle school student, stumbles upon a talking cat named Luna. Luna tells her that she is destined to be Sailor Moon, "champion of love and justice", and she must search for the fabled Moon Princess. Usagi finds friends that turn out to be destined senshi as well, and together they fight to save the world from the certain doom brought upon by the Dark Kingdom.
Directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, Jun'ichi Satō, Takuya Igarashi, Harume Kosaka, Yūji EndōCast Stephanie Sheh, Kotono Mitsuishi, Kate Higgins, Aya Hisakawa, Cristina ValenzuelaHuluFreevee -
20
Jujutsu Kaisen
animation · action · adventure · fantasy · thriller
Yuji Itadori is a boy with tremendous physical strength, though he lives a completely ordinary high school life. One day, to save a classmate who has been attacked by curses, he eats the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, taking the curse into his own soul. From then on, he shares one body with Ryomen Sukuna. Guided by the most powerful of sorcerers, Satoru Gojo, Itadori is admitted to Tokyo Jujutsu High School, an organization that fights the curses... and thus begins the heroic tale of a boy who became a curse to exorcise a curse, a life from which he could never turn back.
Directed by Shouta Goshozono, Sunghoo Park, Yôsuke Takada, Takeru Satoh, Ryôhei TakeshitaCast Jun'ya Enoki, Adam McArthur, Yuma Uchida, Yûichi Nakamura, Asami SetoNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHulu
Wrapping Up
This list is built to help you find animated series that hold up, whether you want a quick watch or a long-running favorite. Some picks lean funny, some lean dark, and others balance action with character-driven stories, so there’s something here for different kinds of streaming nights. If you want a reliable guide for what to watch next, bookmark this page and come back when you need another suggestion. We update it regularly to keep the recommendations current and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
How are these animation shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the animation titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
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Last updated: September 11, 2026