The Best Animated Netflix Originals, Ranked

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.

A boy with an active imagination faces his fears on an unforgettable journey through the night with his new friend: a giant, smiling creature named Dark.

Ken Sato is a superstar baseball player who returns to Japan to become the latest hero to carry the mantle of Ultraman. However, he is compelled to raise a newborn kaiju monster, the offspring of his greatest enemy, as his own child.

In Edo-period Japan, a young warrior driven by a dream of revenge cuts a bloody path toward destiny.

During the rise of fascism in Mussolini's Italy, a wooden boy brought magically to life struggles to live up to his father's expectations.

Again, don’t be fooled by the playful, lively animation style on the surface of Big Mouth; this is one of the most disgusting, explicit, and offensive shows on Netflix, and that’s why we love it so much. There’s no holding back with this series, which is not afraid to depict the wildest, most hilarious sexual capers. However, it’s all done to help normalise the experience of puberty, so it’s fine.

Admittedly, Big Mouth does start to lose its way after the first three or four seasons, but in its heyday, this was a show that could have rivalled the likes of South Park and Family Guy for pure shock factor.

Of a similar ilk to Nimona in many ways, The Sea Beast is another tale of monsters and men learning to live with one another for a common cause. Any kids who love pirates will be right on board with this movie from the off thanks to its nautical action, but like most animated stories, there’s so much heart at the core here.

The creature design in The Sea Beast is phenomenal and helps to elevate this Netflix original above your generic monster movie, while the voice work of Karl Urban is a treat, as always. Now, if Netflix could just make a sequel to this one, we’d be very happy indeed.

Nimona started life as a graphic novel, but it’s easy to see why Netflix wanted to bring the story to the small screen in animation. This epic, imaginative story of monsters, knights, and magic is the kind of film that kids (and adults) will want to watch again and again for the sheer fact that there is just so much to enjoy about the quest at hand.

Nimona is something of a genre mash-up; largely rooted in fantasy, but also weaving elements of romance, action, and even monster movie vibes into a wonderful little package. Don’t be fooled, though; this short and sweet film packs a punch.

Whatever you do, do not let your children listen to a single word that comes out of Frank Murphy’s mouth. F is for Family is vulgar, profane, and damn good entertainment. Bill Burr lends his voice to the patriarch at the heart of this animated TV show, and if you’ve ever seen his stand-up shows, you’ll know exactly what to expect here.

Set in the 1970s, F is for Family leans into the stereotypes and societal quirks of the era to produce genuinely side-splitting comedy as Frank contends with the misery and mediocrity of everyday life.

Another animation house that teamed up with Netflix to great success is Cartoon Saloon. The studio previously released stunning 2D animated stories like Wolfwalkers and The Breadwinner, before getting the backing of Netflix to produce My Father’s Dragon.

Brimming with heart and emotion, and brought to life in typically beautiful and vibrant animation styles, this 2022 flick is not just a fun children’s adventure but also a meaningful study of friendship and family. With fantastic voice work and storytelling on a grand scale, My Father’s Dragon is a treat for all the senses.