10 Recent Animated Shows For Adults You May Have Missed (And Where To Watch Them)

Ask me, and I'll tell you that Mark Little's Gary and His Demons is far too underrated. Its comedy and worldbuilding are on par with Rick and Morty (2013), with its titular demon-fighting lead, feeling like a less-prepared but equally vulgar version of Rick Sanchez. Witty, dark, and cynical in all the best ways, Gary and His Demons pokes fun at the Chosen One trope with its depressed, nihilistic anti-hero who's hungry for retirement. 

Of all the entries on this list, Gary and His Demons might be the most underrated. Easily accessible on Prime Video, it's a fun hidden gem that's well worth your time. If you're struggling with burnout or just in those middle-aged blues, Gary will offer a certain type of catharsis for those of us who appreciate dark humor. 

Based on the manga by Shun Umezawa, The Darwin Incident is one of the most unique shows on this list and on Prime Video in general. However, its half-human, half-chimpanzee protagonist might have led some people to scroll right on by. I promise that's a mistake, especially if you're looking for a thought-provoking animated series that balances action, character development, and meaningful social commentary. 

At first glance, the animation style might suggest The Darwin Incident is for younger audiences, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The content is mature, political, and intellectual. It's a bit of a slow-burn, but patient viewers will be treated to a high school anime where the stakes are much, much higher than being late for class.  

Originally developed for Adult Swim, Common Side Effects is now easily available on Prime Video and Hulu, but again, it sits firmly in the underrated category. If you're a fan of other sci-fi animated series like Scavengers Reign (2023) or even Rick and Morty to an extent, you'll dig Common Side Effects, which involves two high school friends, a magical, all-healing mushroom, and a villainous pharmaceutical conspiracy orchestrated to keep it all hidden.

Think of it sort of like The X-Files (1993) got a surreal Adventure Time (2010) makeover. Trippy visuals add a unique element to what is otherwise a high-stakes conspiracy thriller. It also has something to say. In a world where trust in pharmaceutical companies and other governing agencies is low, Common Side Effects leans into that fear while grounding its story with heart.

Invincible isn't exactly underrated, especially if you have a Prime Video subscription. However, those who don't typically gravitate toward superhero fare might've slept on this one. If you're bored with Marvel and DC's typical shenanigans, then Invincible, created by The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman, might be exactly what you need.  

The action is great and often brutal, but the series true strength lies in its subversion of superhero tropes. Mark Grayson remains such a likable lead because we know him as a human, not just the super-powered crime fighter Invincible. If you're sick of having to keep up with the MCU's many interconnected releases, Invincible's standalone story will feel like a relief. This is a series that cares about fleshing out its characters, not its franchise. 

Speaking of superheroes, The Boys Presents: Diabolical is another genre series not to miss on Prime Video. While the flagship show, The Boys (2019), has been a huge hit and pop culture phenomenon, its animated spin-off miniseries didn't get quite the same attention. Although hardcore The Boys fans made watching it a priority, those outside of the fandom might not even know it exists. 

The good news is that The Boys Presents: Diabolical can be viewed as a standalone. Prior knowledge of The Boys universe might help, especially when talking about the show's only canon episode, "One Plus One Equals Two," but it's not necessary. If anything, the anthology format makes it a solid place to start for those curious about the main show. 

Hazbin Hotel has technically been around since 2019, with creative mastermind Vivienne "VivziePop" Medrano using the support of her Patreon to release the pilot on YouTube. In 2024, Prime Video picked it up and introduced the dark comedy musical to a wider audience. Perfect for fans of horror and musicals, Hazbin Hotel follows the attempts of Hell's crown princess to redeem sinners and get them into Heaven—because Hell has a serious overpopulation problem.  

Truly, there isn't anything quite like Hazbin Hotel out there, unless we're counting the spin-off series, Helluva Boss (2019). Silly, charming, but also surprisingly witty, Hazbin Hotel will appeal to anyone who appreciates the juxtaposition of Disney-sounding musical numbers and delightfully dark comedy. 

Like Common Side Effects, Primal originally debuted on Adult Swim before making its way to Prime Video, HBO Max, and other streamers. Considering Genndy Tartakovsky created it, that's not really a surprise. Known for numerous Cartoon Network/Adult Swim hits like Dexter's Laboratory (1996), Samurai Jack (2001), and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), Tartakovsky employs all his talents to deliver an adult action-horror series about a Neanderthal and his unlikely friendship with a female T. rex as they navigate all kinds of horrors in a prehistoric mash-up of different eras.  

Perhaps what's most unique about Primal is its dialogue-free first season and minimal talking thereafter. While you'd think that might make it feel slow or boring, that couldn't be further from the truth. Primal excels at fast-paced action, high-stakes storytelling, and raw violence. Utterly unique in the best of ways, Primal is perfect for audiences craving a different type of storytelling in their animation. 

If you've ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through Netflix's library in search of a new animated series, then Haunted Hotel is an easy choice. Following a family's attempts to run a very haunted hotel filled with an eclectic bunch of ghosts, the show can best be described as "lightly spooky." The content is relatively lighthearted, but horror fans will definitely appreciate the nods and references to genre movies and tropes. 

Really, Haunted Hotel has all the makings of a comfort watch. It's relatable, funny, and effortlessly charming. Yes, there are fun creatures and goofy ghosts, but the real emotional core is the family and their unique, albeit dysfunctional, dynamic. Trust me, Abaddon will quickly become one of your favorite animated characters—just give him some time to grow on you. 

Listen, Carol & the End of the World is a little darker than some of the other entries on this list. It's an existential comedy about Earth's impending extinction and the wild extremes people go to fulfill their bucket lists. However, our main POV isn't them; it's Carol, an awkward woman who chooses to embrace monotony and routine. 

Very much a slow-burn hinged on character introspection, Carol & the End of the World isn't for audiences craving non-stop action and big theatrics. Instead, it's a much more reflective series that encourages people to stop, contemplate, and appreciate the small things in life. If you dig the more somber storytelling style of BoJack Horseman (2014), this Netflix miniseries has a similar vibe.  

It might be hard to believe a DC series, especially one riffing on Margo Robbie's popular portrayal of the character in movies like Birds of Prey (2020) and The Suicide Squad (2021), is underrated, but Harley Quinn is very much that. Available on HBO Max, the series picks up with the titular villain after she decides to leave her boyfriend, The Joker, because of the toxic dynamic. 

Similar to the aforementioned Invincible or The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Harley Quinn delivers an R-rated superhero story, only in this case, it brings iconic DC heroes and villains along for the ride. It's vulgar and bold, but it's also darkly smart. More importantly, it gives Harley Quinn a much-needed makeover from an overlooked and underappreciated "sidekick" to her own empowered person, recognizing her worth.