As a medium, cartoons can be a misunderstood as a form of entertainment reserved for children and hardcore fans of Family Guy. In actuality, there is a large population of adults who consume both old cartoons they watched as kids and new cartoons targeted toward adults. These shows can illustrate both youthful and grown-up themes while still serving as a great escape from the stressful world. At university, I actually met one of my best friends by identifying a sticker on her laptop that was a reference to a cartoon on Disney Channel.
Right now, my go-to veg-out show is We Bare Bears, which airs on Cartoon Network. While the show isn’t made for my age group, it has plenty of adult humor and general cuteness to make me happy.
If you’re just dipping your toe into the cartoon pool, I’ve collected a wide array of TV shows available on Netflix. Some of the titles are aimed at children, while others are more mature (looking at you, Big Mouth). Because sometimes an escape to a city of humanlike birds or a kingdom of dragons is exactly what you need to relax.
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Tuca & Bertie
While there’s only one season of this smart series, it’s already a cult classic with a wide following online. Telling the story of polar opposite adult lady besties (voiced by Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong), Tuca & Bertie gets real about the trials of growing up at a different pace from your friends and even covers how to demand respect in the workplace.
Watch Tuca and Bertie on Netflix.
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BoJack Horseman
A show famous for sometimes cutting a little too deep, BoJack Horseman is a unique comedy that touches on accurate portrayals of mental health while also starring a literal horse-man as the lead. BoJack is a washed-up former sitcom star, so his hijinks are outrageous, his ego is massive, and he’s always entertaining. (OK, sometimes he’s depressing, so maybe this isn’t the best watch for when you’re already feeling down.)
Watch BoJack Horseman on Netflix.
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Aggretsuko
Made by Sanrio (the company behind Hello Kitty), this show follows an adorable red panda who works an office job she hates and blows off steam by performing death metal at karaoke bars. Not only is the subject matter relatable, the main character is cute as a button.
Watch Aggretsuko on Netflix.
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Disenchantment
Starring Abbi Jacobson of Broad City as a princess who prefers demons and a strong drink as company over the usual royal circles, this chaotic comedy comes from the creator of The Simpsons but is set in a medieval fantasy world. Princess Bean is the comedic leading lady that rebel girls will be drawn to, even if they themselves don’t live in Dreamland.
Watch Disenchantment on Netflix.
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Paradise PD
Following an incompetent police force from a small town, this show is raunchy, violent, and a little bit chaotic. Tom Kenny, the voice actor who plays SpongeBob SquarePants, voices an old police officer whose son joins the force, so it’s certainly a way to hear a beloved childhood character voice actor in an unexpected role.
Watch Paradise PD on Netflix.
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F Is For Family
Take a journey back to the 1970s and follow a jaded patriarch who obsesses over his TV set and tries his best to ignore his family. This cynical comedy perfectly captures America 50 years ago through an imperfect family and their everyday lives.
Watch F Is For Family on Netflix.
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Super Drags
A wickedly funny series following superhero drag queens who save the LGBTQ+ community in style . . . need I say more? This colorful series feels like The Powerpuff Girls for adults.
Watch Super Drags on Netflix.
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Green Eggs and Ham
Perhaps, as a child, you were once dragged to Dr. Seuss Days against your will. Now, you can willingly dive into the world of Green Eggs and Ham in this new Netflix series about the original story. Featuring excellent comedic timing and plenty of hidden adult jokes, this one is a classic and definitely offers an element of escapism into the wacky world of Seuss.
Watch Green Eggs and Ham on Netflix.
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We Bare Bears
With famous comedian voice actors like Saturday Night Live‘s Bobby Moynihan and stand-up comics Demetri Martin and Cameron Esposito, this show has plenty of excellently written humor. It’s also incredibly peaceful to watch since it was created by Pixar alumnus Daniel Chong. It follows the story of three adoptive bear brothers as they live in modern San Francisco (and it accurately pegs a lot of the city’s stereotypes).
Watch We Bare Bears on Netflix.
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Hilda
Following a young girl with a pet “deerfox” as she befriends forest monsters, Hilda is a perfect series for those who crave adventure and love nature.
Watch Hilda on Netflix.
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She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
A remake of the ’80s classic, the show improves the original She-Ra in more ways than one. Featuring body positivity and LGBTQ+ representation within both the main and background cast, this show is a feel-good way to escape into a magical universe of battling princesses who tower over their foes.
Watch She-Ra and the Princesses of Power on Netflix.
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Voltron: Legendary Defender
For the sci-fi fans out there, Voltron: Legendary Defender covers a group space pilots and a princess who use a giant robot to liberate the universe. The series, which boasts eight seasons, has plenty of content to get invested in between character backstories and the state of the Galra Empire.
Watch Voltron: Legendary Defender on Netflix.
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The Dragon Prince
Speaking of dragons, this series is brought to you by the creators of the beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. The show takes place on the continent of Xadia in a fantasy universe that includes magical creatures.
Watch The Dragon Prince on Netflix.
