Every Adult Swim Series, Ranked

Before the internet connected everyone, late-night TV was where people with unusual interests found each other. While most people slept, those with unique passions stayed up to watch strange programs that weren’t shown during the day – endless repeats, low-quality commercials, and edgy documentaries. For a generation of insomniacs, Adult Swim perfectly captured this late-night vibe. It aired on a channel known for kids’ cartoons, but late at night, it offered a mix of old cartoons, Japanese anime, short horror films, and funny spoofs of commercials. With its memorable short clips, or “bumps,” the channel directly addressed its late-night viewers, creating a sense of community. Watching Adult Swim felt like being part of a secret group, experiencing things that others would only hear about from friends who stayed up late.

Cartoon Network didn’t start as the quirky, experimental channel it later became. Originally, it simply played classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons. In the spring of 1993, a team at Cartoon Network, headed by executive Mike Lazzo, wanted to add shows for adults to the channel’s regular schedule of Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry. When they couldn’t get funding for new shows, they created a pilot anyway – Space Ghost Coast to Coast. The idea was unusual: take a little-known superhero from the 1960s and turn him into a silly talk show host. Surprisingly, it worked! The show debuted in April 1994 at 11 p.m. and quickly gained a devoted young adult audience. Over its six seasons, the network discovered that a third of its viewers were adults, revealing a real opportunity to create programming specifically for them.

In 2001, Lazzo brought back Space Ghost as the foundation for a new late-night programming block aimed at adults. Promos for this block, called Adult Swim, teased shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, The Brak Show, Sealab 2021, and Home Movies (which was the first show to air). Despite being made with old Hanna-Barbera cartoons and very limited budgets, Adult Swim quickly attracted a young male audience (ages 18-34) and impressed advertisers. What was special about these early shows was their unique, do-it-yourself feel. By re-voicing existing footage to create something fresh and often absurd, Adult Swim suggested that anyone with a creative vision and a willingness to experiment could make television – not just established industry professionals.

Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, this network became known for its unique and often bizarre programming. It continued a tradition of drawing inspiration from unexpected sources like anime, old cartoons, public access TV, and entertainment news – things most mainstream channels ignored. Shows featured incredibly strange characters and concepts: a talking pile of meat, a host who deliberately vomited on set, and a reality star who remained hidden from view. The humor ranged from simple repetition – like endlessly saying a car brand name – to complex storylines, such as an entire episode devoted to the hypothetical dangers of falling into fake acid. Animation styles were equally diverse, with shows using cinematic techniques for silent stories about cavemen and dinosaurs, stop-motion to depict unsettling suburban life, and computer animation for psychedelic adventures. Viewers could find everything from a sitcom’s opening credits turning into a horror scene to full-length anime films and a man calmly trying to lull you back to sleep. This reputation as a haven for unconventional creators attracted both artists and viewers who felt out of place elsewhere, ultimately establishing the network as a defining force in late-night television – much like David Letterman and Conan O’Brien were for previous generations.

Adult Swim, once a hidden gem, has become a major influence on popular comedy. Its unique style is visible in shows like I Think You Should Leave, Archer, and Bojack Horseman. The network’s biggest hit, Rick and Morty, has expanded beyond television into comics, music, games, and merchandise, generating huge profits. Even Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim showcased their quirky humor in a Super Bowl ad. However, the channel has faced challenges, including a loss of creative talent to other platforms and controversies surrounding a lack of female representation, the firing of a Rick and Morty creator due to serious allegations, and the greenlighting of a problematic sketch show. These issues, after years of building up, have finally taken their toll.

Despite over twenty years of changes within the company, Adult Swim is still on the air. After its creator, Mike Lazzo, stepped down in 2019, the channel faced an uncertain future. The 2022 merger with Warner Bros. Discovery brought layoffs and reorganization, and then David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount—who may not appreciate Adult Swim’s edgy content—bought Warner Bros. in February. This also means Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, both focused on animation, could end up being redundant under the same ownership. Now, more than ever, the future of Adult Swim is unclear.

With so much history to look back on, we wanted to create a definitive ranking of all the shows that aired on the network. However, deciding what to rank proved tricky. The channel is fondly remembered for both its quirky shorts and its famously outrageous specials and April Fool’s Day jokes. Fans who grew up with anime like Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Cowboy Bebop watched alongside those who enjoyed adult animated reruns of shows like Futurama, Family Guy, and King of the Hill. Ultimately, we felt the truest representation of the network’s identity came from its original programming. Therefore, we’ve excluded syndicated shows (Futurama, Family Guy), programs originally aired on Toonami (Cowboy Bebop, FLCL), one-off specials (Yule Log, The Greatest Event in Television History), and even infomercials (Too Many Cooks).

We reviewed all 88 original series that have ever aired on Adult Swim, a process that took over a year and involved our team of writers, editors, and critics carefully rewatching everything, including hidden gems. Through multiple rounds of voting, we ranked the shows from worst to best, prioritizing those that best capture the unique Adult Swim spirit – its memorable characters, distinctive humor, and lasting impact on television. The lowest-ranked shows represent the network at its weakest, where its usual creativity went wrong. The middle-ranked shows were either unoriginal, overly ambitious, or simply lacked that special Adult Swim touch. Ultimately, our list covers the entire history of the block, including animated comedies, bizarre talk shows, sketch programs, horror series, mockumentaries, and everything else it’s offered.

88.
Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace (2016)

“Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace” is the one Adult Swim show that actually caused friction within Adult Swim itself. Created by Sam Hyde, whose online persona evolved from provocative internet humor to, disturbingly, white supremacist views, the show is visually polished with a distinctive 2010s vaporwave soundtrack. However, beneath the surface, it lacks substantial ideas. The sketches consistently present a simple premise: what if societal norms were flipped? For example, what if traditionally desirable women hired unattractive men as sex workers? Or someone painstakingly recreated Flint, Michigan’s contaminated water, using old-fashioned methods? Or an anti-bullying campaign accidentally increased littering? The show poses these questions, but the answers are predictably underwhelming, and the sketches themselves are quickly forgotten. While problematic views are one thing, this show is remarkably dull.

87.
Minoriteam (2006)

This animated series, consisting of 19 episodes, centers around a team of superheroes built on tired racial stereotypes. While the concept might initially sound amusing, the execution falls flat. Characters like Dr. Wang, a Chinese man who uses a wheelchair and has unusual habits, and El Jefe, an overweight Mexican with a powerful leaf blower, don’t deliver on the comedic potential. The show’s premise isn’t engaging, and the humor simply isn’t funny. The only positive aspect is the art style, which pays homage to the iconic Marvel artist Jack Kirby, but even that isn’t enough to save it from being a misstep by Adult Swim.

86.
The Restless Bell (2012)

This cheaply made parody of high school dramas imitates the serious, emotional episodes common in ’90s teen shows, but with adult actors playing teenagers and intentionally awkward editing. However, it fails to capture the lightheartedness or humor that would make its silliness enjoyable, instead creating a disturbing and unpleasant viewing experience.

85.
King Star King (2014)

Okay, so I stumbled across this show, King Star King – it’s from the same folks behind Metalocalypse, with a creative lead named JJ Villard – and wow, it’s… a lot. It basically takes the Snow White story and twists it into something incredibly dark and messed up. The hero has to save Snow White from this villain, Alfonzo Molestro, and let’s just say his intentions aren’t exactly heroic. Honestly, the story is already pretty intense, but the animation doesn’t let up. It’s this crazy, psychedelic sci-fi style, and it’s extremely graphic – characters are constantly being torn apart, eaten, and… well, you get the idea. The very first episode starts with the princess being assaulted, murdered, and beheaded. Even for Adult Swim, it felt like way too much. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart!

84.
Tropical Cop Tales (2019)

Tropical Cop Tales is incredibly jarring and unpleasant to watch. While it’s notable for showcasing the wild side of Adult Swim’s programming, it feels more like a strange experiment than a well-made show. The series follows two brightly-dressed police officers – a bearded man who looks like a fairytale character and a woman with a large, colorful hairstyle – who move from the city to a tropical location, only to find it’s a chaotic and unsettling experience. It might sound like a quirky parody of Miami Vice, but it’s actually just 11 minutes of grating noise and loud yelling, with no real humor to be found.

83.
JJ Villard’s Fairy Tales (2020)

JJ Villard’s Fairy Tales flips classic stories like “Goldilocks” and “Little Red Riding Hood” into disturbing experiences for adults. The show, from the co-creator of 2014’s King Star King, relies heavily on shock value and a non-traditional narrative structure. For example, the story of Rapunzel is retold with a truly unsettling twist: a mother forces her son to eat the contents of her blackheads. While aiming for shock, the show often feels more disturbing than enjoyable, and its reliance on gross-out humor isn’t always supported by a strong storyline.

82.
Tigtone (2019–2020)

Watching Tigtone is like hanging out in your friend’s dorm, watching them play video games. The show leans into classic adventure game and medieval fantasy clichés, and the main character, Tigtone, is a pretty terrible hero – he’s often mean, shockingly violent, and constantly believes he’s important, and everyone around him agrees. The animation style is strangely both polished and rough around the edges. What’s really unique is the voice cast: it includes horror legends like Sid Haig and Jeffrey Combs, along with Bill Corbett and Trace Beaulieu from Mystery Science Theater 3000 – yes, they even got both actors who played Crow T. Robot!

81.
The Rising Son (2009)

This retelling of Jesus’ life plays out like a daytime soap opera, portraying Jesus as an awkward and unsuccessful young man, Mary as a playful housewife, and Joseph as her eager new husband. Judas is depicted as a scheming trickster. The humor comes from presenting this familiar story using all the tropes of soap operas—dramatic pauses, over-the-top music, and sensational reveals—but the joke quickly wears thin. Ultimately, it doesn’t compare to the show Black Jesus.

80.
Hot Streets (2018–2019)

Hot Streets had a great idea – a funny, parody take on shows like The X-Files, with a new monster each week – but unfortunately, it just doesn’t work. The creators, who are behind popular shows like Robot Chicken and Rick and Morty, tried too hard to be strange and ended up with something boring. The show relies on random events instead of actual jokes, uses overdone storylines instead of a good plot, and features uninspired characters. Even for Adult Swim, the animation is pretty rough. Other series on the network, like Assy McGee and Stroker & Hoop, manage to make fun of police shows in a much more enjoyable way.

79.
Soul Quest Overdrive (2011)

Okay, so I just finished watching Soul Quest Overdrive, and wow… it’s… something else. It’s got this really bizarre vibe, kind of like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, but honestly, it makes Aqua Teen seem super sophisticated! The show follows four pieces of sports equipment that are total jerks, and it’s just… wild. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you like really weird, off-the-wall humor, it might be your thing.

78.
The Drinky Crow Show (2007–2009)

Drinky Crow is a cute but deeply depressed bird with a serious drinking problem. He lives with his equally inebriated monkey friend, Uncle Gabby, in a world inspired by 19th-century seafaring tales. The comic strip that started it all, “Maakies,” created by Tony Millionaire, ran for nearly twenty years and was praised for its beautiful, detailed artwork which contrasted with its often crude, violent, and shocking content. However, the TV show, “The Drinky Crow Show,” doesn’t capture that same artistic quality; its animation style feels artificial and unappealing. While the comic’s artistry could support single-panel gags, it struggles to sustain longer, eleven-minute stories – like one where Drinky intentionally injures himself to create makeshift beer goggles. Though there are brief glimpses of the unique, independent spirit that made “Maakies” special, the show mostly feels unpleasant, shocking for the sake of it, and ultimately lacks substance.

77.
Lazor Wulf (2019–2021)

Even with gorgeous animation and a talented voice cast including Vince Staples and Quinta Brunson, the series Lazor Wulf couldn’t overcome its weak story. Based on a Tumblr comic, the show centered around a wolf with a laser on its back, but ultimately suffered from unoriginal ideas and predictable plots. Characters with potential, like a God who struggled with anxiety, never fully developed and ended up delivering jokes that didn’t land.

76.
Momma Named Me Sheriff (2019–2021)

The new show related to Mr. Pickles doesn’t quite feel like a typical Adult Swim program. The idea of silly cops in a small town is a bit overdone – it could easily be mistaken for Brickleberry. However, each episode quickly veers off into bizarre and unexpected territory. For example, a simple prank war escalates to the point where the town’s original founder loses an arm, the police station buys every hat imaginable, and Bigfoot is killed by the forest animals who’ve had enough of his behavior. It’s a deliberately shocking show about terrible people making foolish decisions. One surprisingly nice detail, though, is that each character’s teeth are individually and carefully drawn.

75.
Tender Touches (2017–2020)

With its rambling conversations, awkward delivery, and characters who directly address the audience, Tender Touches feels like something you’d find on the bizarre cable channels in Rick and Morty. It’s amusing in short bursts, but gets repetitive quickly. Created by David Bonawits, Maxime Simonet, and Lauren Payne (the team behind Adult Swim’s FishCenter Live), the show aims to parody soap operas, but it lacks a clear focus and doesn’t offer much insightful criticism beyond exaggerating the drama. However, it does have some positive aspects. For its first two seasons, each episode came with a corresponding operetta – an ambitious effort, even if the music isn’t particularly good (which might be intentional).

74.
Mongo Wrestling Alliance (2011)

Created by one of the minds behind Metalocalypse, this animated series presents a world where professional wrestling isn’t fake – it’s genuinely brutal, featuring outlandish acts of violence like shooting eggs from a live turkey into someone’s stomach or swinging a cow around until it lands on a man’s head. Despite the creativity of the violence, the show isn’t very compelling. While Metalocalypse cleverly satirized our obsession with celebrity, Mongo Wrestling Alliance doesn’t offer much insight into the world of pro wrestling and seems to miss what makes it so appealing. The show also portrays fans as cruel and unrefined, reinforcing a harsh stereotype, which makes it hard to understand who the intended audience is.

73.
Rick and Morty: The Anime (2024)

Dan Harmon, co-creator of Rick and Morty, has stated that the show’s complex backstory isn’t the main focus for writers, and the new anime series confirms this is a good approach. Ricky and Morty: The Anime, created by animator Takashi Sano in Japan, isn’t a simple parody of anime. Instead, it’s a genuine sci-fi action comedy that uses the characters and portal travel from Rick and Morty to tell a story similar to shows like Cowboy Bebop or FLCL. It’s commendable that the anime avoids easy jokes. However, the plot—which centers on Morty’s relationship with a time warrior named Elle, alongside alternate versions of Rick—is complicated and lacks humor. While the animation style, blending anime and western cartooning, is better than some critics suggest, it highlights the issue with this spinoff: watching a different anime or the original Rick and Morty would likely be more enjoyable than this combination.

72.
Apollo Gauntlet (2016–2017)

Apollo Gauntlet playfully asks, “What if He-Man were Canadian?” This animated series, inspired by Myles Langlois’s online creation, centers on a Winnipeg police officer who finds himself in a fantastical, sci-fi world reminiscent of Eternia. He transforms into a hero, equipped with magical, talking gauntlets and a remarkably chill personality – he’s always cracking jokes and making pop-culture references, mostly to himself. The animation style uses rotoscoping, giving it a unique look that’s both smooth and a bit rough around the edges, similar to the work of Ralph Bakshi. While it’s relaxed and easygoing, some might find it doesn’t quite stand out among the many ’80s-inspired parodies on Adult Swim.

71.
Mostly 4 Millennials (2018)

There are only two things that keep Derrick Beckles’s Mostly 4 Millennials from being a shameless rip-off of The Eric André Show: André worked on both shows, and this one features some superficial similarity to Beckles’s 2009 Adult Swim pilot Totally for Teens. Given the show’s familiar blend of person-on-the-street stunts, chaotic celebrity interviews, and lewd displays, comparisons are inescapable. The bigger problem, however, is that when Mostly 4 Millennials departs from the Eric André Show formula, it’s worse. The show’s fixation on theming episodes around buzzwords culled from think pieces about millennials, such as “entitlement” and “diversity,” was already dated when it premiered in 2018 and has only grown more so since. In one scene, Beckles stands onstage naked except for a transparent fanny pack filled with guacamole, which he performatively dips nachos into and eats. It’s as if to say, “When are people going to stop talking about millennials and their damned avocados already?” When indeed.

70.
Royal Crackers (2023–2024)

Think of Succession, but as a bizarre, animated Adult Swim show. Instead of a powerful media family, it follows the owners of a struggling saltine cracker company. Roman Roy is reimagined as a former nu-metal musician from a band called TainT. This show, Royal Crackers, created by animator Jason Ruiz (known for Murder Police on Fox), is full of unexpected turns – like the family having a cannibalistic past – but that’s the basic idea.

69.
Titan Maximum (2009)

I really loved the potential of Titan Maximum. It felt like a brilliant parody of shows like Voltron and Gundam, blending really silly jokes with a surprisingly rich backstory and complex plot. Coming from the creators of Robot Chicken, it had that same fantastic, wireframe stop-motion style and quick-fire humor. However, while the jokes worked great as standalone bits – often revolving around the hilariously awful Commander Palmer or the team’s confident Sasha – they didn’t always serve the larger story about the mecha pilots. It felt like a lot of the humor was leftover Robot Chicken material, which made it hard to truly get invested in the show’s satire. I truly believe a second season could have balanced things out, but sadly, it was canceled after just ten episodes, leaving us on a frustrating cliffhanger. It’s a shame, because it had the potential to be the Venture Bros. of giant robot shows!

68.
You’re Whole (2012–2013)

Whether you’ll enjoy this show really depends on how much you can handle Michael Ian Black’s deliberately annoying and self-satisfied on-screen persona. The show is basically structured around his character, Randall Tyree Mandersohn, pitching his wellness advice like an infomercial. He offers tips on everything from diet and relationships to his questionable views on Eastern cultures. If you’re a fan of his older work like The State and Stella, you’ll probably be fine. But if you only know him from I Love the ___, it might get on your nerves. Also, the show relies heavily on repeating the same joke, so if that bothers you, this probably isn’t for you.

67.
Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter (2015–2017)

In 2012, comedian Jon Glaser spontaneously wore a bright neon outfit on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to publicize the last season of his show, Delocated. He jokingly presented it as a costume for a new character, “Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter,” and surprisingly, he actually went on to create a show based on that character. Neon Joe, co-created with Steve Little and produced by the comedy collective PFFR – known for their surreal and unique style in shows like Xavier: Renegade Angel, The Shivering Truth, and Wonder Showzen – is a star-studded parody of almost every horror movie set in a small town or forest. It’s an enjoyable show, though it doesn’t necessarily leave a lasting impression.

66.
Saul of the Mole Men (2007)

I have to admit, I’m a big fan of Craig Lewis’s Saul of the Mole Men. It’s such a weird and wonderful show! It feels like a tribute to Land of the Lost, but with a seriously strange, almost soap opera-like vibe, and it’s hilariously crude. Josh Gardner plays Saul, and while he’s supposed to be the hero, he’s incredibly flawed – clumsy, quick to anger, and way too possessive. The story kicks off when he falls into the world of the mole men and accidentally causes chaos by killing their king! You’d think he’d be desperate to escape, but honestly, most of the show is him getting tangled up in their bizarre politics and, believe it or not, trying to win over Fallopia, a seriously…unique character played by Irina Voronina. It reminds me a lot of the setup in Fat Guy Stuck in Internet – just a lot of time wasted in a strange new world. And the whole thing just feels like Adult Swim – the puppets are simple, the effects are cheap, and the costumes are…well, not flattering! No other network would ever take a chance on something so delightfully goofy.

65.
Perfect Hair Forever (2004–2007)

This animated comedy started as a spin-off of Space Ghost Coast to Coast and is delightfully absurd. Created by Matt Maiellaro, Mike Lazzo, and Matt Harrigan, the show follows Gerald, a teenage boy with a receding hairline (voiced by Adult Swim’s Kim Manning), on a never-ending search for the perfect hairstyle – all while being trailed by a singing, floating hot dog. Space Ghost makes a cameo in every episode, usually in the background. While the show’s attempts at accents haven’t aged well and feel problematic, its portrayal of the character Uncle Grandfather cleverly satirizes anime’s tendency to unnecessarily sexualize female characters. The creators decided against a second season in 2006, so they aired what was meant to be the season-two premiere – actually the final episode – as an April Fool’s joke in 2007. This was followed by a backwards replay of the entire first season, complete with intentionally incorrect subtitles.

64.
The Jack and Triumph Show (2015)

Combining the biting humor of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog with the sweetly naive style of Jack McBrayer seemed like a brilliant idea. However, The Jack and Triumph Show tried too hard. Created by comedy veterans Robert Smigel (who operates Triumph), Michael Koman (Nathan for You), and David Feldman, the show was overloaded with elements: segments mimicking 80s sitcoms filmed in front of a live audience, scenes of Triumph playfully insulting people in public, a constant stream of celebrity guests (like Paul Rudd, Ezra Koenig, and Joey Fatone), and complicated storylines. While it was enjoyable to see Triumph mock fans at a convention, watch McBrayer perform physical comedy, and appreciate the show’s edgy jokes (even about something as absurd as coffee made from… well, you get the idea), the show never quite came together as a cohesive whole. It felt like a collection of funny bits rather than a truly unified comedy experience.

63.
Hot Package (2013–2015)

As a big fan of weird, late-night TV, I stumbled upon Hot Package, and it’s completely hooked me. It’s basically a send-up of those entertainment shows you see flickering on in nail salons, and it was created by Derrick Beckles, who’s been with Vice for ages. Honestly, the best parts are these interview segments he does, called “Ones on One.” He talks to these wonderfully strange characters from the fringes of the L.A. scene – old-school porn producers, a psychobilly barber, even Heidi Fleiss! If you’re into Adult Swim’s style, you’ll notice a lot of familiar things: intentionally awkward pauses, grainy, unsettling footage, and graphics that just keep repeating. Plus, it’s hilarious to see Mark McGrath and Pat O’Brien basically making fun of themselves and their usual TV presenter roles. Seriously, it’s McGrath’s best work since Scooby-Doo!

62.
Oh My God… Yes! (2025—present)

Originally a comic book, Oh My God… Yes! is now a TV show that immediately immerses you in a richly detailed world created by Adele “Supreme” Williams. The story follows three best friends – Tulip, Sunny, and Ladi – and doesn’t waste time with explanations. Within minutes of the first episode, you learn Ladi has shrunk herself to prevent Sunny’s baby from being born as the Antichrist! The show is full of bizarre and imaginative elements, like rapping spiders and presidential vending machines, which can be a lot to take in at first. However, as you watch, these quirks fade into the background, and the focus shifts to the strong bond between Tulip, Sunny, and Ladi as they deal with difficult issues like family history, unresolved pain, and loss in their late twenties.

61.
Beef House (2020)

Created by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, known for their work on Adult Swim, Beef House was a quirky sitcom parody that was enjoyable, but didn’t quite become a standout hit. Produced by their company, Abso Lutely Productions – famous for its distinctive low-budget look – the show features Heidecker, Wareheim, and three familiar faces from Awesome Show! (Ron Austar, Ben Hur, and Tennessee Luke) playing middle-aged men sharing a house. Jamie-Lynn Sigler (known for The Sopranos) plays Eric’s wife, grounding the show in some semblance of reality. While it’s one of the stronger ’90s sitcom parodies, thanks to the unique performances of the supporting cast and its surprisingly shocking storylines – involving everything from supernatural abilities to, well, bodily functions and a major accident – it doesn’t really break new ground. Similar shows like BoJack Horseman, Too Many Cooks, and Nope have already explored the unsettling side of classic sitcoms, leaving Beef House feeling a little lost in the mix.

60.
Brad Neely’s Harg Nallin’ Sclopio Peepio (2016)

Brad Neely, the creator of China, IL, launched his second Adult Swim show not on television, but on the now-defunct app Vine. This choice highlights the show’s origins as online content – it was almost originally called TV Sucks! Brad Neely’s Harg Nallin’ Sclopio Peepio feels less like a traditional show and more like Neely’s unique web video style, now fully unleashed with appearances from guests like Lizzo across ten fifteen-minute episodes. It’s a fast-paced collection of animated sketches, from silly songs about enjoying a case of beer to bizarre celebrity bits – like describing Taylor Swift as the key to a lost prophecy. While these short, quirky ideas felt special as hidden online treasures, they don’t quite land as effectively when presented as a continuous show. The good news is that if a sketch doesn’t grab you, it’s over quickly – usually in under a minute.

59.
Assy McGee (2006–2008)

The appeal of Assy McGee is simple: it delivers on its promise of a hard-boiled detective who acts first and thinks later, and who just happens to be a walking, talking butt. Turning the classic tough-guy cops from films like Dirty Harry and Lethal Weapon into a literal ‘asshole’ who solves crimes with drinking, shooting, and flatulence is a funny idea, but it also limits the show’s potential. While the animation is dark and the humor is immature, once the initial jokes about a depressed cop wear off, the show lacks compelling characters, storylines, or exciting action. Despite its flaws, Assy McGee and its characters are so silly they’re strangely charming, making it a memorable, if imperfect, addition to Adult Swim’s lineup.

58.
Birdgirl (2021–2022)

Following the popular animated series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Birdgirl from Michael Ouweleen and Erik Richter used a similar formula of placing established characters in a workplace environment. However, after almost 20 years, with a new lead and the removal of the classic Hanna-Barbera characters, Birdgirl unfortunately didn’t feel particularly innovative or exciting. The show features Birdgirl as the CEO of a law firm who also fights crime, but the office setting, filled only with humans, lacked the charm of the original’s quirky, animal-based cast. Despite a talented voice cast including Paget Brewster, Rob Delaney, and others, Birdgirl was canceled after just twelve episodes across two seasons, failing to fully realize its potential.

57.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole (2010–2012)

Dino Stamatopoulos, creator of Morel Orel, returns with Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole, a darkly comedic stop-motion series. The show centers on Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who has already conquered immortality and now runs a bizarre service for historical figures. They travel through wormholes to his lab – located somewhere in Eastern Europe – with odd requests: Thomas Jefferson wants a very specific transplant, John Belushi experiments with a transforming potion, and even Jesus needs some socks. While the show has a loose, ongoing storyline, it’s not the main focus. In a unique creative choice, Stamatopoulos initially asked that the first season be shown in a completely random order to emphasize the idea that time doesn’t matter to someone who lives forever. Though the second season adopted a more traditional sitcom structure with a clear plot and regular release schedule, the initial concept was a bold and memorable experiment.

56.
Fat Guy Stuck in Internet (2007–2008)

John Gemberling, known for his hilariously irritating role on Broad City, stars as Ken Gemberling, a somewhat arrogant programmer working for a shady internet company. He’s unexpectedly pulled into the internet itself, where he discovers his true purpose and the importance of friendship as he battles malicious computer viruses. What really makes this show stand out is its spot-on recreation of the quirky, low-budget look and feel of 1990s live-action kids’ TV – think blocky computer graphics, purple landscapes, villains with exaggerated makeup, and special effects reminiscent of Power Rangers. It captures a time when the internet felt like a separate, slightly dangerous place you could enter, before it became so all-encompassing. It makes you almost miss 2007!

55.
Eagleheart (2011–2014)

While many Adult Swim shows playfully subvert typical TV genres, Eagleheart—which parodies classic cop dramas—does so with a particularly refined style. However, that polish doesn’t always save it from being annoying, especially when jokes fall flat. The show stars Chris Elliott as the extremely violent U.S. Marshal Chris Monsanto, Brett Gelman as his somewhat clueless partner Brett Mobley, and Maria Thayer (from Strangers With Candy) as their more grounded colleague, Susie Wagner. Created by Michael Koman and Andrew Weinberg, both former writers for Late Night With Conan O’Brien, Eagleheart generally moves at a good pace, but underneath all the action, it can sometimes feel as cheesy as the typical banter you’d hear on shows like Law & Order.

54.
The Jellies! (2017–2019)

I was so hyped when Tyler, the Creator and Lionel Boyce teamed up again after Loiter Squad! They brought us The Jellies on Adult Swim a few years later, and it’s a really interesting show. It tries to be a normal family sitcom, but then it also gets super weird and imaginative, and sometimes it feels stuck between those two ideas. But honestly, the best part? The music! Tyler really put his heart into the score and soundtrack, just like he does with his own albums, and it makes the whole show feel special. It seriously elevates the experience.

53.
The Heart, She Holler (2011–2014)

The Southern Gothic comedy The Heart, She Holler feels like a wild soap opera – full of scandalous relationships, shady dealings, and unexpected turns – but condensed into short, 11-minute episodes. One scene might show Hurlan Heartshe (played by Patton Oswalt) becoming a writer like Truman Capote, then cut to the town doctor falling in love with his own heart after coughing it up, and end with Meemaw Heartshe giving up control over the town using her psychic chessboard. Created by Vernon Chatman, John Lee, and Alyson Levy of PFFR, the show has some strong moments, particularly Kristen Schaal’s performance as Hurlan’s eccentric sister Hurshe (later played by Amy Sedaris). However, the exaggerated hillbilly stereotypes and fast-paced, chaotic plot become repetitive over time.

52.
Stroker & Hoop (2004–2005)

“Stroker & Hoop” shares a similar darkly comedic vibe with the movie “The Nice Guys,” but it’s even more cynical. Created by Casper Kelly and Jeffrey G. Olsen, the show features Jon Glazer and Timothy “Speed” Levitch as hilariously bad private detectives, and their talking car, C.A.R.R. (voiced by Paul Christie). It’s full of unlikeable characters in messy situations—the kind of comedy that was popular in the 2000s and 2010s, before real-life bad actors started dominating the headlines. While funny, it doesn’t quite feel like a typical Adult Swim show. It feels more like a rejected pitch for a Fox animated series—one that would probably have tried to sell you NFTs, and one you definitely wouldn’t want to buy.

51.
12 oz. Mouse (2005–2006; 2020)

This show is definitely an acquired taste – you’ll either love it or hate it. It’s famously difficult to watch, with simple, almost rough animation and a very loose plot that challenges you to keep watching. The main character, Mouse Fitzgerald (created by Matt Maiellero), is a mouse who struggles with alcohol and starts out doing odd jobs for a shark boss. What begins as a basic, low-effort series surprisingly evolves into a complex, retro-futuristic mystery, almost like a toddler’s version of shows like The Big O or Twin Peaks. But the most unique part is the incredibly laid-back, almost monotone voice acting. It’s so relaxed, it’s almost hypnotic, and you’ll find yourself questioning how much effort you’re not putting in to enjoy it.

50.
Ballmastrz: 9009 (2018–2023)

Created by Christy Karacas, the mind behind Superjail!, Ballmasterz: 9009 is a wild, anime-inspired series set in a dark future where a brutal sport called “the Game” is the main form of entertainment. Featuring the voices of Dana Snyder and Dave Willis (familiar from other Adult Swim shows), the series also stars Natasha Lyonne as Gaz, a once-great player hoping for a comeback. She’s the only hope for the worst team in the Game to win. Karacas, known for his violent animation, says the fights in Ballmasterz: 9009 are more cartoonish – think Looney Tunes – than his previous work Superjail! because characters bounce back from injuries instead of suffering lasting damage.

49.
NTSF:SD:SUV:: (2011–2013)

NTSF:SD:SUV::, which stands for National Terrorism Strike Force: San Diego: Sport Utility Vehicle, started as a test project within the show Childrens Hospital. Instead of making fun of medical dramas, creator Paul Scheer aimed his parody at crime and action shows like CSI, Law & Order, and 24. The show also spoofed action movies, with bits inspired by Speed (a bus that explodes if it goes over zero mph) and Con Air (a plane full of villains from San Diego Comic-Con). Because cop shows and action movies are already so dramatic, it was tough to exaggerate enough to make NTSF truly funny. While the show gleefully poked fun at every cliché, it often felt like a companion piece to Childrens Hospital rather than a fully original creation. Sometimes, it seemed like the writers were just checking off tropes instead of trying to do something new.

48.
Teenage Euthanasia (2021–2023)

Teenage Euthanasia, created by Alissa Nutting and Alyson Levy, is a show about a family that runs a funeral home in the made-up Florida town of Fort Gator. What makes the show special is the relationship between Trophy (voiced by Maria Bamford) and her daughter, Annie (Jo Firestone). Trophy is a fun-loving mother who was brought back to life, but only if she agrees to raise the daughter she left behind. The show playfully explores themes of death, technology, and Florida itself, and the emotional connection between Annie and Trophy makes it surprisingly relatable, even with its surreal style.

47.
Mr. Pickles (2013–2019)

The idea of something cute hiding a dark side is common in horror, but the animated series Mr. Pickles takes it to a hilariously extreme level. Created by Will Carsola and Dave Stewart, the show centers around Mr. Pickles, a seemingly sweet border collie who’s always smiling and wagging his tail – even while doing incredibly disturbing things, like, well, you get the idea. He’s a genuinely evil demon hiding in plain sight in a quaint, old-fashioned town, constantly causing bloody chaos. What makes the show work is the jarring contrast between its bright, colorful animation, the oddly designed characters, the adorable Mr. Pickles, and the shockingly violent things he does. It’s gleefully outrageous, though the episodes can start to feel a little samey after a while. The deviancy becomes predictable, preventing Mr. Pickles from reaching the highest ranks of Adult Swim programming. However, the fact that Mr. Pickles still makes time for his owner, Tommy, adds a surprisingly touching element that actually makes all the nastiness more enjoyable.

46.
Tom Goes to the Mayor (2004–2006)

Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim got their start with Adult Swim thanks to Bob Odenkirk, who helped them create a pilot after they sent him an early version of their show. Tom Goes to the Mayor is set in the strange, strip mall-filled town of Jefferton and centers on Tom Peters (Heidecker), a naive man who constantly visits the mayor (Wareheim) with get-rich-quick schemes and ideas to improve the community – like a special calculator, fixing up the zoo, or a T-shirt with a rat tipping its hat that says “Rats Off to Ya!”. The show’s simple, Xerox-like animation can be a bit jarring, but it’s full of the signature Tim and Eric style you’ll find in their later work, with scenes set in Jefferton’s many buffets, cutaways to live-action TV segments (introducing news anchors Jan and Wayne Skylarmake), and a talent for hilariously uncomfortable conversations.

45.
Black Dynamite (2012–2015)

Despite its striking visuals, the show Black Dynamite, created by Carl Jones (known for The Boondocks), didn’t quite live up to its potential. It was a comedic take on 1970s Blaxploitation films – think Dolomite and Coffy – centering on a former soldier who fought crime, ran an unusual orphanage (for both children and… others), and wasn’t afraid to use force. There were definitely funny moments, like the time Dynamite and O.J. Simpson went to space for Christmas, or when J.B. Smoove’s character, a Kermit the Frog parody, sought revenge. However, this spin-off of the 2009 film struggled to consistently capture the cool, energetic vibe that Michael Jai White and Tommy Davidson brought to each episode with their voice acting.

44.
Mike Tyson Mysteries (2014–2020)

Mike Tyson Mysteries follows the classic formula of a group of friends solving mysteries, much like Scooby-Doo or Jonny Quest. The show stars Mike Tyson playing a slightly wacky version of himself, but it’s much more than just a one-joke premise. It’s funny and clever, with great voice acting – Norm Macdonald is particularly hilarious as a pigeon who loves to drink – and it frequently breaks the fourth wall. The humor ranges from sophisticated to silly: one episode features the team helping novelist Cormac McCarthy finish a book, while another shows Mike punching a chess master after mistaking him for someone else. The show really shines when it combines both types of humor, like when Snoop Dogg creates his own rival mystery-solving team to make his own cartoon, Snoop Dogg’s Unsolved Situations. In a surprisingly sincere moment, Mike Tyson even says, “I’ve always wanted to have a cartoon made out of me.”

43.
Unicorn: Warriors Eternal (2023)

Genndy Tartakovsky, known for his action animation at Adult Swim, recently released Unicorn, a series developed over nearly two decades. Despite only one ten-episode season, the show presents a unique world where reincarnated heroes, the Unicorns, use magic and steampunk technology to fight a universal threat called “Evil.” The story kicks off with Melinda, a sorceress resembling Betty Boop, awakening in the body of Emma, a woman about to get married in 19th-century England. Because she awakens prematurely, the Unicorns’ powers are weakened. Visually, Unicorn is a stunning, fast-paced show that draws inspiration from classic animation styles – the rubber-hose designs of Fleischer Studios and the early anime of Osamu Tezuka, like Astro Boy. Like Tartakovsky’s other work, the action is particularly notable for its dynamic timing. However, Unicorn doesn’t quite have the edgy, groundbreaking quality often found on Adult Swim, feeling more like a show from the early 2000s Cartoon Network lineup. The season ended on a cliffhanger, and it’s currently unknown whether the story will continue or be resolved.

42.
Tuca & Bertie (2021–2022)

After being unexpectedly canceled by Netflix after just one season, Lisa Hanawalt’s animated series Tuca & Bertie stands out as one of the few ‘adult cartoons’ that tackles genuine adult issues. Despite its characters being birds, the show explores relatable struggles like difficult roommates, relationships, bad bosses, anxiety, and getting sober, all with Hanawalt’s signature clean art style—the same style she brought to BoJack Horseman. Like BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie is visually creative and emotionally resonant. A great example is a scene in season two where the animation shifts to simple outlines to beautifully depict Tuca’s desire for a connection with her date, Kara, and her strong bond with Bertie. Given Adult Swim’s history of not often supporting shows created by and about women, rescuing Tuca & Bertie felt particularly important. Although it was canceled again after two more seasons, the show getting a second chance was a significant win.

41.
The Brak Show (2001–2003)

In 2001, Brak, the lovable teenage alien with an underbite from the show Space Ghost Coast to Coast, starred in his own sitcom-style spinoff. Voiced by Andy Merrill, Brak lives a suburban life with his Mom, Dad, and quirky neighbors: Thundercleese, a robot obsessed with his lawn, and Zorak, the menacing mantis leader from Space Ghost. Each episode begins with the family gathered around their 1950s kitchen table, portraying Brak as a mischievous but innocent character—a far cry from the ruthless space villain he used to be. While perhaps not one of Adult Swim’s most famous shows, it’s a remarkably well-toned and charming series, particularly when Brak breaks into song.

40.
My Adventures With Superman (2023—present)

Despite landing on Adult Swim, My Adventures With Superman doesn’t really feel like a typical show from that network. Its animation style is reminiscent of early 2000s anime, and the opening credits have a pop-punk vibe. Jack Quaid plays Superman as genuinely kind and hopeful – perhaps the most sincere portrayal since Christopher Reeve. Originally intended for Cartoon Network, the show’s focus on positivity, found family, and even converting villains with friendship feels a little out of place alongside Adult Swim’s usual dark humor. It’s a heartwarming series that might even make you cry, and as one show put it, it’s simply a good show for good people. It definitely stands out on Adult Swim, but sometimes, a little kindness is all you need.

39.
Squidbillies (2005–2021)

It’s strange to consider a family of gun-toting, rural squids from a historical perspective, but with 132 episodes, Jim Fortier and Dave Willis’s Squidbillies – the creators of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell – stands as one of the longest-running family comedies on television. The show centered on the poor Cuyler family – father Early, his son Rusty, his sister Lily who used meth, and their grumpy grandmother Granny – and the various schemes they concocted to make money. Violence was common, with characters frequently getting shot or injured (a memorable example being Rusty being shot with arrows to obtain medical marijuana), and the show occasionally offered a surprisingly sharp critique of conservative America. However, the humor could sometimes be a bit too obvious, like Early’s collection of trucker hats featuring phrases like “Ignorance Is BLISS, Why Ain’t You Smilin’?”

38.
Dream Corp LLC (2016–2020)

Few experiences are as stressful as going to the doctor, and the show Dream Corp LLC brilliantly captures that anxiety. But instead of a traditional office, this surreal comedy takes place in a dream therapy clinic. Dr. Roberts (Jon Gries) and his hilariously inept team (Nick Rutherford, Mark Proksch, Stephen Merchant, Stephanie Allynne, Megan Ferguson, and Sunita Mani) use low-tech equipment to enter patients’ dreams and eliminate their fears, treating everything from depression to more unusual problems. Inspired by films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Waking Life, and utilizing a similar rotoscope animation style, the show manages to be both thought-provoking about people seeking help and funny about the often-absurd things humans worry about.

37.
Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil (2005–2007)

Before creating the hit show Bob’s Burgers, Loren Bouchard developed his unique style with Lucy, Daughter of the Devil. This show allowed him to work with comedic talents like Eugene Mirman and Jon Glaser, and gave H. Jon Benjamin the role of Lucifer. The show centers on Lucy, a cynical young woman tasked with helping her father, Satan, bring about the apocalypse, but she’s too busy dating the reincarnation of Jesus. While the premise suggests world-ending stakes, the show is surprisingly laid-back, with episodes often featuring casual hangouts – like Jesus and the Devil road-tripping to Burning Man. This mirrors the ongoing, yet never realized, threat of Bob’s Burgers closing down. Lucy, Daughter of the Devil is visually distinctive, and while some viewers dislike its simple, early CGI animation, its rudimentary charm is part of its appeal.

36.
The Shivering Truth (2018–2020)

Adult Swim’s The Shivering Truth is consistently one of their most unsettling shows. It’s a stop-motion anthology series that feels like a mix of Robot Chicken and the work of Don Hertzfeldt, created by the surrealist art group PFFR. Each episode starts abruptly with narration that’s both deeply thoughtful and strangely silly. The three or four short stories within each episode usually connect to a larger idea, balancing philosophy and absurdity. For example, one story features a boy whose scratching turns his body into something horrifying, another shows a piece of synthetic meat evolving as it absorbs pain, and a third depicts a baby’s hide-and-seek skills leading to her parents’ despair. While the stop-motion animation is different from the more cartoonish style of Robot Chicken—it’s more unsettling and grotesque—the show still has plenty of humor. In fact, the show’s dark jokes might actually make the horror even more disturbing.

35.
Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories (2014–2017)

Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, known for their hilarious and often unsettling show Awesome Show, naturally transitioned to a horror anthology series. Bedtime Stories showcases their deep comedic talent and creative vision with polished, high-quality short films that allow their unique characters to shine. The show is full of memorable lines – like the way Heidecker’s character says “ridged chips” – and genuinely creepy performances, such as Bob Odenkirk’s disturbing role as a doctor. Wareheim also excels in his roles, playing characters like “Sauce Boy.” Similar to classic sleepover stories or campfire tales, Bedtime Stories creates lasting, haunting images that stay with you long after you’ve watched it, and it holds up well on repeat viewings. In a crowded field of horror anthologies, this one is remarkably underrated.

34.
Women Wearing Shoulder Pads (2025—present)

Adult Swim’s debut Spanish-language series is a wonderfully over-the-top telenovela. Created by Gonzalo Cordova and Cinema Fantasma, the show uses incredibly detailed miniature sets and puppets, creating a visually striking style reminiscent of a collaboration between director Pedro Almodóvar and a dollhouse artist. The story centers on Marioneta Negocios (literally “Business Puppet”), a Spanish businesswoman who travels to 1980s Quito, Ecuador, with a plan to sell guinea pigs – known locally as cuyes – as luxury pets, quickly becoming entangled in a class conflict. The humor comes from the show’s deadpan delivery of increasingly absurd events, including fleeting romances with a guinea pig fighter, frequent fires, kidnappings, and even a tragic motorcycle accident. Though its short run and Spanish language may limit its reach, this show stands out as one of Adult Swim’s most inventive and emotionally resonant animated series, alongside shows like Primal and Common Side Effects, skillfully blending campy humor with genuine heart.

33.
Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell (2011–2019)

32.
Black Jesus (2014–2019)

Before it aired, Adult Swim was known for pushing boundaries, and The Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder had a reputation for being controversial. So, many were surprised by Black Jesus, a surprisingly heartwarming comedy about a modern-day Jesus (played by Gerald “Slink” Johnson) living in Compton, California. The show followed Jesus and his friends – a hilarious group including Charlie Murphy, Kali Hawk, King Bach, and John Witherspoon – as they navigated everyday life, which included getting into trouble with gangs, growing marijuana, and evading the police. While some religious viewers called for its cancellation, those who actually watched discovered that the show portrayed Jesus as a kind, humble, and positive figure. Co-creator and director Mike Clattenburg (known for Trailer Park Boys) emphasized the fun of watching a street-smart Jesus constantly coming up with schemes, all for the sake of enjoying time with his friends. Though the show was less joke-heavy and more relaxed than typical Adult Swim fare, its focus on a character who finds joy in friendship and spreading happiness foreshadowed the gentle humor of Joe Pera Talks With You.

31.
YOLO (2020–2025)

Before creating the popular character Pim Pimling for Smiling Friends, Australian animator Michael Cusack made YOLO: Crystal Fantasy, a surprisingly funny and wild series for Adult Swim. Despite its strange title, YOLO is a standout show that follows the chaotic friendship between Sarah, a relatively normal girl trying to be cool, and Rachel, a wild, unpredictable friend who constantly gets them into trouble. Unlike some shows about female friendships that focus on being relatable, YOLO embraces a completely over-the-top, amoral, and often disturbing world. It’s refreshing to see Adult Swim’s signature humor and style applied to a show about women. The series takes place in a bizarre and frightening fictional land filled with nightmarish characters and dangerous situations – it makes you glad Australia isn’t actually like that!

30.
Newsreaders (2013–2015)

“Newsreaders” began as a segment within the show Childrens Hospital. Hosted first by Louis LaFonda (Mather Zickel) and later Reagan Biscayne (Alan Tudyk), it was a satirical news program, similar in style to 60 Minutes or CBS Sunday Morning – equally detached, playful, and unusual. The show featured a wide range of comedic performers, including Beth Dover, Danna Phirman (co-creator of Hotwives), Kumail Nanjiani, and an early appearance by Randall Park. Stories covered everything from a wealthy man’s journey to Hell to a car company’s bizarre attempt to corner the market on “bang buses” for adult films – all presented with a deliberately absurd twist. It’s a highly stylized parody of real news. For fans of alternative comedy, “Newsreaders” is a key connection between the world of Childrens Hospital, the sketch comedy group The State, and the vibrant Los Angeles comedy scene that influenced sitcoms and supporting roles in comedies for years to come.

29.
Off the Air (2011—present)

Most people probably know Off the Air as that unsettling show that comes on late at night, often after you’ve dozed off during a Futurama rerun. Created by Dave Hughes in 2011, it’s a unique clip show that blends together stock footage, popular online videos, short films, animations, and music licensed from various artists. Unlike most shows, it doesn’t have a narrator, storyline, or characters. Instead, it carries on the tradition of experimental late-night television seen in shows like Liquid Television and Night Flight. Each episode revolves around a general theme—like “Robots,” “Liquid,” or “Nightmares”—and Hughes skillfully uses this format to move between eerie, disturbing, and surprisingly moving content, all within a single episode.

28.
Haha, You Clowns (2025–present)

The standout new family sitcom is an animated show on Adult Swim that’s both surprisingly touching and visually unique. Created by Joe Cappa, a TikTok animator who previously made short films for the network, Haha, You Clowns focuses on three lovable, slightly dim-witted sons of a muscular weatherman. The show follows them as they navigate life, learn important lessons, and support each other after the loss of their mother. The storylines are grounded in relatable family experiences—like trying to keep their dad awake during movie night or a brother facing his fears about holding a baby. The characters, with their distinctive small eyes, gummy smiles, and noticeable lisps, cleverly poke fun at the limitations of suburban life and the awkward attempts of dads to connect with their kids. However, the humor is rooted in genuine love and affection, offering a refreshing contrast to the darker, more cynical humor of shows like Moral Orel. It’s not an attack on traditional masculinity, but a hopeful look at how strong, masculine men can simply be themselves in a positive and heartwarming way.

27.
Three Busy Debras (2020–2022)

Adult Swim’s Three Busy Debras feels more like a cartoon than a live-action show, with a world as wild and silly as classic Looney Tunes. The show centers around three eccentric women – Debra (Sandy Honig), Debra (Mitra Jouhari), and Debra (Alyssa Stonoha) – who live in the bizarre town of Lemoncurd. Each Debra has a unique and chaotic personality: Honig is controlling, Stonoha is aloof, and Jouhari is caught in a strange cycle of kidnapping and being held captive. While focusing on traditionally ‘feminine’ themes like brunch and fashion, the show cleverly satirizes the superficiality and odd values of upper-middle-class suburban life, making even the most outrageous humor endearing. Episodes often defy logic and social norms, as seen when Jouhari’s Debra manipulates time and space to create forced connections. Three Busy Debras offered a refreshing change of pace from the often male-dominated programming on Adult Swim.

26.
Decker (2014–2020)

This show is a hilarious parody of action movies starring Steven Segal and TV dramas like 24, spun off from the Adult Swim web series On Cinema at the Cinema. Tim Heidecker plays a ridiculously over-the-top, self-absorbed version of himself. Decker is a vanity project for this character – an overly patriotic action series where he plays Jack Decker, a rule-breaking CIA agent who embodies extreme conservative beliefs (racism, sexism, Islamophobia, distrust of government and vaccines, pro-gun, white male supremacy), mirroring the views of Heidecker’s On Cinema persona. Heidecker’s performance, playing the character Jack Decker, generates laughs over six seasons through flubbed lines, open contempt for everyone around him (including Gregg Turkington’s character), and exaggerated facial expressions. Decker brilliantly captures the emptiness at the heart of conservative ‘art’.

25.
Loiter Squad (2012–2014)

Early Odd Future projects often felt like what would happen if the most mischievous kids in class had a creative outlet. While much of their energy went into their music, the rest found its way into their show, Loiter Squad. The show is clearly inspired by programs like Jackass and Chappelle’s Show, which stars Tyler, the Creator, Lionel Boyce, Travis “Taco” Bennett, and Jasper Dolphin all grew up watching. You can see that influence in the show’s wild pranks and silly sketches, but it’s all fueled by a genuine, youthful energy. At its heart, Loiter Squad is just a group of irreverent friends trying to make each other laugh, even if it means getting soaked by firefighters, commentating on strangers, or pulling pranks in public. Though Tyler, Bennett, and Boyce have gone on to find success in television and film, Loiter Squad remains a reminder of the raw talent and boundless energy they had when they first started out.

24.
Superjail! (2007–2014)

Few Adult Swim shows revel in bodily fluids quite like Superjail!. The show’s concept is straightforward: a deranged warden operates a bizarre, otherworldly prison that feels like a dark and twisted funhouse. Prisoners are constantly in danger, facing life-threatening situations at the hands of the warden and other characters like his accountant, Jared, the prison doctor, and a robot named Jailbot. The creators, Christy Karacas, Stephen Warbrick, and Ben Gruber, manage to create memorable characters, as seen in an episode where Jared, upset by the warden’s rejection of his ideas, temporarily takes control in a Weekend at Bernie’sstyle scheme after the warden is injured. With its fantastical setting, fluid animation style, and characters who hide their pain with a reckless attitude towards life and death, Superjail! clearly influenced shows like Rick and Morty*. While watching countless nameless inmates meet gruesome ends might eventually become repetitive, the show’s short, 11-minute episodes make its over-the-top violence surprisingly quick and entertaining.

23.
Robot Chicken (2005–present)

Before everyone was making short, funny videos on their phones, there was Robot Chicken. I remember seeing the original short that Seth Green and Matthew Senreich did on Late Night With Conan O’Brien, and being instantly hooked. Then it landed on Adult Swim in 2005 and just… stayed. Even though the last full season was in 2022, they’re still making specials, so it hasn’t really ended, which is pretty amazing for that block. It’s a show that doesn’t shy away from ridiculous questions – seriously, who thinks about Optimus Prime getting a prostate exam? Or a gummy bear escaping a bear trap by… well, you get the idea. It’s given a lot of comedy writers a start, but honestly, sometimes it feels a little dated, relying heavily on pop culture stuff. It’s a bit like Adult Swim’s version of Saturday Night Live or Family Guy: you get some truly brilliant moments mixed with stuff that just doesn’t quite land.

22.
Delocated (2008–2013)

The show Delocated is similar to the mockumentary The Comeback, but set in New York City. Jon Glaser plays a somewhat childish informant named Jon who, after testifying against the Russian mob, is forced to relocate his family and enter witness protection. As part of the deal, their life on the run is filmed, with everyone wearing ski masks to conceal their identities. The premise was surprisingly clever, and the show was packed with jokes. A lot of its success came from Glaser’s perfect comedic timing, which allowed him to convincingly portray his character as unpleasant, vulnerable, and demanding. He was so effective while wearing the ski mask that he reportedly never washed it, afraid of damaging its impact.

21.
Sealab 2021 (2001–2005)

As a huge animation fan, I always come back to Sealab 2021. It’s just…weirdly hilarious. Created by Adam Reed and Matt Thompson – the guys who later brought us Frisky Dingo and Archer – the show took old footage from the original SeaLab 2020 and completely re-contextualized it. Seriously, things could get totally chaotic – characters dying, the lab blowing up – but everything would reset by the next episode. While Reed and Thompson definitely refined their style with later shows, there’s something special about Sealab 2021 – it feels like a raw, unfiltered look at their brand of humor. Don’t go in expecting a serious deep-sea adventure. This is a show about Sharko, the half-shark son of Marko, dolphins trying to rule the ocean, and a surprisingly fresh take on Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It’s pure, joyful Dadaism, and I love it.

20.
Primal (2019—present)

Genndy Tartakovsky’s animated series, Primal, is a visually stunning and intensely dramatic story of survival. It follows a caveman and a T. rex who form an unlikely bond after both suffering devastating losses. Like Tartakovsky’s earlier hit, Samurai Jack, Primal relies heavily on visual storytelling, with characters communicating mostly through sounds and expressions. The animation style is deliberately rough and jagged, evoking the harshness of the prehistoric world, but is also incredibly fluid and impactful. The show creates a powerful emotional connection with the characters, Spear and Fang, through its visuals alone. Primal is a different kind of Adult Swim show – less focused on humor and more on breathtaking action, a hallmark of the network’s programming, whether from Tartakovsky or anime creators.

19.
Check It Out! With Dr. Steve Brule (2010–2016)

John C. Reilly was already a respected actor when he created the character of Dr. Steve Brule for the show Awesome Show!. He transformed his appearance and played Brule as a hilariously clueless “health expert” who explored topics like fear, pleasure, and even eggs – though not in a very informative way. It’s incredibly fun to watch Reilly fully embody this strange, unknowable character, who seems to act purely on impulse, especially when interviewing regular people. What makes Brule different from other comedic characters like Borat or Philomena Cunk is Reilly’s ability to give him a surprising amount of depth and mystery, hinting at a troubled past. The show’s unsettling, old-fashioned horror style adds to this effect. Remarkably, Reilly improvised almost the entire show, even creating a unique way of speaking where he mispronounces common words – like calling “God” “Gord” and “boats” “broats” – and frequently refers to things as a “dingus” or “drangus.”

18.
China, IL (2011–2015)

Brad Neely’s unique and often bizarre comedy – like his delightfully strange Harry Potter parody, Wizard People, Dear Reader, or a silly animated rap about George Washington – feels perfectly suited for the internet. However, if it were to appear on traditional television, Adult Swim is the only natural fit. His show, China IL, follows the misadventures of staff at the University of China, Illinois, jokingly called the “worst college in America.” Neely himself didn’t go to college and openly admits the show is based on his incorrect assumptions about how universities function. As a result, the show focuses less on actual teaching and more on drinking and increasingly outlandish storylines, like a vengeful time-traveling Ronald Reagan, a mischievous imaginary friend using Facebook, and even a talking anus. China IL is wonderfully unpredictable and refreshingly low-key, managing to blend indie quirkiness with a TV format better than many shows on Adult Swim. What’s particularly surprising is the random collection of voice actors; alongside Neely voicing several characters, Barbie director Greta Gerwig and the late wrestler Hulk Hogan also appear.

17.
Frisky Dingo (2006–2008)

Adam Reed has a knack for creating shows with funny, unconventional characters who aren’t always good or bad. His best example is Frisky Dingo, co-created with Matt Thompson. The show centers on the rivalry – and occasional accidental teamwork – between supervillain Killface and billionaire superhero Awesome X (also known as Xander Crews). However, typical hero-villain tropes are quickly subverted. Killface is a surprisingly caring father, but struggles to command respect from his own son, while Awesome X is more focused on maintaining his luxurious lifestyle with his team, “the Xtacles,” than actually fighting crime. Beyond the constant jokes, the show offers insightful commentary on class, power, and the pointlessness of politics – especially in its second season, when both characters run for president. Considering it came out before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its satire of superhero tropes feels remarkably prescient today.

16.
Metalocalypse (2006–2013)

Metalocalypse is a show about Dethklok, an incredibly famous death-metal band – so popular, in fact, that they’re like a major world economy! Despite accidentally killing fans during their elaborate concerts, they remain universally adored. Created by Tommy Blacha and Brendon Small, both with backgrounds in comedy writing, the show playfully pokes fun at and celebrates heavy-metal culture. It features original death-metal music and appearances from metal legends like Ace Frehley, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, and Dave Grohl. The series is known for its over-the-top gore, presented for comedic effect – like performing a coffee jingle while drenching fans in scalding coffee – and its clever commentary on the intense devotion of fans, a theme that feels especially relevant today with the rise of ‘stan’ culture.

15.
Common Side Effects (2025—present)

Adult Swim’s Common Side Effects is a surprisingly complex show with relatable characters. Created by Steve Hely (known for The Office and Veep) and Joseph Bennett (co-creator of Scavengers Reign), the series follows scientist Marshall Cuso (voiced by Dave King) who discovers a mushroom with the power to cure all diseases. This discovery throws the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries into chaos, angering the world’s wealthiest people. The show blends action – like jungle chases and FBI raids – with a clear message about fighting against powerful corporations. It’s a David-versus-Goliath story, and that theme is just as important as the show’s charming characters, like Marshall’s tortoise, Socrates. There’s also a bizarre, adorable little creature that appears whenever someone takes the mushroom – and he’s quickly become a fan favorite on Adult Swim.

14.
Xavier: Renegade Angel (2007–2009)

The show Xavier: Renegade Angel, created by Vernon Chatman, John Lee, and Alyson Levy, centers around Xavier, a self-proclaimed spiritual guide, who tries to unravel the universe’s secrets while giving unsolicited and absurd advice to people he meets. His attempts always end in disaster. Some episodes were shockingly disturbing – one featured him repeatedly insulting a child with a disability, and another depicted animals committing suicide. The creators intended the show to be a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of blindly following spiritual beliefs. Beneath the offensive jokes and rambling speeches, the show offered a critique of how dangerous devotion to spirituality and religion can be. However, even Adult Swim’s audience struggled to understand Xavier’s bizarre adventures, and the show was cancelled after two seasons. It’s understandable that viewers didn’t appreciate the show’s unique humor before there was widespread interest in wellness culture and documentaries about cults – which may explain why Xavier unexpectedly gained a devoted following years after it ended.

13.
Home Movies (2001–2004)

As a long-time fan of Adult Swim, I always come back to Home Movies. It’s just… cozy. Created by Loren Bouchard, the show has this unique, slightly rough-around-the-edges animation style – first using that ‘Squigglevision’ look, then Flash. It centers on Brendon, Jason, and Melissa, these three 8-year-olds who are constantly making little movies with a camcorder – everything from kung fu to medical dramas. But honestly, for me, the adults are the real heart of the show. Brendon’s mom, voiced by Paula Poundstone, is especially brilliant – a stressed-out single parent who feels so real. You can tell everyone involved genuinely loved these characters and their messy lives. It really showed a softer side of Adult Swim early on, and I think it definitely influenced shows like Joe Pera Talks to You and Haha, You Clowns.

12.
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (2001–2007)

Like many early Adult Swim shows, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law cleverly reused characters from classic cartoons owned by Turner Broadcasting. It then created short, quirky, and often bizarre stories designed to both amuse and confuse viewers—the show essentially asked questions like, “What if Scooby Doo used drugs?” before that kind of online humor even existed. Creators Michael Ouweleen and Erik Richter transformed the relatively unknown superhero Harvey Birdman into a mediocre lawyer who handled cases brought by other Hanna-Barbera characters. The show benefited greatly from its talented cast, including Gary Cole as Birdman, and Stephen Colbert and Michael McKean as opposing lawyers. Paget Brewster was so good as Birdgirl that she eventually starred in her own spin-off series. However, the show’s real strength was its ability to poke fun at both cartoons from the 1970s and the cultural debates of the 2000s. Episodes like the one featuring Secret Squirrel and the dangers of surveillance, and the climate change episode with the Jetsons suing people for damaging their future, feel surprisingly relevant today. Harvey Birdman perfectly captured the feeling of being alive during the Bush years—silly, over-the-top, and a little bit chaotic.

11.
Moral Orel (2005–2008)

The first season of Moral Orel was a simple, funny show about Orel Puppington, a kind and innocent boy in the town of Moralton. He always tried his best to be a good Christian, but his efforts backfired in humorous ways that poked fun at religious hypocrisy and 1950s American culture. But the show quickly evolved, becoming much more complex and daring. What made Moral Orel special, even as it got darker, was its surprising compassion for all of its characters – even those who initially seemed like simple stereotypes, such as Orel’s philandering principal or his troubled father. By the end, the show wasn’t just making fun of these people or religion itself; it was exploring their flaws and suggesting they might still be capable of redemption. It was a remarkably bold show for Adult Swim, but the network canceled it before the third season was finished. Despite this, Moral Orel’s impact is lasting; it paved the way for shows like BoJack Horseman by proving that a comedy could successfully transition into a serious drama.

10.
Childrens Hospital (2010–2016)

Childrens Hospital took the already dramatic and chaotic storylines common in medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy – think questionable workplace romances, doctors prioritizing their own lives over patients, and inappropriate relationships – and amplified them by centering the show around the care of children. The show, created by Rob Corddry after a visit to a children’s hospital, aimed to find humor in a place where it seemed impossible. The jokes ranged from outrageous and offensive, like a doctor’s relationship with a young patient, to subtle and understated, delivered by an often-unseen announcer character played by Michael Cera. Featuring a cast of popular alt-comedy stars from the 2010s – including Megan Mullally, Erinn Hayes, Ken Marino, and Henry Winkler before his role in Barry – the show could deliver even the silliest jokes with a surprising amount of seriousness.

9.
Smiling Friends (2022–2026)

In just three seasons, Smiling Friends quickly became a beloved Adult Swim show, gaining a dedicated fanbase that even creates life-sized pillows of its characters. Created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, the show centers on the optimistic Pim Pimling and his cynical friend Charlie Dompler, who work at a company dedicated to making people smile – no matter the cost. Each episode follows a unique case, allowing the show to be wildly creative and packed with unexpected humor, including sudden scares and over-the-top animation. Smiling Friends is a tribute to classic Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and animation as a whole, blending traditional hand-drawn art with techniques like rotoscoping, claymation, and intentionally retro computer graphics. While the show’s humor can sometimes be dark or edgy, like in episodes referencing current events or internet culture, its overall positive energy appeals to a wide range of viewers. Despite its potential for many more seasons like Aqua Teen Hunger Force or Squidbillies, the creators decided to end the show due to burnout. But as the show’s characters would say, don’t be sad it’s over – just smile!

8.
The Venture Bros. (2003–2018)

Long before shows like Rick and Morty became popular, The Venture Bros. was Adult Swim’s standout sci-fi comedy. It followed a wildly dysfunctional family with access to amazing technology, a lot of baggage from past generations, and a surprising number of look-alikes. While Rick and Morty offered a cynical take on time travel adventures, The Venture Bros. was a funny, sprawling story inspired by classic cartoons like Jonny Quest. Over seven seasons, specials, and a movie, creators Christopher McCulloch and Doc Hammer expertly crafted quick-witted humor at the expense of the globe-trotting Venture family and their arch-nemesis, the Monarch. Despite the constant barrage of insults – often incredibly clever and layered – the show also explored themes of sadness and the vulnerabilities of its male characters. It’s the show’s cleverly complex storylines and surprisingly heartfelt connections between characters that make The Venture Bros. one of Adult Swim’s best series.

7.
Rick and Morty (2013—present)

Adult Swim’s biggest show, Rick and Morty, created by Dan Harmon and formerly Justin Roiland, is a witty take on time travel adventures, following a brilliant but troubled scientist and his often-bumbling grandson as they journey through different universes. The show excels at cleverly using and subverting science fiction tropes – from alternate versions of characters to bizarre planets and body horror – in ways that are both surprising and funny. This formula proved incredibly successful, bringing the show to a wider audience, though it also attracted a sometimes-toxic fanbase, as seen with the disastrous McDonald’s Szechuan sauce promotion. Beyond its understanding of geek culture and storytelling, Rick and Morty’s true strength lies in its exploration of emotions. Despite taking place in a vast multiverse where nothing inherently matters, the show argues that actions and feelings do have meaning. This ambitious idea allows for both insightful commentary and hilarious situations. As the series has continued, the characters of Rick, Morty, and the Smith family have grown and become more complex, mirroring the show’s increasingly intricate storyline.

6.
Space Ghost Coast to Coast (2001–2004)

Before Adult Swim even existed, there was Space Ghost. This show, which debuted on Cartoon Network in 1994, laid the groundwork for everything the network would become – its awkward silences, strange editing choices, and bizarre storylines. When Cartoon Network asked for a cartoon geared towards adults, Mike Lazzo and his team took a little-known 1960s superhero and turned him into a clueless, rude talk show host, and surprisingly, it worked. Each episode featured celebrities – from big names to lesser-known faces – visiting the studio to be interviewed and sometimes playfully insulted by the self-absorbed cartoon host. You might see Ghost mistake Ice-T for Vanilla Ice one week, or call Adam West a coward the next. In 2001, the show was revived as part of a new late-night block on Adult Swim, alongside shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Sealab 2021, and The Brak Show. The block proved popular, but Space Ghost always saw himself as the star. As Hulk Hogan famously asked him early on, “Who’s the most powerful man in the Turner organization?” Ghost replied, “Uhh… I would say Ted… then Space Ghost.”

5.
Joe Pera Talks With You (2018–2021)

Before creating his acclaimed series, Joe Pera started with short, soothing segments on Adult Swim, airing at 4 a.m., designed to comfort anyone who might be awake and alone. It was a brilliantly simple idea. He then developed this into a show where he plays a fictionalized version of himself – a middle school teacher – sharing his unique passions, like rocks and little-known Canadian history, in a way that’s reminiscent of a more alternative Mister Rogers. The show invites you into his quiet life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, showing his coffee dates, relationships, and the homes of his neighbors.

Though a departure from Adult Swim’s typical style, with its gentle humor and calming pace, Pera, along with Dan Licata, Conner O’Malley, and Jo Firestone, cleverly included sharp observations and satire about American life within this cozy, comforting show. Firestone played Sarah Conner, Joe’s girlfriend, a conspiracy theorist who surprisingly makes you understand where those beliefs come from. O’Malley played Mike Melsky, Joe’s friend and neighbor, a more grounded version of his usual eccentric characters, portraying a man dealing with a restless family. Over three seasons, Pera and his team created a show that’s both comforting and insightful, a rewatchable classic that feels like a break from the usual media overload, even while you’re enjoying it.

4.
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! (2007–2010)

Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim were pioneers of live-action comedy on Adult Swim. They essentially created the style seen in shows like Check It Out! With Dr. Steve Brule, Loiter Squad, and The Eric André Show – a deliberately retro, chaotic, and internet-savvy aesthetic. Over five seasons, Awesome Show blended bizarre imagery and references from all sorts of unexpected places, resulting in a uniquely unsettling and colorful world. They’d do anything for a bit, from creating a music video for Paul Rudd’s “Celery Man” to giving an elderly man a goth makeover and his own talk show. While they occasionally featured stars like Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, and Will Ferrell, they often cast everyday people with interesting personalities. Like Kids in the Hall and Mr. Show before it, Awesome Show wasn’t for everyone – people either loved it or didn’t understand it. But, like the best of Adult Swim, it felt like a passing of the torch to a new generation of comedians, and they were determined to have fun with it.

3.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2001–2023)

Let me tell you, as someone who’s seen a lot of Adult Swim, Aqua Teen Hunger Force wasn’t just another show – it was a total game-changer. When it premiered back in 2001, alongside the network’s launch, it felt…different. These short, weird episodes with Meatwad, Master Shake, and Frylock – three fast-food items living in New Jersey – weren’t about big plots. It was all about hanging out, getting into dumb trouble, and relentlessly messing with their creepy neighbor, Carl. Honestly, they were supposed to be crime fighters, but mostly they dealt with incredibly bizarre stuff – rude aliens, haunted sandwiches, you name it. And let’s not forget the truly unforgettable image of a fast-food place with a monster truck that…well, you really had to see it. The show’s unique, low-budget look and stoner-friendly humor made them the first real stars of Adult Swim. Before Rick and Morty took over everything, Aqua Teen was the show you’d find plastered on everything at Hot Topic. It blended the totally surreal with everyday life in a way that paved the way for other Adult Swim hits like Squidbillies, Soul Quest Overdrive, and even Smiling Friends. It truly created its own little corner of comedy.

2.
The Eric André Show (2012–2023)

Eric André’s show is a brilliantly bizarre take on the late-night talk show format, known for its chaotic and unpredictable humor. Creator and host Eric André intentionally set out to make the worst talk show ever, subverting typical conventions with shocking celebrity interviews, wild street stunts, jump scares, and unexpected nudity. However, the show’s six-season run proves it’s more than just shock value. André masterfully blends social commentary, pop culture references, and carefully crafted mayhem into every moment. He doesn’t just play a mischievous host; he cleverly critiques the pointless nature of celebrity interviews – like when he asked Mel B about Margaret Thatcher and “girl power.” Unlike traditional hosts focused on a smooth show for a live audience, André embraced complete chaos. Ironically, in trying to create the worst talk show, he accidentally created one of the best.

1.
The Boondocks (2005–2014)

No other show on Adult Swim has reached the same heights as The Boondocks, largely because it fearlessly tackled difficult truths with a unique blend of humor and style. From the very beginning, with 10-year-old Huey Freeman boldly stating controversial opinions – like questioning the accepted narrative around Jesus, Ronald Reagan, and 9/11 – the show made it clear that no topic or public figure was off-limits. The series followed Huey, his younger brother Riley, and their grandfather Robert as they adjusted to life as a Black family in a predominantly white neighborhood. Based on Aaron McGruder’s comic strip, The Boondocks (launched in 2005) brought a fresh perspective to Adult Swim, offering sharp satire of American politics, pop culture, and the media, targeting everyone from celebrities like R. Kelly and the Kardashians to political figures like Barack Obama. The show was both critically acclaimed and often controversial, praised for its striking animation, action, and insightful humor, but also criticized for its use of strong language, depictions of historical figures, and political stances. Later seasons, produced without the involvement of creator Aaron McGruder and executive producer Carl Jones, lacked the same punch, highlighting just how vital McGruder’s vision was. While other shows have maintained more consistent quality, none have been as brave. Even today, The Boondocks remains remarkably relevant and quotable, and its episodes continue to resonate with audiences in a way that no other Adult Swim series has achieved.

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2026-03-18 20:18