The great thing about animation? It’s far more than just a nostalgic trip. These kinds of TV shows are an art form that delivers some of the most lively and creative storytelling on our screens today. They might have started as classic cartoons – but now they’ve become a clear and powerful genre for all audiences. And they tackle everything from heartfelt personal journeys to epic adventures.
Trying to navigate this exciting world? We’ve put together our expert list of the top 20 best animated TV shows. We’ve reviewed some groundbreaking adult animation and timeless classic cartoons. Our collection even includes brilliant anime series, ranked by a combination of public sentiment and what’s trending. If it’s time to explore some incredible artistry, discover where you can start streaming the best animated TV shows for your next unforgettable binge.
What are the best animated TV shows to watch now?
When we ranked the best animated movies, we didn’t just focus transparency and fairness – though these are important factors in our ranking process. We closely considered the public opinions and what’s trending – key factors that reflect the excellence of an animated movie. And we’ve even analysed community ratings, what is currently popular and which animation films are generating the most discussion.
Details including its genre and the voice cast are available for you to check out. Plus, we’ve included the streaming service where it’s available and we offer the full title and a concise synopsis. Keen to know all of this plus who directed the movie and its runtime? All of that’s included too.

South Park
Animation •Comedy
Overview
Follows the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.
Cast
Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mona Marshall

Rick and Morty
Animation •Comedy •Sci-fi •Action •Adventure
Overview
Rick is a mentally-unbalanced but scientifically gifted old man who has recently reconnected with his family. He spends most of his time involving his young grandson Morty in dangerous, outlandish adventures throughout space and alternate universes. Compounded with Morty’s already unstable family life, these events cause Morty much distress at home and school.
Cast
Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke

King of the Hill
Comedy •Animation •Drama
Overview
Set in Texas, this animated series follows the life of propane salesman Hank Hill, who lives with his overly confident substitute Spanish teacher wife Peggy, wannabe comedian son Bobby, and naive niece Luanne. Hank has conservative views about God, family, and country, but his values and ethics are often challenged by the situations he, his family, and his beer-drinking neighbors/buddies find themselves in.
Cast
Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Johnny Hardwick, Stephen Root
Duration
23 minutes

Bob’s Burgers
Animation •Comedy
Overview
Bob’s Burgers follows a third-generation restaurateur, Bob, as he runs Bob’s Burgers with the help of his wife and their three kids. Bob and his quirky family have big ideas about burgers, but fall short on service and sophistication. Despite the greasy counters, lousy location and a dearth of customers, Bob and his family are determined to make Bob’s Burgers “grand re-re-re-opening” a success.
Cast
H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Dan Mintz

Dandadan
Sci-fi •Mystery •Thriller •Animation •Action •Adventure •Comedy •Fantasy •Romance
Overview
In a bet to prove whether ghosts or aliens exist, two high schoolers face terrifying paranormal threats, gain superpowers and maybe even fall in love?!
Cast
Shion Wakayama, Natsuki Hanae, Mayumi Tanaka, Nana Mizuki

The Simpsons
Animation •Comedy •Family •Kids
Overview
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
Cast
Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria

One Piece
Animation •Action •Adventure •Fantasy •Comedy •Drama
Overview
Years ago, the fearsome Pirate King, Gol D. Roger was executed leaving a huge pile of treasure and the famous “One Piece” behind. Whoever claims the “One Piece” will be named the new King of the Pirates. Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who consumed a “Devil Fruit,” decides to follow in the footsteps of his idol, the pirate Shanks, and find the One Piece. It helps, of course, that his body has the properties of rubber and that he’s surrounded by a bevy of skilled fighters and thieves to help him along the way. Luffy will do anything to get the One Piece and become King of the Pirates!
Cast
Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Hiroaki Hirata, Kappei Yamaguchi

Love, Death & Robots
Animation •Comedy •Fantasy •Horror •Sci-fi •Drama •Mystery •Thriller •Action •Adventure
Overview
Terrifying creatures, wicked surprises and dark comedy converge in this NSFW anthology of animated stories presented by Tim Miller and David Fincher.
Cast
Scott Whyte, Nolan North, Matthew Yang King, Chris Cox
Duration
15 minutes

Family Guy
Animation •Comedy
Overview
The adventures of the eccentric Griffin family and their friends and family living in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island.
Cast
Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green

Silent Witch
Comedy •Sci-fi •Animation •Fantasy
Overview
Humans couldn’t handle magic without chanting until Monica Everett, the Silent Witch and one of the Seven Sages, made unspoken magecraft possible. Painfully shy, she enjoys seclusion. One day, Louis Miller, the Barrier Mage, delivers the king’s order: Go undercover at a prestigious school for nobles to guard the second prince. Get ready for her silent mission to begin!
Cast
Saya Aizawa, Hitomi Nabatame

Jujutsu Kaisen
Animation •Action •Adventure •Fantasy •Mystery •Thriller •Sci-fi
Overview
Yuji Itadori is a boy with tremendous physical strength, though he lives a completely ordinary high school life. One day, to save a classmate who has been attacked by curses, he eats the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, taking the curse into his own soul. From then on, he shares one body with Ryomen Sukuna. Guided by the most powerful of sorcerers, Satoru Gojo, Itadori is admitted to Tokyo Jujutsu High School, an organization that fights the curses… and thus begins the heroic tale of a boy who became a curse to exorcise a curse, a life from which he could never turn back.
Cast
Yuichi Nakamura, Aya Endo, Takahiro Sakurai, Anna Nagase, Takehito Koyasu
Duration
24 minutes

Attack on Titan
Animation •Adventure •Action •Fantasy •Drama •Horror •Sci-fi
Overview
Many years ago, the last remnants of humanity were forced to retreat behind the towering walls of a fortified city to escape the massive, man-eating Titans that roamed the land outside their fortress. Only the heroic members of the Scouting Legion dared to stray beyond the safety of the walls – but even those brave warriors seldom returned alive. Those within the city clung to the illusion of a peaceful existence until the day that dream was shattered, and their slim chance at survival was reduced to one horrifying choice: kill – or be devoured!
Cast
Yuki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue, Kisho Taniyama, Hiro Shimono

The Apothecary Diaries
Animation •Drama •Mystery •Thriller •Romance •History
Overview
Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she’s sold as a lowly servant to the emperor’s palace. But she wasn’t meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she’s making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
Cast
Aoi Yuki, Takeo Otsuka, Katsuyuki Konishi, Atsumi Tanezaki, Yui Ishikawa

Solo Leveling
Animation •Action •Adventure •Sci-fi •Fantasy
Overview
They say whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but that’s not the case for the world’s weakest hunter Sung Jinwoo. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo came back with the System, a program only he could see, that’s leveling him up in every way. Now, he’s inspired to discover the secrets behind his powers and the dungeon that spawned them.
Cast
Taito Ban, Genta Nakamura, Haruna Mikawa, Reina Ueda, Daisuke Hirakawa

Pokémon
Animation •Action •Adventure •Comedy •Family •Fantasy •Sci-fi •Kids
Overview
Join Ash accompanied by his partner Pikachu, as he travels through many regions, meets new friends and faces new challenges on his quest to become a Pokémon Master.
Cast
Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, Daiki Yamashita, Kenyu Horiuchi
Duration
22 minutes

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Animation •Adventure •Action •Fantasy •Thriller •Mystery •Sci-fi
Overview
After finding his family slaughtered, Tanjiro goes on a quest to fight demons and save his turned-demon sister.
Cast
Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kito, Kengo Kawanishi, Kana Hanazawa, Nobuhiko Okamoto

Archer
Animation •Comedy •Action •Adventure
Overview
Sterling Archer is the world’s most daunting spy. He works for ISIS, a spy agency run by his mother. In between dealing with his boss and his co-workers – one of whom is his ex-girlfriend – Archer manages to annoy or seduce everyone that crosses his path. His antics are only excusable because at the end of the day, he still somehow always manages to thwart whatever crises was threatening mankind.
Cast
H. Jon Benjamin, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, Chris Parnell, Aisha Tyler

Gachiakuta
Fantasy •Animation •Action •Adventure •Drama •Sci-fi
Overview
In a floating city where the rich discard their waste—and people—Rudo is framed for murder and thrown into the Pit, where a hellscape of mutated garbage beasts dwell. To survive, he must wield a new power and join the rogue Cleaners. Rudo doesn’t just aim to battle monsters, but the corrupt who cast him into Hell.
Director
Fumihiko Suganuma

Eyes of Wakanda
Animation •Action •Adventure •Sci-fi
Overview
Follow the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history in this globe-trotting adventure where they must carry-out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story.

Blue Eye Samurai
Animation •Drama •History •Mystery •Thriller •Action •Adventure
Overview
Driven by a dream of revenge against those who made her an outcast in Edo-period Japan, a young warrior cuts a bloody path toward her destiny.
Cast
Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Song
Frequently asked questions
Taking a look at complex themes and mature humour not suitable for kids, adult animation strays from the traditional kind. Stories that tackle social issues and satire, humour and personal struggles with creative freedom can all be discovered. It’s also more experimental, offering a unique and often thought-provoking viewing experience.
Anime is a pretty diverse category with many genres – it offers something special for any taste. If you’re on the fence at the moment, check the synopsis and genre to see if it’s for you. You’ll find some lighthearted, some serious, and some action-packed. Your goal is to find the right style for your own interests.
From animation to comedic timing, classic cartoons give us a blend of entertainment. Character design and slapstick humour, are both elements that have become part of modern animated shows. They pick up on these features, and, while they reflect the originals, push the genre forward with new techniques.
You definitely can! These are all available on Australian streaming services – and they offer a huge range of animated shows for every audience. Fun, kid-friendly classics are found on Stan and Netflix, while services like Shudder and BINGE offer options to adult animation fans.
There’s an easy way to choose a new animated show – consider what genres you already enjoy. Are you a comedy fan? Try adult animation. Like fantasy? Explore anime. Don’t forget to also look at public sentiment or what’s trending to see what’s popular, ensuring you’re jumping into a hit.
An animated show stays trending for a couple of key reasons – they maintain high viewership and consistent enthusiasm among viewers, and those shows with a dedicated fanbase, that release new seasons or movies, or are part of a larger franchise often meet this criteria.
Start by checking the rating and synopsis before you watch to determine if it’s suitable for little ones and adults alike. Keep an eye out for a family or general rating and read a quick summary to see if the themes and humour are appropriate. Need extra help? Explore specific family-friendly categories on your streaming service.
Yes, they matter a lot! The director’s vision shapes the show’s artistic style and storytelling, while the voice cast brings the characters to life with their performances. A great voice cast can add an extra layer of humour and emotion, making a fun show even more memorable for you.