Animation isn’t a genre — it’s a medium — and we can see that in the wide range of stories that it’s been used to tell for decades. That diversity is showcased by the best animated series onHulu, which include veryadult comedies, futuristic space Westerns, semi-modern takes on classic characters, and brain-bending drug trips. The list below spotlights the wild array of programs Hulu is currently streaming, both Hulu originals, as well as shows that originated on networks, includingCartoon Network,Adult Swim, andFX/FXX. There’s some truly brilliant storytelling below — as well as some delightfully silly fun.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows onHulu, thebest animated shows on Netflix, or thebest cartoons for adults.
Editor’s note: This article was updated October 2023 to include Duncanville.
The 69 Best Shows on Hulu Right Now
Catch up on classics plus some of the best of Peak TV.
Adventure Time (2010-2018)
Creator: Pendleton Ward
Cast: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hynden Walch, Tom Kenny
By far the best animated series to come out of the 2010s,Adventure Timeis a strange, surrealist, fun, and sometimes melancholic show about a boy and his dog fighting evil monsters in a post-apocalyptic planet ruled by magic and candy people. With a premise that is, at the same time, simple and extremely intricate, the show manages to find the perfect balance between seriousness and child-like wonder to tell beautiful stories with complex, genuine characters that are sure to win over even the most cynical of hearts. Come for the wizards and monster butt kicking, stay for the beautiful portrayals of long-lasting love, old age, and mental illness. –Elisa GuimarãesWatch on Hulu
Duncanville (2020-2022)
Created By: Amy Poehler, Mike Scully, Julie-Thacker Scully
Cast: Amy Poehler, Ty Burrell, Riki Lindhome
Running for three successful seasons,Duncanvillefollows the wild imagination of Duncan, who, outside of his exceptional dreams, lives a very unexceptional life. Sometimes whimsical and always innovative,Duncanvillepairs a fun animation style with a great voice cast, including the likes ofAmy Poehler,Ty Burrell, and even guest stars likeWiz Khalifa. Unlike other shows of this nature,Duncanvilleexcels at finding true depth in its characters but never fails to put them in the sort of unexpected scenarios fans of adult animation have come to expect. Hilarious with a heart of gold,Duncanvilleis an easy watch with plenty of content to dig into. -Jake HodgesWatch on Hulu
Praise Petey (2023-present)
Creator: Anna Drezen
Cast: Annie Murphy, John Cho, Kiersey Clemons, Stephen Root
A truly bizarre premise for an adult animated comedy,Praise Petey, fromAnna Drezen(Saturday Night Live), centers around a Manhattan socialite named Petey, voiced byAnnie Murphy(Schitt’s Creek), who inherits a cult from her father. When Petey leaves the big city for a small town that worships her, she’s forced to lead her new followers in hopes of saving their lives and town — without sacrificing herself in the process. In addition to the ridiculous plot,Praise Peteyalso features an incredible cast lending their voices to the shenanigans, includingJohn ChoandKiersey Clemons, as well as iconsStephen RootandChristine Baranski.– Yael TygielWatch on Hulu
The Amazing World of Gumball (2011-2019)
Creator: Ben Bocquelet
Cast: Nicolas Cantu, Kyla Rae Kowalewski, Teresa Gallagher
The Amazing World of Gumball, or justGumballif you’re cool, is a hilarious animated series that takes the tropes and archetypes of traditional family and school life television shows and flips them on their heads with a unique sense of humor and a fantastic cast of characters. The series follows a blue cat named Gumball (Jacob Hopkins) and his adopted goldfish brother Darwin (Terrell Ransom Jr.) as they get into hijinks around the town of Elmore, California, in an amazing world that slowly becomes more fantastical and fleshed out with lore and recurring nemeses. A standout aspect of Gumball is the show’s willingness to embrace different forms of visual styles like stop-motion, live-action, and even puppetry. –Tauri MillerWatch on Hulu
Mother Up (2013)
Creators: Marnie Nir, Katherine Torpey
Cast: Eva Longoria, Jesse Camacho, Gabrielle Miller, Rebecca Husain
A simple premise incited by a ridiculous foundation,Mother Upis an animated comedy series that features the voice ofEva Longoria(Dora and the Lost City of Gold) as Rudi, a former music executive-turned-suburban single mother. While only lasting a single season of 13 episodes,Mother Upplayed with expectations as it chronicled Rudi’s transition from a Manhattanite to the subdued ‘burbs of Canada. Co-created byMarnie NirandKatherine Torpey(The Perfect Man),Mother Upalso utilizes the voices ofJesse Camacho(Locke and Key),Gabrielle Miller,andRebecca Husain.– Yael TygielWatch on Hulu
Regular Show (2010-2017)
Creator: J. G. Quintel
Cast: J. G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Mark Hamill
Created byJ. G. Quintel,Regular Showfeatures his voice, along with the talents ofWilliam Salyers, Sam Marin, andMark Hamill. An animated series,Regular Showfollows a couple of best friends, a blue jay and a raccoon, who work together as groundskeepers.Regular Showintroduces a handful of unique identities, including a yeti named Skip and a ghost named Hi-Five Ghost. With over 250 episodes,Regular Showis easily comparable to shows likeBeavis and Butt-HeadandRocko’s Modern Lifebut focuses on originality and humor, allowing it to stand out.– Yael TygielWatch on Hulu
Spy x Family (2021-present)
Creator: Tatsuya Endo
Cast: Takuya Eguchi, Saori Hayami, Atsumi Tanezaki, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Yûko Kaida
Based on the manga created byTatsuya Endo,Spy x Familyfollows an elite secret agent who, determined to cozy up to a high-profile politician by infiltrating an elite school, must go deep undercover as a family man named Loid (Takuya Eguchi). Upon building his family, Loid learns that his wife is a deadly trained assassin and his newly adopted daughter is telepathic.Spy x Familyis a delightfully comedic series merged with a bunch of action and a hint of sci-fi, told through gorgeous animated artwork and clever storytelling. – Yael TygielWatch on Hulu
The Powerpuff Girls (2016)
Creator: Craig McCracken
Cast: Amanda Leighton, Natalie Palamides, Kristen Li, Tom Kenny
Rebooting the beloved children’s series,The Powerpuff Girlsreintroduces the lab-made crime-fighting little girls: Blossom (Amanda Leighton), Bubbles (Kristen Li), and Buttercup (Natalie Palamides). A cute animated show with a playful approach to evil and ick,The Powerpuff Girlsblends action and adventure with pretty imagery and pastels. The reboot of the series maintains the girls’ origin story of being built by their father figure, Professor Utonium (Tom Kane), from a mixture of sugar, spice, and everything nice, with his extra dash of Chemical X.The Powerpuff Girlscontinues their story of sweet-as-pie superheroes using their magically enhanced abilities, along with their undeniable adorableness, to protect the citizens of their home, Townsville. – Yael TygielWatch on Hulu
Brickleberry (2012-2015)
Created by: Roger Black, Waco O’Guin
Cast: Daniel Tosh, Kaitlin Olson, Roger Black, David Herman
Brickleberryfollows a group of park rangers as they work at a fictional national park – and all the shenanigans that ensue. The cast is large and eclectic, including Steve (David Herman), who takes his work way too seriously and doesn’t seem to be particularly good at his job despite always winning Ranger of the Month; Woody (Tom Kenny), a harsh man with a military background; and Ethel (Kaitlin Olson,Natasha Leggero), a kind and humble woman who was assigned to get the park back on track. If you’re looking for something irreverent and hilarious, makeBrickleberryyour next watch. –Taylor GatesWatch on Hulu
Crossing Swords (2020-2021)
Created by: John Harvatine IV, Tom Root
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Luke Evans, Alanna Ubach
Crossing Swordscombines fantasy and adventure with black comedy to highly entertaining effect. The show follows Patrick (The Great’sNicholas Hoult), a peasant who gets his dream job as a squire in the royal castle. However, life turns out to be anything but luxurious, as the castle is filled with thieves and frauds. To complicate things even further, Patrick’s criminal siblings also come back to make his life difficult. The animation is unique, as medieval children’s toys portray all the characters – a hilarious juxtaposition considering how raunchy and decidedly NSFW it all is. –Taylor GatesWatch on Hulu
