The 25 Best Adult Swim Series Of All Time, Ranked

Adult Swim is practically synonymous with late-night entertainment. Broadcasting after Cartoon Network closes up shop for the night, the beloved programming block offers mature audiences the chance to kick back, relax, and enjoy some brilliant, boundary-pushing, and bizarre entertainment. Adult Swim's original series cover a wide variety of genres and styles, ranging from animated parodies of classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons to surreal live-action sketch series. Over the years, many of these productions have earned major awards and massive mainstream attention. But Adult Swim has never lost its reputation for distinctive, original, and experimental work. If anything, it's only grown.

In the more than 20 years that it's been on the air, Adult Swim has produced a huge amount of original shows. While they're nearly all attention-grabbing, some of these productions are better than others. Not sure where to begin? We're here to help. These are the 25 best Adult Swim series of all time, ranked from the solidly entertaining to the absolutely iconic.

From veteran creators Jim Fortier and Dave Willis comes "Squidbillies," one of Adult Swim's most recognizable series. The show follows the numerous misadventures of the Cuylers, a working class family of talking squids who live in rural Georgia. The Cuylers are allowed to do pretty much whatever they like, thanks to their status as an endangered species. They generally run roughshod over their town's equally dysfunctional population.

Airing on Adult Swim from 2005 to 2021, "Squidbillies" is one of the network's longest-running series, demonstrating its unique popularity among several generations of viewers. Reviews varied over the years, but consistently celebrated its irreverent and transgressive humor. More than a decade after it debuted, The New York Times praised it as one of TV's most truly bizarre productions.

Interestingly, "Squidbillies" is one of the few shows to have its theme song performed by a variety of musicians, ranging from Jimmy Cliff to "Weird Al" Yankovic. If that's not reason enough to tune in, we don't know what is.

A comedic subversion of classic monster movies, "Mary Shelley's Frankenhole" details Dr. Victor Frankenstein's many journeys through time and space. After achieving his lifelong goal of discovering immortality, the now ageless doctor turns his attention towards unlocking wormholes in the fabric of existence, allowing him to enter any time period he chooses. Sprinkled throughout his travels are other characters from Mary Shelley's classic horror novel, historical figures like Michael Jackson, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Thomas Jefferson, and other iconic movie monsters like Dracula, the Mummy, and the Wolf Man.

"Mary Shelley's Frankenhole" won praise for its stop-motion animation and imaginative take on horror history.  "Where else are you going to see Nosferatu speaking in silent movie title cards or a surprise cutaway to Blacula, Count Chocula, and the Count from 'Sesame Street' sitting at a table drinking together?" asked The AV Club in their positive review. Though it only spans two seasons, the series' impressive puppetry, integration of pop culture, and fresh take on "Frankenstein" make it a one-of-a-kind production.

One of the more recent additions to the Adult Swim lineup, "Smiling Friends" uses its incredibly simple premise to explore a variety of off-kilter situations. Gloomy Charlie and chipper Pim work for a small charity whose main purpose is to make people smile. Sounds cute, right? The duo's simple, colorful character designs, which wouldn't look out of place on a preschool series, reinforce this friendly approach. Unfortunately, many who call the charity's hotline are plagued by deeply existential issues, leaving our hapless heroes struggling to provide meaningful help. 

"Smiling Friends" earned swift praise for its sharp writing, dark humor, and innovative blend of stop-motion animation, live-action footage, and 2D visuals. These potent strengths result in a surreal journey into life's murkiest, weirdest, and most hideously humorous corners. "'Smiling Friends' isn't going to be for absolutely everyone," CBR noted in their glowing review, "But what it represents is important and worth supporting."

A live-action series that melds office politics with Biblical punishment, "Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell" follows Gary, a low-level demon trying to rise through Hell's corporate ranks. Gary makes regular journeys to Earth to convince average people to sin, which should, theoretically, send them straight down the well-trodden path of eternal damnation. Sadly, his attempts almost always end in failure, trapping him in a so-so position for years on end.

Few office comedies reach the level of creativity "Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell" achieves. Combining the average workplace with Hell itself results in an endless array of comedic scenarios which are as surreal as they are familiar. Fans mourned when the series was canceled after four scant seasons, but luckily, this wasn't the end. According to Deadline, a digital series of animated shorts will be continuing "Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell" in the 2020s.

"Superjail!" is set in an otherworldly maximum security prison for the universe's most dangerous criminals. The facility's incompetent staff members are the series' focus, with the Warden, a fun-loving and seemingly omnipotent being, at the heart of it all. The Warden is, at once, a shape-shifter, a tyrant, an excitable kid, a mischievous imp, and possibly some sort of god. He longs to incarcerate the entire world, and just might accomplish that terrifying, candy-colored dream. 

Known for its psychedelic art style, experimental storylines, and extreme violence, "Superjail!" isn't a show for every viewer. Even by Adult Swim standards, the series is extraordinarily violent: Many episodes end in gory climaxes that involve dozens of grisly deaths. The Warden isn't exactly filled with reverence for human life. However, the technical sophistication and ceaseless imagination of the series' hallucinatory visuals can't be denied, even if many viewers feel the need to watch them from between their fingers.

"Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" is a sketch comedy series unlike any other. Its segments, which frequently lampoon public-access TV programs and poorly-made infomercials, blend dark humor, musical elements, cringe comedy, and a whole lot surrealism into truly unforgettable entertainment. This offbeat approach made "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" into one of Adult Swim's most popular live-action shows; it soon spawned its own film, "Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie," and a spin-off series, "Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule."

This success might surprise some viewers, as the show's borderline anti-humor can be a tad off-putting. But there's something undeniably enjoyable about the strange antics on display — not to mention the dozens of celebrities who pop up on the program, including Paul Rudd, John C. Reilly, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Will Ferrell, Ted Danson, and Jeff Goldblum. It's no wonder, really, that "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" originated a number of major internet memes: This is humor at its most unique, memorable, and strange.

Three anthropomorphic fast food items live together in the New Jersey suburbs. This is the fever dream premise of "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," and it made the series into one of Adult Swim's earliest successes. A spin-off of "Space Ghost Coast to Coast," "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" hit the airwaves in 2000. Viewers loved Frylock, Master Shake, and Meatwad's antics so fervently, "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" soon became the first Adult Swim show to receive a feature film continuation in 2007's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters."

Nowadays, "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" is seen as a classic of the form, whose caustic humor remains inimitable. As The AV Club put it, "There was an edge to the show, a self-critique baked (pardon the pun) into the premise that belied its cult status. The very act of watching the show was itself a kind of insult, almost as if [co-creators] Willis and Maiellaro were daring their audience to laugh at the stupidest thing imaginable." This made it into a trailblazer for adult animation, oddball comedy, and Adult Swim as a whole.

Set in the eponymous underwater research base, "Sealab 2021" follows an inept group of scientists and crew members who spend more time arguing than they do studying their aquatic setting. As a result of their incessant bickering, Sealab routinely comes under immediate threat from environmental crises ... or simple workplace rivalries. Like fellow O.G. Adult Swim series "Space Ghost Coast to Coast," "Sealab 2021" reuses footage from an old Hanna-Barbera cartoon: 1972's "Sealab 2020." What results is a testament to the power of killer jokes and clever editing.

"Sealab 2021," which ran from 2001 to 2005, did a lot to establish Adult Swim's unique tone. This pioneering status means it's occasionally a bit rough around the edges — but in many ways, that's a necessary part of the process. "Even when it was misfiring, it was doing so in an interesting way and continuing to hone [series creators] Reed and Thompson's abilities," wrote Vulture, in a piece praising the series' willingness to break the mold. This interest in out-there comedy and cultural remixing made "Sealab 2021" into something truly special, and helped put Adult Swim on the map.

"Childrens Hospital" is set in Childrens Hospital, a children's hospital named after Dr. Arthur Childrens. It lampoons mainstream medical dramas like "Grey's Anatomy" through its odd cast of characters, who spend far more time engaging in office politics and work-related romances than they do tending to patients. Headlined by talents like Megan Mullally, Ken Marino, Rob Huebel, Henry Winkler, and Rob Corddry (who's done up in very creepy clown makeup), "Childrens Hospital" earned seven lengthy seasons through its memorable blend of uncomfortable comedy.

As The AV Club put it in a glowing review, "Everything about 'Childrens Hospital' is a labor of love." The world took notice: "Childrens Hospital" won several Primetime Emmy Awards, including outstanding short-format live-action entertainment program and outstanding short form comedy series. The world of medical dramas is ripe for skewering, and "Childrens Hospital" takes an impressively sharp scalpel to its most ridiculous and over-the-top excesses.

A stop-motion sketch comedy series that makes clever use of action figures, "Robot Chicken" mocks the world of pop culture. Cartoon heroes of the '90s are discovered to be working in menial jobs in "Where Are They Now?" segments. Boba Fett stars in a Dos Equis commercial. James Bond collides with Santa Claus. Essentially, "Robot Chicken" jokes about everything and anything under the Hollywood sun, taking particular glee in displacing beloved characters from their home mediums. "Star Wars" fans are particularly spoiled: "Robot Chicken" has made a number of specials dedicated to the titanic franchise over the years, featuring performances from Mark Hamill, Ahmed Best, and even George Lucas himself.

"Robot Chicken" debuted in 2005 (though an earlier version hit screens in 2001) and is currently the longest-running series on Adult Swim. It's won a number of awards over the years, including Primetime Emmys and Annie Awards. Though it now spans nearly 20 years, "Robot Chicken" shows no signs of slowing down — and why should it? Pop culture is more ripe for parody than ever.

One of the first shows to grace Adult Swim's airwaves, "Home Movies" follows Brendon, a kid who dreams of making big-budget films someday. As he makes his titular home movies, he also navigates the murky waters of childhood, from his earliest romantic escapades to his complex relationship with his family. In many ways, "Home Movies" set the tone for Adult Swim with its sardonic humor, experimental narratives, and out-there visuals. It also took a uniquely off-the-cuff approach, which co-creator Loren Bouchard described to GQ as a blend of improv and cheap animation. We now see this echoed in productions like "Rick and Morty."

"Home Movies" propelled many of its cast and crew members to greater stardom — years later, Bouchard and actor H. Jon Benjamin would reunite on "Bob's Burgers," which the former created. Not bad for a doodle-heavy, ad-libbed, lo-fi series that debuted before anyone knew what to expect from an Adult Swim series.

The irresistibly bizarre "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" found its way to Adult Swim after an early stint on Cartoon Network. The first Adult Swim series to reuse animation and characters from a 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon, "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" reimagines the titular superhero as the host of a late night show, who interviews live-action guests. Earlier seasons offer a more straightforward take, while later seasons opt for no-holds-barred strangeness. The series' popularity resulted in several spin-offs and similarly-themed shows, including "Sealab 2021" and "Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law." 

"Space Ghost Coast to Coast" is so influential, modern projects still bear its mark with pride. In conversation with The Huffington Post, Eric Andre cited it as one of the single biggest influences on his own Adult Swim series. Kid-friendly cartoon "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" introduced the Dark Knight to the offbeat late-night host. British indie band Glass Animals named a song on their 2020 album "Dreamland" after the series. Not bad for a recycled '60s superhero.

"Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law" follows the courtroom antics of Harvey Birdman, former superhero star of '60s cartoon "Birdman and the Galaxy Trio." Having hung up his cape and turned his attention to law, Birdman represents his fellow cartoon characters, often taken from "Birdman and the Galaxy Trio" and other Hanna-Barbera productions, including "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!," "The Yogi Bear Show," and "The Flintstones."

This lovingly made series essentially takes the high concept approach of "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" — which it's spun off from — and pushes it even further. The result is a fresh and original blend of its parent series' offbeat humor and more pointed pop culture satire, a la "Robot Chicken." Running for four seasons with a special episode released in 2018, "Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law" continues to rank as one of the most deliciously weird animated Adult Swim series ever created. As IGN put it, "'Harvey Birdman' worked as both a parody and homage to these animated characters we know and love, with plenty of funny, surreal jokes along the way."

Set in fictional Statesota, "Moral Orel" follows Orel, a devout 12-year-old Christian who does his best to follow the lessons of his religion, his teachers, and his parents. However, Orel regularly ends up taking these lessons far too literally, triggering disastrous consequences for himself and his community. As it goes on, "Moral Orel" becomes a more and more pointed critique of religious fundamentalism and suburban conformity, eventually becoming outright existential. The final two seasons, which often delve into Orel's parents' dysfunctional coping mechanisms, border on psychological drama.

"Moral Orel" was praised for its uncompromisingly bleak tone and its intelligent presentation of controversial topics. "On its surface, 'Moral Orel' seems sacrilegious towards the modern Christian faith," Paste Magazine mused, "but its main lesson is in how humans interpret faith." The residents of Statesota are indeed nothing but flawed, fragile humans, and watching them struggle to get through their days is a horrifyingly hilarious and deeply affecting experience.

An animated spin-off of the 2009 action-comedy of the same name, "Black Dynamite" serves as both a celebration and a spoof of blaxploitation film. Former CIA agent Black Dynamite and his loyal crew battle ninjas, drug dealers, racist sharks, and sundry other forces of the establishment in this rollicking cartoon. It's packed with references to the pop culture of its historical setting, and has just as much fun with its retro tropes as its cinematic counterpart. As is to be expected from an Adult Swim show, it also contains an abundance of stylized cartoon violence, R-rated language, and many sexual references, not to mention a heavy depiction of '70s-era racism. But if you're okay with that — or, very possibly, an outright fan of it — "Black Dynamite" does not disappoint.

Running for two seasons from 2012 to 2015, "Black Dynamite" earned positive press for its subversive humor and superior production values. "'Black Dynamite: The Animated Series' is almost too good to be true," Collider enthused. "Stuff like this really shouldn't exist. With beautiful and detailed animation, stylish character design and a pair of slickly produced musical numbers, you would never guess that it was based upon a very niche film that never saw wide theatrical distribution." But indeed, "Black Dynamite" is based on a weird little indie film, and it really is that good.

"Joe Pera Talks with You" stars comedian Joe Pera, who plays a homely, good-natured, choir-teaching version of himself. Almost every episode features Pera — you guessed it — talking. What does he talk about? Everyday activities like hiking, grocery shopping, and dancing, mostly. Occasionally, he gets to know someone a little better. The show verges on anti-humor or outright ASMR; Episodes are largely plotless, devoted instead to spending time with Pera as he talks through quotidian acts. 

While this might sound boring, it's actually quite beautiful. Pera's ability to shed light on life's underappreciated moments, such as getting a good night's sleep or babysitting an interesting kid, makes the show a wonderful breath of fresh air. It also makes it feel more like "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" than other, more cynical Adult Swim shows, and in all honesty, the break from bleakness is nice. "It's a regularly soothing experience and a valuable reminder," IndieWire enthused. "After all, Joe Pera doesn't have to make the world better — he's just trying to show everyone there's plenty of it to be thankful for."

Gary Goodspeed is an enthusiastic astronaut traveling the galaxy with his planet-destroying alien companion Mooncake. Pursued by a tyrannical warlord out to harness Mooncake's extraordinary abilities, Gary, Mooncake, and their crew must venture to the literal ends of the universe. "Final Space" is epic in scope and bold in vision, presenting a three-dimensional universe as fully realized as that of any space opera. But it's also a clever animated comedy full of quirky characters. Beyond this, "Final Space" boasts an impressive cast including David Tennant, Fred Armisen, Steven Yeun, Jane Lynch, Keith David, and Conan O'Brien. As the seasons march on, it becomes a genuinely high-stakes adventure that'll have you on the edge of your seat.

Sadly, "Final Space" was canceled after Season 3. However, the series' creator and star, Olan Rogers, launched a 2022 Kickstarter campaign for a short film entitled "Godspeed," which will bring unused "Final Space" ideas to life. The campaign earned $464,438 before it came to a close, giving "Final Space" fans all around the world new reason to hope.

Set in an unnamed city known only as (The) Town, "Frisky Dingo" follows Killface, a hulking supervillain dead-set on the destruction of the Earth via his massive weapon, the Annihilatrix. The only person who stands in his way is Xander Crews, a billionaire playboy who masquerades as the superhero Awesome X. While they routinely battle each other, more often than not, Killface and Awesome X find themselves acting as reluctant partners and occasionally even friends. Super life is weird like that.

What co-creators Adam Reed and Matt Thompson would later do for the spy genre in "Archer," "Frisky Dingo" does with the superhero genre. It's brash, volatile, and does a brilliant job depicting the conventions of the genre in a humorous light, while also focusing on the hero-villain relationship  at the series' core. Though it only spans two seasons, "Frisky Dingo" still raked in a variety of positive reviews, many of which singled out the show's innovative exploration of superhero tropes and purposefully mundane comedy. As The New York Times put it, "If the staplers in 'The Office' were replaced by laser guns, and the sitcom were directed by Quentin Tarantino, the results would look a lot like 'Frisky Dingo.'"

Starring Mike Tyson — yes, the Mike Tyson — "Mike Tyson Mysteries" follows the world-famous retired boxer and his crew of misfit investigators as they travel around the world, solving mysteries. Among Tyson's trusty band are his adopted Asian-American daughter, the Marquess of Queensberry's ghost, and a mean-spirited pigeon. "Mike Tyson Mysteries" is a complete inversion of the classic '70s cartoons it riffs off: Its characters are hopelessly in over their heads in every single episode. Tyson himself seems to live more in his wild imagination than the real world.

What results is a wonderful and surprisingly intelligent series fans of Mystery Inc. will love. "Mike Tyson Mysteries" ultimately ran for four seasons from 2014 to 2020, providing newbies with ample entertainment and old fans with many re-watch opportunities. It also earned positive reviews throughout its run, especially for its clever jokes. "The series' humor is both audacious and intelligent, and the combination of that familiar Warner Bros. animation style coupled with modern references ... leaves no mystery for Mike to solve. It's looking like a knockout," raved The Hollywood Reporter. 

A humorous exploration of heavy metal culture, "Metalocalypse" focuses on the exploits of death metal band Dethklok. An unbelievably influential outfit that commands the respect, attention, devotion, and outright fanaticism of the entire planet, Dethklok is far and away the most popular and powerful band there is. Due to this over-the-top success, Dethklok is closely monitored by a secretive government organization, which theorizes their immense influence relates to an ancient prophecy. 

Grim, somber, and hysterically macabre, "Metalocalypse" lampoons rock stars' egos, fandom mania, and, of course, all things metal. The show gained a devoted fanbase over the course of its four season run, which earned it its very own rock opera – "Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem" – and a direct-to-video film. In their positive review of Season 1, The AV Club hailed "Metalocalypse" as "a hilariously over-the-top bloodbath." Years later, fans still can't get enough of its gory glory.

A spin-off of "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!," "Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule" is presented as a cheap 1980s public access show centered around the bizarrely blithe Dr. Steve Brule. Brule explores a wide variety of topics in health, nutrition, travel, and other areas of life, but he never quite seems to be fully tethered to reality. This results in painfully awkward (and totally hilarious) exchanges with his guests. And did we mention he's played by Academy Award-nominated actor John C. Reilly?

While the series' humor is in line with other Tim and Eric productions, it's also somewhat more approachable for less Adult Swim-initiated viewers. Reilly captures Brule's complete cluelessness about social situations with particular aplomb, resulting in a variety of memorably embarrassing episodes. This is cringe comedy at its best, and many critics knew it. "'Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule' isn't just a public-access parody or a character study," The AV Club wrote. "It's an exciting, inventive experiment surfing highs and lows together, a thoroughly modern pastiche of analog nostalgia, train-wreck television, awkward comedy, surrealist flights, and unsettling tactics."

The Freeman family has just moved to wealthy Woodcrest when "The Boondocks" begins. Woodcrest is a placid, manicured, and largely white place, while the Freemans are Black. "The Boondocks" centers itself in the ensuing cultural clash, which never fails to be thought-provoking, humorous, and altogether entertaining. Academy Award winner Regina King stars as Huey Freeman, a brilliant and uncompromising 10-year-old, and Riley Freeman, Huey's energetic little brother. They live with their grandfather, who's as clever as he is quick to discipline his young charges.

"The Boondocks" was met with significant praise (and occasional controversy) for its sharp wit and willingness to tackle thorny political issues. "There are very few series for young adults that deal with race as brazenly and defiantly as 'The Boondocks,'" wrote The New York Times in their positive review. Many critics were also impressed with the series' uniquely anime-inspired visuals. Today, "The Boondocks" remains one of Adult Swim's most intelligent, original, and visually stylish productions. It also raked in a number of accolades, including multiple Peabody and NAACP Image Awards.

"The Eric Andre Show" is an off-the-wall sketch series, even compared to similar Adult Swim productions. The titular Eric Andre interviews guests like any talk show host would, but these interviews always become awkward and eventually outright nonsensical. Interspersed throughout are candid camera segments, bizarre sketches, and performances from various artists. Essentially, "The Eric Andre Show" revolves around Andre (and his early co-host, Hannibal Buress) eliciting unnerved reactions from everyone they can. This core mechanic is often applied to celebrities like Chance the Rapper, Seth Rogen, and Jimmy Kimmel.

"The Eric Andre Show" is, in short, ludicrous — and people can't get enough of it. Critics have acclaimed the series for its complete unpredictability: As IndieWire put it in their review of Season 5, "It's performance art that needs to be seen to be believed." Having debuted in 2012, "The Eric Andre Show" shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, much to fans' delight. This is Adult Swim at its most gloriously and uproariously outlandish.

One of Adult Swim's greatest and earliest successes, "The Venture Bros." is an inspired riff on midcentury genre fiction, most prominently "Jonny Quest." Hank and Dean Venture, teen twins and eager adventurers, live with Rusty Venture, their bitter father, and Brock, their terrifyingly capable bodyguard. They regularly battle Rusty's arch-nemesis, the shrill Monarch, as well as dozens of other colorful antagonists. Their world is a strange one, full of fatherly necromancers, masked millionaires, and brilliant scientists with names like "Dr. Mrs. The Monarch." But through Hank and Dean's eyes, it's eternally extraordinary and altogether hilarious.

"The Venture Bros." is a tremendously long-lived series, having debuted in 2003. Elaborate continuity, sharp humor, retro style, and surprisingly mature themes have kept its fanbase devoted through the years, no matter how many might pass between seasons. The show has earned particular praise for its fully-formed characters: They're an undeniably silly bunch, but they genuinely grow and change over the course of the series. The Atlantic praised "The Venture Bros." as "one of the most brilliant, addictive, and underwatched comedies on TV" — and that was all the way back in 2013.

For all its intergalactic exploration and meme-spawning success, "Rick and Morty" is a fairly simple series. It centers around Rick Sanchez, a ingenious, nihilistic, alcoholic scientist capable of traveling through alternate realities, and Morty, his innocent and endlessly anxious teen grandson. Together, they battle aliens, confront evil versions of themselves, and travel to the farthest reaches of the universe.

"Rick and Morty" isn't just a show — it's a cultural phenomenon. The series has earned a tsunami of praise from critics and fans alike for its withering humor and shockingly dark themes. Though the show contains Adult Swim's typically subversive traits — heavy violence, boundary-pushing language, and strange sexual content — it's also hailed for its thorough and unflinching look at depression, addiction, and trauma. This willingness to blend out-there sci-fi, shocking content, and genuinely emotive storytelling has won "Rick and Morty" numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for outstanding animated program. So yes, it's the show that made "Pickle Rick" into a thing. But it's also a show that offers a guttingly honest portrayal of family dysfunction — in the same episode, no less.