Velma is the latest adult animated series from Warner Bros. that charts out the origins of Mystery Inc. from Velma Dinkley’s perspective. It joins a long list of similar series’ available on streaming platforms.
Adult animation is a thriving genre for movies and television with growing calls for content targeted at adults with the novelty of animation that they enjoyed when they were younger. The contrasting tones of bright, colorful characters spewing out risque, “colorful” language have a certain level of appeal to them.
All across streaming platforms there are several adult animated series focused on a wide variety of genres from sci-fi to fantasy to just regular suburban life. Here’s a list of 10 shows like Velma on HBO Max, Netflix & more:
1. Harley Quinn (2019 – present)
Available on: HBO Max
Cast: Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Alan Tudyk, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Jason Alexander
The Harley Quinn animated series tells the story of Harley Quinn as she rises out of Joker’s shadow to become a world-class criminal in her own right. Along for the ride are her best friend and eventual lover, Poison Ivy, and fellow criminal allies, Clayface, King Shark, and Doctor Psycho.
The who’s who of Gotham makes appearances throughout the series including a highly incompetent Jim Gordon, a traumatized Bruce Wayne, and other members of his Bat family. Mature themes, gory theatrics, and charming love stories are all encapsulated in this series.
2. Archer (2009 – present)
Available on: Hulu, Netflix
Cast: H. Jon Benjamin, Jessica Walter, Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, Chris Parnell, Lucky Yates
Archer is a spy comedy series about Sterling Archer as he bumbles through missions in the most chaotic ways possible while also dealing with his alcoholism and mommy issues since his mother, Mallory Archer, is also his boss.
The series has produced 13 seasons so far with some extremely creative outputs and effectively dealt with stumbling blocks placed in their way that were completely out of their control.
3. Rick and Morty (2013 – present)
Available on: Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix
Cast: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Dan Harmon, Tom Kenny
One of the most popular series in the pop culture space in today’s world, Rick and Morty is primarily about an alcoholic, narcissistic, grumpy old scientist, Rick, who travels around the multiverse with his pathetic, submissive, well meaning grandson, Morty.
Rick’s daughter, Beth, her husband, Jerry, and their daughter, Summer, are also involved in the adventures on many occasions. The series spans multiple genres and contains meta humor that occasionally pushes the boundaries of what can be considered appropriate in today’s culture.
This edginess is what has drawn many viewers to the series and over the years Rick and Morty has built a large and loyal fanbase with far reaching influence on the rest of modern media.
4. Invincible (2021 – present)
Available on: Prime Video
Cast: Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J. K. Simmons, Gillian Jacobs, Andrew Rannells, Walton Goggins
Based on the comic series of the same name, Invincible tells the story of Mark Grayson, a teenager who finds out he has super powers passed down to him by his father, Nolan Grayson, who also happens to be the most powerful superhero on the planet, Omni-Man.
The series has gruesome violence, delicate storytelling and all-around magnificent animation and voice acting. Mark has to balance his superhero duties with the life of a normal teenager while slowly uncovering a terrifying secret about his father.
5. The Legend of Vox Machina (2022 – present)
Available on: Prime Video
Cast: Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Liam O’Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham
Born from a Kickstarter campaign, The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated version of events carried out in campaign one of the Dungeons & Dragons actual play series on the Critical Role Youtube channel.
What was initially meant to be a single animated short ended up becoming an entire 12 episode series before it was picked up by Amazon studios and renewed for a second and third season.
The series has a fantasy theme and follows the titular team as they travel around the fictional world of Exandria and fight all kinds of evil foes.
6. Bojack Horseman (2014 – 2020)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Amy Sedaris, Paul F. Tompkins, Aaron Paul
Set in a world filled with humans and anthropomorphic animals, this black comedy-drama revolves around Bojack Horseman, a washed up sitcom actor who trudges along in life with a cynical attitude and treats his grief and depression with alcohol and drugs.
Around him are a host of diverse characters that interact with him in complex ways as he has a significant impact on their lives and vice versa. There are several mature and profound themes throughout the series with an outstanding display of writing ability.
7. Final Space (2018 – 2021)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Olan Rogers, David Tennant, Coty Galloway, Steven Yeun, Tom Kenny, Tika Sumpter, Fred Armisen, Ashly Burch
Final Space is a sci-fi series about Gary Goodspeed, an enthusiastic yet clumsy astronaut who comes in contact with a planet destroying alien and becomes friends with it, naming it Mooncake.
As the crew around him expands, Gary and his allies travel the galaxy to uncover the secret behind Final Space and Mooncake while attempting to avoid the threat of Jack the Lord Commander who craves ultimate power.
The characters are fascinating and the balance between humor and drama is perfect in this space adventure.
8. Big Mouth (2017 – present)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jenny Slate, Ayo Edebiri, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph
An extremely raunchy coming of age comedy, Big Mouth centers on a group of teenagers as they go through puberty and learn about the complexities of sex and the human body.
Beneath the racy jokes and over-sexualisation are tolerant and thoughtful lessons about acceptance and self-discovery during a difficult age of confusion and nervousness.
This series requires a certain resolve to sit through but it contains exemplary writing and animation, including some wonderful musical numbers.
9. F is for Family (2015 – 2021)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Bill Burr, Laura Dern, Justin Long, Haley Reinhart, Debi Derryberry, Sam Rockwell
In 1970s suburban America, Frank Murphy lives a mediocre life with his wife and four children. A Korean War veteran, Frank has a “typical” mindset and his opinions on matters of society are emblematic of the era.
F is for Family satirizes the American Dream and the socioeconomic and cultural shifts that took place in the country at the time, exploring topics such as marriage, racism, war, feminism, education, sexuality among others.
10. Solar Opposites (2020 – present)
Available on: Hulu
Cast: Justin Roiland, Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, Mary Mack, Sagan McMahan
When a family of aliens crash lands on Earth, they must adapt to their surroundings and assimilate to the culture of the humans in order to live peaceful lives.
Being extremely intelligent lifeforms and beings of science, they are constantly learning more about the humans while conducting experiments that may or may not be causing harm to others.
Solar Opposites is one of the most popular Hulu originals with its sci-fi setting and unique brand of humor.