Highlights

  • - Rick & Morty is loved for its fast-paced narratives, hilarious writing, and relatable moments.
  • - Fans of the show can check out other animated series with great writing and memorable characters.
  • - Despite controversies, the latest season of Rick & Morty is engaging and pushes the overarching narrative.

Rick & Morty is a show that people absolutely adore. The fast-paced narratives, shocking moments, and hilarious writing make for a great time. Dan Harmon's creative genius grounds the show for some of its more human and relatable moments, allowing people to enjoy some truly great moments in between the series' many hilarious jokes. It's easy to see why the show has such a massive and rabid fanbase, with the sixth season being another great addition to an amazing series.

Fans of Rick & Morty may feel that there aren't many other shows like it. However, in terms of shows with great writing and memorable characters, there are definitely several recommendations that fans of this animated sci-fi comedy series can check out. Whether it be because of the relentless jokes or the ridiculous visuals, there's no denying that there are many animated shows worth watching simply because of how excellent their production values are.

Updated December 13, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: Despite the controversy surrounding one of Rick & Morty's creators, fans were glad to see the latest season still going strong after recasting the duo. The stories in this season have been engaging and do a great job of pushing forth the overarching narrative while also letting fans enjoy some sci-fi shenanigans with the iconic Smith family. Fans of Rick & Morty can always check out other shows in the same vein if they can't get enough of this particular brand of humor.

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16 SpongeBob SquarePants

Legendary Show with Incredibly Smart Writing

spongebob squarepants mr krabs squidward

Release Date

May 1, 1999

Genre(s)

Comedy, surreal

Where to Watch

Prime Video

While the current state of Spongebob may not be ideal, the first few seasons did a great job of letting viewers enjoy some of the best writing ever seen in an animated series for kids. The jokes were accessible for all ages, while also having hidden layers for adults to explore.

The adventures of the titular character, along with Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Sandy, and a wealth of memorable side characters, make Spongebob Squarepants timeless to this day. The peak of this series may be long gone, but this content remains infinitely watchable even now.

15 Harley Quinn

A Mature Animated Show with Incredible Energy

harley-quinn-batgirl-chatting

Release Date

November 29, 2019

Genre(s)

Black comedy, superhero

Where to Watch

HBO Max

While DC's live-action movies may be a mixed bag, their animated showcases have done a great job of highlighting their strengths time and time again. People who decide to watch a DC animated movie will seldom be disappointed by the amazing performances on display in each title. While there are exceptions like The Killing Joke, these are extremely rare duds in otherwise amazing cinematic experiences.

It seems that this trend of creating amazing animated movies stretches over to the realm of serialized shows as well. Harley Quinn has established itself as one of the best superhero shows that fans need to check out. The script is incredible, and the series is proud of its lack of censorship, given how some scenes can become extremely gory and take fans by surprise.

14 Adventure Time

Superb Writing Across the Board

Cosmic Owl in Adventure Time

Release Date

April 5, 2010

Genre(s)

Science fantasy, adventure, surreal comedy, coming-of-age

Where to Watch

Hulu

Adventure Time is one of the most popular animated shows right now, with the tales of Finn and Jake being pretty great indeed. It's one of the few animated shows that has captured the attention of both kids and adults. Adventure Time has become a huge part of pop culture with its wealth of hilarious moments and smart references.

Fans of Rick & Morty who don't mind a show that is kid-oriented will love what Adventure Time brings to the table. The show doesn't sacrifice its great writing for its younger demographic. The unique premise of the show coupled with the immense love and care the creators have put into it makes it evident why the series has such a massive fanbase.

13 The Boys Presents: Diabolical

Animated Anthology Focusing On The Mature Superhero Series

Boys Diabolical

Release Date

March 4, 2022

Genre(s)

Anthology, black comedy, drama, superhero

Where to Watch

Prime Video

The Boys is one of the freshest and most beloved shows out there, a rare example of an adaptation that veers from its source material inyet ends up being better as a result. The manner in which Supes are idolized and how this show tears this facade down makes for a great time, with characters like Homelander and Butcher being quite fascinating in their own right.

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Every season of The Boys has been a masterpiece in its own way, and fans can't wait to see how later seasons build upon the monumental events. To make this wait easy to bear, fans can check out an anthology animated series called The Boys Presents: Diabolical. This series does a great job of fleshing out the show's world while also giving people something new to watch from unique creators.

12 F Is For Family

Cynical, Scathing Comedy

F Is For Family

Release Date

December 18, 2015

Genre(s)

Animated sitcom, black comedy, comedy-drama, satire

Where to Watch

Netflix

F is for Family is a great animated show co-created by Bill Burr, one of the most beloved stand-up comics around. His crass wit and vulgar humor are on full display in a series that takes a look at 1970s America in a satirical context.

It's easily one of the funniest shows on Netflix and is also pretty thought-provoking. F is for Family might not seem like a deep show, but it's after viewers watch a few episodes that they realize just what the show is all about.

11 Paradise PD

Jam-Packed With Quips and Jokes

Paradise PD

Release Date

August 31, 2018

Genre(s)

Adult animation, animated sitcom, crime

Where to Watch

Netflix

Paradise PD might not have the sharpest writing on this list, but it's still pretty funny when the jokes land. The show deals with a police department in a backwater town full of quirky and wild personalities.

It can take a while to get rolling, but viewers who power through the series and start getting attached to the characters will forgive some of the poor jokes in an otherwise decent package. Fans of Rick & Morty should definitely not expect the same quality of writing, but the over-the-top hijinks will be right up their alley.

10 Disenchantment

From the Creator of The Simpsons and Futurama

Tess and Elfo in Disenchantment

Release Date

August 17, 2018

Genre(s)

Fantasy, adventure, satire

Where to Watch

Netflix

Given Matt Groening's impressive resume of working with The Simpsons and Futurama, it's easy to see that expectations were quite high for Disenchantment. Suffice it to say, the show didn't disappoint.

The show takes a medieval fantasy setting and uses this backdrop to great effect. Bean, Elfo, and Luci are very likable characters, and witnessing the evolution of Dreamland over the course of the four seasons makes for a great time indeed.

9 Arrested Development

Cringe Comedy That's Legendary for All the Right Reasons

Arrested Development

Release Date

November 2, 2003

Genre(s)

Sitcom, absurdist humor

Where to Watch

Netflix

Arrested Development is considered by many to be one of the funniest and smartest sitcoms of all time. The series focuses on the dysfunctional Bluth family and the various trials they face after suffering a major fall from grace.

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The show was highly influential and shaped the future of American sitcoms, with its hilarious writing being key to its success. It's a shame that the new seasons didn't quite live up to the quality of the show's past, but that's a small blip in what is otherwise an incredibly funny show.

8 Family Guy

Seth MacFarlane's Most Recognized Work

Family Guy Peter And Lois Falling In Love Again

Release Date

January 31, 1999

Genre(s)

Adult animation, animated sitcom

Where to Watch

Hulu

While it's true that the current seasons of Family Guy are far from their best, there's no denying that the show still has its special moments. In its heyday, Family Guy was one of the funniest and most popular shows out there.

The cutaway gags and ridiculous storylines of the episodes made Family Guy a pretty unique watch. Even now, the earlier seasons are full to the brim with amazing jokes and moments in every episode.

7 The Simpsons

A Legendary Animated Series

The-Simpsons_Old-And-New-1

Release Date

December 17, 1989

Genre(s)

Animated sitcom, satire

Where to Watch

Disney+

The Simpsons is one of the most legendary animated sitcoms of all time. The fact that the Simpsons' predictions still run riot to this day shows just how much impact this show had on pop culture.

Just like the case with most long-running series, The Simpsons has definitely waned in quality over time. However, the show's golden years are quite enjoyable to watch and prove how smart the writers at the time were.

6 South Park

The Controversial Adult Animated Series Is Still Going Strong

Cartman Finds Love, a South Park episode

Release Date

August 13, 1997

Genre(s)

Animated sitcom, black comedy, satire, surreal humor

Where to Watch

HBO Max

Out of the big three animated shows out there, South Park easily attracted the most controversies of the lot. In a way, pushing the envelope and getting the media outraged with their imagery was part of what made South Park such a fun show to watch.

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The stories of Kyle, Eric, Cartman, and Kenny as they went through a ton of ludicrous adventures and faced the most ridiculous situations time and time again were a blast. For what it's worth, the quality drop-off in current seasons holds true for South Park as well, but it's nowhere near as bad as it has been for some others.

5 Community

Dan Harmon's Brilliant Sitcom

The cast of Community posing together making sad faces

Release Date

September 17, 2009

Genre(s)

Sitcom, surreal humor, satire

Where to Watch

Netflix

Community is the brainchild of Dan Harmon that was vastly underrated for the majority of its run. However, over time, the show quickly became a cult classic that viewers loved to see for its sharp and succinct writing.

The idea of a community college setting seemed like a long shot, but only a writer like Dan Harmon could pull this idea off so well. The story of Joel and his friends as they go through the ups and downs of Greendale made for a great time.

4 Futurama

A Sci-Fi Comedy Series with Iconic Moments

Futurama_Party-Humor-1

Release Date

March 23, 2008

Genre(s)

Adult animation, animated sitcom, science fiction, comedy drama

Where to Watch

Hulu

Futurama is a show that needs no introduction. The show's popularity has steadily climbed since its premier, even if there have been many gaps in the middle of its run.

Regardless, there's no denying that Futurama is a massive success, full to the brim with great writing and hilarious dialogue. It's a meme-spouting machine with endless quotable lines that fans of the series have found themselves completely attached to.

3 Bojack Horseman

An Introspective Comedy-Drama

Bojack Horseman

Release Date

August 22, 2014

Genre(s)

Adult animation, comedy-drama, tragicomedy, black comedy, surreal humor, psychological drama, satire

Where to Watch

Netflix

There aren't many animated comedy shows that try and ground their humor with actual issues and meaningful character development. This is precisely what makes Bojack Horseman such a fascinating watch. The titular character is one of the most complex and well-written characters in history.

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The first few episodes might not seem all that special, but they're still crucial to establish the world and its characters. It also serves as a great way to ease people in when it comes to the deeper motifs in Bojack Horseman, lending more weight to these events once viewers are attached to the characters of the show and recognize all their flaws.

2 Archer

Biting Wit And Excellent Comebacks

sterling archer with a gun

Release Date

September 17, 2009

Genre(s)

Animated sitcom, adult animation, action comedy, black comedy, adventure, workplace comedy

Where to Watch

Hulu

Archer is one of the funniest shows around, and sets the stage alight with its first few seasons. Even with the controversy surrounding the name of its agency that ended quite poorly, the shift to a Vice setting was still handled pretty well by the showrunners.

While the latest seasons of Archer have been pretty mediocre, it's still a highly recommended show for fans of witty animated sitcoms to check out. The first few seasons were a joy to watch, and each episode was peppered with numerous jokes that made playing this game such a blast.

1 Solar Opposites

Very Similar To Rick & Morty

solar opposites family

Release Date

May 8, 2020

Genre(s)

Adult animation, animated sitcom, science fiction

Where to Watch

Hulu

A show that features Justin Roiland front and center as a part of a dysfunctional family? Sounds awfully familiar to Rick & Morty. Solar Opposites is perhaps the most fitting watch for fans of this popular sci-fi show.

The humor is very much in line with the other co-creation of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, making Solar Opposites a great watch indeed. It almost feels like a spin-off with the art style being pretty similar to Rick & Morty as well.

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