20 Best Animated TV Shows of 2023

Animation is one of our most enduring and versatile forms of storytelling. As far back as the days of Gertie the Dinasour, animation has captivated viewers of all ages, crossing every genre with styles that range from gritty to whimsical to surreal. 

This year gave viewers a diverse collection of animated TV shows, both in terms of the type of stories being told and who stories they were telling.

There were shows from Marvel and DC, lots of exciting anime, new stories to fall in love with, and the eagerly anticipated returns of some fan favorites. 

In no particular order, here are 20 of our favorite animated TV shows of 2023:

1. Harley Quinn (Max)

Harley Quinn, Max’s DC adult animated comedy, returned for Season 4 this year, and it’s as raunchy, riotous, and irreverent as its predecessors.

There are myriad things you can always expect in any given season of the series, including gore, Gotham in peril, combatting egos, cheeky one-liners, and plenty of Harlivy – lots and lots of Harlivy (which is a good thing).

Bolstered by skillful vocal performances from its cast, including Kaley Cuoco as the titular, bat-wielding lead and Lake Bell as the environmentally conscious Poison Ivy, Season 4 puts the pedal to the metal on all fronts.

Narratively, Harlivy explores new relationship territory as Ivy spearheads the Legion of Doom and Harley joins the Bat Family. The season culminates in a few cliffhangers that’ll undoubtedly change the game for Harley and those in her circle when Season 5 rolls around.

Harley Quinn is just plain fun; sometimes, that’s all you want from TV. Well, that and the award-winning podcast, “Psycho Not Crazy with Dr. Psycho,” and tickets to Clayface’s Vegas residency. 

Harley Quinn is rated TV-MA.

2. Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+)

Exploring space (the final frontier) has never been more fun (and calamitous) than with the USS Cerritos crew. Star Trek: Lower Decks’ hilarious fourth season is easily its best yet. The season aims for narrative cohesion and consistency by incorporating a villain and an arc that spans multiple episodes.

The outcome is successful, offering more storytelling tension, high-stakes action, and resonant character beats.

Beckett Mariner, in particular, goes on a delightful journey in Season 4. We really mine her depths and get to know her in ways we haven’t in previous seasons. Tawny Newsome’s standout vocal work is critical in making Mariner such an impactful and relatable character.

Additionally, the series pays homage to Star Trek: Voyager introduces D’Vana Tendi’s home world of Orion, gives the intriguing Vulcan T’Lyn more screen time, and brings back a surprising character from Star Trek canon.

Season 4 proves Star Trek: Lower Decks can boldly go where no human has gone before while delivering humorous and heartfelt adventures. Cerritos Strong!

Star Trek: Lower Decks is rated TV-14.

3. Young Love (Max)

Young Love is a spinoff series from Mark Cherry based on his Oscar-winning short, Hair Love.

The short tells the poignant story of a father, Stephen Young, trying to do his daughter Zuri’s hair while his girlfriend/Zuri’s mother, Angela, is in the hospital for cancer treatments. The series continues the family’s story after Angela returns home with her cancer in remission,

Young Love has an excellent voice cast, including Kid Cudi, Issa Rae, Harry Lennix, Loretta Devine, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Rae and Devine are particular standouts, as is Brooke Monroe Conaway, who plays the precocious Zuri.

Using an animation style that is bright, warm, and inviting, the series is an uplifting slice-of-life comedy. The show explores complex topics about parenting, marriage, careers, growing up, and cultural expectations with wit and an abundance of charm.

It is a show about the importance of love and family bonds as we navigate the world together. 

Young Love is rated TV-PG.

4. The Ghost and Molly McGee (Disney Channel)

The Ghost and Molly McGee is a bright, optimistic burst of sunshine. The series is an odd couple story about Molly McGee, an enthusiastic idealist supernaturally bound to a grumpy but lovable ghost named Scratch.

Each episode is full of humor and music as Molly drags Scratch into her plans to “enhappify” their small town of Brighton.

In addition to Molly and Scratch, the show is populated by a collection of endearing and quirky characters that are as much a part of its charm as Molly and Scratch themselves — shout-out to Sharon, one of the best animated moms on TV.

Beyond the show’s rosy disposition, what makes The Ghost and Molly McGee stand out is how often it takes on challenging topics and complicated feelings.

The series has addressed subjects including anxiety, absent parents, perfectionism, and any number of issues that we often see explored in adult programming but that children are just as likely to experience.

With lots of exuberance and a bit of whimsy, The Ghost and Molly McGee explores relatable themes with sincerity and kindness.

The Ghost and Molly McGee is rated TV-Y7.

5. My Adventures with Superman (Adult Swim)

My Adventures With Superman is a cartoon adaptation of one of the world’s most famous superheroes and takes its visual inspiration from shonen anime. Although a slightly different style than you might be used to for superhero cartoons, you’ll love this more light-hearted approach to the Superman story.

The episodes follow the trio of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen on their adventures as interns at The Daily Planet as they get dragged into escapades and investigations. The show boasts a wonderful voice cast of Jack Quaid as Clark, Alice Lee as Lois, and Ishmel Sahid as Jimmy.

Suitable for all ages, the show still features battles with villains and juicy plot twists as Clark learns more about his origins and the team uncovers the secrets of Task Force X. If you’re tired of dour or edgy superhero content, My Adventures With Superman is a charming and cozy reprieve. 

My Adventure With Superman is rated TV-PG.

6. Bluey (Disney+)

If you have young kids in your life, you’ve almost certainly heard of Bluey. You’ve probably heard of Bluey if you don’t spend much time with kids.  too.

While its target audience is preschool-age kids, the show has won over plenty of adult fans, making it one of the most-watched series worldwide.

Over the last few years, this animated series about a Blue Heeler puppy named Bluey has become a bit of a cultural phenomenon. And with good reason.

Bluey is a delightfully smart depiction of modern parenting. It is easily accessible to its youngest viewers but explores themes with humor that will resonate with its adult viewers, too.

Bluey is rated TV-Y.

7. Vinland Saga (Netflix & Crunchyroll)

An anime about Vikings? Don’t let this seeming mismatch fool you, it can happen and be some of the best television that 2023 had to offer. Vinland Saga Season 2, simulcast on Netflix and Crunchyroll, continues to bring Makoto Yukimura’s original manga to animation with care and understanding of the source material’s emotional power.

The first season was a revenge story about a boy’s lost innocence — young Thorfinn became a Viking raider to kill his father’s murderer, forgetting the lessons of pacifism his father tried to impart. Season 2, adapting the second arc, was a test for this adaptation. This new chapter of Vinland Saga slows the pacing and confines the setting.

Thorfinn is now a slave on a farm with only nightmares to show for his quest; he’s cutting down trees, not men. With this comes an almost entirely new cast besides Thorfinn and the Viking King Canute.

This pair are on parallel journeys — Thorfinn must learn to walk with the burden of his sins, while Canute must bear the corrupting weight of a crown forged from blood.

How can a man who’s killed so many decide he has no enemies? That’s the question Vinland Saga Season 2 answers, handling the narrative shift with grace while exploring positive masculinity and marching character development forward to victory. 

Vinland Saga is rated TV-MA

8. Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai (Max)

The Gremlins franchise continued to expand in 2023 with the new prequel series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.

The series is set in 1920s Shanghai, China, and follows the duo of Same and Elle as they race to return Gizmo to his home in the Valley of Jade. As they travel through China’s countryside, they are pursued by the sinister Riley Green, a magic-obsessed industrialist who wants to use the Mogwai for his own evil purposes.

But Green isn’t the only magical being the trio meets on their journey. Along the way, they battle various monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore and even meet a couple of gods and goddesses.

The series is surprisingly fresh for a franchise as old as Gremlins and expands the Mogwai/Gremlin’s mythology in some really entertaining ways.

Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is a fun adventure for kids meeting Gizmo for the first time and their parents, who met him back in the 80s.

Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is rated TV-PG. 

9. The Legend of Vox Machina (Prime Video)

The Legend of Vox Machina is back with a new season and a new threat in the form of the Dragon Enclave. The Critical Role adaptation’s sophomore season remains just as hilarious and just as emotional as the stakes are unimaginably raised for the party.

As Vax strikes a deal to save a life, we get a chance to dive deeper into the nuances of the twins’ upbringing as familiar faces from their past begin to appear as they inch closer and closer to the season’s big bad, the dragon enclave.

What is so wonderful about this show is not only the spectrum of emotional stakes we see with each character, from Scanlan and Grog to Pike and Percy but also the ability to smoothly transition from the hilarious and catchy songs from Scanlan to heartbreaking losses.

The voice cast and originators of these Critical Role characters add depth and a charm to each of them, engaging viewers and creating an empathy for everything we see them go through. 

The Legend of Vox Machina is rated TV-MA. 

10. Hailey’s On It (Disney Channel)

Hailey’s On It is Disney’s latest addition to their animation lineup, adding a world-saving twist to the roster. Hailey Banks is a typical pre-teen living her life with her family in Oceanside who discovers that her own to-do list is the only thing that stands between chaos(bots) and the world as they know it.

With the help of her own future self, her best friend Scott, and Beta, a computer she helped create in the body of a stuffed teddy bear, they work to try and cross items off her list while trying to stop chaos bots from thwarting them.

The pop culture references are fun little easter eggs—Hailey’s twin baby brothers are named Dwayne and Johnson—and each list item has its own sweet moments and lessons.

From cleaning out the family couch to hosting a successful party to kissing Scott Denoga, Hailey’s got her work cut out for her.

The voice cast is filled with great talents, including Moana’s Auliʻi Cravalho, The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto, and more, adding a rich familiarity to the characters and is sure to be an entertaining watch for everyone. 

Hailey’s On It is rated TV-Y7.

11. Castlevania: Nocturne (Netflix)

Castlevania: Nocturne is a sequel to Netflix’s breakout hit Castlevania, set 300 years later in 1792 during the French Revolution. The series follows Richter Belmont, a descendant of original series leads Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades.

Richter is joined in his quest to save the world by Maria Renard, his adoptive sister, who is a sorceress and revolutionary, and Annette, a former slave from Saint-Domingue who wields her own powerful magic. The first season reestablishes the world of vampires and monsters in a riveting fashion and builds upon the mythology.

Because Richter harnesses both the Vampire Killer whip and magical powers, the action sequences are even more electrifying than its predecessor. For fans of the original show, there are plenty of callbacks and maybe even the appearance of a beloved character, but you have to tune in to find out. 

Castlevania: Nocturne is rated TV-MA.

12. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney Channel)

The world was introduced to Lunella “Lu” Lafayette, her trusty dinosaur, and her highly stylized world this year thanks to the latest addition to the Marvel universe, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.

With an animated style on par with Into the Spider-Verse but with a vibe all its own, fans of the show can easily find themselves invested in Lu’s life, from her lovely family to her best friend, Casey.

Lu and Devil find themselves going up against some entertaining, at times hilarious, and acutely poignant villains and storylines each week. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur tackles a surprisingly wide array of topics in some interesting ways that don’t feel too on the nose.

From Casey’s bat mitzvah and learning the importance of prioritizing friendships over passing popularity to Lu finding out the true meaning of using tech to avoid the more boring things in life to exploring gentrification, the show doesn’t talk down to its viewers, making it a perfect choice for all ages.

Pair the phenomenal storytelling and character with the stunningly talented voice cast, including Alfre Woodard and Diamond White, and guest stars with the likes of Daveed Diggs, Laurence Fishburne, and Jennifer Hudson, and you have a wonderfully engaging combination.

Already renewed for a second season, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is assuredly ready to bring the fun, the feels, and the surprises if that season 1 finale post-credits scene is any indication—heavy on the feels. 

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is rated TV-Y7.

13. Blue Eye Samurai (Netflix)

Set during Japan’s Edo period, Blue Eye Samurai is the story of Mizu. Mizu is a half-white, half-Japanese sword master on a mission to kill four white men who illegally entered Japan despite its closed border. Men who have brought guns that threaten to destabilize the country and who have inflicted violence and cruelty in their wake.

While that may be a righteous task, that is not what drives Mizu to single mindedly pursue her mission. What drives Mizu is a desire to take revenge on one of the four men, who also happens to be her father. The man who gave her the blue eyes that have made her an outcast all her life.

Equal parts brutal and lyrical, Blue Eye Samurai tells both an intimate personal journey of a loner shunned by society and a tangled political drama rife with secret plots, uneasy alliances, and inevitable betrayals.

With stunning animation, heart-stopping action sequences, and excellent voice work, Blue Eye Samurai explores gender, race, and class of 17th-century Japan in ways that still resonate today. 

Blue Eye Samurai is rated TV-MA

14. Trigun: Stampede (Crunchyroll)

The little anime that could. Ok, maybe not so little — Trigun: Stampede is a reimagining of a beloved classic (its debut came 25 years after the original Trigun).

Still, remakes of beloved originals are always risky, and Studio Orange rolled a risky bet using 3-D animation and refurbished character designs. Arriving under the shadow of doubt, Trigun: Stampede proved it wrong upon premiere (simulcast in the U.S. on Crunchyroll).

Like its source material, the series is a space-western set on the desert plant No Man’s Land, colonized by Arks carrying humanity from a ruined Earth (think Firefly but with fewer spaceships, more Marvel Comics references, and an underlying Christian ethos).

Plucky journalist Meryl Stryfe meets Vash the Stampede, the blond, bespectacled with a redcoat and robotic right arm — he’s also called the “Humanoid Typhoon” because he leaves destruction wherever he goes, and so he has an enormous bounty on his head.

Trigun: Stampede tones down the comedy of the original without losing its charm (or sadness). The world-building narrative progression and motives are often clearer, especially with the villains (see Vash’s evil twin brother Knives).

Ironically, by revealing more, Stampede manages a more involved season-long mystery. As for the animation? It’s bouncy in motion and leads to downright stunning action. 

Trigun: Stampede is rated TV-14.

15. The Owl House (Dinsey Channel)

The Owl House wrapped its short final season in 2023, and Dana Terrace gave viewers a conclusion that stayed true to all the adventure, idealism, and heart that have been hallmarks of the show since its very first episode.

There are many highlights from the final season, including Luz and the gang finally defeating Belos and saving the Boiling Isles, of course.

However, the one that will stay with fans the longest is the final epilogue at the end. It shows Luz, Eda, King, and all their friends happy, thriving, and still together years later as Luz’s human and witch lives co-exist perfectly.

It’s the moment every The Owl House fan was hoping for and one that undoubtedly left each with a full heart, even if it was still sad to say goodbye.

Oh, and one final perfect touch. As with the two seasons before, the first word of each episode’s title spells out a message to viewers. This season’s message was Thanks For Watching, one final gracious nod from Terrace to the show’s very passionate fans. 

The Owl House is rated TV-Y7.

16. Invincible (Prime Video)

Invincible returned in 2023 with the first half of its second season and a special that delves into the origins of Atom Eve.

The special, which aired first, traces the birth and childhood of the girl who would become Atom Eve. It follows her as she discovers her powers, learns the sorted truth about her birth, and grapples with the repercussions of both.

Meanwhile, the first half of Invincible Season 2 follows the fallout of the revelation of Omni Man’s true nature and the devastation he left in his wake.

The season sees Mark graduate from high school, start college, and continue his relationship with Amber. All the while trying to build his identity as a superhero outside his father’s shadow.

In the season’s most heartbreaking storyline, Debbie struggles to come to terms with learning that her entire marriage had been a lie. She crumbles in a spiral of grief, guilt, anger, heartbreak, and isolation, unsure of what her future holds and how to move forward.

Invisible Season 2 hasn’t lost any of its subversive punch. It only strengthened as it raised the stakes for its characters, earth, the universe, and beyond. 

Invisible is rated TV-MA

17. Pluto (Netflix)

You don’t need to be an Astro Boy expert to enjoy Netflix’s Pluto, a remake of one of that character’s seminal stories, “The Greatest Robot On Earth.” Atom (a more accurate Japanese-to-English translation than “Astro Boy”) and android Inspector Gesicht on the trail of Pluto, a mysterious robot serial killer named for the God of the Underworld.

Pluto is a globe-trotting and political murder mystery set in a cyberpunk world like Blade Runner. A lot for a simple logline, to be sure, but Pluto is one delicious cocktail no matter how many ingredients it throws in.

The series takes advantage of an episodic structure to explore an age-old question of science fiction — can robots feel like humans do? — in deserved depth. The anime shows robots of all kinds playing music or experiencing parenthood, with feelings no less real just because their brains are artificial.

However, being humans means dying and killing too. The mystery on the surface is to discover who Pluto is, but the underlying answer is what could make a robot hate.

This surprisingly heart-shattering tale is rendered in exquisite detail that captures the naturalistic art of original manga author Naoki Urasawa almost down to the line drawings. 

Pluto is rated TV-14.

18. Big City Greens (TV-Y7)

Big City Greens sets the scene as the Green family loses their farm, and they make their way from Smalton to Big City to live with the Green family matriarch Alice.

Upon arriving at Alice’s house in Big City, Bill, Cricket, and Tilly realize that life doesn’t have to change too much, getting glimpses of life on the farm. Surrounded by an ensemble that not only gets hilarious introductions but remains a consistent presence in the Green family’s lives.

From Gloria, the barista turned roommate, to Remy Remmington and his bodyguard Vasquez, these characters add depth and richness to the world viewers are introduced to.

One of the things that almost immediately stands out is the family’s dynamics, offering fans a look at a functional family outside of the nuclear format we usually see. Nancy and Bill are divorced but still co-parenting and supportive of each other.

The way Nancy’s imprisonment is candidly discussed with Cricket and Tilly is impressive to see on an animated show. Paired with the casual way body diversity and disability are shown without fanfare, Big City Greens does a remarkable job handling inclusivity.

Though not as stylized as some of the other shows on the list, the animators love giving loving winks and nods to some popular distinctive styles out there in some of the show’s more meta moments.

Perhaps one of the more hilarious meta episodes has to be when Gloria’s internship at an animation studio has Cricket and Tilly learning about how a favorite show of theirs gets made. 

Big City Green is rated TV-Y7.

19. Curses! (Apple TV)

Apple TV’s new animated series, Curses!, is a fun globe-hopping action adventure for the whole family. The adventure begins when a generational family curse catches up with Alex Vanderhouven, turning him to stone.

To save him and end the curse, his kids, Pandora and Horus, and his wife, Sky, must return artifacts stolen by their ancestor, Cornelius Vanderhouben, to their rightful place. Assisting them in their mission are two friendly artifacts that have come to life named Larry and Stanley.

Curses! offers plenty of laughs but is also unexpectedly suspenseful and creepy for a show with children as its target audience. The show is just spooky enough to keep things exciting for adults without being too scary for younger viewers.

But the real fun of Curses! is the mythology brought to life through the different artifacts. Each artifact’s story weaves folklore and mythology from around the world into the family’s missions, adding to the show’s rich world-building. 

Curses! is a wonderful addition to family-friendly adventure stories and a worthy heir to classics like Carmen Sandiego, Jumanji, and Indiana Jones.

Curses! is rated TV-PG.

20. Bob’s Burgers (Fox)

Now in its 14th season, Bob’s Burgers has become a staple in animated television. The quirky comedy centers on The Belcher family, who, as the title suggests, run a burger restaurant. But the antics only begin there.

The show’s witty humor and willingness to push the limits of absurdity are only part of what makes Bob’s Burgers so enjoyable. It’s also a relatable comfort show with a foundation rooted in portraying a supportive, affectionate, and understanding family.

Add some special celebrity guest voices and excellent holiday episodes, and you have a recipe for a great animated comedy.

Bob’s Burgers is rated TV-14.

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What were your favorite animated shows of 2023? Let us know in the comments.

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*Written by Sarah Fields, Breeze Riley, Melody McCune, Devin Meenan, Ashley Bissette Sumerel, and Brianna Martinez. 

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