Among the many streaming services that exist now, Hulu has one of the biggest and best content libraries. While there are plenty of excellent live-action comedy and drama shows to enjoy, some of the very best Hulu has to offer are among its extensive list of animated programs.
While might dismiss the animated shows as nothing more than kids' cartoons, Hulu proves why there is so much more to this format. Fans will be able to find nostalgic animated shows they grew up with as well as some of the best modern ones, some that make them laugh out loud and others that deliver thrills and excitement.
ThunderCats
With the recent announcement that Adam Wingard, the director of Godzilla vs Kong, will be helming a live-action adaptation of ThunderCats, now is the perfect time for viewers to check out the original cult favorite or discover it for the first time.
The adventure show follows a group of cat-like aliens who escape their doomed planet and make a new home while facing off with their evil enemies. The show is filled with memorable characters and some fun stories. It will be fascinating to see how the material translates to the big screen but it made for a very entertaining show.
Animaniacs
Among the cartoons of the 1990s, Animaniacs is often regarded as one of the best. The series centers around Warner Bros. characters Wakko, Yakko, and Dot who were created by the studio but deemed too outlandish, so they were confined to the studio lot.
The show has seen a resurgence recently with the acclaimed revival. But it is interesting to look back on the original show with its zany sense of humor, pop culture references, and suggestive jokes that younger audiences might not have picked up on.
Archer
There have been plenty of spoofs of the spy genre, both in movies and television, but Archer remains one of the funniest. It is set within a covert spy agency and centers around the lethal yet dim-witted top agent Sterling Archer.
While the show takes the audience on some fun spy adventures, some of the biggest laughs come from the interoffice drama that feels like something right out of a typical workplace sitcom. The characters are all wonderful additions to this zany world, but Archer as the self-centered and reckless "hero" is the highlight of the series.
Solar Opposites
One of the newer shows, Solar Opposites is a hilarious and wild sci-fi comedy. It follows a family of aliens who crash-land on Earth and move into a suburban community where they try to make sense of this strange new world they find themselves in.
The show mixes the hilarious comedy of a story about a dysfunctional family with some inventive sci-fi ideas. The show also finds some clever ways to look at human society from the view of an outsider, which makes for some hilarious observations.
Adventure Time
Anyone who enjoys fantasy movies, novels, or board games will no doubt find a lot to love about Adventure Time. While the show never takes itself too seriously and has fun with its fantasy genre, it does so as a loving homage.
The series follows a boy named Finn and his dog named Jake, who live in a magical post-apocalyptic land filled with bizarre and unique characters, both allies and enemies. This heroic pair goes on some epic adventures, while the show has fun with the mythology that makes up its universe.
Hey Arnold!
Audiences who grew up in the '90s will no doubt remember the charming and unique comedy series Hey Arnold! which they can now revisit on Hulu. The show follows Arnold, a young fourth-grade boy living in a vibrant city neighborhood while being raised by his eccentric grandparents.
Hey Arnold! was made special by its collection of odd yet lovable characters that represented a typical big city. It was a charming show that didn't take its coming-of-age story too seriously yet it still feels relatable in its depiction of youthful fun.
Cowboy Bebop
Fans will definitely appreciate Hulu's solid collection of anime shows. However, for anyone looking to get into anime but not sure where to start, Cowboy Bebop is a perfect jumping-off point. Before shows like The Mandalorian, Cowboy Bebop provided the thrill of an epic space adventure series.
Cowboy Bebop follows a group of space bounty hunters each with their own checkered past. The show really thrives when it digs into these character moments and gets the audience invested in their journeys. Strong storytelling with plenty of surprises will keep fans hooked even if anime is not typically their thing.
Futurama
While its sister show The Simpsons is the more iconic animated series, Futurama has its own strong following that sees it for the incredibly special show that it was. It follows Philip J. Fry, a delivery man who accidentally freezes himself and wakes up 1000 years into the future.
The simple gimmick of setting the show in the future allows it to run wild with all sorts of sci-fi fun. The series gets to explore strange worlds and meet strange beings while centering around its main cast of colorful and hilarious characters. And as funny as Futurama is, it can also deliver a truly heartbreaking episode as well.
Gravity Falls
Disney is known for its imaginative and fun cartoons, and Gravity Falls is a wonderful addition to their extensive library. The show follows two young kids who are sent to spend the summer with their great-uncle in his town of Gravity Falls. While the kids are initially unenthusiastic, they soon find the town holds many exciting mysteries.
The movie has a lot of fun with its small-town supernatural story, making it feel like a cartoon, family-friendly version of Stranger Things.
Rick And Morty
Rick and Morty is a great example of a show that proves a cartoon can be a truly brilliant show while also embracing the fact that it is a cartoon. The off-the-wall sci-fi comedy series follows the many dangerous and interdimensional adventures of a hard-drinking scientist and his unspectacular grandson.
The show is often praised for its incredible writing that introduces mind-blowing and genuinely intriguing concepts while also telling a funny and entertaining story. It is not hard to see why Rick and Morty has amassed such a passionate collection of fans who hail it as one of the best shows on television.