When we think of animation we typically think of sugary sweet feel good movies that are perfect for a family night in but this post is all about celebrating those animated shows that are definitely NOT suitable for children.

Animated shows for adults aren’t exactly new with the likes of South Park, Family Guy and Futurama being around since the late 90’s but it has only really been the last few years where they seemed to have really taken off, largely thanks to the first show on our list…

Disclaimer: all series lengths were correct at the time of post going live.

Rick and Morty

Rick is an alcoholic and a terrible father but a rather brilliant scientist, Morty is his socially anxious fourteen year old grandson and together they travel through time and space on some outrageous intergalactic adventures.

There is violence and gore, depictions of alcohol and drug abuse and enough profanity to make a trucker blush but the writing is great, the stories are creative and the characters are surprisingly likeable. This is a show that doesn’t take itself seriously and even pokes fun at other franchises like the rather brilliant Dr Strange rip-off.

Series Length: 4 seasons, 42 episodes.

Hoops

Jake Johnson is Ben Hopkins, a hot headed foul mouthed basketball coach in the relatively new Netflix exclusive series Hoops. Coach Hopkins believes that if he can turn his rather dire team around then he will find his way into the big leagues and back into the arms of his ex-wife.

If you think the language in Rick and Morty is bad, then you will not enjoy this show but for those of you who don’t mind overt innuendos and a fair few f*cks then you have to give this a go. If you fancy a little sneak peek then check out the hilarious and surprisingly catchy song below.

Series Length: 1 season, 10 episodes.

F is for Family

Despite being a bit of a caricature of a 1970’s family, the Murphy’s are an awful yet wonderfully relatable family. Frank works in a job he hates in order to fulfil his patriarchal duty as breadwinner. Susan struggles to find her identity outside of being a wife and mother. Eldest child, Kevin is at the age where (to quote the show) “he’s going to want to f*ck something”, Bill is the typical middle child and youngest child, and only girl, Maureen is the apple of her father’s eye.

If you haven’t guessed by now, there is an excessive amount of profanity throughout along with rather graphic depictions of drug use, nudity and sex.

Series Length: 4 seasons, 40 episodes

Bob’s Burgers

Bob Belcher runs his own not-so-successful burger restaurant with the help of his wife Linda and their three children; Tina, Gene and Louise. The loving, supportive and slightly dysfunctional family dynamic is a joy to watch and it is not unrealistic to say that the Belchers are probably my favourite TV family EVER.

Compared to the others on my list, the language is actually relatively tame and the humour is based more on innuendo than vulgarity. The characters are well written, the opening and closing credits are different every episode and there are also some really catchy songs dotted throughout.

Although definitely not one for children, you could get away with watching this as a family if you have teenagers.

Series Length: 11 seasons, 209 episodes and there’s a feature film on the way – YAY!!

Archer

Sterling Archer is the world’s deadliest spy working for an international espionage agency run by his domineering mother. The company’s global covert missions are merely opportunities for the staff to sabotage each other, purely for fun. Although there is something of a James Bond vibe, Sterling Archer is 007 on a very bad day.

Archer is a great series but, again, there are numerous depictions of alcohol abuse, nudity and sex. The sharp eared amongst you may recognise that the guy who voices Sterling Archer also voices Bob Belcher in Bob’s Burgers.

Fun fact: in 2017 Archer did a crossover with the British spy flick Kingsman. Check out the clip below.

Series Length: 11 seasons, 119 episodes.

Paradise PD

With a grossly inept police chief, a police dog with a substance abuse problem and an officer literally picked up off the street, the Paradise police department are probably one of the worst police departments ever and trust me, that is not an exaggeration.

We’re now more than halfway through the list so it should come to no surprise to you that the jokes are crude, offensive and rather juvenile, the language is by no means PG and there is violence and gore galore.

Series Length: 2 seasons, 21 episodes

Final Space

Final Space is a sci-fi comedy series about an astronaut called Gary who is serving a 5 year prison sentence on a spaceship with only robots and the onboard AI system for company. When he meets a mysterious alien, who he calls Mooncake, he embarks on a series of adventures in the outer reaches of space.

Although there is violence and bad language throughout, Final Space actually has a surprising amount of heart and really kicks you in the feels from very early on.

Series Length: 2 seasons, 27 episodes

BoJack Horseman

In the 80’s and 90’s BoJack Horseman was the star in popular sitcom ‘Horsin’ Around’ but strives to maintain his popularity in a satirical version of Hollywood. As well as battling mediocrity in his career, in his personal life BoJack struggles with maintaining personal relationships, depression and addiction.

Series Length: 6 seasons, 77 episodes

Big Mouth

Big Mouth follows a group of young teenagers as they struggle to come to terms with the effects of puberty, with the help of their very own Hormone Monsters.

Given the show’s themes and overall subject matter you would think that Big Mouth would be a great educational tool but the show is crazy raunchy and brutally honest in its delivery.

Series Length: 4 seasons, 43 episodes

Close Enough

Close Enough follows Josh and Emily, a young thirty-something couple, as they navigate the world of parenthood, the struggles of normal day to day adult life and their declining youth.

This show is actually quite tame compared to some of the others on my list but it is also one of the strangest. On the one hand, the problems the characters face are quite relatable but that way the stories are delivered is a quirky combination of observational caricature and a strange magical reality.

Series Length: 1 season, 9 episodes

Honorary Mention – Star Trek: Lower Decks

Going against the typical grain for the Star Trek franchise, Lower Decks does exactly what it says on the tin and turns the attention away from the key staff on the Bridge and focuses on the support staff down below.

Although not specifically aimed at adults, Star Trek: Lower Decks is still perfect for all those grown-up Trekkies out there.

Series Length: 1 season, 20 episodes

So if you are looking for something different to watch during lockdown and you aren’t offended by the not-so-occasional use of the F-word, then check out some of these shows and let me know what you think.

Until next time… x