Animated Netflix shows have been a key part of the streamer’s original content strategy from the beginning. While Netflix’s live-action originals are staples of the platform, some of its most distinct and daring projects have come from its animation slate. From adult comedy to high-concept science fiction, the range and scope of animated storytelling on Netflix is unmatched.
Of course, not every animated Netflix show lands with viewers or critics. Some have been short-lived or critically panned, but the ones that do succeed tend to hit hard and linger long. The best animated Netflix shows are not just popular – they become cultural landmarks, win awards, and build devoted fandoms that follow them from start to finish.
The animated Netflix shows that have risen above the rest stand out as some of the best not just on the platform, but to hit screens in general over the last few decades. Whether it’s due to innovative animation, tight and clever writing, deep character work, or fearless genre storytelling, each of the best animated shows on Netflix can be considered a masterpiece.
10
F Is For Family (2015-2021)
A Brutally Honest And Painfully Funny Look At 1970s Family Life
What makes F Is For Family stand out among animated Netflix shows is its fearless honesty. Co-created by comedian Bill Burr (who also voices the central character Frank Murphy), the show dives into the dysfunction of a working-class American family with a sharp mix of dark humor and emotional depth.
Across five seasons, F Is For Family evolves beyond just punchlines.
Set in the 1970s, it blends nostalgia with biting satire, taking aim at the myth of the “golden age” of suburbia. Frank’s explosive rants are hilarious, but it’s the underlying sadness and realism that make his struggles relatable. Burr’s raw performance is both hilarious and heartbreaking, making Frank one of the most complex animated dads in recent memory.
Across five seasons, F Is For Family evolves beyond just punchlines. It becomes a portrait of a crumbling American dream, anchored by impressive voice work, strong writing, and a surprising amount of heart. It may not have flashy animation, but its authenticity and honesty make it a quiet masterpiece.
9
Castlevania: Nocturne (2023-2025)
A Thrilling Expansion That Raises The Bar For Video Game Adaptations
Castlevania: Nocturne
- Release Date
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September 28, 2023
- Showrunner
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Clive Bradley, Kevin Kolde
- Directors
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Sam Deats, Adam Deats
Building on the legacy of Castlevania, Castlevania: Nocturne is a bold and visually stunning continuation that reaffirms the strength of animated Netflix shows. Shifting the focus to new characters and a revolutionary setting, it follows Richter Belmont (voiced by Edward Bluemel) as he fights against a rising vampire power in 18th-century France.
Castlevania: Nocturne proves that animated spin-offs can not only live up to the original – they can sometimes surpass it.
Rather than retread old ground, Nocturne expands the mythos in bold ways. The series takes full advantage of its mature rating, blending horror, action, and historical fiction with powerful themes like revolution and sacrifice. Its stylish direction and moody animation bring the gothic world to life like never before.
With high emotional stakes, compelling character arcs, and the kind of intense fight choreography that rivals live-action series, Castlevania: Nocturne proves that animated spin-offs can not only live up to the original – they can sometimes surpass it.
8
Terminator Zero (2024)
A Bold Reimagining That Proves The Terminator Franchise Still Has New Stories To Tell
Terminator Zero is one of the most recent animated Netflix shows to instantly be regarded as a masterpiece. Created by Mattson Tomlin, the animated Terminator show reinvents the iconic sci-fi universe in animated form without losing its intensity or iconic dread. It explores the battle between man and machine through dual timelines, offering fresh emotional depth and philosophical weight.
Terminator Zero is a vital addition to the Netflix animation canon – and proof that the Terminator saga still has teeth.
Set partly in the 1990s and partly in a post-apocalyptic future, the show manages to blend action, horror, and character-driven drama in a way that feels fresh and cinematic. It’s not just a retread of James Cameron’s work – Terminator Zero adds new layers, especially through its protagonist Malcolm Lee (voiced by André Holland).
Thanks to its haunting animation style, morally complex characters, and a story that respects the franchise while breaking new ground, Terminator Zero is a vital addition to the Netflix animation canon – and proof that the Terminator saga still has teeth.
7
Love, Death & Robots (2019-2025)
A Showcase Of Wild Imagination, Visual Artistry, And Genre Experimentation
Love, Death & Robots
- Release Date
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March 15, 2019
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Víctor Maldonado, Patrick Osborne, Robert Valley, Alfredo Torres Martínez, Jerome Chen, Emily Dean, Rémi Kozyra, Léon Bérelle, Dominique Boidin, Alberto Mielgo, Maxime Luère, Andy Lyon, Robert Bisi, Dave Wilson, David Nicolas, Simon Otto, Damian Nenow, Laurent Nicolas, Kevin Van Der Meiren, Vitaliy Shushko, Owen Sullivan, István Zorkóczy, Javier Recio Gracia, Oliver Thomas
Among animated Netflix shows, Love, Death & Robots is a rare anthology that consistently delivers something unforgettable with each installment. Created by Tim Miller and produced by David Fincher, the series features a rotating group of animation studios and styles, ranging from photorealistic CGI to abstract 2D animation.
Love, Death & Robots becomes a constantly evolving exploration of what animation can be.
What makes the show special is its commitment to creative freedom. Each episode explores radically different worlds and tones – from ultraviolent sci-fi to existential horror to absurd comedy. Stories like “The Witness,” “Zima Blue,” and “Bad Travelling” are mini-masterpieces in their own right, often outshining full-length films.
By allowing animators and writers to take risks without restriction, Love, Death & Robots becomes a constantly evolving exploration of what animation can be. Whether you’re watching for the visuals or the storytelling, every episode is an event.
6
Blue Eye Samurai (2023)
A Visually Striking And Emotionally Charged Revenge Epic
Blue Eye Samurai
- Release Date
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November 3, 2023
- Showrunner
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Michael Green, Amber Noizumi
- Directors
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Jane Wu
Blue Eye Samurai instantly raised the bar for animated Netflix shows when it debuted. Created by Michael Green and Amber Noizumi, this hyper-stylized samurai drama set in Edo-period Japan is both breathtakingly beautiful and emotionally searing. Its protagonist, Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), is a biracial swordmaster seeking vengeance in a world that rejects her very existence.
Blue Eye Samurai is prestige TV in animated form, proving that animation can rival live-action drama at every level.
What sets Blue Eye Samurai apart is the fusion of elegant, painterly animation with brutal, fluid action. Every fight scene is a work of art, but the heart of the story is Mizu’s journey. Her rage is palpable, but so is her vulnerability—making her one of Netflix’s most compelling animated leads.
With themes of identity, belonging, and revenge, the show doesn’t hold back. It’s raw, mature, and grounded in emotional realism. Blue Eye Samurai is prestige TV in animated form, proving that animation can rival live-action drama at every level.
5
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
A Gut-Wrenching And Explosive Descent Into A Neon Dystopia
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Release Date
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2022 – 2022
- Network
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Netflix
- Writers
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Mike Pondsmith, Yoshiki Usa, Masahiko Otsuka
In the crowded field of animated Netflix shows, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners stands out for its sheer emotional impact. Produced by Studio Trigger and set in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe, it follows David Martinez (voiced by Zach Aguilar) as he descends into Night City’s brutal underworld.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners captures the chaos and beauty of the Cyberpunk 2077 univer with blistering style. Every frame pulses with color and kinetic energy, reflecting the constant motion of a city that never sleeps and never forgives. However, underneath the eye candy is a tragic love story that hits like a truck.
Short, intense, and deeply affecting, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners leaves a lasting impression not just through its animation, but through its human storytelling. It’s the rare game adaptation that transcends its source, becoming a stand-alone masterwork of dystopian anime.
4
Big Mouth (2017-2025)
A Fearless, Grotesque, And Oddly Heartfelt Look At Puberty
Big Mouth
8/10
- Release Date
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2017 – 2025
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Bryan Francis, Joel Moser, Bob Suarez, Kim Arndt, Henrique Jardim, Andres Salaff, Mike L. Mayfield, Dave Stone, Ross Bradley
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Andrew Rannells
Matthew MacDell (voice)
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Nick Birch / Maury the Hormone Monster / Coach Steve (voice)
Not many animated Netflix shows are as polarizing – or as enduring – as Big Mouth. Created by Nick Kroll (who also voices multiple Big Mouth characters) and Andrew Goldberg, it dives into the chaos of adolescence with gross-out humor, surrealist tangents, and unexpected tenderness.
Big Mouth consistently manages to say something real.
At its core, Big Mouth is about emotional honesty. The show externalizes puberty as a series of horrifying and hilarious creatures, including Hormone Monsters, Shame Wizards, and Depression Kitties. These bizarre beings help make sense of the confusion and awkwardness of growing up.
Despite its absurd premise and over-the-top delivery, Big Mouth consistently manages to say something real. It treats its characters’ emotional struggles with surprising care, using humor as a tool for empathy. That blend of the grotesque and the genuine is what elevates it from crude comedy to something truly remarkable.
3
Castlevania (2017-2021)
A Gothic Horror Saga That Redefined Adult Animation On Netflix
Before there was Nocturne, there was Castlevania, and it set a new standard for animated Netflix shows. Inspired by the classic video games, the series follows Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso), and Alucard (James Callis) as they battle Dracula (Graham McTavish) and his monstrous army.
Castlevania’s animation – especially in later seasons – became increasingly cinematic
The show succeeded where so many game adaptations fail by taking its story seriously. Instead of leaning on nostalgia, Castlevania created a dark, compelling narrative full of rich lore, sharp dialogue, and adult themes. It brought blood, philosophy, and pathos to animation in equal measure.
Castlevania’s animation – especially in later seasons – became increasingly cinematic, with jaw-dropping fight sequences and haunting atmosphere. Paired with strong performances and a killer soundtrack, it turned the beloved Castlevania game franchise into a genre-defining piece of television.
2
Arcane (2021-2024)
A Visual And Emotional Masterpiece That Transcends Its Origins
Arcane isn’t just one of the best animated Netflix shows – it’s one of the most beautifully animated series ever made. Set in the League of Legends universe, it explores the fraught relationship between sisters Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell) amid the political chaos of Piltover and Zaun.
Arcane transcends its gaming roots and redefines what animated storytelling can achieve.
From the start, Arcane was celebrated for its painterly, hybrid animation style – every frame looks like concept art in motion. However, what truly makes it a masterpiece is the way it weaves personal trauma into larger political and social struggles, turning game lore into deeply human drama.
With layered characters, haunting music, and an emotional arc that cuts deep, Arcane transcends its gaming roots and redefines what animated storytelling can achieve. It’s prestige television in every sense of the word.
1
BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
The Definitive Netflix Animated Masterpiece That Changed The Genre
No animated Netflix show has had more cultural impact – or critical acclaim – than BoJack Horseman. Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and starring Will Arnett as the washed-up former sitcom star BoJack, the series starts as a Hollywood satire and evolves into something much deeper.
BoJack Horseman proves that animation isn’t a limitation, it’s a vehicle for truth.
BoJack Horseman enormous creative risks: silent episodes, underwater monologues, time jumps, and fourth-wall-breaking asides. However, it’s the emotional honesty that lingers. BoJack’s battle with addiction, self-destruction, and regret is handled with raw intensity, making him one of the most complex characters in modern television – animated or not.
Combined with a distinctive animation style and an unforgettable supporting cast (including Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, and Amy Sedaris), BoJack Horseman proves that animation isn’t a limitation, it’s a vehicle for truth. Nothing else among animated Netflix shows – or animated shows elsewhere – comes close.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
