From Snow White to The Simpsons, the art of cartoons and 3D movies has inspired generation after generation of artists and designers. Now, thanks to channels such as Adult Swim (opens in new tab) and the availability of free 3D software, more animators and illustrators than ever are able to showcase their talents.
Here, we look at the best animated cartoons to reach our screens in recent years. Let us know if we've missed out any of your favourites in the comments below...
01. Rick and Morty (opens in new tab)
- First aired: 2013
- Seasons: 3
Starting off life as a twisted take on Back to the Future entitled The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti (opens in new tab), Rick and Morty came about when its creator, Justin Roiland, got together with recently-sacked Community showrunner Dan Harmon, and they reworked it for Adult Swim as the dimension-hopping adventures of alcoholic mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his nervous, dim-witted grandson Morty.
It starts dark then really goes for broke around episode five of the first season, and it's never less than blisteringly intelligent and riotously funny. There are three seasons to enjoy so far, with fans desperately looking out for clues that a fourth might be on the way. Rick and Morty have even made an appearance in The Simpsons, in an extended couch gag that turned out funnier than the episode it prefixed.
02. BoJack Horseman (opens in new tab)
- First aired: 2014
- Seasons: 3
Focusing on the empty, meaningless life of the washed-up star of a smash hit 1990s sitcom, what really makes Netflix's BoJack Horseman shine is its brilliant central conceit that it’s set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals exist side by side.
And so BoJack is an actual horse; his agent, Princess Caroline, is a cat with an assortment of cat toys on her desk and a song from the musical Cats as her ringtone; and his friend Mr Peanutbutter is a Labrador with a tendency to chase postmen.
The series centres around the bored and dissatisfied BoJack as he tries to shake off his sitcom past and make a new name for itself. It effortlessly skewers the vacuous, vicious and superficial world of celebrity life and takes us to some splendidly troubling places along the way.
03. Adventure Time (opens in new tab)
- First aired: 2010
- Seasons: 8
Set in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo and heavily influenced by the Dungeons & Dragons game, Adventure Time has proven popular with children and adults alike. Created by Pendleton Ward and starring John DiMaggio of Futurama fame, the show portrays the adventures of a boy called Finn and Jake, a dog with magical powers to change shape and grow and shrink at will.
04. Archer (opens in new tab)
- First aired: 2009
- Seasons: 7
Hilarious, witty and deliciously wicked, Archer takes place at an international spy agency, where its main character regularly screws things up. It's been described by its creator, Adam Reed, as "James Bond meets Arrested Development" – and indeed, the cast includes Arrested Development's Judy Greer and Jessica Walter. Reed was also responsible for the brilliant Sealab 2021 (opens in new tab).
05. The Venture Bros. (opens in new tab)
- First aired: 2003
- Seasons: 6
Created by and starring Christopher McCulloch, action-comedy cartoon The Venture Bros. follows the adventures of pseudo-heroic scientist Dr Rusty Venture, his highly strung bodyguard, and his two over-enthusiastic sons. The show first appeared on our screens 13 years ago but its modern approach and brilliant dialogue mean it remains a firm favourite.
06. Bob's Burgers (opens in new tab)
- First aired: 2011
- Seasons: 7
Creator Loren Bouchard had already worked on shows such as Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist and The Ricky Gervais Show before launching Bob's Burgers in 2011. In this brilliantly satirical look at running a burger restaurant the title role is taken by H Jon Benjamin, and who's also the voice behind Archer (number 2 on our list).
07. The Amazing World of Gumball (opens in new tab)
- First aired: 2011
- Seasons: 5
An award-winning cartoon sitcom for kids, The Amazing World of Gumball follows the chaotic misadventures of a regular family in an irregular town. Its creator Ben Bocquelet has won plaudits for its inventive use of various animation styles, which are effortlessly pieced together to create a heartwarming and hilarious show.
Contributions: Jim McCauley
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