4 shows like Hazbin Hotel that prove animation isn’t just for kids

Published 2 days ago

Corey Hoffmeyer is an entertainment aficionado with a seemingly endless well of knowledge of streaming services, the industry at large, and he probably knows the name of that actor you can't quite place. He's been writing about these topics for well over a decade, and he loves exploring how streaming has changed the entertainment industry as a whole

Corey's training in storytelling and screenwriting allows him to examine entertainment from the perspective of someone who understands how creative projects come together. He loves to let this infuse his writing style whenever possible, especially when it comes to how new technologies allow visual storytelling to evolve. He also has a large appreciation for older pop culture and media, because it's impossible to know where you're going if you don't examine where you've already been.

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There is still this weird stigma against animation when it comes to certain viewer demographics that it's only a medium for children. And while you could make the argument that a lot of animated films released in theaters are definitely targeted toward kids, it's not an inherent thing. Directors like Guillermo del Toro have pushed back against this narrative—at least when it comes to films—with his dark take onPinocchio. He's also helming the non-animatedFrankenstein, one of thesci-fi movies in 2025 you can't afford to miss.

Television, on the other hand, has already gotten the memo that animation can appeal to anyone. Amazon Prime Video'sHazbin Hotel is a darkly funny musical series set in Hell. It's definitely not for kids. But it's definitely not the only show proving that animation should appeal to adults just as much as any other medium of content, if not more so.

BoJack Horseman

WatchBoJack HorsemanonNetflix

Back in the '90s, he was in a very famous TV show, but in 2014,BoJack Horseman started a run that would conclude as one of my favorite shows of all time, animated or otherwise. It may be one of thoseshows that starts slow, but it quickly became unforgettable. A lot of that has to do with its treatment of very serious subject matter, like trauma and abuse. It would have been very easy forBoJack Horseman to devolve into just anotherFamily Guy clone, but it never even comes close to that.

This only escalates as the show goes on, as the series holds its eponymous character accountable for his terrible choices. There are no standalone episodes that are just forgotten about by the next episode. Unlike the famous TV show he was on, this isn't some sitcom devoid of consequences. And that is its greatest strength.

Arcane

WatchArcane onNetflix

I have never been a fan ofLeague of Legends, so I was resistant to checking outArcanefor the longest time. In hindsight, that was a massive mistake on my part, becauseArcane is a gorgeously realized series. The emotional depth floored me, bolstered by a stellar voice cast, with A-listers like Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Jason Spisak doing much of the heavy lifting.

What I really appreciate aboutArcane, however, is its ability to convey its story and themes to a general audience. You don't need any sort ofLeague of Legends knowledge to enjoy this, though I'm sure it might help in picking up certain Easter eggs. Also, the animation is breathtaking, and the use of both 2D and 3D effects is absolutely seamless. If you've been sleeping onArcane or have been resistant to start because of some preconceived notion about its source material, consider this your call to action to binge it immediately. You will not regret it.

The Legend of Vox Machina

WatchThe Legend of Vox Machina onAmazon Prime Video

I'll preface this with the admission that I am a massive fan ofCritical Role, so I will absolutely sound biased when I say thatThe Legend of Vox Machina is one of the best pieces of epic fantasy media I have watched in years. It's no easy feat to distill 115 episodes of a liveDungeons and Dragons campaign into 30-minute episodes of animation, butThe Legend of Vox Machinapulls it off. But when you have the cast fromCritical Role voicing their own characters, and writers who understand the source material, it all comes off as effortless.

The Legend of Vox Machina has epic action sequences, hilariously heartfelt moments, and even some musical numbers. And once again, if you've never watched an episode ofCritical Rolein your entire life, that's perfectly fine. You can still enjoy this incredible piece of animation about a group of misfit, ragtag adventurers who slowly become the powerful heroes that their world needs.

Castlevania

WatchCastlevania onNetflix

Based on the long-running video game franchise of the same name,Castlevaniais a brutal, dark horror fantasy show about humanity's struggle to survive against vampires and other monsters. This is a show that doesn't pull punches when it comes to brutality or showing the darker side of humanity. Because not everything is so black-and-white in this world. Not every vampire is an evil monster, and not every human is worthy of being saved.

That level of moral complexity is pretty common for a dark fantasy, butCastlevania pulls it off with expert aplomb. The voice cast is also excellent, but Graham McTavish's turn as the tragic villain Dracula is what really kept me invested here. Rarely do I find such a villain that I simultaneously want to hug and that I can't wait to see lose in equal measure. That's a testament to good writing. Plus, the animation really leans into that dark fantasy aesthetic that the games are so well-known for. It's the perfect adaptation.

Animation has come such a long way

While there are definitely viewers out there who will never give animated fiction a chance because of a misguided belief that it's only for kids, I think many people nowadays recognize that it's simply a medium for telling a story. And that story can be anything, from family-friendly to gory, dark horror. These are just some of the shows that encapsulate that so well. But if you are looking for some kid-friendly cartoons,these animated movies can be enjoyed by both you and your children.

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