Whilechildren’s televisionsometimes gets dismissed as disposable content filled with crude, juvenile humor, there have been plenty of amazing series that never underestimated their young viewers' intelligence. Although there are examples of kids’ programming that spoon-feeds its viewers' lowest common denominator topics, the best kids’ shows aim for something higher and occasionally can stand up against the depth and maturity of adult-oriented series. Fromsurprisingly dark Disney seriestomodern animated masterpieces, it’s always great when a show values its audience’s intelligence.
Thebest kids’ television seriesoffer complex examinations of the trials and tribulations of childhood, as the complex social structures of the schoolyard and layered politics of adolescence are just as worthy of examination as adult life. With clever series that tackle topics of authority and totalitarianism, thoughtful children’s television series have never been afraid to push boundaries and address mature subject matters. It’s essential that programming aimed at young viewers is not intentionally dumbed down, aschildren who consume thought-provoking content are far more likely to grow up into self-assured and intelligent adults.
10Recess (1997–2001)
6 Seasons
While plenty of animated series deal with the daily grievances of elementary school,few addressed the innate politics of the schoolyard better thanRecess. Airing as part of ABC’s Disney’s One Saturday Morning block,Recessfocused on six fourth graders and their highly fraught interactions with the school system, teachers, and the social dynamics of the educational system. While this hilarious show had a playful exterior, beneath the surface was a sharp social commentary about the politics of being a kid.
Recess
Recess is an animated series following six fourth-grade friends at Third Street Elementary School. Set against the backdrop of their school playground, the series explores themes of childhood innocence and authority challenges as the group embarks on playful adventures while navigating the complexities of adolescence.
With thought put into the economics and social hierarchy of school life,Recessused the playground as a microcosm for society itself, where complex issues often rose to the surface. From the monarchy system that was King Bob’s ruling from the jungle gym to the totalitarian regimes of Miss Finster and Principal Prickly, whileRecessmay have exaggerated its social systems, it had a clever point to make about the deeply layered and complex social environment kids find themselves in every day when they go to school.
9Animaniacs (1993–1998)
5 Seasons
WhileAnimaniacswas a zany, off-the-wall, and outrageous series that threw jokes at its audience a mile a minute, it was always sharply written and presented in a way that respected the audience’s intelligence. Although Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, the strange siblings who live in the Warner Bros. Water Tower on the Warner Bros. Studios, felt totally chaotic, they were also bursting with satirical wit.Animaniacswas filled with so many pop culture references and allusions that many young viewers would only fully understand the depth of its humor when revisiting it later in life.
It was not just pop culture references that madeAnimaniacssuch a rewarding show, as the series balanced its self-referential nature with witty jokes, historical references, and educational moments. A prime example of this would be “Yakko’s World,” a song that outlined the nations of the world in a way that was funny, entertaining, and wildly creative. Any parents whose child memorized that song would attest to the undeniable value ofAnimaniacs.
8Bluey (2018–present)
3 Seasons
While many of the most acclaimed kids’ TV series have built up their reputation over the decades of reruns, the recent success ofBlueyhas proven modern television’s power to break through in a significant way. This Australian series was aimed at preschoolers yet remained so deeply intelligent that it has also received acclaim from parents watching with their kids. With short seven-minute episodes,Blueyhas stood out in the realm of preschooler televisionby focusing on rich storytelling of real emotional depth that delivers subtle life lessons.
With a nuanced approach to the childhood experience,Blueystars a curious and energetic puppy who navigates friendship, experiences disappointment, and processes complex emotions in a way that goes beyond the simplistic morals of the average preschooler series. With a unique sense of humor and sharp dialogue,Blueyeven delves into abstract concepts like time, memory, and imagination in a way that even a small child can understand.
7Fillmore! (2002–2004)
2 Seasons
The ABC seriesFillmore!was a sharp, kids-orientated animated series highly inspired by police procedurals of the 1970s.Fillmore!focused on the seventh-grader Cornelius Fillmore, a juvenile delinquent with a record who, after being caught raiding the school’s new chalk shipment, was given a choice: either become a safety patrol officer or spend the rest of elementary in detention. With a tongue-in-cheek style that blended film noir aesthetics with the tropes of clichés of detective fiction,Fillmore!was many children’s introduction to profound, mature, crime-driven narratives.
WhileFillmore!saw its character solving everyday school-based crimes, such as stealing scooters, smuggling tartar sauce, or holding illegal frog races, it did so through hilarious references to pop culture. One example was Randall Julian, a student held in indefinite detention in an isolated building, just like Dr. Hannibal Lecter fromThe Silence of the Lambs. This combination of mature references to Best Picture-winning horror movies and kid-friendly lessons on the perils of crime madeFillmore!stand out as a satirical kids' show that did not even shy away from topics like police brutality, serial killing, and conspiracy.
6Codename: Kids Next Door (2002–2008)
One of the most impressive things aboutCodename: Kids Next Doorwas its rich and imaginative worldbuilding that invited young viewers to be taken in by its unique narrative. Focusing on a worldwide espionage-style organization called the Kids Next Door, this Cartoon Network series was set in a world where noble children must fight back against the sinister adults who try to enact crimes against children, such as forced homework or flossing their teeth. As a spy-thriller meeting a sci-fi epic,Codename: Kids Next Doorwas a clever show that took the mundanities of childhood and turned them into death-defying adventures.
The villains inCodename: Kids Next Doorsymbolized real childhood anxieties, as its antagonists of adults, senior citizens, and teenagers tapped into the fear of what’s lost in the transition from kid to grown-up. While the over-the-top gadgetry and intricate plots made for exciting viewing, the foes these child operatives faced off against were actually manifestations of ideas like conformity in adulthood and the loss of innocence. Amid all the fast-paced action,Codename: Kids Next Doorwas helping young viewers traverse the pain and fear surrounding growing older.
5Adventure Time (2010–2018)
10 Seasons
The premise ofAdventure Timesounds simple on paper as it tells the story of a young boy named Finn going on adventures with his dog best friend, Jake. However, this series becomes hugely interesting with the knowledge it’s set in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo and his dog is also his shapeshifting adoptive brother, and practically anything is possible. Taking influence from the endless possibilities of games likeDungeons & Dragons,Adventure Timeblended this idea with deep philosophical themes and a Lynchian sense of surrealism.
Not only didAdventure Timevalue its audience’s intelligence with the deeply layered characterization of tragic figures like The Ice King, but it did so while pushing the bounds of children’s animation in a visual and narrative sense. As a masterclass in worldbuilding,Adventure Timebalanced episodic adventures with serialized storytellingthat led to a fully developed, whimsical world of pure entertainment. As one of the greatest Cartoon Network series ever made,Adventure Timewas a modern animated masterpiece.
4Gravity Falls (2012–2016)
Gravity Fallswas truly unlike anything else on the Disney Channel, as it blended child-friendly animation with a sense of mystery that had more in common withTwin PeaksthanThe Mickey Mouse Club. Telling the story of Dipper Pines and his twin sister Mabel spending their summer with their great-uncle Grunkle Stan in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, the pair soon found themselves embroiled in a complex conspiracy involving supernatural entities.Gravity Fallsbrought viewers into a world categorized by Lovecraftian terrorand pushed viewers out of their comfort zones as it inched toward its conclusion.
With a playful animation style, hilarious characters, and a masterful story structure, over the course of just 40 episodes,Gravity Fallstold a full story as complex and intriguing as any adult-oriented series. A prime example of the high quality that viewers came to expect fromGravity Fallswas its three-part conclusion, “Weirdmageddon,” an apocalyptic climax that brought everything that came before it together in a masterclass finale.
3Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)
Batman: The Animated Serieswas a trailblazing cartoon that subverted the traditionally lighthearted nature of the animated superhero series to produce a much darker and more complex presentation of the story of Bruce Wayne. By leaning more heavily into the dark mythos of theBatmancomics,Batman: The Animated Serieswent against the campy zaniness seen in the 1960s Adam West seriesand replaced it with a more mature depiction that appealed to kids and adults alike.
This was a richer and more emotionally rewarding depiction of Gotham City that paid homage to the noir aesthetic and philosophical intrigue of the very best DC comic iterations of Batman. With iconic voice work from Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker, the dark themes underpinning this animated series helped open the door for later, gritty depictions of Batman, such as in Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy.Batman: The Animated Serieseven added depth to its villains as it provided complex backstories for Joker, Two-Face, and even originated the character of Harley Quinn.
2Gargoyles (1994–1997)
Gargoyleswas truly one of the most interesting and unique animated series Disney ever made, and it’s an absolute travesty it did not act as the inception point of a major franchise. Telling the story of enchanted gargoyles who had been petrified for a thousand years,Gargoylesshowed these ancient creatures reawakened in modern-day New York and becoming the secret nighttime protectors of the city. With a narrative influenced by Shakespearean tragedy,Gargoyleswas a clever, thought-provoking series that was not afraid to tap into topics of fairytales, religion, and mythology.
WhileGargoyleshas rightfully become a cult classic in the years since its release, this modern Gothic fairytale deserves far more acclaim for pushing children’s animation into more complex and mature territory. With serious themes underpinning its epic narrative,Gargoylesstood apart from the litany of lighthearted and heavily merchandised cartoon series of the 1990s. With a live-action reboot in development at Disney Plus, audiences can only hope the new iteration ofGargoylescan live up to its esteemed legacy.
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1Horrible Histories (2009 - 2014)
The British children’s historical seriesHorrible Historieswas based on the acclaimed illustrated book of the same name by Terry Deary. With a focus on the dark, gruesome, and at times smelly aspects of British and other Western world history,Horrible Historiesmostly spanned the periods from the Stone Age right through to World War II. With a mix of comedy sketches, musical performances, and hilarious history lessons,Horrible Historiesmanaged to transform the seemingly dull topic of world history into something that was absolutely fascinating for kid viewers.
As a series that was so well-written and consistently funny that children might not even notice how much they were learning,Horrible Historiesproved that educational television does not need to be dull. The gory and grotesque nature of some of its content also showcased that just because it’s dealing with the stuffy topic of history does not mean it needs to be dull.Horrible Historiesrepresented the best of British educational television and even led to spin-off movies like the William Shakespeare filmBillandHorrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans.
