Summary
HBO’s streaming service,HBO Max, has a wide selection of acclaimed series and movies to dive into, from Matt Reeves' excellent foray into crime and familial drama, ThePenguin,to the dragons and political intrigue ofGame of Thrones. HBO has created and housed some of the best TV since 1972, and animated TV is no exception. With engaging stories and jaw-dropping visuals aplenty, animated series allow creatives to take bold directions in how they showcase their stories.
When it comes to animated series, HBO Max has both created and gotten the streaming rights to some of the best works of animation ever put to screen. With a plethora of titles to choose from, it’s often difficult to choose one watch. As is the case with all streaming services, giving viewers that much choice can sometimes be overwhelming and lead to viewers watching shows they’re already familiar with. With that said, these arethe best animated series currently airing on HBO Max.
Samurai Jackcenters around the titular Samurai as he is banished through a time portal to a dystopian future by the shapeshifting demon, Aku. Throughout the series, viewers follow Jack as he fights to find a way back home.
Loved by fans and critics alike, and sitting at over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes,Samurai Jackstands out due to its engaging visuals, well-written dialogue,stellar plot, and incredible fight scenes. If viewers are looking for something to watch on HBO Max,look no further than one of the best animated series on the platform,Samurai Jack.
Set in the magical world of Ooo,Adventure Timeprovides great character moments in conjunction with hilarious hijinksfrom its diverse cast of characters. The show follows Finn the Human and Jake the Dog as they strive to be forces for good in Ooo, protecting those who need it and banishing evil where they can.
Adventure Timeshows its quality from the get-go with its engaging plots and ability to tug on viewers' heartstrings.The character development across its ten-season arcis incredible and more than worthy of a spot on this list.
With over 26 seasons and showing no signs of slowing down,South Parkis a multimedia juggernaut. Expanding from TV into movies and gaming, viewers have been entertained by the often crude, alwayshilarious actions of the wide array of characters inSouth Park.
With so many classic episodes to dive into, like"Casa Bonita," “Trapped in the Closet,” and often cited as the best, “Scott Tenorman Must Die,“South Parkhas held a mirror up to society for over 20 years and is absolutely deserving of a place on this list.
For fans of superhero comics and movies,The Justice League is synonymous with great storytellingand epic efforts to save the world from threat.Justice Leaguebrings many fan-favorite characters, like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, together, and sees them dealing with other-worldly threats.
The strength ofJustice Leaguecomes from the stories, telling the epic battles against Darkseid and Lex Luthor and also featuring Batman’s most famous villain, The Joker.With epic battles, stunning visuals, and great character development,Justice Leagueis one of the best animated series on HBO Max.
Steven Universetells the coming-of-age story of Stevenas he works towards becoming a member of the Crystal Gems to protect the world from threats both in and outside the Crystal Gems.
Steven Universeexcels in its world-building, bringing together high-concept fantasy and sci-fi elements with incredible visuals to pair with its superb writing. The show also touches on important themes of humanity, trauma, and grief.The story feels personal and makes its audience feel deeplyfor its characters, making it a shoo-in for this list.
The series that made Batman the favorite superhero of a generation,Batman: The Animated Seriesshowcases great storytelling within the world of DC’s Dark Knight. Throughout its stellar run,fans are introduced to Batman’s rogues gallery, from Riddler to Clayface, as well as the debut appearance of Harley Quinn.
The visuals displayed inBatman: The Animated Seriesare top tier, full of incredible action and topped off by fantastic performances from the late Kevin Conroy as the Caped Crusader and Mark Hamill as The Joker. With a huge back catalog of content from DC Comics,Batman: The Animated Seriesgives viewers an incredible show to engage with and remains one of the best animated shows on HBO Max.
Harley Quinnis a stellar action comedy animated series from DC Animation Studios. Detailing Harley’s life following her separation from The Joker,Harley QuinnexploresHarley finding her own identity out of the shadow of the Clown Prince of Crime.
The series explores Harley’s relationships with other villains such as Poison Ivy, King Shark, and Dr. Psycho, as well as how she fits into a world dominated by male supervillains. The supporting cast is endlessly entertaining, with the comedy coming to the forefront of the series, due to its excellent writing and the delivery from its voice actors.Harley Quinnis a tour de force in the adult animated comedy genre andone of the best series HBO Max has to offer.
Taking an ensemble cast of less-popular characters and turning them into a pop culture juggernaut is what James Gunn does best, and once again he’s nailed it withCreature Commandos. The most recent release to appear on this list is hilarious, heartbreaking, and action-packed.
The series centers around the titular Creature Commandos as they attempt to stop the assassination of the princess of Pokolistan, offering flashbacks to each character’s origins along the way, all of which reach emotional highs and showcase that these monsters may be more human than their human counterparts. The visuals are gritty and match the tone of the show perfectly, and the plot has twists and turns along the way.The episode detailing the origins of GI Robotis a highlight, being both hilarious and moving withinits limited seven-episode run. James Gunn has written an all-time classic in the superhero genre, andCreature Commandosis currently the best animated series on HBO Max.
