9 Best Underrated Adult Swim Shows You Probably Missed

by

Adult Swim is known for popular shows like Rick and Morty, Robot Chicken, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, as well as anime like Cowboy Bebop and Demon Hunter. But beyond these hits, there are nine lesser-known shows on the network that are definitely worth checking out.

Adult Swim is famous for its wacky and funny animated shows, but it also offers some excellent live-action programs and more dramatic series. Popular shows like Samurai Jack, Primal, and The Eric Andre Show are just the beginning – there are plenty of lesser-known, high-quality shows on Adult Swim worth checking out.

9. Haha, You Clowns

Stream On: HBO Max

A brand new, quirky show called Haha, You Clowns recently debuted on Adult Swim in October 2025. Created by online animator and comedian Joe Cappa, it’s the kind of wonderfully weird comedy the network is known for. The show centers around the Campbell family – a dad and his three teenage kids – as they navigate everyday life after experiencing a family loss.

Despite a simple premise, Haha, You Clowns is a great choice for anyone who enjoys quirky and unusual comedy. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why it’s so funny – the characters, who are playfully called ‘himbos,’ are both genuinely sweet and surprisingly over-the-top. The animation is a weirdly charming mix of disturbing and cute, and the show manages to blend everyday life with totally ridiculous scenarios. Ultimately, Haha, You Clowns is something you just need to experience for yourself.

8. Xavier: Renegade Angel

Stream On: Adult Swim

Adult Swim is known for bizarre shows like Mr. Pickles and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, but Xavier: Renegade Angel might be their strangest yet. The show is delightfully confusing, even on an episode-by-episode basis. It centers around Xavier, a shaman, who delivers rambling, psychedelic monologues about surreal experiences.

You may have come across clips of Xavier: Renegade Angel online – it’s unforgettable once you’ve seen it. Xavier’s unusual and complex way of speaking is truly one-of-a-kind. The show’s early 2000s animation style adds to its strange and surreal feel. Combined with its over-the-top storylines, Xavier: Renegade Angel is considered by many to be a classic “stoner show.”

7. Common Side Effects

Stream On: HBO Max

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

The Adult Swim drama Common Side Effects is another show that deserves more attention. It’s a thrilling conspiracy story that explores the world of big pharmaceutical companies, miracle cures, and the search for both physical and spiritual wellness. Without giving away any key plot points, Common Side Effects stands out not only within Adult Swim’s lineup but also as a truly original show overall.

The show, Common Side Effects, is visually striking because it vividly portrays the mental effects of a new drug. It features amazing psychedelic imagery, a sharp and critical look at the pharmaceutical industry, and a fast-paced, exciting story. While it’s a bit different from typical Adult Swim programming, it’s a fantastic show that fits well alongside series like Primal and Samurai Jack.

6. Joe Pera Talks With You

Stream On: Adult Swim

Despite lacking dark humor, “Joe Pera Talks With You” is one of the most unique shows on Adult Swim. Comedian Joe Pera plays a gentle Michigan choir teacher, sharing heartwarming glimpses into his life and town. It’s consistently soothing, delightful, and funny – a truly special find on a network known for different kinds of programming.

You might have come across clips of Joe Pera Talks With You online, and while those are fun, the complete show is truly special. It has plenty of funny bits perfect for sharing, but the full episodes are incredibly heartwarming and unique – I highly recommend watching the whole thing.

5. Mike Tyson Mysteries

Available For Purchase

Despite having everything needed to become a hit, Mike Tyson Mysteries remains an underrated Adult Swim show. The series cleverly parodied Scooby-Doo and featured a surprisingly hilarious performance from Mike Tyson, alongside fantastic voice acting from comedians Norm MacDonald and Jim Rash. It’s a shame it never gained a larger following.

Even though it didn’t become a mainstream hit, Mike Tyson Mysteries is a surprisingly good show worth checking out. It’s inspired by Scooby-Doo, but goes much further. Episodes feature Mike Tyson doing things like liberating prisoners from Guantanamo Bay and going on a lunar adventure, all with a darkly humorous twist.

4. Loiter Squad

Stream On: Adult Swim

You might have seen clips from Tyler, the Creator’s show, Loiter Squad, online. It was a sketch comedy series that originally aired on Adult Swim and also featured other well-known rappers like Earl Sweatshirt. The show created some really memorable comedy sketches, including a birthday sketch that went viral.

Though some clips from Loiter Squad went viral, the show itself only lasted two seasons before the creators moved on to new work. However, even after 13 years, Loiter Squad remains a hilarious choice for anyone looking for a quirky and irreverent sketch comedy show, similar to Key & Peele or Portlandia. It’s packed with funny moments and stands out as a unique live-action offering from Adult Swim.

3. Space Ghost Coast to Coast

Stream On: Adult Swim

One of Adult Swim’s first big hits was Space Ghost Coast to Coast, a strange and unconventional take on late-night talk shows. The show featured a lesser-known cartoon superhero interviewing recordings of real-life celebrities, and it really paved the way for adult-oriented animated comedy. While it didn’t become massively popular at the time, it’s still surprisingly funny and inventive more than 30 years later.

Many consider Space Ghost to be the original, wacky talk show, paving the way for shows like The Eric Andre Show. The humor comes from Space Ghost’s silliness, the clever and unexpected editing of guest interviews, and the show’s dedicated fanbase. Despite inspiring a genre, Space Ghost Coast to Coast remains truly unique.

2. The Venture Bros.

Stream On: Netflix

When The Venture Bros. first aired on Adult Swim in 2004, it was very popular, but a new generation of viewers might not know about it. The show centers around the Venture family and their protector, Brock Samson, as they battle the supervillain known as the Monarch. While it began as a spoof of action-comedy shows, The Venture Bros. ultimately became a fantastic series all its own.

Similar to other Adult Swim shows, The Venture Bros. is known for its quirky and often inappropriate humor – think a murderous Brock and the captivating Dr. Mrs. the Monarch, voiced surprisingly by a male actor. However, the show offers much more than just laughs. Over its seven seasons, The Venture Bros. became renowned for its exciting action, clever writing, and a large, well-developed cast of characters.

1. Metalocalypse

Stream On: Adult Swim

Even if you don’t typically like heavy metal, you might still love Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse. The show, similar in style to This is Spinal Tap, centers around the made-up band Dethklok and their unbelievable rise to power, not just in the music world, but across the entire global economy. Its ridiculous storyline, funny moments, and dedication to metal music make it truly one of a kind.

Like a lot of shows on Adult Swim, Metalocalypse wasn’t made to appeal to everyone. It’s incredibly violent, delightfully bizarre, and full of heavy metal references. But if you’re open to something different and enjoy Adult Swim already, Metalocalypse is definitely worth checking out.

Read More

2025-10-24 02:31