10 Most Twisted Animated TV Shows
There have been a lot of great TV cartoon series over the decades, but only a few deserve the moniker of “twisted.” Here are our choices for the ten most twisted cartoons on American TV.
10. Space Ghost Coast to Coast. 1994-2004. Imagine an animated late-night talk show where the host is a mostly retired superhero, the house musician is a giant praying mantis, Zorak, the director is an old nemesis, Moltar, and the guests are live action. That’s Space Ghost Coast to Coast – probably more crazy than truly twisted. (The interviews were real, but were done by a cast member that sometimes wore a Space Ghost costume.) Would that there was a real late night superhero talkshow like this. The clip below is from when The Ramones appeared.
9. Futurama. 1999-2003. Futurama has elements of creator Matt Groening’s other creation, The Simpsons, but with a much crazier cast of animated characters, set in the future, and replete with glass-encased heads of current celebrities, megalomaniac robots (Bender), really dumb lead characters (Fry), one-eyed hot chicks (Leela), supersmart but forgetful scientists, very hungry humanoid creatures, lots of celebrity guests, unrequited love and zany plots. The clip below is from Futurama: Bender’s Big Score, which is a full-length feature video from 2007.
8. Aqua Teen Hunger Force. 2000-2006(?). Aqua Teen Hunger Force (ATHF) consists of a bunch of slacker superheroes in the form of a milkshake, a meatball and an order of fries. They first appeared on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, then got their own show. Master Shake, Frylock and Meatwad will save the day, if they feel like it.
In real life, Boston was shut down when the ATHF movie was promoted in such way as to make authorities believe there was a bomb scare. Stupidity or brilliant marketing? Or just twisted.
7. Celebrity Deathmatch. 1998-present. Celebrity Deathmatch is a definitely twisted claymation series pitting well-known and lesser-known celebrities against each other. Extremely violent in depiction but surprisingly funny at the same time because of little joke references for each celebrity. The clip below pits Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox and Lisa Kudrow against each other.
6. Ripping Friends. 2001-2002. John Kricfalusi outdid himself, graduating from Ren and Stimpy (listed below) to the short-lived but twisted Ripping Friends, about quadruplet superhero brothers of slightly different ages and even different races. When villains appear and logic doesn’t work, it’s ripping time. Brute force and violence wins the day.
5. Robot Chicken. 2005-present. Robot Chicken offers a constant stream of (insane) consciousness claymation and doll/ puppet segments. To wit: raptors (from Jurassic Park) that put on roller blades and do a synchronized disco skate routine around their prey. Or a Big Brother-style reality show featuring a whole bunch of movie psychos including Ghost Face (Scream), Michael Myers (Halloween), Pinhead (Hellraiser). Or violently but nutty spoofs of Star Trek, Star Wars, loads of other movies, and pop culture icons. And so on, ad infinitum. The clip below is a spoof of 2007’s 300 movie.
4. Beavis and Butthead. 1993-1997. Mike Judge made his name with this pair of annoying idiots that nevertheless endeared themselves to so many people. Personally, I prefer Judge’s later effort, King of the Hill, but it’s just not as demented as Beavis and Butthead. Uh huh huh huh. These guys even had their own Celebrity Deathmatch episode (which mixed animation and claymation). Here’s a clip from the classic Vaya Con Cornholio. Long live Beavis’ bunghole.
3. Ren and Stimpy. 1991-1996. John Kricfalusi takes the crown as the most twisted cartoon creator. He first got serious notice from us twisted toon lovers via Ren and Stimpy, about the animated antics of a chihuaha and a cat roommates with a love/hate relationship. Watch any episode of this series and you’ll probably wonder if Kricfalusi spent any time in the nuthouse. Let’s hope this series isn’t autobiographical. Here’s a clip from the “Jerry the Bellybutton Elf” episode.
2. South Park. 1997-present. I wasn’t originally a big fan of this series, epecially when kids started watching and pipsqueaks started being foul-mouthed. But every once in a while, I found myself sneaking a peek at an episode. Kinda like eating a whole big bag of potato chips when I should know better. My all-time favorite episode is when Jesus and Satan have a boxing match. Only a truly twisted mind can create such simultaneously crazy and introspective tales. Pure demented genius. Here’s a montage clip of various fight scenes, set to Disturbed’s Down With the Sickness.
1. Drawn Together. 2004-present. I used to think no one could outdo Kricfalusi, but Dave Jeser and Matt Silverstein have done it with the completely demented, totally politically incorrect, sometimes sickening Drawn Together. It’s a Big Brother-like cartoon reality show that spoofs characters from traditional cartoons and comic books. Characters include an insecure, snivelling superhero; a gay elf; a battling; cute Japanese anime monster (who looks a lot like Pikachu); a sexy African-American girl who is part fox and all stereotype; a racist princess; a gluttonous Betty Boop-like character; a pig with a revolting personality (if the others weren’t enough). And there are the obligatory guests from time to time. You’ll either love Drawn Together or you’ll hate it. Here’s a mixed clip, set to Sanitarium by Metallica.
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On January 23rd 2008, You forgot wrote:
Invader Zim… far more sick and twisted than Ren and Stimpy or Beavis and Butthead
On January 23rd 2008, Celebrity Cowboy wrote:
No Simpsons?
On January 23rd 2008, munky wrote:
Angry Beavers, Oggy and the Cockroaches and father of the Pride should also be on the list.
Nutless squirrels!
On January 23rd 2008, Older than I look wrote:
Honorable mentions should also go to ‘Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy’ and don’t forget ‘Courage the Cowardly Dog’
STOOPID DOG!
On January 23rd 2008, George wrote:
WTF? How could you leave off Happy Tree Friends? Also I think Monkey Dust deserves to be on the list, though perhaps that’s not well known outside the UK. Both are way twisteder than Futurama (though not as clever).
On January 23rd 2008, El cabong wrote:
What about Duckman? Am I the only one who views that cartoon as out there, but totally funny and clever?!
On January 24th 2008, Eric Diaz wrote:
Wheres Invader Zim? That show was so bizarre and twisted.
On January 24th 2008, Skeep wrote:
Lucy Daughter of the Devil anyone????
On January 24th 2008, Younger than I Look wrote:
Two Stupid Dogs
Geeker
Come on. Anyone remember Geeker? Very twisted.
On January 24th 2008, melissa wrote:
I also love Zim
On January 24th 2008, Lex10 wrote:
BRAK
On January 24th 2008, msp wrote:
no family guy?!!!
On January 24th 2008, Sniper Fox wrote:
Wow, what cartoon was ever more twisted than Tripping The Rift?
On January 24th 2008, Rob wrote:
No Wonder Showzen?
On January 24th 2008, JJ wrote:
Oblongs:
http://www.adultswim.com/shows/oblongs/
On January 24th 2008, SteelyD wrote:
Earthworm Jim…anyone else remember that one?
On January 24th 2008, The Crapon wrote:
No mention of The Maxx? The Maxx was waaaaayy more twisted than any of these, it dealt with the random violence of society from the disturbed Jungian viewpoint of a superhero who may or may not even exist, even to himself. I still have nightmares about Julie’s story about the bunny. No real humor in it, which made it even more frightening and disturbing. Too true to be funny.
On January 24th 2008, River Styx wrote:
Worst article ever, whoever wrote it based most of their opinion on what was made within the last few years. That’s how news is though, always forgetting about its past.
Drawn together and robot chicken are lame, ATHF bored me, and neither will be around in several years and no one will care then either.
You forgot Cartoon Sushi and Liquid Television, and celebrity deathmatch just plain sucks, but why even bother. I’m glad you didn’t include Family Guy, that show is just ridiculous and every episode is the same formula.
On January 24th 2008, Joe wrote:
I’ll second Invader Zim (on Nickelodeon, but by Jhonen Vasquez, author of both Filler Bunny and Johnny the Homicidal Manaic), and add Mad Jack the Pirate (by Bill Knopp, who also did Eek the Cat, as well as Schnookums and Meat)
And, as you have one claymation in your ‘animated’ list, I’d also add Rex the Runt (which although by Aardman Studios, is nothing like Wallace and Gromit)
On January 24th 2008, Jeebus wrote:
Venture Bros.
Sealab 2021
I’m surprised they left those off. The stimutacs and session eps of Sealab are just completely out there. And pretty much anything Brock Sampson (Patrick Warburton) does in Venture Bros is hilarious.
On January 24th 2008, pissedoff wrote:
Happy tree friends is #1
On January 24th 2008, WereTiger wrote:
C’mon! Mega Babies SCREAMS to be in this list, so much more than most of the candidates.
“The babies were given super strength and super booger , poopie and vomiting powers…”
C’mon, how does that not qualify?
I suggest this list is amateurish, some of the other shows mentioned in the comments belong in this top 10 list (Duckman, Invader Zim, Happy Tree Friends)
On January 24th 2008, NewGuy wrote:
Drawn Together is simply boring. AfroSamrai is much more entertaining and very twisted.
On January 24th 2008, Groover wrote:
The Maxx, now there was a twisted ‘toon
On January 24th 2008, ChuckyG wrote:
Drawn Together can be modified to read 2004-2007 as it was definitely canceled. Invader Zim is a much needed entry as well, a brilliant satire of consumer culture.
On January 24th 2008, TP wrote:
What about Metalocalypse? That show rocks. Any show with characters named William Murderface, Nathan Explosion, Toki Wartooth, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, and Pickles deserves to be in this list.
On January 24th 2008, DarthVCDr wrote:
Unfortunately, this was the last year for Drawn Together.
How about Clone High (U.S.A) ? that was pretty warped.
On January 24th 2008, Cap'n wrote:
Where the hell is VENTURE BROS… what a sad list.
On January 24th 2008, Cap'n wrote:
What no VENTURE BROS… what a sad list.
On January 24th 2008, ross wrote:
I used to watch the angry beavers and Ren n Stimp
On January 24th 2008, PJ wrote:
A number of the ones above, including Family Guy, Simpsons (not so much), Invader Zim (definitely), Courage, The Oblongs, Duckman, and HTF, should’ve been mentioned
On January 24th 2008, bill parker wrote:
Nice advertisement for Drawn Together. Probably the worst animated series on tv. I like that you put in a few classic Adult swim shows which everyone knows owns the market on twisted shows. Not sure if Drawn Together is even watched…by anyone???
But great job plugging that show. Really. Drawn Together in the number one spot. I think we have a Comedy Central fan or employee who wrote this. Drawn Together does not even register on the hearts and minds of anyone when it comes to this topic and I am personally offended that not only is it on this list…but it is number one!? Way off course and you have lost ALL credibility when it comes to rating classic animation.
On January 24th 2008, thinsoldier wrote:
I won’t say which shows I think were more or less twisted than the 10 listed but I do agree with the comments in general. Your list sucks. Read the comments, check out the shows, revise your list.
On January 24th 2008, p to the c wrote:
c’mon squidbillies should easily be number one. especially the episode where early kidnaps santa so that he can force him to give him the only present he’s ever asked for, the still beating heart of Jeff Gordon.
On January 24th 2008, Television Online wrote:
Good list, quite complete actually – the only thing i’d add is Anime (as in Japanese anime) which can be completely off the wall in terms of depiction.
On January 24th 2008, DethHead wrote:
Are you serious? You leave off Metalocalypse and Tom Goes to the Mayor. This list sucks. Might as well be named “I was bored and came up with a list of cartoons that I watched while high eating Cheetos” Seriously don’t come up with a list if you don’t have enough knowledge of the subject.
On January 24th 2008, Dinah wrote:
Shame, no Maxx and no Aeon Flux. I can only imagine the creator of this list is no older than 23.
On January 24th 2008, spanker wrote:
I think bill parker sucks. Then gets bricked.
Did you all forget Princess the dog cartoons?
Ok so it was never on tv but it is more twisted than most anything but drawn together. But you people here are idiots and figure if you didnt like the show then it was not twisted. You all wouldnt know twisted if your imaginary girlfriends were twisting your sack!
On January 24th 2008, Failman wrote:
Fail.
On January 24th 2008, bill wrote:
i’m with the other bill, drawn together is pretty much the worst show ever. about time they canceled that crapfest.
don’t forget about rocko’s modern life! it’s hard to be more twisted than a show (presumably) for kids that did an entire episode based on “the shining” and had a main character who was a cow (sorry, steer), raised by wolves and loved to eat hamburgers. then there was the ‘chokey chicken’ restaurant and peaches, the evil ruler of heck….great stuff.
On January 24th 2008, Matt Castille » Blog Archive » 10 Most Twisted Animated TV Shows wrote:
[...] Most Twisted Animated TV Shows 10 Most Twisted Animated TV Shows | TV Crunch: 10 Most Twisted Animated TV [...]
On January 24th 2008, Rae wrote:
Come on dude!!! Family guy doesn’t make this list? Total bull.
On January 24th 2008, Cartoon Junkie wrote:
Whatever dude. Did you guys even try. This list should be called “10 Animated TV Shows that Everyone Knows About and Already Watches.” Pfft. You wanted twisted shows, you’re gonna have to look harder than this list. Look up “Perfect Hair Forever.” Now THAT’s the REAL shiz. Also, “Jump Cuts”, “Dumbland” and Invader Zim if you wanna pick something mainstream. I was hoping I’d actually learn something by reading this list. ROOKIE BIOTCHES!
On January 24th 2008, Boshow wrote:
Drawn together may be twisted, but it still sucks. It jumped the shark in the first 10 minutes of the show. There are a bunch of shows on adult swim that should be on here. Namely metalocolypse, 12 oz. mouse, and squidbillies
On January 24th 2008, BatMan wrote:
I would have to say John Callahan’s Quads was one of the more twisted cartoons it made fun of people with disabilities, people with out disabilities, gays, straight people, black people, white people and the rich… Also it was drawn by a guy in a wheelchair… and he’s Canadian thats like a triple threat Cartoonist, Canadian, and Cripple
On January 24th 2008, 10 Most Twisted Animated TV Shows « Thoughts by Isaac wrote:
[...] January 24, 2008 http://tv.popcrunch.com/10-most-twisted-animated-tv-shows/ [...]
On January 24th 2008, azumafuji wrote:
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. This was twisted in a most twisted way. I really don’t know what Cartoon Network was thinking when they started airing that one.
On January 24th 2008, BRAK!!! wrote:
Hi, My name is BRAK!!!
On January 24th 2008, anonymous wrote:
Drawn Together beat Ren & Stimpy?! Drawn Together is about the most un-funny thing traversing the airwaves, short of MadTV, but that’s not a cartoon.
Drawn Together doesn’t even belong on the list. It has its moments, few and far between as they are, but it’s not nearly on the “twisted” level as the other cartoons that were mentioned. At the very least, it should not be #1 on a list of “Most Twisted”.
Other commenters have suggested some great shows. Rocko’s Modern Life, Invader Zim, The Oblongs. All very worthy of a list of twisted cartoons.
On January 24th 2008, juicer wrote:
Definitely forgot all the good old ones.. lots of kids shows are actually pretty twisted.. i wish i could still watch eek the cat or some of those other old ones
On January 24th 2008, port wrote:
cant believe they left off invader zim
On January 24th 2008, PHF wrote:
I’m with cartoon junkie, perfect hair forever should have been on this list. That is one twisted show. And it’s pretty damn funny, too!
On January 24th 2008, miked wrote:
Drawn Together = Worst show ever (corporate wannabe fringe toon)
Squidbillies = greatest cartoon about hillbilly squid ever
On January 24th 2008, evilsoup wrote:
I disagree that Drawn Together is in any way twisted. Twisted cartoons throw things at you from way out in left field. Having a bunch of facile pop-culture stereotypes doing predictable things isn’t twisted. A parody of reality-shows were people are continuously surprising the audience by sinking to new depths of depravity is twisted and entertaining mostly because it’s real. It takes nothing for an animated show to one-up reality and consequently should take more to really impress. Case in point, what’s more twisted, a game show where people throw up and have to eat their vomit to win prizes or a cartoon where characters throw up and it their vomit? Purely hypothetical. And gross.
So Drawn Together, number 1, eh? I was following along until you got to the end. I’ve never understood people who enjoy it.
On January 24th 2008, jart wrote:
i love most of those shows, but i think your definition of twisted is twisted. futurama is NOT twisted; it’s an effing great show, but not usually twisted. there are episodic exceptions, but overall (like someone else mentioned) the oblongs are WAY more twisted. as is sponge bob for that matter.
On January 24th 2008, Rick wrote:
1) Stressed Eric
2) Duckman
On January 24th 2008, 80 wrote:
i can’t believe how far down the comments i had to get before someone mentioned 12 oz. mouse.
if you understand that show, you need to get help.
On January 24th 2008, mobius wrote:
what about frisky dingo??? GIVE ME CAT PARTY OR IT’S GONNA BE TALON PARTY AT YOUR FACE’S HOUSE!
On January 24th 2008, frakazoid wrote:
FREAKAZOID and THE TICK are missing.
On January 24th 2008, URDUM wrote:
This list is a failure and misses so many better bizarre cartoons.
On January 24th 2008, RTM wrote:
Minoriteam, Frisky Dingo, Squidbillies, Duckman, Harvey Birdman, Happy Treefriends, Invader Zim, Oblongs, Venture Bros, Sealab 2021, Metalocalypse…
List = FAIL
This uninformed nobody is posting obvious Digg-bait. BURY!
On January 24th 2008, PJ wrote:
dammit, I totally forgot freakazoid. Animaniacs is missing too, it’s definitely further along than some of the ones in the list.
On January 24th 2008, Chad Walters wrote:
Clearly You’ve not seen Xavier : Renegade Angel. It makes Invader Zim, Ren and Stimpy, The Oblongs, Squidbillies, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force look like the Captain Planet. Truly twisted. And yeah, Drawn Together sucks balls.
On January 24th 2008, Chad Walters wrote:
Maybe I should have left Squidbillies off my list. It’s pretty damn twisted too.
On January 24th 2008, Hannah wrote:
..Family guy? & drawn together just sucks.
On January 25th 2008, memals wrote:
sammari pizza cats
On January 25th 2008, Jeff wrote:
Monkeydust should come above ren and stimpy, especially the scene where the health service rebrand cancer as an attractive end of life option rather than hire doctors
On January 25th 2008, Every lame responder wrote:
WAAAAAAAA! YOU LEFT OUT MY FAVORITE ANIMATED SHOW ___________ (fill in the blank)! YOU SUCK! WAAAAAAAAA!!!!
On January 25th 2008, Early Cuyler wrote:
SQUIDBILLIES?
On January 26th 2008, allan wrote:
-invader zim
-the simpsons
-courage the cowardly dog
-billy and mandy
-that bloody cartoon on MTV.. (I forgot the title)
-family guy
-catdog
-shorties watching shorties.. well,kinda bored me but still part good..
–
btw why is fairly oddparents and spongebob not here? xD
–
Family guy and Drawn together are probably the best disturbing cartoons I have ever watched..and I’m a minor.. xD (
On January 26th 2008, Cackle wrote:
Rockos modern Life? HELLO?AHH Real Monsters?
wtf drawn together…….you have to be brain dead to enjoy it
On January 26th 2008, Scott Conway wrote:
I agree with El cabong. Duckman is way more twisted than Futurama could ever hope to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FszV6lM1Xx0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WzZ7vpBc44
On January 26th 2008, VideoDoc wrote:
Just VideoDoc’s opinion – although he doesn’t watch Cartoon network or that kind of, he found Samurai Jack a very cool animated series
On January 26th 2008, GiantHanCOCK wrote:
This top10 sucks, no Brothers Grunt? lameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-O
On January 26th 2008, Michael Argilagos wrote:
The Oblongs
On January 26th 2008, laighid wrote:
what about rockos modern life? or duckman? or invader zim? or aeon flux? or the Maxx/the head(mTV’s oddities)
i agree with most of these comments, this top 10 sucks.
On January 27th 2008, Meatbyproducts wrote:
OK I will agree that this list is VERY lacking and I have read the comments left…. some GREAT shows but still I believe one very odd show left out. EEK the Cat! please re-list the top ten and drop that pile Drawn Together, it was funny for about 1 show and then got dumb.
On January 28th 2008, oriund wrote:
Drawn Together????? super extra lame.
On January 29th 2008, God1 wrote:
List is backwards – cannot stand Drawn Together-sorry.
‘Genius’ is :
Space Ghost and South Park.
On January 31st 2008, Nelson B. wrote:
Don’t forget Cow and Chicken!! They are very, very twisted even they appear in a children channel.
On February 7th 2008, n8_mac wrote:
I’d vote for Wonder Showzen, that show is definitely messed up.
On February 8th 2008, [KwZ] wrote:
Wonder Showzen indeed tops this list.
On February 12th 2008, AmateurFool wrote:
Angry Kid – Created for the BBC by Aardman animations.
http://www.angrykid.com
On February 14th 2008, GOD wrote:
Drawn Together is a terrible cartoon…..I hate that stupid show.
On February 22nd 2008, halohampster wrote:
who the HELL would forget to put Happy Tree Friends on here? omg, such cute animals, yet so violantly active…. almost vomited once…. lolz
On February 26th 2008, Watch Anime Online wrote:
Happy Tree Friends isn’t actually a real show though…is it?
On April 16th 2008, animation » Blog Archive » 10 Most Twisted Animated TV Shows wrote:
[...] read more | digg story [...]
On May 22nd 2008, itsalljustaride wrote:
I agree with River Styx here. this list is basically just a list of the top few animated shows on right now. CN and FOX basically have the adult toon market cornered, and the list basically just has those shows on it. Author is definitely not older than 23, probably younger.
One I havn’t seen mentioned is that Tex Avery show that was on for a while. It was very “Ren and Stimpy” weird. Borderline sexist at times, but was on during the morning toons block. Some not-so-subtle sexual humor sometimes.
On June 11th 2008, television » Blog Archive » 10 Most Twisted Animated TV Shows wrote:
[...] read more | digg story [...]
On January 22nd 2009, josh tesch wrote:
Missing much?
are u like 6?
u missed a few epic shows that are still airing, and u cant forget thoses childhood cartoons we grew up with.
(not in any order)
superjail? by far the most twisted,
the simpsons
i really dont wanna say family guy but they have gone over the line n did some twisted shit.
angry beavers
2 stupid dogs
earthworm jim
oblongs
cow and chicken
rockos modern life
duckman
animaniacs
freakazoid
squidbillies
stroker and hoop
venture bros
harvey birdman
sealab 2021
metalacalypes
spongebob(only because they are clearly gay for eachother)
n how could u forget looney toons like bugs bunny, and wiley cyote (shitty spelling)
even though cow and chicken, 2 stupid dogs, spongebob, angry beavers, and many others are pretty much copying ren n stimpy by having some form of a epic duo, theres a dumb one, and one who thinks hes smart, or clever. but they desrve to be on the list.
On February 5th 2009, whatever wrote:
Invader Zim deffinatly deserves its spot.
On February 10th 2009, micki wrote:
all twisted, & the ones i watched i loved, R&S in particular.i could watch this show with my son and we’d both laugh till we cried. now Duckman is in a class by itself”Room with a Bellview” Duckmans tirade is a classic .still searching for the complete dvd set
On May 28th 2009, Kelly wrote:
Courage the Cowardly Dog is a top five twisted show in my book! That show started off kinda funny but in each episode it turned pretty creepy. It wasn’t an Adult Swim show, but it was on Cartoon Network. I’ll never forget a choice few of those episodes, like the plague one and the demented, if sexual predator-like barber.
On August 6th 2009, alsopissedoff wrote:
courage the cowardly dog
family guy, why aint they on the list?!!!!!
invader zim
and lets not forget the most twisted show which i think should be number 1, HAPPY TREE FRIENDS!!!!! come on a show that has death and murder but looks so innocent in the beginning. now thats twisted
On September 25th 2009, rob wrote:
no superjail?????????????
On September 25th 2009, monsterofjonesboro wrote:
no Brothers Grunt, The Head, or Aeon Flux?
On November 16th 2009, ali wrote:
Duckman, the Critic, the Tick
On November 21st 2009, Masterge77 wrote:
Why come no Family Guy