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10 Shows Like Adventure Time To Watch If You Enjoy Animated Shows

November 10, 2022
shows like adventure time

The beloved Cartoon Network Adventure Time Series is a silly kids’ and psychedelic-loving adult’s favourite epic fantasy and undoubtedly one of the best shows of its time. If you are a fan of this visually cute and whimsical show for your consideration, we have curated a list of awesome fantasy shows like Adventure Time.

Adventure Time first aired in 2010 and is now a significant show in the history of Cartoon Network. The highly entertaining elements of the series drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including the fantasy role-playing board game Dungeons & Dragons. Produced using hand-drawn animation, adventure time cartoon has become a part of daily social media and pop culture references.

List of TV Shows Like Adventure Time

  1. Midnight Gospel
  2. Steven Universe
  3. Bravest Warriors
  4. Over the Garden Wall
  5. Summer Camp Island
  6. Rick and Morty
  7. Centaurworld
  8. Gravity Falls
  9. The Owl House 
  10. Courage The Cowardly Dog

1. Midnight Gospel (2020)

Made by Adventure Time creator, The Midnight Gospel is an American Adult TV series and Pendleton Ward’s first animation production for Netflix. The show takes actual podcast interviews between Duncan Trussell and various real-life guests. The interviews are presented as fantastic adventure stories involving narration and dramatic voiceovers of Trussell and the guests. 

The Midnight Gospel follows a space caster named Clance Gilroy (Trussell), who lives on a tape-like planet in a colourful void called the Chromatic Ribbon. Each hilarious episode revolves around Clancy’s travel through new worlds within the stimulator technology. Usually, they end with him barely escaping an apocalyptic event. You can watch The Midnight Gospel if you enjoy animated shows like Adventure Time.

Also Read: Shows like Trailer Park Boys

2. Steven Universe (2013)

Steven Universe is an American Tv series made for Cartoon Network. The show follows the young half-human and half-alien species, Steven Universe. The ‘Gems’ species have magical powers, which Steven inherits from his mother, Rose Quartz. Steven spends his days training under the supervision of Crystal Gems like Amethyst, Garnet, and Pearl. 

The show highlights intense emotions, deep themes, and LGBTQ+ representation through Steven helping his friends and family in various struggles. The show is very artistic and has gorgeous music running throughout the episodes. If you want to see cartoon shows similar to Adventure Time, I recommend you try the heartwarming Steven Universe.

3. Bravest Warriors (2012)

Another show by Adventure Time’s creator Pendleton Ward is Bravest Warriors, an American-Canadian futuristic show set in 3084. Bravest Warriors follows 4 teenage contract heroes as they travel through the universe to save adorable aliens and their worlds. Each of the possesses technology that provides them with unique abilities.

The mature content, crude banter and wacky style of the show are midway between Adventure Time and Rick and Morty. Bravest Warriors was released on YouTube by the production studio Frederator Networks, Inc. This highly entertaining show has gained a well-deserved fan following over the time of its release. Bravest Warriors is one of the best shows similar to Adventure Time, check it out on Amazon prime.

4. Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Over the Garden Wall is a television series for Cartoon Network. This animated series is based on creator McHale’s short film Tome of the Unknown. The story revolves around 2 half-brothers who travel through a mysterious forest to find their way back home. Here they encounter many odd and fantastical things.

The two half-brothers, Wirt and Greg, take the help of an elderly Woodsman, Beatrice, and an irritable blue bird called Adelaide. The show has sweet and haunting music, and the themes of the show are breathtaking. The whimsical and beautiful masterpiece Over the Garden Wall is a must-see. Suppose you want to see entertaining and profound tv shows similar to Adventure Time. In that case, I highly recommend you watch Over the Garden Wall. 

5. Summer Camp Island (2018)

Summer Camp Island is an anthropomorphic American show for Cartoon Network. This series follows the episodic adventures of childhood best friends Oscar (an elephant) and Hedgehog, both of whom attend a magical summer camp. The show has many whimsical and creative characters like camp counsellor witches, yetis, talking sharks, and haunted cabins.

watch the episode ‘The Origins of Suzie’ from Summer Camp Island.

Oscar and Hedgehog must contend with bizarre occurrences involving various characters to make their summer camp experience worthwhile. Summer Camp Island is quite silly and very heart-warming. I found the show to be adorable, fun and calming to watch. So many fans of tv shows like Adventure Time are also fans of this one, which is why it is perfect for you. Watch Summer Camp Island on Amazon Prime. 

6. Rick and Morty (2013)

The top-rated American adult animated series Rick and Morty was created by Cartoon Network’s night-time programming block, Adult Swim. The titular character Rick is an eccentric and alcoholic mad scientist who abstains from modern conventions like love, school, marriage, and family. Furthermore, he goes on futuristic misadventures with his 14-year-old naïve but kind-hearted and easily distressed grandson, Morty. 

watch the fanmade trailer for Rick and Morty here. 

The wild intergalactic adventures open up endless possibilities for new stories where we can see pop culture references to famous movies, shows, and historical events. One example is the entertainingly outrageous episode ‘The Rickshank Rickdemption’ based on the renowned film The Shawshank Redemption. In addition, Rick and Morty is very relatable and one of the best tv series like Adventure Time.

7. Centaurworld (2021)

Centaurworld is a musical comedy television show produced by Sketchshark Productions and Netflix Animation. The premise follows a warhorse on a quest to reunite with her rider after being transported to a whimsical world inhabited by vibrant and singing centaurs. All the characters are designed with distinctive and relatable complex personalities. 

While grotesque at times, Centaurworld is humorous and goofy but also psychologically intense. The songs are beautiful and catchy and will remind you of the musical Rent. While this may not be for everyone, if you are fond of musicals and are looking for shows like Adventure Time, then you are sure to enjoy Centaurworld. 

Also Read: Shows like Heartbreak High

8. Gravity Falls (2012)

Gravity Falls is a top-rated American mystery comedy television series for Disney Plus and Disney XD, and its success paved the way for other shows in this genre. The premise follows 12-year-old twins Dipper and Mabel Pines spending their summer vacation with their great uncle Stan (voiced by the creator Alex Hirsh) in Gravity Falls, Oregon. The mysterious town is full of magic, paranormal incidents, and supernatural creatures.  

The girls help their great uncle run a tourist trap, ‘Mystery Shack’ while investigating the local mysteries. Yes, the story seems odd, but Gravity Falls is a fantastic show with a perfect balance of adult and child humour. Very talented actors voice the characters, and the episodes are highly binge-worthy. If you want to watch more mystery shows like Adventure Time, Gravity Falls should be on your list.

9. The Owl House (2020)

Dana Terrace created a Disney fantasy series called The Owl House, which received widespread critical acclaim from critics and viewers. In particular, the show became noticeable for its LGBTQ+ representation compared to other Disney media. Luc Noceda is a Dominican-American teenage human girl who accidentally stumbles into a Demon realm of Boiling Isles. 

Check out this exclusive clip from The Owl House.  

Luc befriends a rebellious witch Eda Cawthorne, also called ‘The Owl Lady,’ and her demon housemate King. The character King is voiced by the Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsh. Though he did not create this show, there are plenty of similarities: The beautiful visuals, the deep bonds between characters, and the dark fantasy element. At first, the story may seem cliché, a girl discovers magic, but The Owl House is more than that as it brings a different flavour to the world of witchcraft. You can watch The Owl House on Disney Hotstar if you are a fan of the Adventure Time series. 

10. Courage The Cowardly Dog (1996) 

Courage the Cowardly Dog is an iconic 90s television comedy horror cartoon. Originally aired on Cartoon network, the show was distributed to Warner Bros. The show follows the offbeat adventures of a cowardly dog called Courage. He is forced to overcome his fears and heroically defend his farmer-owners from all kinds of dangers, menaces, and paranormal events. By now, you might have guessed. Courage is no ordinary dog; in; he can read, type, and even walk on his feet like a human. 

Watch 2 episodes of Courage The Cowardly Dog here. 

While the lady owner is lovable and kind to Courage, the male owner is always insulting and abusive to him. I’m not going to lie; this show’s story sometimes gets very creepy and can even cause nightmares. But every single episode is so compelling that even years after watching, they are lodged into my memory. If you want to see animated shows like Adventure Time then you should consider Courage the Cowardly Dog. 

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few animated shows like Adventure Time that didn’t make the list, but check them out if you wish:

  1. OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes
  2. Infinity Train
  3. Hilda
  4. Regular Show
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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