Common Side Effects is an adult animated thriller-comedy created by Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely for Adult Swim, executive produced by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels through their Bandera Entertainment. The story follows Marshall Cuso, an eccentric, burned-out mycologist who discovers a rare mushroom capable of healing almost any ailment — even reversing death. When he reconnects with a former high-school classmate now working at a pharmaceutical giant, his miraculous find sets off a dangerous chase as powerful interests scramble to control, suppress, or exploit it.
Rendered in a lush, hand-drawn style far removed from typical adult cartoons, the series pairs paranoid conspiracy-thriller plotting with dry humor and surprising sincerity about health care, grief, and corporate greed. Dave King and Emily Pendergast lead the voice cast as Marshall and the conflicted pharma executive Frances, with Mike Judge, Danny Huston, and Joseph Lee Anderson among the supporting players, giving the show both comedic bite and genuine tension.
Debuting on Adult Swim in early 2025 and streaming on HBO Max, Common Side Effects became one of the most acclaimed animated series of the year, earning a rare wave of critical enthusiasm and a second-season renewal before its first season had even finished airing. It streams on HBO Max.
"The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy" is an American animated television series created by Maxwell Atoms. It premiered on Cartoon Network on June 13, 2003, and ran for six seasons, concluding on November 9, 2007. The show follows two best friends, Billy and Mandy, who win the Grim Reaper's (simply named Grim) fateful bet to save Billy's pet hamster, Mr. Snuggles, from being killed.
The series is known for its dark and often macabre humor, and features a wide array of supernatural and horror-themed characters and storylines. Despite its dark themes, the show also often delivers positive messages about friendship and teamwork.
Throughout its run, "The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy" received critical acclaim and was praised for its unique blend of horror, comedy, and heart. The show also spawned several spin-off movies, video games, and comic books.
"Ed, Edd n Eddy" is a popular animated TV series that first aired in 1999. The show follows the adventures of three young boys, all named Ed, Edd, and Eddy, who live in a suburban cul-de-sac. The boys come up with various schemes to make money and have fun, often leading to comedic mishaps and misadventures.
Ed is the dim-witted and clumsy member of the trio, while Edd (nicknamed "Double D") is the brains of the group and often serves as the mediator between the other two. Eddy is the leader of the group and is always trying to come up with new ways to make money, often at the expense of his friends. The show also features a cast of quirky and eccentric characters, including the Kanker Sisters, a trio of girls who are infatuated with the Eds.
The show has been praised for its unique animation style, humor, and relatable characters. It ran for six seasons and a total of 71 episodes, with its final episode airing in 2009. "Ed, Edd n Eddy" has become a beloved classic among fans of animated television, and continues to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
Courage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated television series created by John R. Dilworth. The show follows the adventures of Courage, a timid and easily frightened dog, and his elderly owners, Muriel Bagge and Eustace Bagge, who live in a farmhouse in the middle of Nowhere, Kansas. The show originally aired on Cartoon Network from 1999 to 2002 and has since become a cult classic.
The series is known for its mix of horror, comedy, and surrealism, with each episode featuring Courage and his owners encountering bizarre and often terrifying creatures and situations. Despite his fears, Courage always manages to find the courage to save the day and protect his owners from harm. The show has been praised for its animation, writing, and voice acting, and has won several awards including two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Courage the Cowardly Dog has gained a devoted fanbase over the years and has been praised for its unique blend of horror and humor, as well as its exploration of darker themes such as death, isolation, and mental illness. The show has also been noted for its use of visual storytelling and sound design to create a creepy and unsettling atmosphere. Although it was cancelled after four seasons, Courage the Cowardly Dog remains a beloved and influential series that has left a lasting impact on the world of animation.
Squidbillies is an American adult animated television series that premiered in 2005. The show is about the adventures of the Cuyler family, who are squids living in the Appalachian Mountains. The characters often get into strange and humorous situations while dealing with issues like poverty, politics, and family relationships.
The main character, Early Cuyler, is a rough and tough squid who enjoys drinking, fighting, and causing trouble. He is often accompanied by his son Rusty, who is naïve and easily influenced by his father's behavior. The show also features a cast of supporting characters, including Early's sister, Lil, and his nemesis, Sheriff.
Squidbillies has received both praise and criticism for its humor and portrayal of Southern culture. Some critics have accused the show of perpetuating negative stereotypes, while others have praised its satirical take on current events. Despite the mixed reception, the show has developed a dedicated fan base and has aired over 140 episodes across 12 seasons.
"Tom Goes to the Mayor" is an American adult animated television series created by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim for Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. The show premiered on November 14, 2004, and consists of 30 episodes spanning two seasons. It is known for its distinctive animation style, which combines photographic cutouts with traditional animation techniques.
The show revolves around the character of Tom Peters, a hapless entrepreneur who seeks the help of his eccentric and often incompetent mayor, Jefferton, in turning his ideas into reality. Each episode features Tom presenting his latest scheme to the mayor, who inevitably makes things worse by implementing it in a bizarre and often dangerous way. Along the way, Tom encounters a cast of eccentric and often deranged characters, including his long-suffering wife Joy, his creepy neighbor Gibbons, and the enigmatic and possibly supernatural figure known only as "The Duke."
Despite its short run, "Tom Goes to the Mayor" has become a cult favorite among fans of surreal and absurdist humor. The show's distinctive animation style, which combines crude cutouts with detailed backgrounds and a muted color palette, has been cited as a major influence on later adult animated series such as "Rick and Morty" and "BoJack Horseman." While the show's humor can be divisive and off-putting to some viewers, its loyal fan base appreciates its willingness to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in mainstream television.
Sealab 2021 was an American animated television series that aired on Adult Swim from 2000 to 2005. The show was a parody of the 1970s animated series Sealab 2020, which was about a research facility on the ocean floor. Sealab 2021 reuses the original footage from Sealab 2020 and combines it with new animation and comedic voiceovers to create a completely different show.
The show revolves around a group of researchers who live and work in the underwater research facility called Sealab. However, instead of conducting serious scientific research, the characters engage in bizarre and absurd activities, such as throwing parties, playing pranks on each other, and engaging in ridiculous experiments.
Sealab 2021 was praised for its clever writing and irreverent humor, but it also drew criticism for its heavy use of profanity and sexual humor. Nevertheless, the show developed a cult following and has been regarded as one of the most influential animated series of its time.
Metalocalypse is a television show that aired from 2006 to 2013. The show follows the lives of a fictional metal band named Dethklok, who are considered the world's most popular and influential musicians. The show focuses on the band's everyday life, including their struggles with fame, relationships, and their attempts to maintain their status as the most successful metal band in the world.
The show is known for its dark humor and graphic violence, often depicting the band members engaging in extreme and bizarre behavior. Despite its humorous tone, the show also addresses serious issues such as addiction, depression, and the consequences of fame. The show has been praised for its unique blend of comedy and drama, as well as its exploration of the darker aspects of the music industry.
Metalocalypse has gained a cult following and has been praised for its innovative animation style and original music, which is performed by the fictional band within the show. The show has also spawned merchandise such as albums, comic books, and video games. While it only ran for four seasons, Metalocalypse remains a beloved and influential show in the world of metal and animation.
