When thinking about our favorite shows from when we were kids, chances are that the first thing that comes to mind is fun. After all, that’s the main purpose of children’s shows: to entertain their audience and, in some cases, teachsome valuable lessons. As kids, we spend hours and hours watching our favorite characters experience the most amusing adventures, to the point of knowing the lines of the episodes by heart for all the times we’ve re-watched them. This comes as no surprise: the people who make children’s shows know exactly what to do to drive audiences crazy.
But, over the years, there have been a number of children’s shows that, besides featuring a dose of humor that only kids can enjoy, have stood out for being surprisingly mature, addressing very serious topics or featuring characters with stories that can easily move any adult. Here are some of the most mature kids' shows in history.
10The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988-1991)
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The New Adventures of Winnie the Poohhit Disney Channel in January 1988, and in no time became one of the most successful shows within the franchise of the popular character created by author A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard. This TV show, which follows the silly adventures of the industry’s most beloved bear and his friends, aired for four seasons, ending in 1991.
What Makes It Mature
Right from the start, it’s obvious why this show stands out from others: its calm pace and charming dialogues make it a relaxing experience for anyone to watch. But apart from this, it deals with major themes such as loneliness, honesty, and responsibility through the things that the characters go through, and they all have their own flaws and issues, just like everyone else in the world.
Stream on Disney+
9The Dragon Prince (2018-Present)
There was a time when the magical land of Xadia and the Human Kingdoms were at peace, though that is long gone, as deeds on both sides resulted in a never-ending conflict. Now, two human princes and a female elf set out to end the war between their worlds once and for all after they make a history-changing discovery. That’s the plot ofThe Dragon Prince, Netflix’s hit show that has been runningfor five seasonsand is expecting two more.
The Dragon Princecomes from the creators ofAvatar: The Last Airbender, and like this show, it deals with some very dark subjects for a children’s production, as war is its main context. Throughout its seasons, it introduces some rather violent situations, such as deaths and battle scenes that suggest that it is aimed at a significantly older audience than it really is.
Stream on Netflix
8Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
Gravity Falls
Regarded as one of the greatest shows Disney ever made,Gravity Fallsfollows the adventures of Dipper and Mabel, a pair of twins who are sent to spend their summer vacation with their great uncle Stan in Gravity Falls, a mysterious yet seemingly peaceful town where nothing is as it seems.
Gravity Fallsis a show that both children and adults can enjoy, and its episodes are riddled with secret messages and Easter eggs that do nothing but prove how clever and sophisticated this TV show is. But, apart from that, things get darker as the story progresses, and the way they deal with everything that happens to the main characters in this eerie town and the traumas they go through is very mature, as is the complex portrayal of Dipper and Mabel’s sibling bond.
7Adventure Time (2010-2018)
Adventure Time
Just asGravity Fallsis one of Disney’s best shows, Pendleton Ward’sAdventure Timegrew into one ofCartoon Network’s most acclaimed series, following over the course of its 10 seasons the adventures of Finn and his best friend and adopted brother Jake the Dog as they attempt to make their way through the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo.
Many things makeAdventure Timea surprisingly mature show that appeals to older audiences. Among them, its brilliance in dealing with themes such as tragedy and betrayal stands out, showcasing how its characters manage to endure different traumas and learn from them. In addition, the show offers a unique point of view regarding its villains, delving into their feelings and deeply explaining why they do the things they do.
Stream on Hulu
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6Rocko’s Modern Life (1993-1996)
Rocko’s Modern Life
In 1993, and in the midst of the golden age of cartoons, Nickelodeon premieredRocko’s Modern Life, a Joe Murray show that aired for four seasons, focusing on an Australian wallaby named Rocko and the wacky experiences he embarks on with his dog Spunky and his friends and neighbors in his new home, O-Town.
Rocko’s Modern Lifewas quite controversial during its time on the air, as its adult humor and constant social satire led many people to consider it not suitable for children. Still, the maturity of this TV show stems mostly from the plot itself: Rocko is a young wallaby that is just entering adulthood, and he runs into the same problems that any young adult goes through, something that makes the show very relatable to older audiences.
Stream on Fubo
5Steven Universe (2013-2019)
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar’sSteven Universefollows the adventures of a young boy named Steven, who is half-human and half-Gem. He is part of the Crystal Gems, a group of magical creatures who do everything they can to look after the universe. The popularity of this five-season show spurred the development of a film and a second TV series,Steven Universe Future.
Steven Universeis a show heavily themed around family and love, especially regarding the main character’s backstory. However, over the course of the episodes, it deals with much deeper issues than what kids can grasp, such aspost-traumatic stress disorder, identity, and even abusive relationships, something that is not often explored in children’s shows.
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4Hey Arnold! (1996-2004)
hey arnold
Hey Arnold!is, for many, the best show to ever air on Nickelodeon, and its fan base continues to watch it to this day. This Craig Bartlett creation aired from 1996 to 2004, following Arnold, a young boy living with his grandparents in Hillwood, Washington, where he has the most varied adventures with his extended (and slightly eccentric) group of friends.
This show offers a unique take on adolescence and city life, gracefully depicting the ups and downs that come with growing up. Despite being a hilarious production full of humorous moments,Hey Arnold!manages to transition from laughter to thrills in no time, relying on its quirky characters to appeal to the audience with topics such as dysfunctional families, substance abuse and the struggles of adulthood.
3Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Over the Garden Wall
Cartoon Network’s first miniseries,Over the Garden Wallpremiered to wide acclaim in 2014, introducing Wirt and Greg, two half-brothers who get lost in a mysterious forest known as the Unknown on an adventure and set out on a quest to get home safe and sound. This TV show was especially praised for the work of its voice cast, featuring Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey, and Christopher Lloyd.
Over the Garden Wallis a show as dark as it is dreamy, set in a fairy-tale atmosphere that manages to engage both children and adults. But, like many of the shows on this list, it has a whole new meaning when watched as an adult, which has everything to do with the mature topics it deals with throughout the episodes as well as the many literary and cinematic references that go unnoticed in the eyes of children.
2Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999-2002)
Courage the Cowardly Dog
Courage the Cowardly Dogis probably the weirdest and least childish show in Cartoon Network’s repertoire. This kid-friendly horror comedy introduces Courage, a scary little dog who lives with an elderly couple on a farm in Nowhere, a place that is constantly haunted by paranormal beings and creepy creatures.
There is no doubt that this John R. Dilworth show belongs on this list: its dark nature has caused many fans toremember its episodeswith dread even to this day. But, apart from that, it delves into complex and mature themes, exploring emotions such as fear and anxiety through the adventures of the hero, who, time and time again, transcends his greatest fears to save the ones he loves.
Stream on Max
1Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Rounding out this list isAvatar: The Last Airbender, another production that, over the years, won a spot among the best shows on TV. In this Nickelodeon series, the world is divided into four nations ruled by the natural elements that coexist peacefully — until the Fire Nation unleashes a war to expand its empire. The world’s sole hope rests with Aang, the Avatar who has the ability to master the four elements, but to save them all, he must first learn to handle his gift.
This popular show has been widely acclaimed, for the most part, for its ability to introduce themes that are not often featured in kids' productions and, somehow, make them suitable for young audiences. It deals with mature topics such as war and genocide, presenting characters that are completely different from one another and are not one-note, whose self-development grows complex over the course of the seasons.
