Summary
No style can more powerfully represent extraterrestrial life than animation, and as such, there have been plenty of amazinganimated TV shows about aliens. Whether they follow otherworldly creatures coming to Earth to interact with mankind or showcase creatures traversing the vast recesses of the galaxy, aliens have long been fodder for animated TV series. While some were criminally underrated shows that ran for just one season, others were long-running classics that have become entrenched in popular culture.
Thebest animated shows of all timeblend spectacular visuals with insightful narratives, and plenty of great animated TV shows about aliens have done just that. From vastly idiosyncratic visual representations to creatures who mimic the same innate tendencies of humankind, animation can reach creative heights that are often impossible in the realm of live-action television. With this in mind,these incredible alien-based animation shows all have something unique to offer.
The Midnight Gospel
Cast
The Midnight Gospel is an animated series created by Pendleton Ward and Duncan Trussell. The show follows Clancy Gilroy, who hosts a spacecast from a colorful, multidimensional universe called the Chromatic Ribbon. Through surreal and philosophical conversations, each episode explores existential themes. The Midnight Gospel combines intricate animation with introspective dialogue, drawing viewers into its unique narrative style.
Onegreat animated series that viewers have forgotten aboutisThe Midnight Gospel. An insightful mix of comedian Duncan Trussell’s unique worldview andAdventure Timecreator Pendleton Ward’s iconic animation style,The Midnight Gospelonly ran for one season before it was canceled by Netflix. This was truly disappointing, as this unique series blended deeply philosophical concepts with the animated adventures of Clancy Gilroy, an alien spacecaster interviewing creatures across the multiverse.
What madeThe Midnight Gospelso unique was the way it blended audio from the real podcastThe Duncan Trussell Family Hourwhile simultaneously showcasing richly imaginative alien worlds through its animation.The Midnight Gospelwas unlike anything else on Netflix, as a strange mix of its two disparate aspects complimented each other perfectly. With vibrant visuals and illuminating philosophical discussions,The Midnight Gospelwas a hidden gem for lovers of experimental animated series.
Jeff & Some Aliens
Jeff & Some Aliens is an animated comedy series that follows Jeff, an average human, as he navigates life with three extraterrestrial roommates who are sent to Earth to assess humanity’s worthiness.
Jeff & Some Alienswas sadly canceled by Comedy Central after just one season. This was hugely disappointing at the time for those who tuned in for this engaging animated sitcom about the world’s most average human being observed and often helped by a group of three inquisitive aliens evaluating the entire human race based on Jeff’s behavior. With plenty of unique insights into human nature and a surprisingly philosophical sense of humor, this series flew under the radar and never got the attention it deserved.
As a show created by Sean Donnelly and Alessandro Minoli and based on their previousTripTanksketches,Jeff & Some Aliensusually revolved around Jeff solving problems with the help of an alien device. This would rarely go his way, and the consequences of Jeff’s ill-thought-out actions often had dire consequences for himself and those around him. With plenty of moral lessons around the woes of human existence,Jeff & Some Alienshad more to say about mankind than it did its otherworldly creatures.
Solar Opposites
Solar Opposites is a Hulu adult animation series that centers on a family of aliens. After moving to America, they bicker about whether the country is better than their home planet. The series was created by Mike McMahan and Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland, with characters voiced by Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, and Mary Mack.
BeforeRick and Mortyco-creatorJustin Roiland’s career was halted by sexual assault allegations, he created the alien-based sci-fi sitcomSolar Oppositeswith Mike McMahan. With plenty of Roiland’s absurd and semi-improvised style of humor,Solar Oppositesstarred the aliens Korvo, Terry, Jesse, and Yumyulack, who crash-landed on Earth and made it their new home. As a charming, often sincere look at the ridiculousness of human existence, the alien’s hilarious experience of life on Earth mixed strong writing with edgy humor and enjoyable sci-fi ponderings.
As an insightful mix ofRick and MortyandThe Third Rock from the Sun,Solar Oppositeshas carved out its identity and managed to keep its quality high even after Roiland’s departure at the end of Season 3. While the aliens’s experiences on Earth are the primary focus ofSolar Opposites, this animated series also told parallel narratives, such as the captured shrunken humans who they have imprisoned in a terrarium known as The Wall. With plenty of irreverent humor,Solar Oppositeshas used its alien characters to shine a light on very human concepts and themes.
Futurama
Futurama is an animated science fiction series that follows Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy from late-20th-century New York City. He is accidentally cryogenically frozen for a thousand years and becomes an employee at Planet Express, a delivery service in the retro-futuristic 31st century.
This beloved sci-fi sitcom fromThe Simpsonscreator Matt Groening has been intermittently telling alien stories for the past quarter of a century. As a show that has been canceled and revived numerous times, the haphazard release of new seasons and specials has not dimmedFuturama’siconic legacy one bit. Through clever storytelling and impressive attention to detail,Futuramawas an inventive and funny look at an imagined future in the 31st century.
WhileFuturamaprimarily follows Philip J. Fry, a delivery driver who was cryogenically frozen for 1,000 years, he’s surrounded by several alien characters, such as the lobster-like Dr. Zoidberg, whose unique anatomy and culture serve as the basis for several episodes. As the Planet Express crew traversed the known universe inFuturama,they also encountered many other alien creatures that helped populate the series' unique world. As a funny and often biting piece of satirical animation,Futuramahas endured for decades despite the production challenges it has faced.
Steven Universe
Steven Universe is an animated television series created by Rebecca Sugar. The show follows the coming-of-age story of Steven, a young boy who is half-human and half-Gem, discovering his heritage and learning to harness his powers. Steven lives with the Crystal Gems—Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl—who protect Earth from various threats while teaching him about loyalty, family, and identity.
Adventure Timewriter Rebecca Sugar told her own coming-of-age story when she created the beloved Cartoon Network animated seriesSteven Universe. With a half-alien, half-human title character, this enjoyable musical series featured Steven learning the ways of the magical Crystal Gems as he sought to protect their Homeworld from the threat of their own kind. With an impressive amount of worldbuilding and detailed lore behind it,Steven Universeexplores LGBTQ+ themes throughout its five seasons, as well as a movie and the epilogue seriesSteven Universe Future.
By blending elements of fantasy, musicals, and sci-fi into a rich coming-of-age tale,Steven Universegarnered a loyal fanbase and became an equally rewarding watch for children and adults alike. With a healthy mix of light-hearted adventures and complex, mature storytelling that delved into the psychology of its characters,Steven Universestruck a perfect balance between depth and entertainment. With episodes that delved into themes of gender and sexuality while also richly exploring the alien race known as Gems,Steven Universewas a uniquely endearing cartoon.
Every Season Of Steven Universe Ranked (Including Steven Universe Future)
The adventures of Gem-human hybrid Steven Universe are as compelling as they are complex, here are all the seasons ranked from worst to best.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z follows Goku, who lives a peaceful life with his family until the arrival of Raditz, a mysterious warrior claiming to be Goku’s brother. This revelation unveils their true heritage as Saiyans, a formidable warrior race known for conquering planets.
As one of the most essential series when it came to popularizing Japanese anime in the Western world,Dragon Ball Zwas a Shonen anime that featured the alien Goku and his friends battling against many powerful enemies from across the universe. As a sequel to the earlier animeDragon Ball, which was based on the manga by Akira Toriyama,Dragon Ball Zexplored Goku’s identity as a member of the alien race known as Saiyans. With a love for fighting and superhuman strength and powers,Dragon Ball Zbegan with Goku’s alien brother coming to Earth and informing of his heritage.
Over the course of several sagas and hundreds of episodes, Goku and the rest of the Z fighters must face alien enemies, including the ruthless intergalactic tyrannical planet destroyer Frieza.Dragon Ball Zhas earned a reputation as among the most popular anime series of all timeand has continued in the form of sequel series, video games, and widespread merchandise. As a true icon of Japanese media, Goku and many of the characters fromDragon Ball Zhave become touchstones of modern popular culture.
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim is an animated television series based on the video game of the same name. The show follows the adventures of an ordinary earthworm named Jim who transforms into a superhero after discovering a robotic suit. Voiced by Dan Castellaneta, Jim battles evil forces and navigates surreal challenges in his quest to save the universe.
Earthworm Jimwas truly one of the mostunderrated video game TV adaptations, as it perfectly expanded upon the world of run-and-gun side-scrolling origins. With a talented voice cast, includingthe voice of Homer Simpson Dan Castellaneta in the title role,Earthworm Jimfollows a simple worm who gained incredible superpowers using a powerful robotic supersuit. As an endless horde of often alien foes attempt to steal the suit and use it for evil, Earthworm Jim must defeat them and ensure the universe’s safety.
With a hugely impressive art style and animation,Earthworm Jimshowcased a unique sense of humor over the course of its two seasons. With an engaging narrative,Earthworm Jimcould appeal to children and adults alike as it maintained a high level of quality that mimicked the outrageous energy of its video game source material. As a true showcase of a video game adaptation done right,Earthworm Jimwas an anomaly when compared to other lackluster adaptations of the 1990s, such as the infamous 1993 live-actionSuper Mario Bros. movie.
3Strange Planet (2023 - Present)
Strange Planet features aliens who highlight the absurdities of human traits and actions
Many may recognize blue alien beings seen inStrange Planetfrom the webcomic of the same name by Nathan W. Pyle. These unique creatures highlighted the absurdities of human experience as they discussed everyday behaviors using highly technical terminology in a hilarious side-eyed look at the wonderful complexities of modern life. This series was adapted into an Apple TV+ animated series with Pyle andRick and Morty’sDan Harmon as co-creators.
Thankfully, the TV version ofStrange Planetmanaged to retain the essence of the originalas the beings made astute observations that mimicked the trials and tribulations of human problems. With an engaging art style and plenty of dry wit,Strange Planetwas a heartwarming delight. Although there’s merit to criticisms that it’s difficult to sustain the comic’s premise in the medium of long-form television, the characters inStrange Planetwere so uniquely endearing that it’s easy to forgive its faults.
Invader Zim
Invader Zim is an animated Sci-Fi television series created by Jhonen Vasquez. Spanning two seasons, the premise followed a bumbling alien sent to conquer the Earth and featured voices from Richard Steven Horvitz and Andy Berman.
Despite running for just two seasons,Invader Zimbuilt a reputation as a cult classic and a highly underrated Nickelodeon animated series. As the story of an alien named Zim from the planet Irk,Invader Zimtells the humorous story of an extraterrestrial determined to colonize and enslave the human race. With strong animation, voice work, and writing,Invader Zimcontinually pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in children’s television.
In the yearsfollowing the cancelation ofInvader Zim, the series' status only grewas it remained a popular property for video games, toys, clothing, and accessories. The unwavering interest inInvader Zimeven led to a comic book continuation in 2015. This continued fascination among audiences with the alien creature also ensured that the series was revived for a feature film on Netflix titledInvader Zim: Enter the Florpus.
Final Space
Final Space is an animated science fiction series created by Olan Rogers. The show follows Gary Goodspeed, a space adventurer, who teams up with an alien named Mooncake to prevent the destruction of the universe by a powerful entity known as the Lord Commander. The series combines elements of comedy, drama, and action, exploring themes of friendship and redemption as Gary and his crew navigate the vast expanse of space.
Final Spacewas a unique animated sci-fi series about an astronaut named Gary Goodspeed and his extraordinary alien friend Mooncake. With a dim-witted but endearing hero,Final Spacesaw the pair going on intergalactic adventures as they sought to save the universe from certain doom at the hands of the sinister, telekinetic alien Lord Commander. With stunning animation and a truly compelling narrative,Final Spaceblended comedy and drama over the course of its three seasons.
Sadly,Final Spacewas a victim of the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc., which meant that, despite its high quality, it was prematurely canceled. Luckily, viewers of the Adult Swim series will finally get to learn the conclusion with the impending release of the graphic novelFinal Space: The Final Chapter. WhileFinal Spacehas been advertised as a comedy, its dramatic elements truly made it stand out from other sci-fialien animated series, as each character possesses complex trauma and pain that was explored throughout the series.
