Cartoon Network’s Rick and Morty is pretty much radioactive right now thanks to the alleged actions of its co-creator Justin Roiland. With the future of the show treading a tightrope, fans might need to find a fitting replacement sooner rather than later.
Roiland was charged in January 2023 with two felony counts stemming from events that took place in 2020; one count of domestic battery with corporal injury, and another for false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud, and/or deceit. Soon after the news broke, many more came forward about supposed questionable behavior from the voice actor and producer, including shocking DMs and predatory comments.
For some, this might not affect them at all, but for a large portion of fans, watching Rick and Morty now could feel too uncomfortable, especially knowing the same voice behind their favorite cartoons might have said and done things that definitely cross a line.
For anyone looking to heal the wound of having to give up their favorite show, here are five alternatives to watch if Rick and Morty gets canceled, or if you just don’t want to deal with Justin Roiland a minute longer.
BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman is seen by many as one of the greatest animated television series of all time, thanks to its insightful commentary on a number of real-world issues, an aspect it shares with Rick and Morty. The themes of nihilism and existential dread are present in both shows.
BoJack Horseman tells the story of the eponymous protagonist, a faded-out sitcom actor living in a world cohabited by humans and anthropomorphic animals, who wants to revive his career by releasing an autobiography. It’s available to stream on Netflix.
Harley Quinn
Fans of Rick and Morty‘s darker comedy might find the same energy in the DC animated series Harley Quinn, about the infamous comic book rogue. Although it may share the typical animation style of children superhero shows, the HBO Max series is aimed at an adult audience and has been praised for its tasteful use of gore and violence, as well as being one of the most complete iterations of its titular character yet.
The story picks up after Harley breaks up with the Joker and decides to establish herself as an independent villain in Gotham. For the fans of DC, it features all kinds of celebrated characters, from Poison Ivy to King Shark. Harley Quinn can be streamed on HBO Max.
The Venture Bros.
Venture Bros. might just deliver on the sci-fi aspect that so many love in Rick and Morty. This fellow Adult Swim classic ran for seven seasons before being canceled in 2018, and also features a family at the center of its narrative as they head off on adventures.
Dr. Rusty Venture is the head of Venture Industries and greedy super-scientist whose decisions often land him in hot water. His twin sons Hank and Dean aren’t much help, and his ruthless bodyguard Brock won’t spare any soul who dares hurt the Venture family. Venture Bros. is streaming on Hulu and HBO Max, and a follow-up movie is currently in production.
Futurama
From the makers of The Simpsons, Futurama has become a similar phenomenon and fan-favorite with time, as it was canceled and picked back up again and again. The latest came from Hulu, who ordered 20 new episodes of the series, to premiere in 2023.
Futurama is set 1000 years in the future, at the turn of the 31st century, after the main character Philip J. Fry accidentally falls into a cryo chamber. He becomes an interplanetary delivery person working for Planet Express with captain Leela and cranky robot Bender. You can find it streaming on Hulu.
Tuca And Bertie
Cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt branched out from BoJack Horseman to create her own original series, Tuca & Bertie, in 2019. Although it doesn’t involve any major intergalactic frolicking, this animated series delivers one of the sharpest looks at millennial life through the use of comedy and some more anthropomorphic animals.
Tuca is an impulsive toucan and the extrovert of the pair, while Bertie, the song thrush, is her anxious and sensible best friend. The sitcom broaches all kinds of relevant topics in adult life with a special focus on female issues. Tuca & Bertie‘s three seasons are available on HBO Max.
Bravest Warriors
Adventure Time couldn’t make it to this list for obvious reasons, so we have the next best thing. Bravest Warriors is yet another sci-fi adventure animated series from the creator of Adventure Time. It started as a web-series, eventually receiving a third and fourth seasons on TV.
Perhaps the most lighthearted and wholesome pick on this list, Bravest Warriors follows Chris, Beth, Danny, Wallow and Plum, a team of teen heroes-for-hire who, in an attempt to emulate their parents’ own team-up Courageous Battlers, go around the galaxy rescuing aliens through the use of the power of their emotions. Seasons 1-3 of the show can be found on Bravest Warriors’ Youtube Channel, while season 4 is on Amazon Prime Video.
