Top Western Animated Series of the 2020s You Can’t Miss

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Summary

  • Animated shows in the 2020s rival big-budget movies in quality and storytelling.
  • High-quality Western-made animated series are gaining popularity on streaming platforms.
  • Outstanding animated series like Skull Island, Pantheon, Blood of Zeus, and others are worth watching.

In the 2020s, animated TV shows have truly shone, presenting narratives and characters that are on par with, or even surpassing, their live-action counterparts. These shows possess a special knack for realizing the imaginative ideas of their creators, whether they’re based on video games, comics, books, or original concepts. Many of the standout science fiction, fantasy, horror, and suspense productions from this decade can be traced back to animated television series.

Remarkable animations can spark viewers’ creativity just as effectively as high-budget films, often surpassing them in certain aspects. For instance, contemporary Western animation is rapidly approaching the caliber and aesthetic of Japanese anime. The rising popularity of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ has made these top-tier animated productions more accessible to a wider audience. This compilation highlights some outstanding Western-produced animated series that have emerged in the 2020s.

7. Skull Island

An Outstanding Take On The King Kong Story

Fans of the Monsterverse have been feasting on the Kong vs Godzilla movies, the Monarch television series on Apple TV+, and the Skull Island animated series on Netflix. The series, set in the 1990s, follows a group of explorers who find themselves stranded on the island known as Skull Island. Alongside encountering the prehistoric creatures living there, such as King Kong, their escape is hindered by a massive and lethal sea monster called the Kraken.

On Skull Island, you’ll find outstanding animation, an engaging plot, thrilling monster confrontations, and a well-developed ensemble of characters that you’ll root for. In June 2025, a new series titled “Return to Skull Island” will debut, carrying on the narrative from where it left off.

6. Pantheon

An Engrossing And Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Show

Regardless of having just two seasons, the animated science fiction series Pantheon stands out as one of the top-tier shows in its genre. It revolves around two teenagers, Maddie who has been bullied and believes her deceased father might be attempting to contact her online, and Caspian, a prodigiously smart boy whose family harbors secrets.

Exploring a realm where humans achieve an illusion of immortality through digital consciousness transfer, Pantheon provokes deep questions amidst a plot brimming with mystery and clandestine activities. Originally terminated by AMC during its initial run, Amazon resuscitated the narrative, wrapping it up with a second season finale.

5. Blood Of Zeus

A Bloody Spin On Greek Mythology

Blood of Zeus is a gritty and graphic reimagining of Greek mythology by the creators behind Castlevania, Powerhouse Animation Studios. The narrative centers around Heron, a young demigod born from the union of Zeus, the ruler of gods, and a mortal woman. Not only are characters such as Heron, Alexia, and Seraphim visually captivating, but they also possess depth in their development.

Blood of Zeus explores themes that go beyond the typical narrative of heroes battling monsters, gods, and demons. Instead, it portrays the Olympians, such as Zeus, Hades, and Hera, as more human-like, displaying traits like betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice. Although Blood of Zeus is set within Greek mythology, it presents an original tale that’s said to have been forgotten over time, according to the show’s backstory.

4. The Masters Of The Universe

A Worthy Continuation Of The Classic ’80s Shows

In a shift that sparked discussions among some enthusiasts, the new series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” delved deep into Teela’s character evolution following her revelation about Prince Adam’s true identity as He-Man and as the daughter of the Sorceress. Despite the occasional grumbles, it was a treat to witness these beloved toys and characters come alive with breathtaking animation. The subsequent series, titled “Masters of the Universe: Revolution“, carries forward the narrative from “Revelation” and has been generally appreciated by fans.

In my opinion, this film is heavily influenced by its emphasis on He-Man and the appearance of characters like Gwildor, a figure hailing from the 1987 live-action “Masters of the Universe” movie. For fans who spent their childhoods amassing He-Man action figures in the 1980s, this is an exhilarating journey indeed. The opening episode offers a delightful spectacle as it brings to life more uncommon characters and figures, such as Scare Glow, that were once only figments of our imagination during those nostalgic days.

3. X-Men ’97

The Perfect Comeback For The ’90s Superhero Series

The original “X-Men” series remains one of the greatest superhero TV shows, standing tall alongside other outstanding 1990s animated Marvel series such as “Spider-Man” and “The Incredible Hulk”. It’s also one of the most successful onscreen adaptations of the X-Men characters. The rebooted version, “X-Men ’97“, effectively preserves the spirit of the original series by incorporating refined animation elements while retaining its timeless aesthetic.

Above all, it delivers the same top-notch storytelling and character progression that fans adored from the original. With anticipation mounting for X-Men to appear in live action within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men ’97, like its predecessor, sets a very high standard.

2. Invincible

An Outstanding Superhero Show For Adults

In 2021, Robert Kirkman’s “Invincible” made its debut on Prime, swiftly earning a reputation as one of the top adult-oriented superhero series, joining the ranks of shows such as “The Boys” and “Peacemaker.” Just like its comic book origin, “Invincible” doesn’t shy away from graphic violence and intense action scenes, thus making it suitable only for mature audiences.

Nevertheless, this tale is far from lacking in wit and sentiment, with its protagonist, Mark Grayson (aka Invincible), navigating the dual roles of a hero and the son of Omni-Man, a previous hero and Viltrumite who decimated the Guardians of the Globe and came close to killing Mark. Much like Kirkman’s The Walking Dead, it gives the impression that no character is immune to death, and the risks are consistently high as Mark strives to become stronger in order to shield Earth from impending doom.

1. Arcane

A Spectacular Steampunk Fantasy

It’s widely believed that the most exceptional animated series from the 2020s up until now is “Arcane,” an eye-catching animation series derived from the “League of Legends” video game world. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a fan or have any experience with the game to appreciate the series, as it stands well on its own for those new to this universe.

The static pictures don’t fully capture the brilliance of the series, as its distinctive art style truly shines in motion and breathes life into its steampunk fantasy and magic. Despite being just two seasons long, Arcane skillfully delivers a complete and captivating narrative with impressive world-building, depth, and characters, all backed by an exceptional voice acting cast.

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2025-06-06 04:54