Copyright Screen Rant
These animated TV shows are as great as their first episodes. Whether an animated, thriller, drama, sitcom, or sci-fi story, a series needs to grab us right away but then maintain the same tone, amazing characters, and fresh premise throughout every season. It's easy to love the first episode of an animated show thanks to its cool or fresh animation style and then get bored as the premise gets less interesting. But that won't happen here. Whether it's a popular 1990s animated show that we still love, or a more recent series that blends sci-fi and beautiful animation, these series are great to watch anytime because you won't get past the first episode and wonder why the quality dipped so much. Daria (1997-2002) Daria Morgendorffer's (Tracy Grandstaff) friendship with Jane Lane (Wendy Hoopes) and new life in Lawnsdale are explored in the Daria pilot, which sets up the smart, sarcastic tone and future storylines about being popular or, in Daria's case, not. Daria isn't quite as universally beloved as other 1990s animated sitcoms, especially not these days, but it's a great one to revisit because the character is so intelligent and happy about being herself. And when watching all five seasons, we can appreciate Daria's story as much as we did in the pilot. Rugrats (1991-2004) The heartfelt world of the babies on the beloved 1990s Nickelodeon show Rugrats is introduced in an excellent pilot episode, "Tommy's First Birthday," which looks at a relatable milestone in a family's life. Tommy Pickles (Tami Holbrook) tells his friends that they should all enjoy his dog's food. From the first episode, we know Tommy is a confident rebel who loves adventure. Rugrats had nine seasons of funny and emotional episodes about bullying, celebrating holidays, potty training, and learning about the world. Each episode feels just like the pilot, and whether we watched it growing up or revisit it now with our own families, we'll likely be charmed. Big Mouth (2017-2025) Netflix's Big Mouth is known for its blunt humor about puberty, intimacy, and growing up, and the first episode introduces the quirky concept of the Hormone Monster and focuses on a school dance. The characters deal with relatable emotions like envy, fear, and anxiety, and they just want to fit in and figure out how to seem more adult when they're still young and nervous. Nick Kroll, who voices several characters including Nick Birch, co-created Big Mouth, and it's one of the most realistic animated series about the young teenage experience. Rick and Morty (2013-Present) Rick and Morty's first episode shares the unique relationship between Rick Sanchez (Ian Cardoni), a scientist, and his grandson Morty (Harry Belden). We also learn about Rick's history of creating inventions that cause more trouble than anything else. Rick's desire to scheme all the time and Morty's decisions to go along with what his grandpa's plans never get old. Subsequent seasons have managed to keep the superb quality of the first episode and still feature the chaotic experiences that the smart and strange characters have. Family Guy (1999-Present) One of the most beloved animated sitcoms that has been running for more than 20 seasons, Family Guy has maintained its inappropriate-on-purpose tone and humorous storylines about the Griffin family. Family Guy's pilot episode features the over-the-top kind of plotline we expect to see from the Griffin family, who rarely do the right thing. The episode revolves around Peter (Seth MacFarlane) receiving a welfare check that is too high, which has a hilarious result. Although far from a heartfelt animated family sitcom, Family Guy still feels familiar and nostalgic, and it's easy to imagine it lasting for several more years. Futurama (1999-Present) "Space Pilot 3000" introduces us to relatable character Philip J. Fry (Billy West), who delivers pizzas and ends up in future New York City on December 31, 2999. The episode is a wild adventure that lets us know Fry's journey will include some offbeat characters, including Leela (Katey Sagal) and a robot named Bender (John DiMaggio). By the end of the first episode, we know Fry will be working for Planet Express and delivering pizzas through space, and the compelling and fun episodes are set in space, with a few on Earth. While the show explores the concept of the future, as the title suggests, there are some traditional storylines too, from love stories to Fry's work stress. And, although there have been long breaks between seasons, that just proves how much viewers still enjoy this quirky sci-fi world. Invincible (2021-Present) The first episode of Prime Video's Invincible introduces a high-concept premise that promises action, adventure, and emotional stakes. Thankfully, the three seasons that have become available on the streaming service so far have been just as good. Teenage superhero Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) is mentored by his dad Nolan (J.K. Simmons), with support from his mom Debbie (Sandra Oh). The first episode finds Nolan at a crossroads and realizing that he can't ignore his son's powers any longer. There are plenty of memorable moments here, including a sweet scene when Mark gets a real suit. The first Invincible episode also has a big action scene at the beginning and end, which makes you excited to watch more. The following episodes are packed with battles, and Invincible season 3 has several villains in The Order. Arcane (2021-2024) Arcane season 1, episode 1, "Welcome to the Playground,"shares the beginning of Powder (Ella Purnell) and Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), who are siblings, working with Vander (JB Blanc). Since we know they're on their own after tragically losing their parents, we're immediately drawn into their story and hope they'll be able to survive. The first episode has a terrifying and fast-paced fight, great world-building, and a perfect villain introduction of Silco (Jason Spisak), who is clearly going to be a problem throughout the rest of season 1. Although Arcane only has two seasons, it looks incredible and feels satisfying, and it's often brought up as one of the best animated series on Netflix. Bob’s Burgers (2011-Present) "Human Flesh" is a memorable introduction to the lovable and heartwarming world of Bob's Burgers, which explores the sweet Belcher family who run a restaurant that doesn't make any money. The rebellious yet silly Louise (Kristen Schaal) tells everyone that the meat in the burgers is actually from humans, which lets us know that she's going to create trouble throughout the whole series. Every episode focuses on the relatable problems in Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda's (John Belcher) kids' lives, along with the couple's hopes to make the restaurant work. Season 16 of Bob's Burgers is currently airing, which proves that the strong character development and funny moments on the show have serious staying power. The Simpsons (1989-Present) With season 37 currently airing, it's impossible to think of an animated series that has had a greater impact on popular culture than The Simpsons. The hilarious and zany story of Homer (Dan Castellaneta) and his family has endured for decades, and it all started with a great pilot. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" has everything we know and love about the animated sitcom, from cheerful, ditzy Homer becoming a Santa at the mall to rebellious Bart (Nancy Cartwright) upsetting his parents with a tattoo. It's a perfect introduction to the family dynamic, and while the family upsets each other, we can tell they love each other, too.
