Top 10 Animated Series to Binge Watch While Quarantined

Now more than ever, families are on the lookout for entertainment that they can all enjoy together. With its timeless storytelling, charming characters, and spellbinding animation, few shows have a wider appeal than “Hilda.” Based on Luke Pearson’s award-winning graphic novels, this Netflix series centers on a young girl who’s lived a secluded life with her mother and pet deerfox in the woods - where mysterious creatures roam. Although Hilda is initially against moving to the city of Trolberg, she nonetheless finds adventure around every corner, as well as some new friends. Whether you’re looking to be immersed in nature or miss the bustling big city life, “Hilda” will speak to anyone who’s thirsty for exploration, fitting the current zeitgeist to a T.

If you think it’s getting crazier out there, just wait until you get inside Harley Quinn’s head. This DC Universe original is not only the Harley Quinn series you always wanted, but also the supervillain sitcom you didn’t know you wanted. After dumping the Joker, Harley teams up with bestie Poison Ivy and a crew of evil misfits in hopes of leaving her mark on Gotham’s criminal underworld. Violence and profanity aside, “Harley Quinn” is a surprisingly effective show about friendship and female empowerment. The series becomes especially relevant in Season 2 as Gotham is deemed a no man’s land, getting cut off from the rest of the country. Even as the world around her is crumbling, Harley can put a smile on anyone’s face.

To escape from our present circumstances, many are seeking comfort in nostalgia. As a defining childhood show, “DuckTales” will take you back to a simpler time when our biggest concern was whether or not the Beagle Boys would break into Scrooge’s money bin. If you’re in the mood for something nostalgic and new, however, look no further than 2017’s “DuckTales.” This reboot isn’t just a love letter to the original series, but the whole Disney Afternoon block, paying homage to everything from “TaleSpin” to “Darkwing Duck.” While the humor is more modern, the adventures that Scrooge and his family embark on have a distinctly old-school charm. Plus, if there’s one character we can relate to these days, it’s the moon-stranded Della Duck.

In addition to streaming, you might have been passing the time by playing video games and listening to podcasts. “The Midnight Gospel” is a surreal fusion of all these elements, making for an ideal quarantine show. Duncan Trussell’s podcast provided the basis for this Netflix original, which follows a “spacecaster” who conducts interviews across various apocalyptic worlds using a multiverse simulator. Along with Trussell, the series was co-created by Pendleton Ward of “Adventure Time” and you can definitely see his signature. “Midnight Gospel” offers a similar blend of surreal humor, inventive imagery, and unexpected depth, although this trippy cartoon definitely ain’t for kids. With its philosophical conversations on human existence, the show also earns comparison to experimental animated features like “Waking Life” and “Yellow Submarine.”

Ever since quarantine started, it’s felt like we’ve been living in a parallel universe. On the bright side, though, at least we’re not in the Cronenberg reality. That said, there isn’t a person on the planet who wouldn’t want to get their hands on Rick Sanchez’s portal gun and venture to another world. Froopyland and the Immortality Field Resort sound particularly nice right about now. We’ll gladly settle for a classic “Rick and Morty” adventure, however. Even if you’ve seen every episode, this sci-fi comedy packs in so many jokes and references that it demands multiple rewatches. So, subscribe to Interdimensional Cable and pop a seat on the couch for the long haul. We’ve heard of a couch potato, but a couch pickle?

With its soothing music and vibrant color scheme, “Steven Universe” is as comforting as a Cookie Cat Ice Cream Sandwich. Of course, Rebecca Sugar’s acclaimed series also offers no shortage of nutritional value. The Crystal Gems have taught us a lot over the years about acceptance and understanding, although one of the most mature messages was saved for the epilogue series, “Steven Universe Future.” As optimistic as Steven is, he’s also been through some significant trauma, even if he doesn’t realize it. Many are experiencing stress and depression right now, but we can’t bottle these feelings up with a forced happy face. As a final goodbye, Steven teaches us that the first step towards healing is opening up, something we should all take to heart.

This Netflix fantasy series comes from Justin Richmond and Aaron Ehasz, the latter of whom was a key creative figure on “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” You can certainly see “Avatar’s” influence in the show’s animation style and worldbuilding. Also like “Avatar,” “The Dragon Prince” is about restoring balance. The story centers on two human princes who join forces with an elf to return a dragon egg to its mother. If they succeed, their divided world could finally be united as one. The king’s deceitful advisor, however, only has his own people in mind. Along with its timely themes regarding unity and political corruption, “The Dragon Prince” allows its viewers to vicariously live out the adventure of a lifetime through its compelling characters.

Having recently concluded, now’s as good a time as any to rewatch this groundbreaking series. For those who haven’t seen “BoJack Horseman,” maybe you’re wondering how we could call a cartoon about a talking horse groundbreaking. While there’s too much to list here, a particular reason that stands out in today’s world is how the show addresses isolation. Whether it’s a horse who runs from his deep-seated insecurities, a couple afraid to acknowledge their incompatibility, or a workaholic who sacrifices her social life, every character suffers from a lack of communication. As well as the cast works off each other, there’s always a distance felt between the characters, leading to loneliness, depression, and tragedy. It’s not always an easy watch, but “BoJack” is astonishingly therapeutic.

One of the biggest bummers about being in quarantine is that many of us had to cancel our travel plans. Binging “Gravity Falls” is perhaps the best alternative to an actual vacation, whether you’ve seen it already or not. This is a perfect quarantine show for a variety of reasons. For starters, laughter is a coping mechanism and “Gravity Falls” has one brilliantly-crafted joke after another. The show’s overarching mystery and cliffhanger endings also make it tailor-made for binge-watching. Above all else, the show is like every epic summer vacation we’ve ever fantasized about having rolled into one. The only downside is that every vacation must come to an end, but “Gravity Falls” will make Weirdmageddon a little easier to get through.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Big Mouth” (2017-)
For Hilarity at Home

“Adventure Time” (2010-18)
For Vicarious Adventures

“Bob’s Burgers” (2011-)
Because Everyone Has a Weird Family

“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-14; 2020)
To Escape Into a Galaxy Far, Far Away

“Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” (2010-13)
For the Nostalgia

While still relatively new, this Netflix series warrants comparison to the best modern animated shows, as well as classic fables like “The Wizard of Oz” or “Alice in Wonderland.” The titular Kipo has grown up in an underground society sheltered from the post-apocalyptic outside world. Sound familiar? When she’s forced to leave, Kipo finds a wasteland overrun with strange creatures and scrappy survivors, including a loner who wears a wolf pelt. Yet, she also finds friendship, the potential for a better tomorrow, and an unusual power within herself. “Kipo” has everything you’re looking for right now: a vast world to explore, characters that anyone would want to have an adventure with, and an inspiring story brimming with humanity behind its beastly surface.