Invincible was an enormous success for Amazon Prime Video, and while the Robert Kirkman adaptation spawned multiple seasons and a spinoff, many viewers are still left with a taste for more shows like Invincible. The success of the animated ultra-violence and adult humor of Invincible has proven there is room for these shows outside niche platforms like Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, where they have lived for years. Invincible helped prove there's a high demand for adult cartoons with mature themes, violence, and complex comedic and comic-book-themed jokes usually reserved for live-action shows like The Boys.

From crass humor to bloody imagery, cartoon series aimed at mature audiences have grown increasingly brutal over the years, with superhero coming-of-age series Invincible being among both the most popular and the most adult. The Amazon Prime Video show isn't alone in the genre, though, and there are plenty of classic and modern adult animated shows like Invincible. From classic Adult Swim series like Metalocalypse and Samurai Jack to contemporary hits like Rick & Morty and Archer, there are many gory, violent, and cursing-filled cartoons like Invincible for those still left wanting after the Amazon Prime Video series.

25 Creature Commandos (2024)

The DCU's Tale Of Misfit Anti-Heroes

The first introduction to James Gunn’s DCU is on the animation side of the cinematic universe with Creature Commandos. Similar to Gunn’s previous DC movie The Suicide Squad, Creature Commandos tells the story of a group of dysfunctional supervillains who are assembled into a team of misfits and called upon (or forced) by the government to save the world. However, this time around, all the of the team, save for their commanding officer, Rick Flag Sr., are meta-human supervillains.

Like Invincible, Creature Commandos is an exploration of imperfect superheroes. The team is made up of some wonderful and hilarious characters, all coming from strange and eclectic backgrounds. Some are the violent monsters the world thinks they are and others are misunderstood creatures who are looking for acceptance. Gunn’s irreverent sense of humor and bloody action also align with the tone of Invincible.

24 Batman: Caped Crusader (2024)

An Animated Noir Take On Batman

Batman: The Animated Series is seen as one of the greatest television shows of all time and one of the best iterations of the character of Batman. Now, some of the key of that series have teamed with JJ Abrams and Matt Reeves for a new Batman animated series that is very much a spiritual successor to the 1990s classic show while also setting out to be its own thing. Case in point, while Batman: The Animated Series was a darker kids cartoon, Batman: Caped Crusader leans even more into the noir tone.

Batman: Caped Crusader particularly pays homage to the 1940s era of the comic book character with the style looking like it stepped right out of that time period. There are new takes on classic Batman villains as well as some fun new characters to explore. While certainly not as graphic as Invincible, it is a more mature take on the hero, closer to Reeves’ live-action take on Batman.

23 X-Men ‘97 (2024)

A Dark, More Violent Return For Marvel's Mutants

Similar to Batman: Caped Crusader, X-Men ’97 is a nostalgic return to a beloved superhero animated series from the 1990s while skewing towards the older audience the original fans who are now a more mature audience. The series is a sequel to X-Men: The Animated Series, picking up with the established canon and continuing to explore the adventures of Marvel’s beloved mutant characters. It begins with the X-Men living in the uncertainty of the aftermath of Charles Xavier’s apparent death, with Magneto taking over the team.

Like Invincible, X-Men ’97 is able to wonderfully mix big, fun action sequences with strong and complex characters.

Like Invincible, X-Men ’97 is able to wonderfully mix big, fun action sequences with strong and complex characters. Magneto is a particularly fascinating character in this story, fitting well with Invincible’s complicated take on superheroes. There are also big and shocking moments in the series, with the episode “ It” being hailed as not just a great animated or superhero episode, but simply a powerful episode of television in general.

22 Terminator Zero (2024)

A New Animated Chapter In The Terminator Franchise

The Terminator franchise is another beloved property that was given an animated approach recently, resulting in one of the best entries into the long-running franchise. Terminator Zero is set in Tokyo during the late 1990s with Judgment Day approaching. Instead of focusing on Sarah Conner and her son, this story is about Malcolm Lee, a scientist developing a new AI to compete with Skynet only to be targeted by a robot assassin from the future and protected by a soldier sent back in time as well.

Rather than the superhero world, Terminator Zero is a riveting exploration of sci-fi ideas with some thought-provoking and exciting twists. These lead to similar grey areas as explored in Invincible with the idea of the greater good and the blurred lines between heroes and villains. The series also delivers on the action as the most violent of the Terminator projects.

21 Arcane (2021-2024)

A Sci-Fi/Fantasy Blend About Sisters Pitted Against Each Other

One of the most exhilarating anime series on Netflix features the same mix of big world-building, exciting action, and complex relationships that have made Invincible such a hit. The series is set in a community in conflict with the tensions seething between the rich and affluent city of Piltover and the desperate underbelly of Zaun. As magical tools make a resurgence, two sisters find themselves on opposite sides of the fight.

Arcane ended after two seasons, but even its short run allowed it to establish a fascinating world much different from the one in Invincible. However, at the center of both stories is a relatable relationship between two family who find themselves putting the strength of family to the test along with their convictions. It makes for a powerful and intense story with a lot of heart at the center of all the genre fun.

20 Metalocalypse (2006-2013)

The Greatest Metal Band Of All Time Must Stop Armageddon

Adult Swim's 2006-2013 series Metalocalypse hits many of the same notes for viewers who enjoy the more violent and adult aspects of Invincible. Metalocalypse is an adult-animated series about Deathklok, the biggest heavy metal band on the planet — so big that they're worth more than most small countries, and thousands of fans willingly die at their concerts, with no consequence for Deathklok themselves. They also have an excellent task ahead of them: to stop the prophesied heavy metal armageddon — the "Metalocalypse" — that will destroy the world.

Metalocalypse combines dark comedy with brutal action, mirroring the tone and intensity of Invincible. The show explores themes of power, fame, and the impact of celebrity culture wrapped in the trappings of a grotesquely exaggerated metal world. The animation style is distinctive, employing thick, bold lines and a somber color palette to reflect the grim and gory subject matter. The original series was followed by two movies, the most recent being 2023's Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar.

19 Blood Of Zeus (2020-Present)

Netflix's Tale Of Greek Gods Shares A Lot Of Themes With Invincible

Blood of Zeus is an adult-animated series that follows the original character, Heron, the demigod son of Zeus, who must save Olympus and Earth. Blood of Zeus claims to be a prologue of sorts to many classic Greek tales. The level of bloodshed and violence makes it far closer to a movie like 300 than animated features like Disney's Hercules. The violence makes it one of the many adult animated shows like Invincible and the plot of the son of a powerful god forced to take action to save the world has many similar themes to Mark's journey.

Blood of Zeus captures the epic scale of celestial battles and dives deep into the complex relationships and betrayals among gods, much like the interpersonal drama in Invincible. The series uses rich, vibrant animation to bring these ancient myths to life with a modern twist, emphasizing the harsh realities and moral ambiguities faced by its characters.

18 The Legend of Vox Machina (2022-Present)

An Adult Animated Dungeons & Dragons Adventure

One of the best animated shows like Invincible can be found right alongside it on Amazon Prime Video — The Legend of Vox Machina. The series is based on a Dungeons & Dragons campaign streamed by the online role-playing group Critical Role, about a team of eight heroes who must band together to save the realm of Exandria. While the fantasy setting is different, the bloodshed and crass adult humor make Invincible and The Legend of Vox Machina feel incredibly alike in places.

The humor in Vox Machina often serves as a counterbalance to its darker themes, providing levity amidst intense scenes of conflict and danger. Furthermore, the show's commitment to faithfully depicting the Dungeons & Dragons source material brings a unique authenticity that appeals to both hardcore fans and newcomers, creating a rich, immersive world that mirrors the multi-layered universe of Invincible.

17 Vinland Saga (2019-2023)

A Viking Warrior Must Overcome His Father's Legacy

Vinland Saga is an adult-animated series that takes place in the Viking era, and much like Invincible, it is a violent tale centered around a young male antagonist living in their father's shadow. Vinland Saga follows Thorfinn, a young warrior who becomes a Viking after his father Thors' death. The story shares many themes with Invincible and is also incredibly violent and bloody, with some dark and disturbing moments for Thorfinn that rival even those Mark endures.

The first season of Vinland Saga saw Thorfinn seeking revenge for his father's murder, and the second saw him as an enslaved man who had given up hope for his future. Vinland Saga delves deep into the exploration of revenge, redemption, and the brutal realities of war, paralleling the intense personal and physical conflicts Mark faces in Invincible. The series is renowned for its historical accuracy blended with dramatic storytelling, offering a gritty and raw portrayal of the Viking age.

16 Agent Elvis (2023-Present)

The King Of Rock N' Roll Becomes A Government Spy

Agent Elvis ended up being a surprise hit for Netflix and shares many similarities with Invincible despite being lighter on the bloodshed. The series is based on rumors rampant during the height of Elvis' fame — that he wanted to become a secret agent. Agent Elvis follows what would have happened if the government took him up on the offer. The series had some very ludicrous moments, including pairing Elvis with a drug-addicted chimpanzee named Scatter. With Matthew McConaughey, Johnny Knoxville, Don Cheadle, and SpongeBob himself, Tom Kenny, in the voice roles.

The violent animated series has many impressive fight scenes like Invincible and shares its dry, almost-satirical wit. Agent Elvis combines the absurdity of its premise with a sharp, satirical edge, making it a standout in the realm of adult animated series. The show captures the eccentricity of its titular character, thrusting the iconic singer into an unexpectedly thrilling life of espionage. This blend of historical persona and fantastical storytelling parallels the unique take on superhero life in Invincible.