10 Best Animated Shows to Watch on HBO Max This July

HBO Max has a slew of animated series that represent some of the best stories that the medium has to offer. From industry-veteran-backed projects like Primal to novel projects like Iyanu, the streamer is filled with some brilliant animated offerings that have received widespread recognition.

It is also full of some brilliant animated offerings that have dedicated, niche fandoms, which do deserve more mainstream attention. This list is going to look at 10 critically acclaimed stories that could be an ideal watch for July. While some of these shows have fresh episodes airing, others have completed their runs or are awaiting renewal from their respective studios.

1 Primal Is One of Genndy Tartakovsky’s Crowning Achievements

Genndy Tartakovsky is responsible for some of animation’s most recognizable faces. Whether it’s Hotel Transylvania or Samurai Jack, Tartakovsky’s stories have a panache for widespread appeal. This is also true for Primal, which released its third season earlier this year. Primal follows lone caveman Spear, who loses his family in the brutal, 1 Million BC-inspired landscape, and his theropod companion Fang, who has gone through similar traumas. The show manages to communicate a lot without much dialogue, and the world has been a source of much intrigue for the fandom. If you’re looking for a wild animated show with rich plot, this one is for you.

2 My Adventures with Superman Continues to Keep Things Interesting

My Adventures With Superman is one of the few versions of the character that is being allowed to exist outside of the DCU continuity. Heavily inspired by anime and everything that airs on Toonami, be it Mobile Suit Gundam, Sailor Moon, or Dragon Ball Z, the show takes a very lighthearted and hopeful approach to Superman’s story. Receiving widespread acclaim and currently airing its third season weekly, this is the perfect show to catch up on if you want a break from the doom and gloom of shows like House of the Dragon.

3 Rick and Morty‘s Latest Episodes Have Tried to Capture the Classic Charm

Rick and Morty has been one of Adult Swim’s most successful offerings, and its latest episodes have been trying to capture the charm that its earlier episodes had. While there was a time in between when the episodes felt a little out of place, that seems to be on the mend, thanks to later episodes that have endeavored to fix them. Rick and Morty, an adult animated series, could be a little dense with all its lore, but it is a rewarding watch for those who find its humor tolerable.

4 Iyanu Is Perfect for Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Having just wrapped up its second season in March, Iyanu is a story that takes elements from Avatar: The Last Airbender and Black Panther to weave a wholly original narrative that would resonate with fans who miss the action cartoons of the early 2010s. It takes familiar beats from the classic chosen-one narratives and adds its own flavor to the entire matter. If you want to watch a fantasy story with a unique aesthetic and brilliantly realized characters, Iyanu is definitely a story you should give a shot.

5 Creature Commandos Started The DCU Before Superman

The first entry into the DCU, there are a lot of reasons to admire Creature Commandos. From the mind of James Gunn, who seems to be making quite a living from ensemble casts of near-forgotten characters, Creature Commandos is a great peek into the wider DC Universe. Of course, with Superman already out and Supergirl currently in theatres, Creature Commandos could serve as a good gateway into parts of the DCU that have not been explored in live action just yet.

6 Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Is An Alternate Take on a Beloved Show

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake follows alternate, gender-swapped versions of Jake and Finn from Adventure Time. An adult animated series, as opposed to the child-centric stories of the original, Fionna and Cake was the perfect addition to the ever-growing franchise that is Adventure Time. With Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline recently greenlit by HBO Max (via Warner Bros. Discovery Press), the show could merit a watch for its brilliant storytelling and mature characters. It is currently pending a renewal from HBO Max following 2 seasons’ worth of episodes.

7 Women Wearing Shoulder Pads Is A Brilliant Stop Motion Offering

Stop motion animation from Adult Swim is nothing new, but Women Wearing Shoulder Pads has something unique going on about it. Originally in Spanish, the show has been combined into a compilation film dubbed in English, which is available on HBO Max. The show is set in a world where cow-sized guinea pigs and the industry that was built around them. With overwhelmingly positive reviews, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads might not have much of a runtime, but it is definitely worth a quick watch for the gorgeous animation that it puts on screen.

8 Common Side Effects Taps Into Some Relevant Modern Social Issues

In a time when Big Pharma seems to be at the forefront of multiple conversations, Common Side Effects deals with issues that put these ideas front and center. Friends Marshall and Frances find a mushroom that is a literal cure-all, but there are those with vested interests in the medicine industry who want to keep such a cure hidden. It has already been renewed for a second season, which is looking to air in 2027. While its humor is definitely an acquired taste, the story alone makes it worth taking a look at.

9 Fired on Mars Is A Niche Gem

Fired on Mars does not nearly get as much love as it deserves. The plot follows a graphic designer on Mars who is terminated from his position because it is considered redundant. Now, stuck on the red planet with no prospects on hand, he must find a way to keep in touch with his girlfriend back on Earth, while also learning to live with himself in a colony where he is literally useless. A wonderful character piece, Fired on Mars also deals with a lot of anxieties that plague graduates and freshers, and is a great story about hope and picking oneself up after failure.

10 Moral Orel Is Black Comedy Gold

Moral Orel might not be a recent show, but the fact that this gem has yet to receive the attention it deserves despite being readily available is an error that ought to be rectified quickly. Largely a black comedy series satirizing Anglo-Saxon protestant culture in Middle America, the show might seem like it is catering to a niche audience, but it manages to get more than a few belly laughs from watchers of all backgrounds. It explores many dark themes, sometimes without humor, and has received widespread praise from audiences and critics alike. It is one of the best animated shows on HBO Max.

Are there any other animated shows on HBO Max that you would love to recommend? Let us know in the comments!