There’s nothing like unwinding with a fun and relaxing show before bed. And no entertainment format is more calming than the cartoon. I think it’s the nostalgia of childhood – shaking off the school day with Duck Tales or lazy Sunday mornings with Scooby-Doo – that makes animation so comforting.
But when looking to really calm your nerves, put your stresses behind you, and hopefully even drift off to sleep, not just any show will do. A carefully selected animated sitcom series will take you right where you want to go.
Here are my top 8, in no particular order.
King of the Hill
Hank Hill, family, and neighbors enjoy contented lives with the occasional spat and mild hijinks to spice it up. It’s funny and relatable, but it has a small-town pace, and the drama won’t raise your blood pressure. Watch it on Hulu.
The Great North
If you like Bob’s Burgers but find it a tad too stimulating for bedtime, try The Great North. Between the frontier and waterfront Alaskan landscape, oddly mature children, and Nick Offerman’s voice, this one will coax you right to sleep. Watch it on Hulu.
Bob and Margaret
This short-lived series is unknown to many, but one of my favorites to chill out with. Bob and Margaret are a childless British couple living simple, professional lives. Their dramas are silly and mundane but relatably hilarious. Watch it on Tubi.
Dilbert
What better way to shake off a hectic workday than with the ludicrousness of Dilbert’s workplace? The voices are calming, the chaos is silly, and in the end, nothing is ever accomplished. Watch it on fuboTV.
Ten Year Old Tom
Tom has one of my favorite animated voices. The series is centered on the lives of children, but somehow, they always seem to be the adults in the room. The humor is subtle, and the pacing is just right for relaxation. Watch it on Max.
Carol & the End of the World
You wouldn’t think you could doze off to a show about the end of the world, but you can and you must. Carol manages to block out the utter chaos around her and keep her life as normal and predictable as the end of the world can be. And Martha Kelly’s voice is straight-up ear-Ambien. Watch it on Netflix.
Daria
Daria’s voice lulls, and the drama in this show is low enough to be described as dull. Still, I have a soft spot for this one. It’s cynical, sarcastic, and critical while being not-quite-whiny. Sometimes it takes a Daria to know one. Watch it on Pluto TV.
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
My favorite parts of this show are the patient sessions, which can range from chaotic to sluggish, but the overall feel of the series is calming. Dr. Katz and his son Ben are content while making the occasional strides for fulfillment. And I couldn’t make this list without some H. Jon Benjamin, the most enjoyable animated voice of all time. Watch it on YouTube.
Do you have a favorite bedtime animated show? Leave a comment, I need to know!
Did you know Generation X is responsible for the massive and incredible catalogue of adult animation? Read about it here:
Gen X: Champion of Adult Animation
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