Television series
Arthur
Other titles called Arthur: the 1981 film.
- Coming-of-age
- Light-hearted
- Dip in and out
Arthur follows an 8-year-old aardvark navigating school, friendship, and family in a thoughtfully written show that treats childhood problems as real without being heavy-handed. It's warm and funny, occasionally clever enough for adults, and genuinely teaches emotional literacy. Made for kids who think, and parents who remember thinking.
If you liked this
Rugrats1991
Toddlers and babies as protagonists with genuine agency, voiced brilliantly. The adventures are inventive, genuinely funny, and the show respects its characters' perspectives without condescension.
But The animation style looks dated now, and some episodes lean heavily into baby-talk gags that wear thin. Pacing can feel slow by modern standards.

The Owl House2020
Adventurous, character-driven animation with real emotional stakes. Smart writing balances comedy with genuine darkness, queer representation that doesn't feel like an afterthought, and world-building that accumulates beautifully.
But Early episodes are lighter than later ones, so patience required. Some find the art style off-putting, and tone shifts can feel abrupt if you're not on board.

Amphibia2019
A girl trapped in a frog world that starts silly but becomes genuinely moving. Character development is real, the humour works for all ages, and it builds to something earned rather than manufactured.
But The first season feels more disposable than what follows—some patience needed. The art is deliberately cartoonish, which isn't for everyone.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Arthur
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
She-Ra: Princess of Power1985
Arthur and the original She-Ra both trust that shows for children can be intelligent and emotionally honest. Both arrived in eras when that wasn't guaranteed, and both proved it mattered.
The 80s original has charm that's historically fascinating and genuinely well-crafted for its era. Animation that's inventive within constraints, voice work that's committed, and a clear-eyed kindness about conflict and redemption.
But It looks its age completely—animation is flat and limited by 1985 budgets. Stories are often simpler and sometimes preachy by modern standards. It's a curiosity piece as much as entertainment.

More like this (6)
Craig of the Creek2018
Childhood adventure stories that feel like they could be yours. Multicultural cast, no manufactured drama, just kids being resourceful and kind. Warm, observant, genuinely funny, and occasionally profound.
But Plot-light by design—if you need high stakes or conflict, this will feel slack. The very gentleness can read as slow if you're not in the mood.

Gravity Falls2012
Mystery-box storytelling that actually pays off, with humour sharp enough for teenagers and adults. Characters feel real beneath the paranormal weirdness, and emotional beats land because they've been earned.
But Some find the darkness too relentless for younger viewers, and later mythology becomes complex. The overall brevity (two seasons) means incomplete feelings about secondary characters.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power2018
Reboot that earns respect by being genuinely good: stellar animation, character arcs that surprise you, and relationships (friendship, family, romance) that feel textured and true. Smart without lecturing.
But Heavily serialized, so early episodes feel inconsequential until you're invested. Some find the animation style too stylized, and the tone can veer earnest.

Infinity Train2019
Surreal, ambitious anthology with each season following different characters through a magical train. Visually inventive, genuinely eerie, and tackles identity and belonging with real thoughtfulness.
But Surrealism isn't for everyone, and the mood is often unsettling rather than comforting. Some episodes feel deliberately unresolved, which frustrates viewers wanting closure.

Over the Garden Wall2014
An autumn-dark miniseries about two brothers lost in a strange forest. Atmospheric, beautifully written, with genuine dread and strange magic. It feels like a fairy tale that doesn't talk down to you.
But Only ten episodes total, so investment feels brief. The darkness is real and might be too much for younger children. Bleak ending isn't for everyone.

Hilda2018
A girl moves to a dangerous magical town and gets adventuring anyway. Strong character work, design that's both pretty and weird, and surprisingly complex mythology. Balances danger and humor well.
But First season's monster-of-the-week structure is lighter than the serialized later seasons. Art is deliberately stylized in ways some find angular or unappealing.

People
Cast
Writing
- Marc BrownCreator
- Greg BaileyExecutive Story Editor
- Joe FallonStaff Writer
- Ken ScarboroughStaff Writer
- Peter K. HirschStaff Writer