Who says that animated movies are just for kids? Animation has always attempted to appeal to adults as much as kids. It was not until the 70s and 80s, however, that animated films for grown-ups finally entered mainstream success. Since then, studios have proven time and time again that animation is not just a medium for children.
One way studios have woven their way into the hearts and minds of the adult public is by leaning heavily into the more absurd elements of animation. This dissonance between reality and fiction allows for humor that's down-to-earth, vulgar, and even sexually explicit at times. This raunchy style of animated storytelling gives the young at heart the best of both worlds - the nostalgia of watching a weird cartoon paired with the outrageous and downright dirty humor of adulthood.
Updated June 28, 2023: If you're a fan of raunchy animated films, then you'll be pleased to know this article has been updated recently by Amanda Minchin.
This trend arguably picked up speed with the 1972 adult black comedy Fritz the Cat, one of the first and undeniably filthiest animated films of all time. Since Fritz the Cat’s debut over fifty years ago, studios have fully embraced adult animated farces, proving them to be just as profitable with grown-up audiences. Many beloved animated television shows, like The Simpsons, have also gone on to release big-screen adaptations. Those adaptations, however, only scratch the surface of the genre. These are the raunchiest animated movies for adults.
15 South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut (1999)
Comedy Central’s foul-mouthed animated hit series South Park made its way to the big screen with 1999’s South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut. The film follows Stan and the gang as they sneak into an R-rated movie and emerge with a penchant for swearing. This, of course, causes their parents to blame Canada for their children's corruption.
Due to creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s dispute with the MPAA over the project’s profanity, the film satirizes the Motion Picture Association of America. The brazen comedy includes everything the show is famous for, such as crude sexual humor, vulgar jokes, and perverse social satire.
The movie received solid reviews upon its release. It has been described as both outrageously profane and wildly funny, all in service to its pro-tolerance theme. It was also the highest-grossing R-rated animated film until 2016. Now, over two decades later, Parker and Stone are in the process of releasing 14 new South Park movies on Paramount+.
14 Heavy Traffic (1973)
Fritz the Cat director Ralph Bakshi served up an entertainingly filthy flick when he helmed the 1973 adult animated drama Heavy Traffic. The plot follows aspiring cartoonist Michael Corleone as he attempts to find inspiration for his craft through various interactions with unsavory individuals he meets on the streets of New York City. Joseph Kaufmann stars as the 22-year-old pinball-loving virgin who crosses paths with an array of colorful characters that include a masochistic nymphomaniac named Snowflake and a violent Italian mafioso. The film also depicts the young artist as he and his love interest Carole turn to a life of crime in order to survive.
Despite its bawdy content and X-rating, Heavy Traffic became Bakshi's greatest critical success and earned positive reviews from critics. The filmmaker became the first person in animation history since Walt Disney to release two profitable films back-to-back. The provocative and boundary-pushing picture remains an early example of adult animated content that would go on to inspire future projects.
13 America: The Motion Picture (2021)
2021’s Netflix original film America: The Motion Picture is an animated comedy that is loosely based on the Founding Fathers of the United States and the American Revolution. With an ensemble voice cast including Channing Tatum, Jason Mantzoukas, Will Forte, and Simon Pegg, the film is a tongue-in-cheek take on the American Revolution that's jam-packed with outrageous characters and rude, crude humor.
America: The Motion Picture is well-aware of its own ridiculousness. For instance, it turns George Washington into a chainsaw-wielding hero alongside a beer-chugging Sam Adams of brewery fame. Though many critics condemned the film for its juvenile jokes and writing, the animated comedy earned appreciation for its cast, animation, and unique overall concept.
12 Heavy Metal (1981)
1981’s animated anthology flick Heavy Metal depicts an anthology of science fiction and fantasy stories tied together by a glowing green orb that is the embodiment of ultimate evil. Heavy Metal stars the voices of Rodger Bumpass, John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Joe Flaherty. The film was adapted from the Heavy Metal magazine and its original tales. Like the publication, it features an immense amount of sexuality, nudity, and graphic violence.
Unfortunately, the movie was met with a mixed response at the time of its release. Fans were impressed by its stunning graphics, killer soundtrack, and sharp wit, though many still criticized the picture for its blatant sexism and romanticization of violence. Since then, the movie has garnered cult status, and it's now considered a pioneering time capsule of the '80s. Interestingly, David Fincher and Tim Miller were set to remake the film, but their reboot turned into the popular Love, Death & Robots instead. Now, Heavy Metal is expanding into live-action and animated films with the 'Metalverse.'
11 Aachi & Ssipak (2006)
Aachi & Ssipak is a dystopian South Korean film about, well… poop. Lots and lots of poop. In this world, all potential energy resources have been depleted, leaving only this au naturale element to power humanity’s dwindling resources. Citizens are implanted with an anal chip at birth that rewards their defecation with highly addictive juicy pops.
The plot of Aachi & Ssipak picks up here with the titular duo, a small band of illegal street thugs who sell black market juicy pops to the masses. They come across a lucrative business partner in the form of a porn star whose anus is rigged to produce dozens of juicy pops in one sitting. Soon the threesome is on the run from both the law and a group of bandits known as The Diaper Gang.
While the fact that Aachi & Ssipak was marketed with ‘interactive’ merch is somewhere between vaguely intriguing and absolutely horrifying, it does speak to this film’s widespread appeal. Directed by Jo Beom-jin, the project was originally proposed in 1998. After showcasing some original episodes, the project lost steam until its theatrical release in 2006. It was later rewritten and dubbed by Dick Figures creators for English-speaking audiences, leaving it with a fresh new vibe.
10 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters (2007)
It would be borderline criminal to not have at least one Cartoon Network spectacle on this list. Released in 2007, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters is an offshoot of the popular Aqua Teen Hunger Force animated series. In it, the trio of Master Shake, Frylock and Meatwad found themselves in battle over an immortal piece of exercise equipment.
While fans of the series were beyond excited about this film’s release, the same could not be said of newcomers to the series, who left theaters with more questions than answers. Those looking for more Adult Swim film favorites can anticipate the 2023 release of The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart.
9 The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! (2010)
Based on the cult classic Comedy Central series, The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! reunited the animated eight former housemates in a quest to resurrect the glory of their former show (and tie up a few storylines in the process).
The original series was a riff on reality television that grew from satire to increasingly raunchy throughout the course of its time on air. The show drew inspiration from internet memes, Disney princesses, and comic book heroes Hanna-Barbera, Betty Boop, Zelda, and Pokémon. Released in 2010, audiences were once again able to experience these eight characters drawn together for themselves.
8 Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie! (2013)
Jay & Silent Bob’s Groovy Cartoon Movie! turns the comic of “Bluntman & Chronic” into a reality. The comedic storyline follows the two as they navigate their new lives and manage “The League of Shitters," a hilarious group of villains formed against them.
It was almost inevitable that Kevin Smith would release a Jay & Silent Bob cartoon film, wasn't it? The end result is a hoot. ViewAskew fans are advised to tune in if they haven't already, but general viewers might be disappointed in comparison to gems like Dogma.
7 Eight Crazy Nights (2002)
Eight Crazy Nights is Adam Sandler’s first animated film role. This Hanukkah film’s take on the popular Ebenezer Scrooge trope is filled with several Easter eggs that only adults would notice. The story followed neerdowell Davey Stone, who is forced into community service as an assistant referee for a kids league under the supervision of Whitey Duvall, the eccentric, elf-like head ref.
The movie showcased Sandler in several voice acting roles alongside several former SNLers like Kevin Nealon, Jon Lovitz, and Rob Schneider. In his time at SNL, he was known for his Opera Man sketches, with songs like The Thanksgiving Song and of course The Chanukah Song. A film about the latter, an animated musical no less, seemed like a no-brainer at the time.
Unfortunately, Sandler’s comedy just isn’t for everyone. While panned by critics, its hand-drawn animation is still visually stunning and at no small feat. Lovably out-there characters and raunchy themes aside, this film still has a place at the microwaved holiday dinner tray table.
6 Cheech and Chong’s Animated Movie (2013)
Released 35 years after their first film in 1978, Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie has everything audiences have come to expect from its titular characters. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are arguably unsung cultural icons whose weed-fueled shenanigans have managed to stay relevant throughout their decades of movies. While by no means an Oscar-nominated venture, this film proves that these two knuckleheads have still got the groove all these years later.
5 Tripping the Rift: The Movie (2008)
Syfy’s CGI adult animated comedy Tripping the Rift: The Movie is modeled largely from the Star Trek universe. It's set on a spaceship captained by outlaw Chode McBlob. The plot details the misadventures he and his crew come upon while celebrating his birthday.
Infamous for its spoofs of pop culture greats like The Terminator and Young Frankenstein, Tripping the Rift
is as well known for its satiric content as for its filthy language, humor, and graphic sexual depictions. The film featured completely uncensored dialogue when it aired, and its nudity was obscured by “censored” balloons. Its eagerness to embrace all things risqué is something to be admired.
4 Down and Dirty Duck (1974)
Charles Swenson’s 1974 animated adult comedy Down and Dirty Duck follows the mild-mannered Willard as he teams up with a lewd and crude duck on a surreal quest to let loose and possibly get laid. The story consists of a series of abstract and beautifully bizarrely drawn sequences, with caricatures of Frank Zappa, John Lennon, and Yoko Ono briefly appearing in the farce. Down and Dirty Duck, which was also promoted as just Dirty Duck, was widely condemned by reviewers, who criticized its crude humor and blatant attempt to replicate the success of Fritz the Cat.
Despite such an intense dislike from critics (or perhaps because of it), the film did well on home video and has since become a cult 'midnight' movie. Though it was released nearly a decade earlier and has far more interesting animation, Down and Dirty Duck is typically forgotten behind the provocative 80s hit Howard the Duck.
3 Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)
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MTV’s audacious and ingloriously stupid slacker duo Beavis and Butt-Head took their hilarity to the big screen with 1996’s Beavis and Butt-Head Do America. The animated comedy focuses on the adolescent heroes as they attempt to locate their stolen television, traveling across the country in search of it... all while hoping to “score” while they’re at it.
Written and directed by series creator Mike Judge, the flick was a huge critical and commercial success, earning $63 million at the box office. The vulgar and outrageous movie showcases the idiot buddies in all their glory and features lowbrow humor, scathing social commentary, and sidesplitting satire. Three decades later, Mike Judge has revived the duo once more, again for Paramount+.
2 Fritz the Cat (1972)
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Director Ralph Bakshi directed the animated black comedy Fritz the Cat, which became the first American animated movie to receive an X rating, A cat film unlike any other, the picture centers on the titular character, a fast-talking and womanizing cat in an anthropomorphic version of NYC during the 1960s. The comedy is a satire that focuses on American college life during the era, the free love movement, and race relations. Bakshi wanted to use the medium of animation to tell satirical and dramatic stories to a more mature audience.
Fritz the Cat does contain profanity, graphic violence, sex, and drug use, which sparked outrage from conservative members of the animation industry. Still, this film was a pioneer for its use of mature themes and satire and is widely acknowledged as the stepping stone for future animated creations for adults, from Family Guy to The Simpsons and even South Park.
1 Sausage Party (2016)
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From the deliciously dirty minds of comedy heavy hitters Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Jonah Hill came the 2016 adult animated farce Sausage Party. The plot takes place in a supermarket and centers on a hot dog named Frank (voiced by Rogen). Frank makes the truly horrifying discovery about what actually happens when groceries are purchased, and the hilarity only ensues from there.
Rogen revealed that they worked for 8 years to get the project made, but the racy content worried most film studios. After initially receiving an NC-17 rating, Sausage Party ultimately earned a final R-rating for “strong crude sexual content, pervasive language, and drug use.”
Upon its release, the controversial comedy became the highest-grossing R-rated animated film of all time. It held that title until Demon Slayer: Mugen Train surpassed it in 2020. It was praised for its daring humor by critics, with The News Tribune writing, “There is no one out there making comedies quite like Rogen and Goldberg. They are putting their definitive stamp on the modern American comedy one decency-smashing double entendre at a time.”