Will Cartoons Replace Sitcoms and Capture Gen Z’s Imagination?

Could Cartoons Replace Sitcoms for Gen Z and Beyond?

In the early 2000s, sitcoms like Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and The Big Bang Theory ruled the screen. They were appointment television — something entire households gathered to watch. Laugh tracks, predictable character arcs, and cozy living rooms became cultural signatures.

Fast forward to today, and things are…different. Gen Z isn’t just rejecting the format — many of them are skipping it altogether. Instead, they’re flocking to shows like BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, Smiling Friends, and Rick and Morty. These aren’t your Saturday morning cartoons. They’re edgy, smart, often dark, and crafted for adult minds.

So, the question is no longer whether animation can coexist with sitcoms — it’s whether it might replace them entirely.

A Quick Look at Sitcoms: Their Rise and Stall

Sitcoms have been a cultural staple for decades. From I Love Lucy in the ‘50s to Modern Family in the 2010s, they’ve mirrored social trends, normalized stereotypes, and given us unforgettable one-liners.

But the format hasn’t evolved much.

Even on platforms like Netflix or Peacock, many sitcoms still lean on:

• Multi-camera setups
• Laugh tracks
• Episodic reset storytelling (everything goes back to normal by next week)
• A small set of relatable characters

This model once felt familiar and comforting. But to Gen Z, it feels formulaic and outdated.

Why Cartoons Are Winning Gen Z Over

1. Total Creative Freedom

Cartoons are boundless. They don’t have to obey the laws of physics or budget limitations. Writers can craft surreal universes (Adventure Time), simulate multiverses (Rick and Morty), or dive deep into metaphorical mental health narratives (BoJack Horseman).

For Gen Z, raised on hyper-stimulating, visually dynamic platforms like TikTok and YouTube, cartoons feel more natural than the static, slow-paced sitcom.

2. No Budget Constraints = Bigger Storytelling

Creating a giant space battle or time-traveling wombat costs the same in animation as writing a conversation in a coffee shop. That’s impossible in sitcoms without inflating the budget.

Result: Cartoons can go weirder, deeper, funnier, and even darker — often in a single episode.

3. Aesthetic & Identity Fit

Gen Z values diversity, irony, and authenticity — and animation allows for all of that without casting limitations or “type” roles.

Cartoons can:

• Satirize current events with wild exaggeration (Inside Job, The Midnight Gospel)
• Blend genres (comedy, sci-fi, drama) effortlessly

According to a 2023 Morning Consult study, Gen Z is more likely than any generation before them to seek media that “represents their identity in unconventional ways.”

4. Social Commentary Hits Different in Animation

Cartoons aren’t just fun; they can be serious. Think:

• BoJack Horseman’s deep-dive into depression, addiction, and fame
• Rick and Morty’s existential dread and nihilism
• Undone’s exploration of time, trauma, and healing

Sitcoms typically avoid these topics — or handle them with shallow emotional arcs.

Animation sneaks in big themes under the cover of humor and absurdity.

Binge Culture Changed the Game

Streaming killed the week-by-week sitcom model. Cartoons — often serialized and bingeable — fit the new viewing behavior better.

Format	Works Best In…	Gen Z Preference
Sitcoms	Weekly/Live TV	Low
Cartoons	Binge/Streaming	High

A 2024 Nielsen report revealed that animated adult series on Netflix, Hulu, and Max had 40% higher binge completion rates than live-action sitcoms in the same demographic (ages 16–25).

Sitcoms That Tried to Adapt… and Failed

Some traditional sitcoms tried to jump the shark:

• How I Met Your Father (2022): felt like a weak replica
• Call Me Kat (2021–2023): quirky but didn’t stick
• That ’90s Show (2023): nostalgic, but forgettable

Why? They were repackaging old formulas. Gen Z doesn’t want warmed-up leftovers — they want bold flavor.

Successful Animated Shows Gen Z Loves

Here’s a quick list of animated shows dominating Gen Z’s attention:

Show	Platform	Why It Works
BoJack Horseman	Netflix	Mental health + satire + celebrity culture
Big Mouth	Netflix	Honest takes on puberty and adolescence
Smiling Friends	Adult Swim	Absurdist humor, meme-ready moments
Rick and Morty	Max	Meta sci-fi + existential crises
Blue Eye Samurai	Netflix	Gritty, cinematic storytelling
Inside Job	Netflix	Conspiracy theories + workplace satire

Even “kids” animation is morphing: shows like Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, and Avatar: The Last Airbender are now multi-generational staples.

So… Could Sitcoms Be Evolving Into Cartoons?

It’s already happening.

• Harley Quinn on Max mixes superhero satire and office banter.
• Tuca & Bertie brought back millennial angst in bird form.
• Solar Opposites parodied workplace sitcoms in a sci-fi context.

Animation is becoming the vehicle, not the genre.

Why Some People Still Prefer Sitcoms

Not everyone’s ready to say goodbye to the traditional sitcom.

• Live-action emotions feel more human.
• Comedy timing in physical acting still resonates.
• Some viewers crave familiarity, not experimentation.

And let’s be honest: Abbott Elementary is doing just fine — proving that sitcoms aren’t dead. They just need fresh ideas.

Where Sitcoms Are Falling Short

Weakness	Why Gen Z Tunes Out
Predictable plots	TikTok-trained brains crave surprise
Laugh tracks	Feel dated and inauthentic
Limited visual imagination	Animation offers surreal appeal
Long-form arcs	Gen Z prefers shorter, impactful episodes

External Sources:

• Nielsen 2024 Streaming Behavior Report
• Morning Consult: Gen Z Identity in Media
• Vulture – The Quiet Power of Adult Animation

What’s the Verdict?

Cartoons aren’t just catching up — they’re leading.

They’re dynamic. They’re relevant. And for Gen Z, they feel more real than reality.

While traditional sitcoms may still have a place in the cultural landscape, animation is becoming the dominant comedy platform — not because it’s trendy, but because it adapts faster, speaks louder, and dares to be weird.

So next time someone says “cartoons are for kids,” just show them BoJack.