Why ‘BoJack Horseman’ should be the first comedy you watch on Netflix
Why ‘BoJack Horseman’ should be the first comedy you watch on Netflix
This series proves an animated show can deliver real bite and real honesty.
When people talk about Netflix, it’s mostly dramas that are front of mind. Stuff like “Stranger Things” or “Ozark.” Those shows defined the service, sure, but if you just signed up and want something light that shows what Netflix can do at its best, there’s one comedy that sits way above the rest. “BoJack Horseman” is weird, honest, dark, funny, and way more emotional than you think an animated show about a depressed horse could ever be. And it’s the first comedy I recommend to anyone looking for something on Netflix. Here’s why.
Top comedy TV show to stream first when you sign up for Netflix
Why ‘BoJack Horseman’ is the must-watch comedy on Netflix
I’m not huge into animation, but the first thing that grabbed me when I started “BoJack Horseman” was how quickly it shifted from goofy jokes to something that actually stings. On the surface, it’s this clever Hollywood parody set in a world where humans and animals live side by side. But once you spend even a few episodes with BoJack, you realize the show is doing something deeper. He’s a washed-up sitcom star trying to claw his way back to relevance, and every choice he makes seems to drag him further from the life he wants. That mix of humor and heartbreak is what makes the show so good.
BoJack’s world is built to make you laugh, but it also hits you with stuff you don’t see coming. You’ve got Princess Carolyn juggling her career and personal life with the same exhausted optimism we’ve all felt at times in our lives. You’ve got Diane trying to live up to her ideals while fighting her own depression. And then there’s Todd, a slacker who somehow manages to stumble into the most bizarre subplots imaginable.
What really surprised me was how honestly the show deals with mental health. It’s not afraid to sit in the uncomfortable moments. BoJack’s self-destructive streak isn’t played for shock. It’s presented with a kind of painful clarity that makes you root for him even as you get frustrated with him. That balance is hard to nail, but this show does it better than almost anything else on Netflix.
It also matters that BoJack was Netflix’s first original animated series. When it premiered, Netflix was still proving what kind of shows it could make. Then this strange, melancholy, joke-packed series showed up and proved animation could carry the same emotional weight as prestige dramas. It set the bar for everything that came after it. The creative freedom the platform gave the showrunners is obvious in every weird experimental episode. It’s the kind of bold storytelling that only happens when a streamer gives artists some room to play.
And that freedom pays off in how inventive the show gets. You get episodes told almost entirely underwater. You get elaborate dream sequences. You get a full funeral monologue that somehow ranks among the most moving TV episodes I’ve ever seen. The show never takes the predictable route, and that’s part of why it sticks with you. As wild as things get, it always circles back to real human emotions.
By the time you finish the series, you understand why it became such a cultural touchpoint. It has a way of sneaking up on you with themes about accountability, forgiveness, and what it actually takes to change your life. And even when it pushes into the darkest corners of the story, it never loses its humor. That balance is rare, and it’s the biggest reason I tell people to start watching “BoJack.” It’s bold, it’s emotional, and it’s got a voice all its own.
What is ‘BoJack Horseman’ about?
“BoJack Horseman” follows a former TV star trying to figure out his second act. BoJack used to play a wholesome dad on a hit sitcom called “Horsin’ Around,” but now he spends most of his days hiding in his house, making bad decisions, and trying to convince himself he’s still relevant. When he hires Diane Nguyen to write his memoir, he hopes it’ll finally put his life back on track. Instead, the process forces him to confront parts of himself he’s spent years avoiding.
Even though the show leans into the comedy, it stays grounded in the idea that people can change if they’re willing to actually do the work. It just takes BoJack longer than most. Watching him try to rebuild his life is frustrating, funny, and sometimes emotional, which is exactly why the show resonates. It’s a sharp Hollywood satire wrapped in a story about someone trying to finally take responsibility for the person he’s become.
Other must-stream comedy shows on Netflix
If you want another great comedy after finishing “BoJack Horseman,” start with “Never Have I Ever.” It’s one of Mindy Kaling’s best shows about an American-Indian teenager who’s just lost her dad and is trying to figure out her high school experience. “Sex Education” is another great pick, about an underground sex-therapy clinic at a high school. And if you want something light and joyful, go with “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” It’s fast, bright, and full of jokes you’ll catch on the second and third watch. Ellie Kemper plays Kimmy with this unstoppable, sunny energy that never gets old. It’s the perfect palate cleanser after BoJack’s heavier moments.
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”