Netflix's 10/10 Psychological Drama Deserves Its Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

1 week ago 19

Published Jan 24, 2026, 1:30 PM EST

BoJack Horseman is one of Netflix's best original series of all time, scoring an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. What initially appears as a cynical animated comedy about a washed-up sitcom star gradually transforms into an emotional drama that explores the effects of mental health and paralyzing addiction that no show has been able to replicate since.

The series stands out for its ability to balance humor with harsh realities, even as it begins to explore its darker themes. Across BoJack Horseman's six seasons, the show follows the eponymous former '90s sitcom star who turned to alcoholism while struggling to stay relevant. Voiced by Will Arnett, the titular character is surrounded by an eclectic group of "friends," who all play a role in the horse's journey of self-discovery.

BoJack Horseman Is The Perfect Blend Of Drama And Comedy

Will Arnett as the voice for BoJack Horseman and Paul F. Tompkins as the voice for Mr. Peanutbutter sit together on couches.

Who would've thought that an animated series about an alcoholic horse would develop into a hard-hitting drama that explores themes like mental illness arguably better than anything else on TV? Then again, BoJack Horseman is known for accomplishing the impossible. The show begins as a comedy, poking fun at BoJack's woes and featuring hilarious antics between the titular character and his "lazy" roommate, Todd Chavez.

But even in BoJack Horseman's saddest moments, its comedic elements never waver. For every harsh realization BoJack has about himself and his addiction, we get Princess Carolyn with her tongue twisters; for every heartbreaking death that looms over the characters, we get Mr. Peanutbutter getting excited whenever the doorbell rings.

The humor never contradicts the drama or makes the emotional moments feel weaker. Instead, the two aspects complement each other and teach brutally realistic lessons in BoJack Horseman. They make the audience appreciate the darker themes while keeping the mood up so that it never feels draining to watch, even in the more hard-hitting scenes.

BoJack Horseman Gets Stronger With Every Season

Will Arnett voices BoJack Horseman, who looks at his mother's casket while delivering his eulogy.

The show reveals that BoJack is an alcoholic in the very first episode, but we don't really understand the effects of this until later in the series. It almost starts as a joke, poking fun at a horse who has an all-consuming substance abuse problem. But as the story progresses, we see that BoJack's drinking not only impacts his life, but also those around him.

BoJack Horseman was certainly strong from the beginning, but it managed to grow in quality with each season. Even though the narrative centers on a cartoon horse, it still feels real. The show doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of addiction, portraying it as a disease that's fully capable of ruining lives.

As the series progresses, we also start to explore more serious themes, such as depression and sexual assault. These are sensitive topics, and they're portrayed very carefully in a way that shows their effects without exaggerating them for the purpose of entertainment. The care given to these more emotional moments makes for some of BoJack Horseman's best episodes.

Past storylines come back in later seasons to explain BoJack's trauma, revealing how his past comes back to haunt him in full-circle moments. Few shows have managed to turn a comedy into a journey of self-exploration, and BoJack Horseman's near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score is a testament to that.