Bonanza

If you want animation that is not just for kids, Bonanza is available in Australia on Hoopla, and in the US on fuboTV and Philo right now. Every one of its 14 seasons holds up. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. A harder one to justify skipping than to start. Available now on Hoopla — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Bonanza is worth clearing space for. Bonanza treats animation as a medium, not a limitation. The High-Sierra adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their ranch while helping the surrounding community. Every line from Lorne Greene and Michael Landon lands with more craft than you'd expect. It ran for 14 seasons (1959–1973), and the writing holds up across every one of them. The visual gags in Bonanza reward close attention without ever depending on it. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Genuinely enjoyable for a wide range of viewers, Bonanza treats animation as a delivery mechanism, not a limitation. Viewers who responded to The Rifleman will find a lot to like here too. At 14 seasons, this is a genuine commitment — one that pays off. Lorne Greene's voice work is a big part of what makes it distinctive. If you have been sleeping on it because of the format, the format is not the thing here.

Bonanza wrapped up in 1973, created by David Dortort — and 14 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.