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Watching cartoons on Saturday morning was a rite of passage for many of us. And now, several years later, we find that most ’90s cartoons still hold up.
From nostalgic theme songs to memorable characters, there’s something oddly comforting about revisiting these childhood classics. And since ’90s fashion is already making a comeback, we thought we’d keep the momentum going by ranking the 21 best ’90s cartoons, from Hey Arnold! to Aaahh!!! Real Monsters.
Every child goes through a phase when they think monsters are real, and this show puts a comical twist on an otherwise scary subject. It introduces viewers to a group of monsters-in-training at the Monster Academy, highlighting each of their individual talents.
Meet Rocko, a wallaby who experiences culture shock when he moves from Australia to the United States. This is his story.
The show takes place in the fictional town of Ocean Shores, California, and follows an athletic boy named Otto Rocket. Join Otto as he participates in a series of extreme sports, including skateboarding, mountain biking and surfing. Cowabunga!
When a geeky 16-year-old named Dexter transforms into an oddball superhero called "Freakazoid," he steps up to fight crime and defeat some of the most bizarre villains. From strong writing to dynamic characters, there’s plenty to love about this series.
The Thornberrys aren’t your typical family. Not only do they live in a motor home, but their youngest daughter, Eliza, can also talk to animals. It’s really cool, but totally secret.
What do you get when you mix sugar, spice and everything nice with a dash of Chemical X? Three fearless young superheroes who dedicate their lives to fighting crime, of course.
Animaniacs may look like a show that appeals only to kids, but it weaves in clever satire and pop culture references to make it enjoyable for adults, too. The comedy sketch series boasts eight Emmy Awards and even spawned a Hulu revival, which is still going strong after two seasons.
When the fourth graders of Third Street School make it their mission to protect their peers, they’re forced to jump through quite a few hoops to please the playground’s leader, King Bob.
Before Tobey Maguire stole our hearts as Peter Parker in 2002, Christopher Daniel Barnes voiced the animated college student turned superhero in this action-packed series. Like we’ve seen in the films, it follows Peter as he struggles to balance his hero duties with his personal life.
See the infamous Man of Steel in all his glory as he juggles being a reporter with protecting humanity. Aside from the quality animation, it features several compelling characters and great role models, including the fabulous Lois Lane. (FYI, if you enjoyed this series, you will love The Batman Superman Movie.)
Right when Cartoon Network started to make a name for itself, it released this gem, which has earned four Primetime Emmy nominations. Seeing Dee Dee inadvertently ruin so many of Dexter's experiments in his “secret lab” just never gets old.
The series follows an intelligent, power-hungry lab mouse and his dim-witted, but good-natured, sidekick as they try to carry out elaborate schemes. It expertly blends parody and relevant themes with silly humor, making it a must-watch for the whole family.
Follow SpongeBob and his friends as they embark on a series of adventures under the sea in the city of Bikini Bottom. Since it first aired, the popular Nickelodeon series has blossomed into a multimedia franchise that includes video games, comic books, merch and even theme parks.
The iconic show revolves around Arthur, an anthropomorphic aardvark, and his family and friends. Arthur is known for its educational and complex themes, from autism spectrum disorder and cancer to family relationships. So, it's no wonder this Emmy-winning show made history as the longest-running animated kids' series in the U.S.
Best known for its dark humor and supernatural elements, Courage the Cowardly Dog follows a timid pet named Courage, who encounters a series of strange occurrences that force him to be brave and protect his owners
Arnold is a grade-schooler who lives with his clueless grandparents in an inner-city tenement. The series follows him and his classmates as they navigate childhood, which is chock-full of bullies and urban legends.
The show is told from the perspective of Tommy Pickles, a curious toddler who spends his days investigating various mysteries around the house, all while trying to avoid the wrath of his older cousin, Angelica.
Although it centers on the beloved group of superheroes and features plenty of action sequences, X-Men also tackles social and political issues, from the Holocaust to the AIDS virus. Not to mention, the stellar writing and music scores don’t disappoint.
Almost every kid can relate to Doug, an imaginative 11-year-old who tries to navigate school, friendships, bullying, family life and a major crush on Patti Mayonnaise. NBD.
With its feminist themes, dry humor and sharp commentary, this MTV series was way ahead of its time. It focuses on Daria and her group of friends, who are so over high school. Together, they navigate life among the less-than-intelligent students of Lawndale High. (Bonus: The show’s reboot, Jodie, is expected to premiere on Comedy Central this year.)
Often considered the best version of Batman ever made, this iconic series set the standard in terms of quality animation, top-notch storytelling, relevant themes and compelling characters. The Emmy Award-winning show follows the dark knight as he fights crime in Gotham City, going up against enemies like the Joker, Mr. Freeze and Penguin.