Best Cartoons of the 90s

1. The Simpsons

   

   The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening. It originally aired as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show starting April 19, 1987, and debuted as a standalone series on December 17, 1989.

   As of 2026, it remains the longest-running animated sitcom. The show follows Homer Simpson... read more

   I gotta say that was easy. It's an original and came out before Family Guy, Futurama, The Cleveland Show, American Dad, and I'm not sure, but maybe South Park. Family Guy, Futurama, The Cleveland Show, American Dad, and South Park are still funny, though.

2. Batman: The Animated Series

   

   Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. It originally aired on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1995 and was developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. The show is praised for its darker tone, film noir aesthetics, and introduction of original... read more

   Terrific characters and beautiful animation!

   Unlike any other cartoon back then.

3. South Park

   

   South Park is an American adult animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. The show centers on four boys: Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, and their adventures in the fictional town of South Park, Colorado. It's known... read more

   I'm obsessed with this show. Such great characters. I love Tweek.

4. Spongebob Squarepants

   

   SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It has become one of Nickelodeon's most popular and longest-running shows, attracting both children and adults.... read more

   It's creative, hilarious, and well-liked among people of all ages. You can watch it over and over and it will still be funny.

5. Rugrats

   

   Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The show premiered in 1991 and follows a group of toddlers navigating life from their unique perspectives. It became one of Nickelodeon's most successful and longest-running animated... read more

   This is such a nice cartoon. Funny and entertaining. Phil has wit.

   I liked this growing up as a kid. I would always watch it when it was on a very long time ago.

6. Dexter's Laboratory

   

   Dexter's Laboratory is an American comic science fiction animated television series created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network. It was the first series to be branded as one of the network's Cartoon Cartoons. The show follows Dexter, a boy genius with a secret laboratory... read more

7. The Powerpuff Girls

   

   The Powerpuff Girls is an American animated television series created by animator Craig McCracken for Cartoon Network. The main characters of the show are Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. The story follows Professor Utonium, who accidentally creates three little superhero girls using a mixture of sugar... read more

   Vote this for the number 1 best 90s series! Also, good list, FandomStuck!

8. Animaniacs

   

   Animaniacs is an American animated comedy-musical television series created by Tom Ruegger. It was produced by Warner Bros. Television Animation in collaboration with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment. The series originally aired from 1993 to 1998 and included 99 episodes and a direct-to-video... read more

   While I was not a child of the 90s, I still had a lot of fun watching the show. The songs are catchy, entertaining, and some are educational. The show focuses on the Warner brothers, Yakko and Wakko, and their sister, Dot. However, there were many more characters with even more memorable pieces. Some lines were just hilarious.

   It appealed to not only children but adults too. This cartoon is highly recommended.

   This cartoon had many different tropes and character styles parodying those of the last century. It was a good thing it came out in the 90s as a last hurrah to the 20th century and 2nd millennium in general.

9. Beavis and Butt-head

   

   Beavis and Butt-Head is an American animated sitcom created and designed by Mike Judge. The series originated from Frog Baseball, a 1992 short film by Judge that originally aired on Liquid Television. The show became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s and was revived for new seasons in the 2010s and... read more

10. Hey Arnold!

    

    Hey Arnold! is an American animated television series created by Craig Bartlett. It aired on Nickelodeon from October 7, 1996, to June 8, 2004.

    The show follows a fourth grader named Arnold who lives with his grandparents in an inner-city boarding house. It became known for its diverse cast of... read more

    I would always watch this on CITV. The opening theme was very cool.

    Arnold was the wise kid on the block, always helping his friends when they were in need. The show touched on real-life topics that most cartoons wouldn't dare cover today. For example, Sid and his OCD, Harold being ridiculed for his weight, and Chocolate Boy's addiction.

    Helga swearing, her mom's alcoholism, and family neglect were also part of the show. I really enjoyed Hey Arnold! and think it rightfully deserves to be ranked higher. I grew up watching this, and it even has two follow-up movies.

    This is a great show. I love watching it. It's entertaining, and the characters are well-developed.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    King of the Hill

    

    King of the Hill is an American animated sitcom created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox. The show centers on the Hill family in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas, and satirizes suburban life and American culture. It starred voices including Mike... read more

    This is so underrated. It's easily one of my favorite cartoons to ever exist. It had relatable episode plots, fitting animation, and relatable characters. It also had some dang good comedy, I tell you what, man.

12. ?

    The Three Friends and Jerry

The Contenders

13. Rocko's Modern Life

    

    Rocko's Modern Life is an American animated television series created by Joe Murray for Nickelodeon. The series centers on the surreal life of an anthropomorphic Australian-immigrant wallaby named Rocko, along with his friends: the gluttonous steer Heffer, the neurotic turtle Filburt, and Rocko's faithful... read more

    I could only watch a few episodes of it, and since then, I never saw it again. But in these episodes, I learned that Rocko's Modern Life was indeed a hell of a good show! Good characters, crazy plots, and a very special point of view towards being an adult.

    Absolutely love it!

    Rocko's Modern Life is obsessive when you start watching it. Once you start, you can't stop.

    This show was especially made for teenagers during Season 1. Dear God...

14. Family Guy

    

    Family Guy is an American adult animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a family consisting of Peter, Lois, their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their anthropomorphic dog, Brian. The show is set in the fictional city of Quahog... read more

15. Dragon Ball Z

    

    Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. It follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Warriors as they protect Earth from various villains. The series emphasizes themes of good versus evil and teaches values such as teamwork, loyalty, and perseverance.

16. The Ren & Stimpy Show

    

    The Ren & Stimpy Show, often referred to simply as Ren & Stimpy, is an American animated television series created by John Kricfalusi for Nickelodeon. It originally aired from 1991 to 1995 and is known for its surreal humor and controversial content. The series centers on Ren, an emotionally unstable... read more

17. Pokemon

    

    Pokémon, abbreviated from the Japanese title Pocket Monsters and currently marketed in English as Pokémon: The Series, is a Japanese anime television series adapted for international audiences. It was first broadcast in Japan on April 1, 1997, and in the United States on September 8, 1998.... read more

    Ash finally won a Pokémon League after 22 years!

    The original theme tune to this rocks, and original Ash was hot.

18. Darkwing Duck

    

    Darkwing Duck is an American animated action-adventure comedy television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. It originally aired from 1991 to 1992 on both the syndicated block The Disney Afternoon and ABC Saturday mornings. The show followed the adventures of the titular superhero, Darkwing... read more

19. X-Men: The Animated Series

    

20. Johnny Bravo

    

    Johnny Bravo is an American animated television series created by Van Partible for Cartoon Network. It was the second original Cartoon Network series to be branded as part of the Cartoon Cartoons lineup. The show originally aired from 1997 to 2004 and follows the comedic misadventures of a muscular,... read more

21. Futurama

    

    Futurama is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show follows Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy who's cryogenically frozen and wakes up 1,000 years in the future. It blends satire, science fiction, and social commentary.

    It's older than SpongeBob. Doesn't feel like it.

22. Captain Planet and the Planeteers

    

    Captain Planet and the Planeteers is an American animated environmentalist television series created by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle. The show originally aired from 1990 to 1996 and was designed to educate viewers about environmental issues. It follows five teenagers who can summon the superhero Captain... read more

23. Doug

    

    Doug is an American animated sitcom created by Jim Jinkins. The show focuses on the early adolescent life of its title character, Douglas "Doug" Funnie, who experiences common predicaments while attending school in his new hometown of Bluffington. Doug narrates each story in his journal, and the show... read more

24. Spider-Man: The Animated Series

    

    Spider-Man, also known as Spider-Man: The Animated Series, is an American animated television series. It is based on the Marvel Comics character and originally aired on Fox Kids from 1994 to 1998. The show followed the adventures of Peter Parker as he balanced life as a college student and superhero... read more

25. Recess

    

    Recess is an American animated television series created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere. It was produced by Walt Disney Television Animation and originally aired from 1997 to 2001. The animation work was handled by several international studios, including Grimsaem, Plus One Animation, Sunwoo Animation... read more

    This was a great show. TJ and his gang were the thing in the 90s. It was filled with adventure and mischief on the playground. The characters all stood out uniquely, even the background characters: Hustler Kid, Swinger Girl, King Bob, Upside Down Girl, and the Diggers. They were all amazing. This should be higher. Why isn't it? Come on.

    This is my fourth vote. It should be higher. This was a really cool show. I love the movie.

    Very funny. It made me go but in real life!

26. Daria

    

    Daria is an American animated sitcom created by Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis Lynn for MTV as a spin-off of Beavis and Butt-Head. It aired from March 3, 1997, to January 21, 2002, running for five seasons. The series centers on Daria Morgendorffer, a smart, sarcastic teenage girl navigating high school... read more

27. Ren and Stimpy

    

    The Ren & Stimpy Show, often referred to simply as Ren & Stimpy, is an American animated television series created by John Kricfalusi for Nickelodeon. It originally aired from 1991 to 1995 and is known for its surreal humor and controversial content. The series centers on Ren, an emotionally unstable... read more

    All of the rest of these are crude. I grew up with Ren and Stimpy! The 90's cartoons were my childhood! There should be more cartoons on here like Samurai Jack and Recess! Not these stupid, meaningless, badly influential shows!

    Bring back these cartoons!