Top 10 Best Nickelodeon Cartoons and Animated Series

The Top Ten
1 SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by marine biologist and animator the late Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. SpongeBob is currently the most popular show on Nickelodeon, as well as the longest running show, running for 23 years, and is beginning its 13th season. The show revolves around a sea sponge called SpongeBob SquarePants and his adventures under the... read more

To me it was The Fairly Oddparents or Spongebob Squarepants. It was pretty hard. I really do like The Fairly Oddparents humor more than spongebob, but spongebob has gotten a lot better humor than seasons 6 to 8. It's improved a lot while The Fairly Oddparents has gone WAY downhill. But spongebob was funny, had REALLY good plots, and was really creative. But I do kinda miss it's innapropiate comedy. (Goodness I'm spelling words wrong) But spongebob was my show through my childhood. Sadly for me I was born at the end of season 5 so I wasn't watching the good episodes. But I still loved them.

I came here from November 26th because Stephen Hillenburg died of ALS a muscle. People thought SpongeBob was gonna end because of this, its really not he stopped after a while. That's why the anime is different and also he left they didn't kick him out, some of the producers still stayed. I was very sad to see this and that Stan Lee died a few weeks died earlier. I really hope this does not destroy Nick, SpongeBob will still live on. Kids were crying in my school when they heard this news.

2 Avatar: The Last Airbender Avatar: The Last Airbender is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in an Asiatic-like world in which some people are able to manipulate the classical elements by use of psychokinetic variants of Chinese martial arts, known as "bending". This show is often seen as one of the greatest cartoons of all time... read more

This show is a masterpiece, and is more well-rounded, balanced, and developed than most cartoons AND live-action shows I've ever seen. I simply cannot express how this show has challenged my way of thinking about our world issues today (war, violence, racial issues, vengeance, forgiveness and mercy, and many others). The messages this show displays not only serves as a teaching point for a children's cartoons, but the creators also incorporates those messages as part of the plot and part of the character. For example, for one of our heroes, who is a vegetarian and was born into a culture of peace and non-violence, he faces his own moral dilemma of whether it is right to take another's life. Unlike most other children's cartoon, which would simply use the message as a device to teach the lesson to children, the message is expressed through our characters and is also vital to the plot.

The characters, including the protagonists, antagonists, and even the secondary/minor characters, are all given development from beginning to end. One antagonist, for example, who starts out as perfect, calculating, and a critical thinker, dissolves into a psychotic person who has trust issues. This contrasts PERFECTLY with her sibling, who starts out as an angry, hot-headed antagonist and develops into an honorary man. The characters are not one-dimensional. They make mistakes, learn, re-evaluate their actions, and questions themselves and their peers -- much like the real world we live in.

There are so many more elements of this show done so well. The animation is fluid, the world is believable and relatable, the soundtrack excellent and epic. What this show gets right is its balance: it's funny when it needs to be, dramatic when it needs to be, and action-packed when it needs to be. There is even an element of romance, which isn't included for the sake of doing it, but is also vital to the plot once again (last chakra, anyone? ) From someone who has seen and love a... more

3 The Fairly OddParents The Fairly OddParents is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon.

My favorite Nickelodeon show and probably my all time favorite show. This show pratically has everything: Time Travel, physically surfing the internet and T.V. channels, good moral lessons. The humor never wears off and any age group would enjoy it. The main characters (Cosmo, Wanda, and Timmy) are some of the best main characters in any story. They are extremely humorous and they help you feel better when you're feeling down because they're so emotionally moving.

This show is cool, I started watching it in August of last year, and I thought it was great. But I think it should have ended after it,s 8th season, because after that sparky the dog came along and then after that chloe arrived. I also think that if the live action movie was better it would have made a great series finale.

Besides SpongeBob this is my favorite cartoon on Nickelodeon. When I was little I used to always love to watch this show. The episodes never get old. I wish that this show was at least number 2 on the list. Great Jokes and Stories.

4 Rugrats Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon.

One of the very first nickelodeon original shows on the channel. A literal classic. Ran for 9 seasons and has so much great humor in it with how babies might understand the world around them, and what their parents are talking about and just their own imaginations, doing their own adventures. I can honestly say unlike SpongeBob and fairly odd parents who also have very long runs on nickelodeon, rugrats never seemed to loose its quality over its runtime through the years. It's stayed fresh with good new characters introduced in the show and they were likable as well. And it was the first show to have a spinoff series on nickelodeon. Just done really well and is another favorite. Voted up.

Oh really! How the heck is Rugrats at number 4. It should be number 1. I mean, come on. At least it was perfect and didn't have any suicide jokes unlikely modern SpongeBob. At least it didn't go on for too long because if it did then it would of sucked. I mean take a look at The Fairly oddparents and SpongeBob. That's why it's never good to keep shows on for too long. Anyway this show deserves to be number 1 instead of SpongeBob because SpongeBob lost it's taste in after 2004. This show is legendary. It's way better than SpongeBob.

5 Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! is an American animated television series created by Craig Bartlett that aired on Nickelodeon from October 7, 1996 to June 8, 2004. The show centers on a fourth grader named Arnold, who lives with his grandparents in an inner-city boarding house.

This show is the best Nikelodeon show ever! I was so devastated when it ended and when the Jungle Movie and The Patakis were cancelled. Nikelodeon needs to bring back this show because it would be good for their channel and many people will love it! I recently bought the complete series on DVD and it's amazing! I love it so much! I just hope one day they bring the show back and continue it where they left off or make the characters older and make a show about it! But I hope if they do it that Arnold does not move away because that would suck because he is one of the best characters along with Helga. But this show definitely deserves more love and a continuation

Don't get me wrong I'm a huge SpongeBob fan, but Hey Arnold should easily be #1. Why? It's just so brilliant that it's almost unmatchable: amazing episodes, interesting plots, great life lessons, and very entertaining characters. And by the way, Helga is hilarious and so relatable! Gerald is cool, and Arnold is really kind and heartfelt. All in all, I will hold this show in a special place in my heart.

6 Invader Zim Invader Zim is an American animated television series created by Jhonen Vasquez for Nickelodeon. The series centers on an extraterrestrial named Zim from the planet Irk, and his mission to conquer Earth and enslave the human race along with his malfunctioning robot servant GIR.

Invader Zim is still a very cool cartoon, but it does need some improvement. 1. The characters in the series should probably talk politely and not use as much trash talk as they normally should. 2. If Dib figured out if Zim was an alien and not human, then Zim would have to make his disguise have a nose, two ears, white skin, no gloves, and a different outfit. 3. Some of the grammar is spelled incorrectly. 4. The characters should be more positive role models. Gaz should be more sympathetic and supportive with her brother Dib, Zim should probably ask the tallest to go to a different planet, The tallest should of gave Zim a normal SIR and not GIR, because GIR is too hyperactive, Gaz should be happier, Zim should probably lower voice because he talks in a really loud tone. 5. Ms. Bitters should be as grouchy and mean as she always is she should probably learn to lighten up. Jhonen Vasquez remember Invader Zim can still be funny but in just a more positive way rather than a negative way.

7 Danny Phantom Danny Phantom is an American animated series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon. It was produced by Billionfold Studios and distributed in Canada by Nelvana, a Canadian animation company. The series follows a teenage boy who, after an accident with an unpredictable portal between the human world and the "Ghost Zone", becomes a human-ghost hybrid and takes on the task of saving his town (and... read more

AWESOME show, my personal favorite, but in all honesty, I hope it doesn't return for a fourth season. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to see what happens next like, how does Danny and Sam's relationship work out? Is it possible for Vlad to return? Does Dani Phantom get adopted by Danny's family? The list goes on. But we all need to take a good look at what Nickelodeon's become. The new art styles are HORRENDOUS, the writers couldn't write a good episode if they tried, the writers DON'T try to write good episodes, and bringing shows back hasn't been a good idea for a LONG time. Look what they did to Jimmy Neutron, or the Rugrats (not All Grown Up, I mean the pre-school days thing), they turned them into terrible "shows" that barely lasted a full season. I LOVE Jimmy Neutron and the Rugrats, and when they re-made those shows, they lost so many fans. They can have a chance to bring the show back, but they are most likely going to screw it up. Personally, I LOVE this show just the way it is.

8 The Loud House The Loud House is an American animated television series created by Chris Savino for Nickelodeon. The series revolves around the chaotic suburban everyday life of a boy named Lincoln Loud and his ten sisters, to which he survives as the middle child and only son in a large family of eleven children. Originally set to premier on January 2016, the series instead premiered on May 2, 2016, with the episodes... read more

I love The Loud House! It's easily one of the best cartoons that's currently airing on Nickelodeon. I mean, it actually beat SpongeBob in the ratings! Is that enough proof for you? (I have nothing against SpongeBob though.) The setup is good, the voice acting is great, the animation is just fantastic (I love how it's in the style of old 80's comic strips), the characters are both fun and lovable (my personal favorites are Leni, Luna, Lincoln, Lily, Lana, Lynn, and Lori), and the music is awesome. It should certainly replace Fairly Odd Parents in the Top 10 part of the list, since that show has obviously lost its charm and likability after its fifth season (I mean, even the newest episodes SpongeBob (post-Sponge Out of Water) are doing better than the modern episodes of FOP).

The Loud House is my personal favorite Nicktoon. Everything from the comic book art style, to the wild range in main characters, to the relateableness, I love it all. I really appreciate how some episodes will focus on very simple plots but make them really entertaining, like Lincoln trying to get to the TV first in order to watch his favorite show. Then you have other episodes that focus on supernatural aspects, such as trying to survive a zombie outbreak caused by the flu, or going inside Lily's dream to fight the monsters causing her nightmares. It's a very nice variety. Lincoln is also the perfect main character for the show as he is a level headed kid that the audience can relate to and root for. Most of the other characters are great too. With my personal favorite character being Lynn, as she is a funny tomboy character that is constantly energetic and looking for fun. I understand some people may not like this show, but personally I love it.

9 The Ren & Stimpy Show The Ren & Stimpy Show, often simply referred to as Ren & Stimpy, is an American animated television series created by John Kricfalusi for Nickelodeon.

What?! This deserves to be in the top five! Predictably, Spongebob is number 1. Man, some people need to watch the 90's. I know it's the past, but Nickelodeon was great back then, much better than it is now. Ren and Stimpy was AWESOME! Much better than Sanjay and Craig, or The Fairly Odd Parents. I know when John left, it went WAY downhill, but still. Give it SOME credit for the first two years. This show never failed to make me laugh.

If only the new Spongebob was as merciful...

I love Ren and Stimpy. Its easily one of the most interesting cartoons ever, with lots of gross out humor, hilarious facial expressions, and the wild and psychopathic Ren, along with his pal the lovable dunderhead Stimpy. Ren and Stimpy are a fun duo that go on so many wacky adventures and it just never seems to end well for them. Also gotta love the show for being the inspiration for Spongebob.

I'm so surprised this show is not in the Top 10 section! I mean, just like Doug and Rugrats, it was one of the first Nicktoons to air on Nickelodeon! It was insane, gross, crude, but I still love it to this day!

10 CatDog CatDog is an American animated television series created by Peter Hannan for Nickelodeon. The series depicts the life of conjoined brothers, with one half being a cat and the other a dog.

This cartoon is decent. There's nothing exceptionally good about it, and there's nothing exceptionally bad. The comedy sometimes works. And to be honest, the characters in this show have been seen in many other shows, sometimes being done better. On top of that, most of the characters are somewhat forgettable. Does it deserve a top ten spot? Certainly not.

I love CatDog. The concept of this show is cool, yet kinda disturbing at the same time. Nevertheless this is one of the most fun cartoons Nick has to offer in my opinion.

Classic Nickelodeon. Such a unique premise and has fun episodes.

The Contenders
11 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 as well as his friends: the gluttonous steer Heffer, the neurotic turtle Filburt, and Rocko's faithful dog Spunky.

I remember watching this show as a kid, and many years later, I still thinks it holds up. The animation is great, the jokes are funny, the characters are both memorable and hilarious, and the music is awesome. Honestly, it's my Number 1 favorite Nicktoon. However, I really wish people would stop talking about how it's not a kids' show (it's possibly due to innuendos). So, what? It's still enjoyable to watch!

I also still find it amazing that the some of the writers for this show were some of the same people behind SpongeBob SquarePants and Phineas and Ferb. It's no wonder why I like those two shows!

This show didn't get the airtime it deserved. It was easily the best cartoon with the wackiest sense of humor that could enchant kids and grown-ups likewise. I discovered the show in my twenties and fell in love with the crazy stupidity and had frequently cramps from laughing too hard. But I'm not surprised it's not at the top. Because it never explained what was funny or cheesy. You had to have certain experience in life to appreciate the presentation that was the silliest ever intentionally!

12 The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius is an American computer animated television series created by John A. Davis. It is the first spin-off to the 2001 film Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

My favorite cartoon of all time. Just watched the first in years and it was so good that I binged watched the entire series in a couple weeks and am heartbroken that it only lasted 3 seasons. One of the only shows that actually got better as the series progressed and also one of the only shows that actually have plot points that continue with the series. To many shows nowadays don't follow a storyline and just make a random episode that has nothing to do with the previous episodes. Please bring back Jimmy Neutron

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron is the best show in Nickelodon History. In this show, are more than 100 episodes like:
Crouching Jimmy, hidden Sheen, The love Potion and More! Characters in this show are: Jimmy Neutron, Sheen Estevez, Carl Weezer, Libby Folfax, Cindy Vortex and more! I think "Adventures of Jimmy Neutron" is the best show ever!

One of the best Nick shows because it has science and good characters and wonderful plot lines.

13 The Legend of Korra The Legend of Korra is an American animated television series that aired on the Nickelodeon television network from 2012 to 2014. It was created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino as a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I loved this show almost as much as Avatar: The Last Airbender. It had themes that ran deeper than most shows on the network. It was awesome! It is such a shame that Nickelodeon mistreated a show that had so much potential.

I like this show as much as I liked Avatar: The Last Airbender. Everything that made that show awesome is in here, only this show has a lot more bending action, which makes this show more fun to watch.

I love legend of korra but I still think the last airbender is better! I love this show and I recomend it. In order to understand it I think that people should watch the last airbender first and the legend of korra! This show is amazing!

14 My Life As a Teenage Robot My Life as a Teenage Robot is an American animated science fantasy television series created by Rob Renzetti for Nickelodeon.

This show must be in the top tens, not 25. It is one of the most unique series that I have seen. It is one of the first Nicktoons to add some action. It has beautiful animation, likeable characters, good morals, and plenty of action. Without My Life as a Teenage Robot, there would not be Danny Phantom or Avatar. It deserves more credit for one of the first action cartoons and girl power series in Nickelodeon.

This needs to be in the top ten. This show is amazing. The adventures are zany and exciting, the villains always set up interesting situations, and the characters are hilarious. Overall, My Life As a Teenage Robot is one of the most clever cartoons I've ever seen in my life.

I already made a comment on this show in a different list and copy pasting is cheap so I'll just say: Stupidly underrated, great characters (especially Jenny), great show. Some funny too

15 The Angry Beavers The Angry Beavers is an American animated television series created by Mitch Schauer for the Nickelodeon Channel The series revolves around Daggett and Norbert Beaver, two young beaver brothers who have left their home to become bachelors in the forest near the fictional Wayouttatown, Oregon.

I love this show. These two bros are a funny duo

This should be 1. Why wasn't in the top 10

Why wasn't top 10

16 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American 3D rendered computer animated television series based on the fictional superhero team. It aired on Nickelodeon in the United States from September 29, 2012 to November 12, 2017.

TMNT is the best ever show and I am a giant fan. I always loved those turtles and I will always do it! It has to be the number one, because of the amazing story, animation, voice cast. I am a girl and I love it! Also I love Mikey, he is my favourite character ever and I think he is the cutest! TMNT for ever!

This show is amazing! It should be number 1. My brother and cousins love it and I'm a girl. We have watched every episode so far up to the recent one. I like raph, My brother likes mikey. My oldest cousin loves leo and younger cousin loves donnie.

Deserves to be higher. I am female from an all girls school and everyone seems to like this show. The new episodes of SpongeBob is worse than this. TMNT 2012 deserves to be higher...

17 As Told By Ginger As Told by Ginger is an American animated television series aimed at teenagers, produced by Klasky-Csupo and aired on Nickelodeon.

Always enjoyed shows like this, Daria and Pelswick.

I really can't believe that ATBG is only at the 20th place. This proves to me again that this "cartoon" (personally I prefer animated series, because I feel like this one deserves more than just the word "cartoon") is way too underrated. The storylines are actually something t(w)eens actually can relate to; even I as a 17-year-old can still relate to some of the problems Ginger and her friends have to face (e.g. drinking too much coffee in order to stay up to study, but falling asleep at school). And of course the animation itself is amazing: characters actually have 5 fingers (instead of 4, which most cartoon characters have), characters have an entire garderobe instead of just 1 outfit for the entire series and the mood in some of the scenes gives me goosebumps (e.g. the scene where Ginger reads her And She Was Gone poem).

Conclusion: Vote ATBG up people! It deserves way better than 20th place and only 0.06% of your votes!

18 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 incorporates many imagination sequences. The series addresses numerous topics, including trying to... read more

This show should be in the top 2. The problem is, the majority of the people voting on this grew up in the 2000's, and have no idea what a good cartoon is. Shows from the '90's wipe the floors with the later cartoons.

How shows like fanboy and chum chum and tuff puppy are above doug is a complete blaspheme. How doug is rated at number 33 is even worse.

This should be in the top 5 at the VERY LEAST! It was one of many great shows growing up. 90's cartoons, what an era!

19 Rocket Power Rocket Power is an American animated television series. The series debuted on Nickelodeon on August 16, 1999. The series ended on July 30, 2004 after four seasons.

If you think this show is bad, you're dreaming.
The theme is good, the animation is good, and I had know idea why it got cancelled. Also, play the rocket power video games on GameCube and gameboy.

Absolute best cartoon of all time I love watching it with my kids can it wait for a new one so sad to see it go off the air!

Good cartoon but need more Patrice to become best. Give respond please thank very much

From all cartoons fan

20 T.U.F.F. Puppy T.U.F.F. Puppy is a cartoon created by Butch Hartman. It ran on Nickelodeon from October 2, 2010 until April 4, 2015. It focused on Dudley Puppy and his partner Kitty Katswell as they protected Petropolis under the Turbo Undercover Fighting Force, or T.U.F.F.

I love this show. It's cousin Butch Hartman work I most love. The universe which constitutes anthropomorphics animals, action and adventure that resembles Zootopia and Sly Cooper. The characters are very well made, the bad guys are funny. The show was successful without need magic (The Fairly OddParents) or super powers (Dany Phantom), only needed to combat crime + science fiction. The show is decent and suitable for children and not to mention it's beautiful parts of some of the episodes involving emotions of the characters. He has to earn more seasons.

This show is underrated and I give this a 15/10! First of all, they did a really good job with this cartoon just as they did with the Fairly Odd Parents. Secondly, I absolutely ADORE Jerry Trainor and his character Dudley Puppy. When I saw the trailer of the show, I decided to check it out and actually watch some episodes and it freaking SLAPS! It also gives off that 90s 2000s cartoon vibe which I love. Great job, Nick!

21 The Wild Thornberrys The Wild Thornberrys is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. It was rerun in the United States on Nickelodeon and occasionally Nicktoons until November 1, 2007. The show returned to The '90s Are All That for one night, and aired on March 21, 2013. The show aired on Nicktoonsters in the United Kingdom.

The wild thornberrys, are cool! Based on a comedian named marvin and his son named nigel and their crew, a camerawoman named lorraine, a grunge cartoonist named deborah, a nature and myth geek named elizabeth, a strange boy named donnie, and a clever ape named darwin

This cartoon was fun to watch, since Eliza is an adventurous girl that likes to get herself into dangerous situations. This show also has the bonus of being pretty educational. Also ya just gotta love Nigel Thornberry, he is just such a lovable dude.

Gotta pay respect to the classics. Much, much better than Avatar.

22 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is an American animated television series developed by Klasky Csupo for Nickelodeon.

I love this show so much! In my opinion it's funnier than Monsters inc.

23 Harvey Beaks Harvey Beaks is an American animated television series created by C.H. Greenblatt for Nickelodeon. Originally announced to premiere on March 29, 2015, the series instead premiered on March 28, 2015 following the 2015 Kids' Choice Awards.

Harvey Beaks was a beautiful, fun cartoon. This and loud house show Nickelodeon is rising up to rival Cartoon Network again. So, HARVEY BEAKS!

I really liked this show, but I feel sorry for it being screwed by nickelodeon's "corporate" employees.

It's a very charming show with a cool art style and loveable characters.

24 The Casagrandes

It's one of the spinoffs that were actually good.

Very good spin-off.

25 Catscratch Catscratch is an American animated television series created by Doug TenNapel (also known for creating Earthworm Jim). It was aired on both Nickelodeon and Nicktoons on July 9, 2005 and ended February 10, 2007. It is an adaptation of TenNapel's graphic novel, Gear, which is also the name of the cats' monster truck. The series features music composed by longtime TenNapel collaborator, Terry Scott Taylor... read more

Another really underrated cartoon that was never given the chance. The three main characters are fun to watch, as they all have such great personalities and work well off each other, and the episodes were so incredibly creative.

I've loved Catscratch my whole life. I was so sad when it ended. Every character is funny, especially Waffle. This should be higher!

I really love this show. The plot is perfect, the jokes are funny, the theme song is so catchy, and the characters are cute! ♡ Why didn't it get a DVD release?

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