Top 10 Best Cartoons of the 2000s

The 2000s were an incredible time for cartoons. It was a decade that gave us some of the most creative, funny, and unforgettable shows that still hold a special place in the hearts of fans today. From action-packed adventures to hilarious comedies, cartoons of this era brought a fresh energy to the screen and raised the bar for what animated storytelling could be.

This list is all about celebrating those shows that defined the 2000s. These are the ones that made you laugh out loud, kept you on the edge of your seat, or even taught you a lesson or two.

The Top Ten

  1. Avatar: The Last Airbender

    Avatar: The Last Airbender is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon for three seasons from 2005 to 2008. It is set in an Asian-inspired world where some people can manipulate the classical elements through psychokinetic techniques based on Chinese martial arts known as "bending."... read more

    This show isn't perfect. I think the relationship between Aang and Katara could have been developed better, and Ozai could have been more interesting rather than just another crazy emperor. But those are really the only criticisms I can come up with. This show is practically flawless in every category possible, and it was advertised as a kids' show.

    Avatar: The Last Airbender is, in my opinion, the greatest cartoon of all time! I love it so much. It's simply a masterpiece! It was such a big part of my childhood growing up, and it deserves the number one spot on any list!

  2. 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

    SpongeBob defined the 2000s with its humor and characters. It should be number one instead of Avatar.

    It's the greatest cartoon for me. It started in the 1990s and is still ongoing!

    This show is so good. I've loved it for 18 years.

  3. Teen Titans

    Teen Titans is an American animated television series created by Glen Murakami and based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. It originally aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2006, with its first two seasons also airing on Kids' WB. The series follows a team of young superheroes as they... read more

    Nurtured my love for superheroes. If I had to start my life all over again, this show would make it worth it.

    This was one of the best to ever do it.

    This is still the best cartoon.

  4. 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, who is determined to conquer Earth with the help of his malfunctioning robot assistant, GIR.... read more

    The characters are adorable. The plots are interesting. As for humor, it at least does a better job than most gross-out cartoons.

    THIS is the best. No doubt. It handles humor perfectly and balances disturbing images.

  5. Kim Possible

    Kim Possible is an American animated children's television series created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle for Disney Channel. It originally aired from 2002 to 2007 and inspired several television films, including a live-action adaptation released in 2019. The series follows teenage crime-fighter Kim... read more

    Great feel-good show. Loved it as a kid, love it more as an adult.

    I was in love with this show as a kid. Kim P. was such a role model for me.

  6. Phineas and Ferb

    Phineas and Ferb is an American animated musical comedy television series. It was initially previewed on August 17 and September 28, 2007, before officially premiering on February 1, 2008. Its original run concluded on June 12, 2015, after four seasons on Disney Channel and Disney XD, but the series... read more

  7. Samurai Jack

    Samurai Jack is an American animated science-fantasy action-adventure series created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network. The series premiered on August 10, 2001, with a television movie titled The Premiere Movie, and its original run concluded with its fourth season on September 25, 2004, without... read more

    I don't actually remember much from this show, but I can't wait to rewatch it!

  8. 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.

  9. 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 becomes a human-ghost hybrid after an accident involving a malfunctioning... read more

    Not gonna lie, I had a HUGE crush on Danny. I can now say I had a girl crush on Sam, and I think this show sparked my love for ghosts.

    It is the best show I have ever had the courtesy to watch!

    My favorite show! Danny Phantom

  10. The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

    The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (also known simply as Billy and Mandy) is an American animated television series created by Maxwell Atoms for Cartoon Network. It originated as part of Grim and Evil before becoming a separate series.... read more

    I knew there was a reason I thought about creepy things as a kid. Still loved this crazy show anyway.

    A genius cartoon that has everything needed to be top-ten worthy.

    This show should be number one on this list.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Ōban Star-Racers

    The #1 underrated cartoon ever made. The animation is beautiful, the story is engaging, and there are some tearjerker moments.

  12. ?

    Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures

    13. The Contenders

  13. 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

    Even before its seasonal rot, it still had some funny moments.

  14. Ed, Edd n Eddy

    Ed, Edd n Eddy is a Canadian-American animated comedy television series created by Danny Antonucci for Cartoon Network. It was the sixth original Cartoon Cartoon produced by the network. The show follows three preteen boys named Ed, Edd (also called "Double D"), and Eddy, who live in a suburban cul-de-sac... read more

  15. Pokemon

    Pokémon, abbreviated from the Japanese title Pocket Monsters and branded 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

  16. Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends

    Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends is an American animated television series created by Craig McCracken for Cartoon Network Studios. The show premiered in 2004 and concluded in 2009. It centers on a foster home for imaginary friends created by children, blending humor, heart, and distinctive animation... read more

    This show should be higher. It is definitely one of the best cartoons of the 2000s.

    I loved this show so much as a kid!

  17. Gravity Falls

    Gravity Falls is an American animated television series produced by Disney Television Animation. It first aired on Disney Channel before moving to Disney XD, running from June 15, 2012, to February 15, 2016. The series follows the adventures of Dipper Pines and his twin sister, Mabel, in the fictional... read more

    Gravity Falls was created in the 2010s, not the 2000s.

  18. Adventure Time

    Adventure Time is an American animated television series created by Pendleton Ward for Cartoon Network. The series follows the adventures of a boy named Finn, voiced by Jeremy Shada, and his best friend and adoptive brother Jake, voiced by John DiMaggio. Jake is a dog with the magical power to change... read more

    I love Teen Titans, but you can't touch this funny, dramatic, and totally insane show!

    This cartoon aired in April 2008 and became a staple in the first decade of cartoons.

    Marceline is so tender, both as a grown-up vampire queen and as a little half-human/half-demon girl.

  19. American Dragon: Jake Long

    American Dragon: Jake Long is an American animated television series created by Jeff Goode and produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. It originally aired on Disney Channel from 2005 to 2007. The show follows a Chinese-American teenager named Jake Long who protects the magical creatures of New... read more

    I love magic, dragons, and martial arts. This must be where that love came from.

  20. The Emperor's New School

  21. 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

  22. The Fairly OddParents

    The Fairly OddParents is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon. It originally premiered as a series of shorts on Oh Yeah! Cartoons in 1998 before debuting as a full series on March 30, 2001.... read more

  23. Total Drama

    Total Drama is a Canadian animated comedy television series that pays homage to and parodies conventions commonly found in reality television. The series debuted with Total Drama Island in 2007 and has since spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs. The franchise is known for its satirical take on competition-based... read more

    This was the best cartoon of the 2000s. The characters were all unique and likable. Duncan was the bad boy of the show who liked to tease, and he made it far in each season (except TDWT, where he was the first eliminated). He finished in 4th place in TDI and 1st place in TDA.

  24. Totally Spies!

    Totally Spies! is a French animated spy comedy television series created by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel. It was mainly produced by Marathon Media, now known as Zodiak Kids and Family France, with Image Entertainment Corporation co-producing seasons three through five. The show follows three... read more

  25. Codename: Kids Next Door

    Codename: Kids Next Door, also known as Kids Next Door or by its acronym KND, is an American animated television series created by Tom Warburton for Cartoon Network. The show premiered on December 6, 2002, and ran for six seasons until January 21, 2008. It follows five children who operate from a high-tech... read more

    I SWEAR this should be at least top 10! Or at least top 15! This is an outrage. This show was so amazing! Why is it 35?!

    I always pretended that I was on missions with them. Called myself Number 9.

  26. The Amazing World of Gumball

    The Amazing World of Gumball is a British animated children's television series created by Ben Bocquelet for Cartoon Network. The series was produced by Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe. It features a unique mix of animation styles and follows the misadventures of Gumball Watterson, a blue cat... read more

  27. Star vs. the Forces of Evil

    Star vs. the Forces of Evil is an American animated television comedy produced by Disney Television Animation for Disney XD. The series was created by Daron Nefcy and developed by Jordana Arkin and Dave Wasson. It follows Star Butterfly, a teenage magical princess from the dimension of Mewni, and her... read more

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