Best 90s cartoons

- IMDb user rating: 6.9
- On air: 1998-2007

During the '80s and '90s, MTV was known for its groundbreaking programming. From the first music video to one of the first reality shows, the network guaranteed something you'd never seen before – assuming of course that you had cable. One of those pioneering programs was "Celebrity Deathmatch," the stop motion claymation by Eric Fogel. The show's premise was pitting two celebrity caricatures in an overly fantastical battle to the death in the wrestling ring, hosted by legendary announcer Mills Lane.

- IMDb user rating: 6.9
- On air: 1995-1997

This short-lived but well loved animated series was based on the record-breaking box office hit "The Mask" starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. Banking on the success of the film, which grossed over $350 million worldwide, the animated series ran for three seasons and also spawned a comic book series entitled "Adventures of the Mask."

- IMDb user rating: 7.0
- On air: 1995-1999

Another fan favorite spawned from a blockbuster movie, the mid '90s classic "Timon & Pumbaa" was an animated series based on the lives of the side characters Timon and Pumbaa from Disney's "The Lion King." The show follows the beloved meerkat and warthog on their daily adventures as they live out their laidback, hakuna matata lifestyle. Unlike many animated shows focusing on off-shoot characters, Timon and Pumbaa were voiced by the original movie actors Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, respectively.

- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- On air: 1994-1997

Playing to the more macabre side of animation, Nickelodeon's "Aaahh!!! Real Monsters" focused on Oblina, Ickis, and Krumm — three friends who happen to be monsters. The trio attends a school under a trash dump in New York City, where they are taught to scare humans. Often sent to the human world to perform various scare-tests, the friends, bossed around by Headmaster Gromble, not only have to learn how to survive in a world where they are different, but they must do so while constantly avoiding one of New York's infamous monster-hunters, Simon (voiced by Jim Belushi).

- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- On air: 1988-1995

"Garfield and Friends" was an animated series that flipped back and forth between the stories of a sardonic orange tabby and a bevy of his barnyard friends, lead by his porcine pal Orson the Pig. Based on the popular comic-strip series of the same name, the beloved cartoon ran for nearly a decade and spawned offshoot animated movies like "A Garfield Christmas." Later on, the comic would be turned into a feature-length animated feature that blended animation and live-action.

- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- On air: 1997-2001

This Nickelodeon cartoon is about exactly what the title suggests. "The Angry Beavers" follows two beaver brothers, Daggett and Norbert Beaver, as they take on the world, living on their own for the first time as beaver bachelors. The cartoon earned rave reviews for combining their nonsensical plots with cultural references, running for a little over four years before it was canceled.

- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- On air: 1997-2004

In the '90s, The Cartoon Network was known for cutting-edge, groundbreaking, geared-towards-adult animation. One of their most well-known cartoons that walked the boundary between kiddie and adult programming masterfully was "Johnny Bravo." The cartoon followed a meat-headed heartthrob who had more muscles than brains as he meandered his way through life chasing women, letting love get him into trouble, and somehow being unphased by it. His personality, appearance and vocal delivery was similar to '50s icon Elvis Presley.

- IMDb user rating: 7.3
- On air: 1994-1995

Another popular animated series based on an even more popular animated feature film, Disney's "Aladdin" only ran for a year, but had a tight grip on the watchers while it did. Unlike "Timon & Pumbaa," however, this animated series did not have the original cast reprising their roles. Robin Williams, who made the supernatural Genie delightfully human in the original film, did not voice the character in the animated series. Williams was apparently unhappy with Disney for using his voice work in merchandising and indicated he would not work with the studio again.

- IMDb user rating: 7.3
- On air: 1998-2004

This superhero series was another smash success for The Cartoon Network in the '90s. The show is now listed as one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, with more than $2 billion in sales worldwide. The plot follows three girl superheroes — Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup — as they keep their fictional town of Townsville safe from villains such as Mojo Jojo. The series played on anime-pop sensibilities that were becoming widely popular, and combined it with cutesy, hyper-saturated backdrops that seemed to resonate with viewers across age, language, and cultural barriers.

- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- On air: 1996-2022

Still in production to this day, "Arthur" is one of the longest running animated shows of all time; the cartoon started in 1996 and has spanned 22 seasons and more than 200 episodes and running. The show is about a young anthropomorphic aardvark named Arthur and the trials and tribulations about growing up in the real world. The show airs on PBS and has featured a bevy of guest stars such as Joan Rivers, Fred Rogers, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Idina Menzel.

- IMDb user rating: 7.4
- On air: 1991-1994

For any kid who had questions about life's pressing problems as he passed through adolescence, "Doug" was the show with the answers. Running for only five seasons, "Doug" followed the life of Douglas Funnie as he wrote in his journal about the difficulties of navigating middle school. "Doug" was originally broadcast on Nickelodeon and briefly rebooted on the Disney Channel, though the reboot was met with derision from its original fans.

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1995-1997

Though it had only a short run, lasting two seasons between 1995–1997, "Freakazoid!" still left a big impact on cartoon and superhero fans. The laugh-a-minute comedy took place in Washington D.C. and followed the exploits of Dexter Douglas, who turns into a wild and crazy superhero when he inadvertently types in some erroneous code on his computer. For a small run, there were some very big guest voices such as Mark Hamill, Ed Asner, Bebe Neuwirth, and Ricardo Montalban. Series creator Tom Ruegger is probably better known for his work on the hit series' "Pinky and the Brain" and "Animaniacs."

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1985-1991

By today's standards, Disney fans might find it surprising that, in the mid-80s, there were no Disney animated shows. The very first one was actually "Adventures of the Gummi Bears," based on the candy of the same name. The cartoon, which started in 1985 and lasted until 1991, is about a band of bears who once coexisted with humans but lost contact hundreds of years ago, only to be rediscovered in modern day. Because of the show's popularity, Disney Television Animation was able to launch other hits like "DuckTales," "TaleSpin," and "Darkwing Duck."

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1990-1995

At the start of the decade, Steven Spielberg teamed up with Warner Bros. to produce a spin-off to the classic "Looney Tunes" franchise. The result was "Tiny Toon Adventures," a show that featured a hipper, younger, more '90s-centric cast led by Buster and Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton J. Pig. The show first aired as a primetime special on CBS and ultimately ran for 98 episodes between 1990–1995. The show had a bevy of big-name stars who voiced characters including Spielberg himself, Phil Hartman, Vincent Price, Casey Kasem, and Sally Struthers.

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1990-1991

Part of the classic '90s Disney Television Animation lineup, "TaleSpin" was a short-lived show that lasted only a single season from 1990–1991. Based on characters from the Disney animated movie "The Jungle Book," "TaleSpin" follows the exploits of the lovable bear Baloo as he manages an air delivery service while fending off pirates trying to loot his delivery goods. Series creators Mark Zaslove and Jymn Magon were also known for their work on "DuckTales" and "Adventures of the Gummi Bears."

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1991-1996

This groundbreaking cartoon first aired in 1991 and featured an acerbic chihuahua named Ren and his dim-witted feline friend Stimpy. The show displayed a level of gross-out humor and violence that hadn't been seen before, and inspired some censorship. Today, "Ren & Stimpy" is considered a cult classic and the inspiration behind other iconic cartoons like "Beavis and Butt-Head" and "SpongeBob SquarePants."

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1993-2011

Mike Judge is known for creating classic shows like "King of the Hill" and "Silicon Valley," but his first big hit was with the MTV series "Beavis and Butt-Head" in 1993. The show focused on two delinquent teens who would comment on music videos from their couch at home. Mired in controversy, "Beavis and Butt-Head" was blamed for teen hijinks around the country and was initially pulled from the air in 1997, before a short reprieve in 2011. A litany of famous actors provided guest voices on the show including David Spade, Thomas Middleditch, Bobcat Goldthwait, and David Letterman.

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1991-2006

One of the biggest hits in Nickelodeon's history, "Rugrats" started in 1990 and ran for nine seasons (with brief production hiatuses), before being spun off into movies, comics, video games, and endless merchandise. The show focuses on a group of toddlers and their misadventures in the big world around them. Because of the cartoon's success, a number of famous actors lent their voices throughout the years including Jeremy Piven, Debbie Reynolds, Jon Favreau, and even Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak.

- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- On air: 1997-2010

Created by comedy writing legends Mike Judge and Greg Daniels in 1997, "King of the Hill" was an Emmy-winning show about a middle-class family in the heart of Texas, playing on the divisive tropes around liberalism and conservatism. The show was one of the longest-running programs on Fox, lasting for 13 seasons and 259 episodes. Judge is also known for creating the hit show "Beavis and Butt-Head," while Daniels had writing gigs on "The Simpsons" and created the American version of "The Office."

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- On air: 1995-2002

"Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist" was definitely an animated series to watch past the kids' bedtime. The show followed a newly divorced psychologist whose job was to help his patients get their lives together, even as his was falling apart. Also featuring Dr. Katz's teenage son, the cartoon gave the audience a fresh, yet all-too-familiar look at the life of a single dad trying to navigate the rough and tumble world of parenthood.

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- On air: 1995-2000

"Sailor Moon" was a popular Japanese anime series that aired in the U.S. from 1995–2000. The show follows a group of 14-year-old girls in sailor suits who discover they have magical powers and fight to protect the world and beyond. Ahead of its time, the series portrayed positive LGBTQ relationships, though most of these depictions were censored and changed in the U.S.

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- On air: 1991-1992

Created as a spoof of classic superheroes such as The Shadow, "Darkwing Duck" was a Disney Television Animation show that ran for three seasons from 1991–1992. The main character of the show was Darkwing Duck (aka Drake Mallard), who, along with sidekick Launchpad McQuack (a spin-off character from "DuckTales"), fought crime in the fictional city of St. Canard. Show creator Tad Stone was inspired by classic DC Comics in coming up with the show's many catchphrases and superhero tropes.

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- On air: 1996-2004

For many kids growing up in a big city in the 1990s, "Hey Arnold!" was a go-to cartoon. Following nine-year-old Arnold and his urban neighborhood pals, the show delved into themes like bullying, depression, and even adult issues like unemployment. Premiering in 1996 and lasting for five seasons and 100 episodes, "Hey Arnold!" was an integral part of Nickelodeon's '90s dominance in the cartoon space.

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- On air: 1994-1997

A decidedly adult cartoon, "Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man" was about a crass, semi-misogynistic duck named Eric T. Duckman who worked as a private detective with trusty sidekick Cornfed Pig while also juggling family life in Los Angeles. Originally airing in 1994 and lasting four seasons, "Duckman" starred a treasure trove of voice actors that reads like a who's who of '90s celebrities, including Jason Alexander (who played Duckman), Ice-T, Kathy Ireland, Burt Reynolds, Sandra Bernhard, Lisa Kudrow, Nicole Eggert, Ben Stiller, Jim Belushi, David Duchovny, and Heather Locklear. "Duckman" was part of a wave of animated adult(ish) shows at the time that included "The Critic," "South Park," and "Beavis and Butt-Head."

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- On air: 1991-1995

Another MTV series known for breaking the proverbial mold was "Æon Flux." Aimed more towards teens and adults, this cartoon classic followed the turbulent life of secret agent/insurgent/assassin, Æon Flux, as she moves through a cyberpunk world where everyone is the enemy, and everything has a price. Tasked with infiltrating a neighboring country, she navigates all the dangers and pitfalls that come along with being an assassin in a world slipping further and further into madness.

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- On air: 1994-1997

"The Tick" was originally a comic book character created to spoof superheroes. Since his inception back in 1986, the wry, often dim titular character has been made into multiple TV shows, the first being the 1994 series that lasted three seasons. "The Tick" was a classic superhero, taking on a variety of villains and getting help from a trusty sidekick—in this case, an accountant named Arthur (voiced by Micky Dolenz of "The Monkees" fame). New episodes of "The Tick," with a much different cast, are available on Amazon Prime.

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- On air: 1994-1997

Based on a book series, "The Magic School Bus" was an animated show that leaned into its educational aspects as much as its entertaining ones. The idea for the cartoon was to help kids learn about science without boring them to death. The series premiered on PBS in 1994 and ran for four seasons. It featured a fairly heavyweight cast that included Lily Tomlin (who won a Daytime Emmy for her performance) and guest stars like Carol Channing, Dolly Parton, Elliot Gould, Eartha Kitt, and even Tom Cruise.

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- On air: 1995-1998

One of the most famous cartoons of the 1990s, "Pinky and the Brain" was about genetically enhanced mice who try to take over the world. Running for four seasons and 66 episodes, the show was actually a spin-off from "Animaniacs," where it ran as a recurring segment. Produced by Steven Spielberg and created by Tom Ruegger, "Pinky" was known for making fun of pop culture in the most absurdist ways. Famous guest stars include Pam Grier, Joyce Brothers, Eric Idle, and Roddy McDowall.

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1994-2001

Only a couple spots away from the top 20 is the Canadian cartoon "ReBoot," which is considered the first animated series created completely through a computer, as opposed to hand-style animation. Airing in the early 90s, it was considered leaps and bounds ahead of its time and predated similar efforts from Pixar and Dreamworks. Episodes of the show are now housed in The Smithsonian for preservation.

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1993-2012

Young fans can be forgiven for not realizing that "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" was actually a spin-off of the 1960s Hanna-Barbera show "Space Ghost." The reboot started in 1993 and ran for 11 total seasons. Different from the original show, "Coast to Coast" featured a 40-something Space Ghost hosting a late-night talk show and parodied the late-night world in often cringeworthy ways. The show has an enormous legacy, as its spinoffs include "The Brak Show," "Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law," "Sealab 2021," and the enormously popular "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1994-2001

Starring Jon Lovitz as the schmaltzy and often smarmy film critic Jay Sherman, "The Critic" was a spoof of movie critic icons such as Roger Ebert and the often terrible movies they had to discuss. While it only lasted 33 episodes, the show had a cult following for its insider movie takes and incredible cast of guest stars including Billy Crystal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Costas, Roger Ebert, Ricki Lake, and Queen Latifah. The show was created by "Simpsons" veterans Al Jean, Mike Reiss, and James L. Brooks and had an all-star gang of producers and writers, including Brad Bird ("The Incredibles") and Judd Apatow ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin").

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1993-1996

Following the life of Australian immigrant wallaby Rocko, "Rocko's Modern Life" was an edgy cartoon that catered to adults as much as kids. Rocko's other anthropomorphic friends included a neurotic turtle, a boisterous steer, and his dog Spunky. Together, they navigated the weird and zany world in a fictitious American city called O-Town. Started in 1993, "Rocko" ran for four seasons and was spun off into toys, video games, and comic books.

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1993-1998

Tom Ruegger is responsible for creating some of the most indelible cartoons of all time, including "Pinky and the Brain," "Tiny Toons," and the bonkers sketch show "Animaniacs" which premiered in 1993 and ran for 99 episodes. The show was about three Warner kids—Yakko, Wakko, and Dot—who lived in the Warner Bros. water tower on the studio lot and caused mischief around various film and TV productions. "Animaniacs" also introduced one-off cartoon segments that inspired spin-offs like "Pinky and the Brain." The show, which was produced by Steven Spielberg, had great stunt casting with voices like Phil Hartman, Adam West, Buddy Hackett, and Bernadette Peters. A reboot of the show is headed to Hulu in 2020.

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1997-2001

Look closely enough and it's possible to see the allegories in the animated show "Recess," which deals with social structures in everyday life. The 1997 cartoon about fourth graders ran for six seasons, spawned multiple movies, and created a sense of nostalgia for anyone who battled bullies and stratified cliques on the schoolyard. Some of the stunt casting included astronaut Buzz Aldrin, "American Bandstand" host Dick Clark, and James Earl Jones.

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1987-1996

Named after Renaissance artists Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" started as a comic book in 1984 and morphed into multiple TV series, movies, and one of the biggest merchandising empires of all time. The original 1987 cartoon series ran for 10 seasons, 193 episodes, and followed the heroic exploits of mutated turtles who rose up from the subways of New York City to fight crime.

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- On air: 1996-2003

Created by Genndy Tartakovsky—who also created "The Powerpuff Girls," and "Samurai Jack"—"Dexter's Laboratory" was a cartoon about a boy genius with a secret lab who embarks on crazy adventures while fighting with his sister and avoiding his oblivious parents. Running for four seasons (with a brief hiatus) from 1996–2003, the show was one of the first cartoons to be produced by the new Cartoon Network and had some famous voice actors such as Mark Hamill, Fred Willard, and Martin Mull.

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- On air: 1995-1996

The short-lived animated series "Golden Boy" aired on MTV from 1995 to 1996. The Japanese anime followed a young student, Kintaro Oe, a genius who is suffering the pressures of being the "chosen one" of his family. The pressures finally break him, and he drops out of school and begins to wander aimlessly around the country. What would now be called NSFW, "Golden Boy" is best described as a coming-of-age sex manga.

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- On air: 1996-1999

The world of "Transformers" started as a Hasbro action figure in 1984. Since then, there have been blockbuster movies, multiple TV series, and endless merchandising surrounding the shape-shifting toy brand. The series "Beast Wars: Transformers" is part of the same universe where Maximals and Predacons fight with one another on a prehistoric planet. "Beast Wars" ran for just three seasons from 1996–1999. Legendary voice actor Scott McNeil was the main voice of the show, but he may be more well known for roles in "Dragon Ball Z."

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- On air: 1997-1999

Based on the cult classic comic book series of the same name, the animated series "Spawn" picks up where the comics left off. It follows a mysterious and seemingly otherworldly anti-hero, Spawn, as a battle between heaven and hell rages on in the background. The series ran on HBO for three seasons, garnering an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program in 1999.

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- On air: 1994-1997

Premiering in 1994, "Gargoyles" was a show about the gargoyle statues on buildings, which in the series come alive at night and protect the city from evil. The show was spun off into a variety of comic books and toys, but only lasted for three seasons and 78 episodes. Rumors swirl that Jordan Peele, of "Get Out" directorial fame, wants to do a live reboot movie of the classic '90s cartoon.

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- On air: 1997-2002

Spun off from "Beavis and Butt-Head," "Daria" was a cartoon on the life of teenage Daria Morgendorffer and her best friend Jane Lane. The show followed them as they navigated high school with deadpan wit. "Daria" first aired in 1997, ran for five seasons, and was MTV's very successful attempt at attracting female viewers. The show is iconic for how it portrayed anti-establishment tropes among teens in ways no other cartoons were doing at the time.

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- On air: 1994-1998

"Life with Louie" was a comical look at the childhood life of stand-up comedian Louie Anderson. The short-run show lasted just 38 episodes and featured Louie's wacky parents, 10 siblings, and school-yard bullies. Louie Anderson voiced his childhood self and received writing credits on all 38 episodes. Critically, the show took home two Daytime Emmy Awards.

- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- On air: 1991-1992

Based on the books by Georges Prosper Remi, "The Adventures of Tintin" follows young reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy as they chase down stories and adventures. The popular brand of books has also spawned movies, toys, radio shows, video games, and endless paraphernalia. Steven Spielberg directed an animated movie adaptation, which was released in 2011 to mixed reviews.

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- On air: 1994-1998

Finding new takes on Spider-Man isn't easy, but "Spider-Man: The Animated Series" followed the superhero into college as he attempted to woo Mary Jane Watson, go to class, and fight major villains all at the same time. Airing from 1994–1998, "Spider-Man" featured a bevy of big voice actors like Sandra Bernhard, Hank Azaria, Martin Landau, and George Takei. The show also spawned video games, comic books, and tons of toys.

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 1997-1999

"The New Batman Adventures" is a continuation of the hit cartoon "Batman: The Animated Series," where Dick Grayson/Robin became Nightwing and Batgirl was more prominently featured. The show was a darker portrayal of the winged crusader and the underbelly of Gotham City. Running from 1997–1999, the series had a number of big-name guest stars like Mark Hamill, Billy Zane, Linda Hamilton, and Dennis Haysbert.

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- On air: 1992-1997

Before the Marvel Universe controlled the big screen, "X-Men: The Animated Series" enjoyed a five-season run on Fox Kids from 1992–1997. For anyone not familiar with the mega-franchise, the "X-Men" are a band of mutants who fight for justice around the world, battling evil humans and mutants alike. Shockingly, the series had a hard time getting to air, and a series of cost-cutting initiatives like hiring Canadian actors helped push it over the edge. Ultimately, the show's producer Haim Saban credits the show for helping him launch the incredibly successful "The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" series.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 1997-present

Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker first brought the world's attention to the kids of "South Park" through a 1995 animated short where Jesus fights Santa Claus. Two years later, they had their own show on Comedy Central. Since then, they have produced 23 seasons and 308 episodes about four kids growing up in South Park, Co., who deal with every pressing issue from gun control and celebrity to bullying and drugs. The show has earned five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animation Program and generated millions of dollars in revenue with toys, games, and movies.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- On air: 1989-present

Created by Matt Groening, "The Simpsons" is one of the most cherished animated shows in television history. It's also a record breaker. Started in 1989 and still running today, the show follows the misadventures of a dysfunctional middle-class family in the made-up town of Springfield. "The Simpsons" holds the record for longest-running animated show of all time, as well as the longest-running scripted show of all time with 659 episodes and counting. Nearly every big name celebrity has guest voiced for the show including Anne Hathaway, Stan Lee, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and so many more.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- On air: 1989-1996

In a continuation of the original "Dragon Ball" series, "Dragon Ball Z" still featured the monkey-tailed Son Goku, but now as an adult and with a son named Gohan as they continue to protect the Earth and attempt to locate the mythic Dragon Balls. The series ran from 1989–2003, and, like its predecessor, inspired games, toys, and movies. It is one of IGN's top 100 animated series of all time.

- IMDb user rating: 9.0
- On air: 1992-1995

Premiering in 1992 and running for four seasons, "Batman: The Animated Series" was hailed for its highly stylized animation style and dark tones. The series follows millionaire Bruce Wayne, who turns into the titular Batman by night, fighting crime and a never-ending slew of super-villains. The show is typically ranked as one of the best animated shows of all time and earned multiple awards, including a Primetime Emmy in 1993.