23 Best Cartoons From the '90s, Ranked (2025)

Many who grew up in the 1990s remember waking up on a Saturday morning, grabbing that bowl of cereal, and getting comfy on the couch to watch cartoons. It was the same tradition as kids in the 80s had done, but by the '90s, cartoons weren’t just restricted to Saturday mornings. Even coming home after school, cartoons were part of life for kids who grew up in the era. Not only were they great for younger audiences, but they had enough jokes to keep older viewers entertained.

The best '90s cartoons will never die, not if today's fans and creators have anything to say about it. Only time will tell what '90s classics will continue well into the 21st century, or which will receive revivals and get the modern treatment they deserve. If you've been bitten by the nostalgia bug, these cartoons from the '90s are great to comb over and pick up on all the things that went over your head.

23 'Gargoyles' (1994-1997)

Created by Greg Weisman and Frank Paur

After spending thousands of years in a cursed petrified state, a series of gargoyle statues are transported from Scotland to New York City, where they each come alive at night. At night, the nocturnal creatures awake from slumber and serve as guardians and protectors of the city, but at sunrise, they turn back into stone, concealing their power and ancient magic from the outside world.

Disney's Gargoyles was a unique 90s cartoon series that was known for its dark tones, complex storylines, and well-developed characters which were brought to life by an array of voice talents, including Keith David, Ed Asner, and Tim Curry. The series ran for three successful seasons and while it may have been a short-lived show, Gargoyles has an extremely loyal following of fans and remains to be a beloved 90s cartoon. — Andrea Ciriaco

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Gargoyles

Animation

Action

Adventure

Where to Watch

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Release Date

October 24, 1994

Cast

Keith David , Salli Richardson-Whitfield , Jeff Bennett , Edward Asner , Frank Welker , Thom Adcox-Hernandez , Bill Fagerbakke , Jonathan Frakes

Seasons

3

22 'The Angry Beavers' (1997-2001)

Created by Mitch Schauer

Brothers, Daggett (Richard Steven Horvitz) and Norbert (Nick Bakay) decide to venture from their hometown in Oregon and gain their own sense of independence, living in a nearby forest. After building an impressive bachelor pad, the brothers soon find themselves in a series of whacky and comical situations that keep their lives entertaining.

The Angry Beavers is a highly underrated animated series from the 1990s that ran for a successful five seasons on Nickelodeon. The series never loses its touch of unpredictability and always delivers some zany or out-of-this-world scenario for the brothers, who are complete opposites and constantly at childish odds over something. The characters' in-depth development and creator, Mitch Schauer's dedication to keeping fans on their toes is what makes The Angry Beavers a top-notch animated series of the 1990s. — Andrea Ciriaco

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The Angry Beavers

TV-G

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

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Release Date

April 19, 1997

Creator

Mitch Schauer, Keith Kaczorek

Cast

Richard Steven Horvitz , Nick Bakay , gregg berger , Tom Kane

Seasons

4

21 'Ed, Edd n Eddy' (1999-2008)

Created by Danny Antonucci

In a seemingly average suburban neighborhood, three friends, Ed (Matt Hill), Edd (Samuel Khouth), and Eddy (Tony Sampson), try to survive their adolescent years and rely on one another to make it through each day. The boys find themselves in endless shenanigans with the local group of colorful neighborhood kids or being chased by the Kanker Sisters, or on a quest for their favorite treat, jawbreakers.

Ed, Edd n Eddy is a ridiculously humorous animated series that had an impressive run for six seasons and featured an array of characters that stood out with their own signature qualities. Between a boy, Johnny, whose best friend is a piece of wood known as Plank to Ed, who really loves butter toast, Ed, Edd n Eddy gave young audiences the effective encouragement to be themselves and embrace their own sense of weirdness and uniqueness. — Andrea Ciriaco

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20 'King of the Hill' (1997-2010)

Created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels

King of the Hill is set in Texas and follows the life and trials of a propane salesman and family man, Hank Hill (Mike Judge), who lives with his loving wife, Peggy (Kathy Najimy), his son, Bobby (Pamela Adlon), and niece, Louanne (Brittany Murphy). When he's not working or spending time with his family, Hank can be found hanging out with his neighbors and buddies outside his house.

King of the Hill is an iconic series and one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1990s that has also become a staple in pop culture. The show is known for brilliantly pulling humor from average relatable scenarios, such as working a blue-collar job, growing up, and basically navigating through life. With an impressive reoccurring cast, King of the Hill also gained notoriety for its various guest stars, which included big names such as Alan Rickman, Johnny Depp, and Michael Keaton. — Andrea Ciriaco

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King of the Hill

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Release Date

January 12, 1997

Cast

Stephen Root , Brittany Murphy , Pamela Adlon , Kathy Najimy , Mike Judge , Toby Huss , Dennis Burkley , David Herman

Seasons

13

Main Genre

Comedy

19 'Futurama' (1999-)

Created by Matt Groening

When a pizza delivery guy, Philip J. Fry (Billy West), is accidentally cryogenically frozen, he wakes up one thousand years in the future and is taken in by an elderly scientist, Professor Huburt J. Farnsworth (Billy West), his only living descendant. There, he helps Farnsworth with his small cargo delivery service and befriends the rest of the crew members.

Futurama is among the few 90s cartoons that are still currently on air, but the series is reportedly set to premiere its final seasons in 2026. The series is a humorous look into the future but still relays relevant scenarios everyone goes through, such as having a crush on a co-worker, making ends meet, and basically just surviving in a heavily populated universe. Throughout its impressive run, Futurama has earned immense praise and has received dozens of award nominations, winning six of its seventeen Emmy Award nominations. Futurama has managed to stay alive through several cancelations and conjured up some of the most clever episodes and characters to ever grace the small scene, making it an essential 90s cartoon series. — Andrea Ciriaco

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Futurama

TV-14

Comedy

Sci-Fi

Animation

Where to Watch

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Release Date

March 28, 1999

Cast

Billy West , John Di Maggio , Katey Sagal , Phil LaMarr , Lauren Tom , Tress MacNeille , David Herman , Frank Welker

Seasons

12

18 'Aaahh!!! Real Monsters' (1994-1997)

Created by Gábor Csupó and Peter Gaffney

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is set in a world where creepy cartoon monsters lurk underneath cities and attend a school to learn how to terrify humans. Ickis, Oblina and Krumm, three young monsters that attend the school, are the show's main characters.

With its slapstick humor, smart quips, and brilliant puns, the show is unusual, to say the least, and those who love it will find that its comedy will have them in stitches. It's a series that's both strange and delightful, full of surprises and fantastic creatures. With its twisted and grotesque characters that perfectly represent the realm of monsters, the show's animation is visually striking and innovative. It may not be for everyone, but Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is a must-see for audiences who love strange cartoons.

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Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

TV-Y

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Release Date

October 29, 1994

Cast

Charlie Adler , Christine Cavanaugh , David Eccles , gregg berger , Tim Curry , Xander Berkeley , Dorian Harewood , Cynthia Mann

Seasons

4

17 'The Powerpuff Girls' (1998-2005)

Created by Craig McCracken

The city of Townsville wouldn’t have been safe if it wasn't for the Powerpuff Girls. It’s an understatement to describe just how much of a phenomenon these kick-butt superheroes were in the '90s.

Among the most beloved of the cartoons of the '90s, The Powerpuff Girls turned Cartoon Network into a household name and kicked off its first “golden age” or original programming; not to mention, they were a promotional powerhouse. The Powerpuff Girls were merchandised into everything, from backpacks to stickers. Though a subsequent reboot of the series was met with harsh criticism, the original Powerpuff Girls will forever stand out as one of the best cartoons of the '90s.

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16 'Doug' (1991-1999)

Creator: Jim Jinkins

Doug would go on to define Nickelodeon’s early-'90s golden era in animation. In some ways, Doug was a ‘90s version of Charlie Brown, with the title character (Billy West and Tom McHugh) portraying characteristics of the Charles Schulz comic classic, though he did end up with the girl of his dreams, Patti Mayonnaise (Constance Shulman).

Doug was a slice-of-life cartoon that was related to kids who watched the show, dealing with being the new kid in a new town and new school, and dealing with such topics as bullying and self-esteem. These are delivered through light-hearted narratives that show these lessons in ways that kids can absorb and adults can appreciate.

15 'The Ren & Stimpy Show' (1991-1996)

Creator: John Kricfalusi

To this day, it is still a mystery how the cult cartoon got the green light from Nickelodeon execs. That’s because the cartoon could easily be an early precursor to the more adult-oriented cartoons that would come toward the end of the ‘90s.

It may be one of the old '90s cartoons, but The Ren & Stimpy Show was revolutionary for sneaking in adult humor and mashing it up in a package aimed at pre-teens. The humor of the show was surreal and, at times, pretty dark, but that humor gleaned off many iconic moments from one of television’s most notorious “kid” cartoons.

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The Ren & Stimpy Show

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14 'Rugrats' (1991-2004)

Created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain

By the early '90s, Nickelodeon was looking to make cartoons that would resonate with its audience. The cartoon that would change everything for the network was Rugrats, a show that revolved around talking babies and their misadventures.

While the premise was simple, it was a cartoon that kids could get into as well, with many relating to the problems the babies get themselves into, and the ups and downs of growing up. Rugrats was the flagship cartoon of Nicktoons until a certain sponge took over. Though SpongeBob SquarePants has supplanted Rugrats as the network’s premiere cartoon, this series still shows how relevant it is, with a reboot on Paramount+.

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Rugrats

Where to Watch

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Release Date

August 11, 1991

Cast

Elizabeth Daily , Kath Soucie , Cheryl Chase , Dionne Quan , Tara Strong , Joe Alaskey , Tress MacNeille , Jack Riley

Seasons

9

Main Genre

Animation

13 'Beavis and Butt-Head' (1993-)

Created by Mike Judge

Beavis and Butt-head is a cult classic animated series that chronicles the exploits of the two titular socially inept, heavy metal-loving teenagers. With its crude and irreverent humor, as well as its quirky and goofy animation, the show is a masterpiece of absurdity.

Viewers can expect the series to have a uniquely sarcastic perspective on pop culture as well as a bizarre yet entertaining dynamic between the two main characters. It is not only a comedy, but also a critique of the typical adolescent experience and 90s culture. Beavis and Butt-Head is a show that will take audiences back to the 1990s and right into the heart of slacker culture.

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12 'Hey Arnold!' (1996-2004)

Creator: Craig Bartlett

Hey Arnold! chronicles the experiences of the titular boy, who lives in a city in a boarding home with his grandparents. Arnold is an inquisitive and adventurous young boy who is always chasing after new experiences and forming new friendships. Arnold navigates life in the city with each new episode, from contending with bullies and traversing the social hierarchy of school, to solving local mysteries and exploring new locations.

Arnold's best friend Gerald, his love interest Helga, and his classmates are among the noteworthy characters in Hey Arnold!. Of course, Arnold's relationship with his grandparents is a huge part of the show, since they provide him with a feeling of family and stability. With Hey Arnold's endearing characters and engaging storylines, the series is both uplifting and nostalgic. Anyone who appreciates a good coming-of-age narrative should give this old '90s cartoon a shot.

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11 'Pinky and the Brain' (1995-1998)

Created by Tom Ruegger

One has to feel for Brain (Maurice LaMarche), as he could never fulfill his dream of taking over the world. That was the main premise behind Pinky and the Brain, a cartoon series running on The WB in the mid-90s.

Beginning its life as a skit on Animaniacs, Warner Bros. execs saw enough potential in the skit for it to be a series in its own right, and they were right. Along with Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain were essentially must-see cartoons once kids got home from school, enjoying watching his idiot partner in crime, Pinky (Paulsen), routinely ruin Brain’s plans for world domination.

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Pinky and the Brain

Animation

children

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 9, 1995

Cast

Rob Paulsen , Maurice LaMarche

Seasons

4

10 'Animaniacs' (1993-1998)

Created by Tom Ruegger

One can imagine that, sometime in the early '90s, a Warner Bros. studio exec thought of a cartoon that revolved around cartoons living in their iconic water tower. The show that would come to fruition was Animaniacs, which revolved around the Warner siblings; Yakko (Rob Paulsen), Wakko (Jess Harnell), and Dot (Tress MacNeille).

While Tiny Toons Adventures was more geared toward kids, the creators behind Animaniacs set out to make a cartoon in which the humor of the animated series was geared more toward older viewers. The wacky, adult-centric humor is what won over fans, and the series ran for 99 episodes in the mid-90s. It would later become one of the lucky '90s cartoons to get a revival in 2020.

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9 'Dexter's Laboratory' (1996-2003)

Created by Genndy Tartakovsky

By the mid-'90s, Cartoon Network was making a name for itself with its in-house produced cartoons, with one standing out from the rest: Dexter’s Laboratory. The show centered around Dexter (Christine Cavanaugh in Seasons 1–3; Candi Milo in Seasons 3–4), a kid genius with a secret laboratory that only his older sister, the somewhat dimwitted Dee Dee (Allison Moore in Seasons 1 and 3; Kat Cressida Seasons in 2 and 4), knew about.

The ease at which Dee Dee could access his “secret” laboratory and foil his plans raised some questions to the intellect of Dexter, which made the cartoon all the more enjoyable to watch.

8 'Recess' (1997 - 2001)

Created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere

T.J., Spinelli, Vince, Gretchen, Mikey, and Gus are a group of friends that face the ups and downs of an elementary school in the classic animated 90s show, Recess. Fans may also remember its cast of hilarious and recurring memorable characters, such as "The Ashleys," a gang of popular girls, and "The Kindergartners," the school's youngest kids.

The premise of the show is simple, as, during the titular period, the characters all delve into the drama, hardships, and excitement that come with their childhoods. Recess is a fun series that will remind viewers of the wonders of childhood.

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Recess

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 13, 1997

Cast

Jason Davis , Pamela Adlon , Ashley Johnson , Courtland Mead , Andrew Lawrence

Seasons

6

Main Genre

Animation

7 'SpongeBob SquarePants' (1999-)

Created by Stephen Hillenburg

Nickelodeon didn’t know what was coming when SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on the network right after the Kid's Choice Awards in 1999. What would follow after the series’ pilot would be the longest-running series in Nickelodeon’s history.

While many may argue that, like The Simpsons and Family Guy, SpongeBob SquarePants has long outlived its shelf-life, the series remains just as popular today as it did back in 1999, and with good reason. While maintaining its appeal towards kids, the series also dips its toes into humor that can make older viewers laugh as well.

6 'Courage the Cowardly Dog' (1999-2002)

Created by John R. Dilworth

At the tail end of the ‘90s, the Cartoon Network was hitting its stride with its originally produced cartoons, with Courage the Cowardly Dog becoming one of its most iconic. This series follows one of the best animated pets of all time, Courage (Marty Grabstein), a sweet but easily frightened dog who was abandoned as a puppy and was taken by the Bagges, which consists of the kind-hearted Muriel (Thea White), and her cruel husband, Eustace (Lionel Wilson and Arthur Anderson).

Even though they lived in the middle of nowhere, strange things would happen around the home, which would cause Courage to find the “courage” to protect his family. While funny in a lot of ways, Courage the Cowardly Dog would be famous for its horror and sci-fi elements and is a remarkably fresh cartoon that has aged quite well.

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Courage the Cowardly Dog

Animation

children

Horror

Mystery

Where to Watch

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Release Date

November 12, 1999

Cast

Billie Lou Watt , Paul Schoeffler

Seasons

4

5 'X-Men: The Animated Series' (1992-1997)

Developed by Eric Lewald, Sidney Iwanter, and Mark Edens

X-Men: The Animated Series first debuted in 1992 and continued for several seasons. The series revolves around the X-Men, a group of mutants with superhuman abilities who strive for peace and equality. With its legendary and beloved characters, the show offered an action-packed and thrilling take on the X-Men comics, that audiences at the time loved.

Even back then, the show set itself apart as a real animation masterpiece with its exhilarating storytelling and unique characters. Magneto, Apocalypse, and Jubilee were among the recurring villains and allies introduced to a wider audience through the series. It includes multiple episodes that dive deeper into the backstories and talents of various X-Men characters like Wolverine, Storm, and Cyclops. X-Men: The Animated Series is a must-see for comic book lovers and anyone who enjoys a good superhero adventure.

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X-Men

TV-14

Animation

Action

Sci-Fi

Superhero

Where to Watch

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Release Date

April 1, 2011

Cast

Scott Porter , Jennifer Hale , Steve Blum , Danielle Nicolet , Cam Clarke , Stephanie Sheh

Seasons

1

4 'Daria' (1997-2002)

Created by Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis Lynn

La la la la. Fans are probably still singing Daria's iconic theme song in their heads every now and then, owing to how unforgettable the show and, of course, its lead character is. Centered around Daria Morgendorffer – a sardonic high school student – the series depicts her efforts at fading into the background in Lawndale High School. She doesn't care about the trends or popularity, and would rather steer clear of the "cool kids" if she can.

The show's five seasons cover the cynical Daria's experiences in what was then (and in some instances, still is) an accurate satire of what it's like to be in an American high school. The greatest episodes of Daria are full of pop culture references and witty allusions that may just fly over modern fans' heads. The 90s animated series is a nostalgic blast from the past for any fan who decides to revisit it today.

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