The Best Cartoons Of The '90s
The best cartoons of the '90s are those top animated series that ran between the years of 1990 and 1999 and feature Nicktoons, Saturday morning cartoons, Disney animated TV shows, and network cartoon series for both kid and adult audiences. With so many great series airing in the early and late '90s, it's no surprise that these are also some of the best cartoons of all time.
For the most part, these cartoons are geared towards children. Those growing up in the 1990s undoubtedly spent numerous hours as kids watching the likes of Rugrats, Doug, Rocko's Modern Life, and Animaniacs. Few can deny that classic series like Dexter's Laboratory, DuckTales, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and TaleSpin are some of the best ever for Saturday morning viewing.
Then there's another breed of '90s cartoons that were not kids cartoons, and are better suited for more adult audiences. South Park broke the mold with it's raunchiness, as did the likes of Beavis and Butt-head and Family Guy. Two of those three are still popular even today with new episodes airing weekly. All feature more mature jokes, topics children wouldn't really understand and a whole lot of inappropriateness all bundled tightly in animated form.
Which cartoons from the '90s had you glued to the television and make you miss your childhood? Vote for your favorites, or re-rank the list to put it in your order and add any we missed. To reminisce more about the glorious decade of the 1990s, check out the most nostalgia-inducing toys of the '90s too!
- 1
- Actors: Tom Kenny, Rick Zieff, Gary Cole
- Premiered: February 10, 1940
This iconic cat-and-mouse duo, which first appeared in the 1940s, found renewed success in the '90s with a new generation of fans. Classic episodes were interspersed with new adventures, as the relentless pursuit between Tom and Jerry continued to entertain young and old alike. The show's slapstick humor and memorable characters have solidified its place as one of the best animated shows of the 1990s.
- Actors: Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen
- Premiered: September 9, 1995
Two genetically enhanced lab mice, Pinky and Brain, captured the hearts of audiences with their comical attempts at world domination. A spin-off from Animaniacs, this Emmy-winning series showcased their absurd schemes juxtaposed with Pinky's dim-witted personality and Brain's unrelenting intellect. As an influential '90s cartoon, it left a lasting impact on pop culture through catchphrases like "Narf!" and "Are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
- 3Syndicated, CBS
- Actors: Rob Paulsen, Cam Clarke, Barry Gordon, Townsend Coleman, Renae Jacobs
- Premiered: December 28, 1987
Cowabunga! These pizza-loving reptiles became a cultural phenomenon during the '90s as Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael battled villains like Shredder in New York City's sewers. Their unique combination of martial arts prowess, witty banter, and brotherly camaraderie made them one of the most beloved animated shows of that decade.
- 4Syndicated
- Actors: Alan Young, Russi Taylor, Chuck McCann, Terence McGovern, Frank Welker
- Premiered: September 18, 1987
The wealthy Scrooge McDuck embarked on thrilling escapades alongside his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie in this classic Disney television series. DuckTales' catchy theme song, adventurous plotlines, and endearing characters have solidified its status as a treasured animated series from the '90s, inspiring a successful reboot in 2017.
- 5
- Actors: Andrew Lawrence, Jason Davis, Rickey D'Shon Collins, Ashley Johnson, Pamela Adlon
- Premiered: August 31, 1997
Set on an elementary school playground during recess time, this show brought to life a diverse group of children led by prankster T.J. Detweiler. With memorable storylines tackling friendship, leadership, and social issues while maintaining its humor throughout each episode, Recess secured its spot among top animated series from the '90s.
- 6Cartoon Network
- Actors: Christine Cavanaugh, Jeff Bennett, Kath Soucie, Frank Welker, Tom Kenny
- Premiered: May 4, 1996
In this Cartoon Network series, child genius Dexter juggles his secret laboratory experiments while avoiding the interference of his pesky older sister Dee Dee. With its clever humor and unique animation style, Dexter's Laboratory became a defining cartoon of the '90s and an inspiration for future animated shows.
