The 32 greatest animated TV shows of all time
Sep. 13, 2024When stories are told with pencil and ink and sometimes CG
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Cartoons are for kids… or so some people think. But even when an animated show is actually made “for kids,” that doesn’t mean it’s stupid, disposable slop. Some of the greatest cartoons ever made are standout epics regardless of their intended audience. But what are actually some of the greatest animated TV shows ever made?
While the history of animation dates back to the dawn of cinema’s golden age, the first animated television show is often considered to be Crusader Rabbit (1950-1959). The series paved the way for animation in the newfangled business that was television, unlocking an industry that has survived and thrived ever since. The advent of cable, the internet, and streaming has turbo-charged animation, with seemingly more animated shows made now than ever before.
With animation still a powerhouse in the realm of television, it begs the question of what are actually some of the greatest of all time. (A quick note that we’re excluding anime from Japan, but only because that is a prolific category worthy of its own list.) Here are just 32 of the greatest animated TV shows ever made.
32. Johnny Bravo
Who said sidekicks have to play second-fiddle? In this critically acclaimed series from Gargoyles creator Greg Weisman, the sidekicks of the Justice League from the DC Universe take center stage in this action-packed young adult epic. Based on the Teen Titans and Young Justice comics published by DC, teen heroes Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, and more form their own superhero squad to work in parallel with the Justice League. But saving the world ain’t playtime, as Young Justice challenges its maturing heroes in ways that would bend and break men of steel. Once canceled on Cartoon Network due to its majority female viewership – which executives lamented because they believed they didn’t buy toys – Young Justice eventually found new life on the short-lived DC Universe app and later Max.
It lasted only six episodes, but it wasn’t even supposed to be there anyway. In 2000, the lethargic protagonists from Kevin Smith’s seminal 1994 indie drama Clerks – namely Dante, Randall, and Jay and Silent Bob – found themselves on the ABC network, starring in an outlandish cartoon series with an adult-oriented sense of humor that foreshadowed future giants like Family Guy and American Dad. While the vulgarity of Smith’s acclaimed movie was toned down to suit broadcast TV standards, Clerks: The Animated Series ran buckwild with whatever itcouldget away with. Clerks was not long for this world, but there’s simply too much hysteria – and razor-sharp satirizing of the pop culture zeitgeist circa 2000 – to not check it out.
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The superhero Static comes from the comic book publisher Milestone, an appropriate name given the publisher’s history-making strides towards diversity and representation in mainstream comics. In 2000, Static electrified viewers on The Kids' WB with his epic series Static Shock, executive produced by comics creator Dwayne McDuffie. Lasting four seasons and over 50 episodes, Static Shock followed the adventures of Black American teenager Virgil Hawkins, who taps into his electromagnetic superpowers to protect Dakota City. With exciting action, lively characters, and occasional dives into important issues, Static Shock lit up Saturday mornings like few others before and since.
Beautiful, haunting, imaginative - these are just a few words that can describe this mesmerizing science-fiction epic from creators Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner. In Scavengers Reign, the survivors of a damaged interstellar cargo ship find themselves at the mercy of an alien planet with strange, and at times menacing fauna. As the survivors work tirelessly to get back to their ship and continue their voyage, they become drawn into the planet’s many mysteries. Featuring gorgeous animation and hypnotic sequences that sometimes feel like watching a hand-drawn nature documentary, Scavengers Reign stands out as one of the most beautiful shows ever crafted. Originally made for the Max streaming service, it later landed at Netflix.
If your mental image of cartoons is that of energetic characters making kooky faces, you’ve never met Daria. While the show spins-off from the more popular and remembered Beavis & Butt-Head, Daria stands out from it and other animated shows with its sober and grounded portrayal of high school life from the POV of acerbic teenager Daria Morgendorffer, who meets her suburban surroundings with apathy and cynicism. In contrast to other animated shows of its time, Daria’s distinctlyun-complicated animation - evoking the realism of indie cinema - imbued the show with a refreshing identity. While its abundance of licensed popular music makes Daria something of a late ’90s/early ’00s time capsule, the show’s authentic storytelling about the trials of growing up make it timeless even decades later.
Sandwiched between The Simpsons and Family Guy is Mike Judge’s cult classic satire of middle-class America, King of the Hill. The show chronicles the life of conservative propane salesman Hank Hill, who raises his family in suburban Texas while the world around him becomes increasingly unfamiliar. With sandpaper dry wit and unexpected thoughtfulness in its clever social commentary, King of the Hill is one of the most impactful animated shows ever made, an attribute that is betrayed by its understated and realistic aesthetics.
When there’s Hell to pay, Spawn comes to collect. An adaptation of Todd McFarlane’s hit comic book series from the 1990s, Todd McFarlane’s Spawn tells of U.S. Marine Al Simmons (voiced by Keith David) whose sins as a soldier dooms his soul to Hell. After he’s betrayed and killed by his own government, the devil Malebolgia resurrects Al as a member of his “Hellspawn” army and allows him to return to Earth to see his wife Wanda - except no one told him he’d look like a monster. With a memorable pitch-black vibe and over-the-top action that mimics McFarlane’s splash panels, Spawn remains one of the finest and darkest superhero cartoons ever made.
Like, zoinks! While there have been many Scooby-Doo cartoons throughout the franchise’s existence, everything fans love and remember about Mystery, Inc. traces back to the original from 1969. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? marks the beginning of the Scooby-Doo franchise, with the title mascot accompanying some meddling and groovy kids who take on cases that might be supernatural in nature - only for them to unmask the “ghost” as some lame adult in a costume. It may not be the most sophisticated animated show ever made, but there’s a reason we’re all still in love with Scooby-Doo after all these years. What we wouldn’t do for a Scooby Snack.
Imagined by creator Jim Jinkins as a semi-autobiographical series, Doug chronicles the hilarious life of Doug Funnie, an ordinary preteen boy with a loyal dog (named Porkchop), a journal, and an overactive imagination. While the world of Doug is visually unusual - and its strange soundtrack of mouth noises and scat singing very distinct - the show is a classic coming-of-age saga in which the title hero finds himself up against life’s everyday challenges while harboring an unrequited crush on his friend Patti Mayonnaise. While a lot of beloved children’s cartoons strike a fine balance between outrageousness and authenticity, Doug’s unique brand of sincere storytelling makes it one of the most instructive kids' shows ever to air.
To help launch the short-lived DC Universe streaming platform, a spotlight was placed on Joker’s ex-girlfriend, Harley Quinn. What no one could have expected, however, was how brazenly hilarious and simultaneously profound her show would be. Co-created by Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacher, Harley Quinn follows its title anti-heroine as she breaks free from the Joker’s toxic influence and strikes out on her own as Gotham City’s premier supervillain. Come for the cranked-up sense of humor that gleefully satirizes superhero pop culture, stay for its affectionate grasp of Harley that celebrates her escape from abusive relationships.
Throughout the 1990s, Nickelodeon established itself as a formidable rival against Disney with an enviable roster of kids' programming. Among the channel’s diverse offerings was Hey Arnold!. Like another major Nick hit, Doug, Hey Arnold! boasted an unusual art style balanced by its predominantly realistic settings. (Save for the occasional ghost or two.) Hey Arnold! told of the day-to-day adventures of title character Arnold (no last name), who lives with his grandparents and their eccentric apartment neighbors in a major city. With hilarious stories focused on learning to grow up in an oftentimes unfair world, Hey Arnold! confidently stood out from Nickelodeon’s other talking animals and laughing sponges.
A searing American satire with the visual artistry of Japanese anime, The Boondocks is the brilliant brainchild of creator Aaron McGruder that dwells in the comical subdimensions between racial lines. An adaptation of McGruder’s comic strips, the show chronicles the life of well-read 10-year-old Huey Freeman (voiced by Regina King) after his Black family move into a white suburb. A principled comedy that relishes in its unabashed political incorrectness and rumination of contemporary Black culture, The Boondocks is as challenging as it is entertaining.
Its epic run of over 25 seasons, 320-plus episodes, and vast multimedia and merchandising empire belay its humble origins. Created by University of Colorado alums Matt Parker and Trey Stone, South Park came out of a crude (and rude) Christmas-themed short Parker and Stone made out of construction paper and cut outs. The project blew up online and snowballed into South Park, a riotous comedy about foul-mouthed children fighting aliens, the Devil, ManBearPigs, and the 1989 Denver Broncos in snowy Colorado. A seminal pop culture phenom of the late ‘90s, South Park drew plenty of controversy for its offensive humor. Over time, South Park became a platform for its creators to express everything from their libertarian politics to their taste in showtunes.
Animation is a medium naturally suited to the exploits of comic book superheroes. But while there are a million and one superhero cartoons out there - and certainly many with Batman and Superman - few feel as focused and operatic as Justice League and its sequel, Justice League Unlimited. Arguably the definitiveDC Comicsanimated series of the 2000s, the first show explores the formation of the iconic superhero team. The sequel sees the Justice League expand to include the rest of the DCU, with overlooked, B- and C-tier heroes getting the spotlight in its episodic seasons. While the shows spiritually pay homage to the Gold and Silver Age of comic books, its modern sheen and quality production make JL/JLU a timeless classic.
When the autumn equinox comes around, that’s the right time to fire up Over the Garden Wall. A beautifully short-lived miniseries, Over the Garden Wall follows two brothers who get lost in a mysterious forest. This simple, storybook-like premise betrays the world of haunting mystery that awaits, as the brothers encounter all kinds of threats with a brave chest and a sense of humor. A fine balance between dark melancholy and innocent whimsy, Over the Garden Wall is all tricks and more treats that make it a perfect Halloween binge.
The groundbreaking Cartoon Network series Steven Universe combined science-fiction, fantasy, and coming-of-age storytelling to produce a singular show unlike anything seen before. The series follows Steven, a young boy who inherits his late mother’s powerful gems to protect Earth from alien threats. Celebrated during its lifetime for its progressive themes including gender diversity - historic for a childrens' cartoon - Steven Universe champions the power of love is the greatest power that transcends time and space.
It might be a Disney cartoon, but you’ll find no mouse ears anywhere. Debuting on syndicated TV in autumn 1994, Gargoyles is the epic saga of ancient, living gargoyles from medieval Scotland who were betrayed by their human allies. A thousand years later in modern day Manhattan, the Gargoyles reawaken from stone slumber and resume their duties as mankind’s nocturnal guardians. While conceived as an action-oriented childrens' cartoon, Gargoyles was celebrated by audiences and critics for its mature approach to storytelling with Shakespearean influences and character-driven melodrama. While a modest success during its lifetime, the legend that is Gargoyles has only increased since the show went off the air in 1997.
Animation auteur Genndy Tartakovsky is synonymous with quality productions. But after all these years, his greatest epic is still maybe Samurai Jack. A groundbreaking and transgressive show that combines Japanese cinema with pulp science fiction, the series tells of Jack (Phil LaMarr), a samurai warrior whose battle with the demon Aku sends him into the distant future. On a lone wolf quest to get back to his proper time, Jack searches high and low to battle Aku once more. Hailed for its unique approach to TV including minimal dialogue, experimental storytelling, and novel atmosphere - think a classic sci-fi book adapted by Akira Kurosawa - Samurai Jack slices and dices its way to animation immortality.
Every generation needs an Avatar. And shortly after Avatar: The Last Airbender, there came The Legend of Korra. A continuation of the acclaimed Nickelodeon fantasy epic, The Legend of Korra sees the new Avatar in its headstrong title protagonist, a young woman who struggles in her growth as a proper leader. An explosive expansion of the Avatar universe with even more memorable characters - not to mention a very unique setting influenced by 1920s metropolises - The Legend of Korra hits hard like an earthbender. The show’s finale involving a same-sex romance between Korra and another major female character is understood as a historic move in LGBT representation in childrens' media.
Way before the Griffins and the Simpsons, there were the Flintstones. While popularly considered a children’s cartoon today, in its historic debut in 1960, Hanna-Barbera’s The Flintstones originally targeted an adult audience with its send-up of contemporary suburbia through Stone Age and dinosaur-related gags. (Kids just love dinosaurs too much to not notice howgrown upthe humor actually was.) Decades on, The Flintstones occupy an irremovable place in pop culture - maybe even more than their futuristic counterparts, The Jetsons - and it’s all because of how innovative and brilliant the original series was.
Sometimes, the giants really are worth their stature. Since its premiere in 1989, Matt Groening’s The Simpsons has been an unstoppable juggernaut in its clever caricature of both Western society and universal human nature. In the suburban town of Springfield, family man Homer Simpson tries to raise his family while the world outside goes a bit loony. While even die-hard fans acknowledge that the show is far beyond its peak years - and even its premise of a high school graduate having a stable-enough job to raise a family of five with a dog feels outdated - the show is arguably the picture definition of “too big to fail” with an astonishing 35-plus seasons and over 760 episodes aired. The show has earned numerous awards and milestone achievements that commemorate its historic broadcast length.
Many of the so-called “greatest cartoons of all time” try their darndest to elevate childrens' entertainment with smart and mature creativity. And then there’s SpongeBob SquarePants, a cartoon that is as gleefully ridiculous as its slapstick name implies. The show chronicles the adventures of SpongeBob, an annoyingly optimistic yellow sea sponge who lives life in Bikini Bottom with best friends Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, and annoyed neighbor and coworker Squidward. With vibrant animation and infectious humor, SpongeBob SquarePants has stood the test of time to become a major cultural touchstone for millennials and Gen Z. Simply put: Without SpongeBob, the internet’s collective sense of humor would be very, very different.
A revolutionary superhero epic, the Emmy Award-winning Batman: The Animated Series remainsthedefinitive interpretation of DC’s resident Caped Crusader. Starring the late Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman, the series follows Batman in his tireless quest to protect Gotham City against his numerous archenemies, including most of all The Joker (Mark Hamill). With an arresting art deco-inspired aesthetic, sophisticated writing, and its plentiful themes of justice, morality, and duality, Batman: The Animated Series soars as the apex of both the superhero genre and childrens' animation at once.
Eric Francisco is a freelance entertainment journalist and graduate of Rutgers University. If a movie or TV show has superheroes, spaceships, kung fu, or John Cena, he’s your guy to make sense of it. A former senior writer at Inverse, his byline has also appeared at Vulture, The Daily Beast, Observer, and The Mary Sue. You can find him screaming at Devils hockey games or dodging enemy fire in Call of Duty: Warzone.
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