The 27 Best ’90s Cartoons, Ranked

Watching cartoons on Saturday morning was a childhood rite of passage for many of us. In fact, it feels like just yesterday when we sat in front of our television set and sang every single word of the Animaniacs theme song  (complete with a sugary bowl of cereal). Now, many years later, it comes as no surprise that so many of our favorite ’90s cartoons still hold up.

From catchy theme songs to memorable villains (did anyone else have nightmares about Mojo Jojo?), there’s something oddly comforting about revisiting these childhood classics. And since ’90s fashion is already making a comeback, we thought we’d keep the momentum going by sharing the best ’90s cartoons, ranked. Curious about where to watch classics like Hey Arnold! and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters? Here are 27 shows you can stream on Paramount+, Netflix, Prime Video and more.

27. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

• When did it premiere? 1994
• Number of seasons? 4

Every child goes through a phase when they think monsters are real, and this show puts a comical twist on an otherwise scary subject. It introduces viewers to a group of monsters-in-training at the Monster Academy, highlighting each of their individual talents.

26. CatDog

• When did it premiere? 1998
• Number of seasons? 4

A sophisticated cat is conjoined with his goofy, fun-loving dog twin. And naturally, their opposite personalities almost always lead to chaos.

25. Rocko's Modern Life

• When did it premiere? 1992
• Number of seasons? 4

Meet Rocko, a wallaby who experiences culture shock when he moves from Australia to the United States. This is his story.

24. Rocket Power

• When did it premiere? 1999
• Number of seasons? 4

The show takes place in the fictional town of Ocean Shores, California, and follows an athletic boy named Otto Rocket. Join Otto as he participates in a series of extreme sports, including skateboarding, mountain biking and surfing. Cowabunga!

23. Freakazoid!

• When did it premiere? 1995
• Number of seasons? 2

When a geeky 16-year-old named Dexter transforms into an oddball superhero called "Freakazoid," he steps up to fight crime and defeat some of the most bizarre villains. From strong writing to dynamic characters, there’s plenty to love about this series.

22. The Wild Thornberrys

• When did it premiere? 1998
• Number of seasons? 5

The Thornberrys aren’t your typical family. Not only do they live in a motor home, but their youngest daughter, Eliza, can also talk to animals. It’s really cool, but totally secret.

21. Goof Troop

• When did it premiere? 1992
• Number of seasons? 2

This timeless classic follows the life of a single dad, Goofy, who returns to his hometown of Spoonerville with his son, Max, and becomes neighbors with his childhood pal, Pete.

20. Sailor Moon

• When did it premiere? 1992
• Number of seasons? 5

After a chance encounter with a magical cat, 14-year-old Usagi gains the ability to transform into her powerful alter ego, Sailor Moon. Her task? To work with fellow Sailor Soldiers and protect the Earth from evil forces.

19. Franklin

• When did it premiere? 1997
• Number of seasons? 6

It feels like it was just yesterday when we followed the adventures of Franklin and his pals, including his best friend Bear, Mr. Owl, Beaver and Rabbit. The young turtle taught us valuable, timeless lessons about honesty, kindness and taking responsibility.

18. Blues Clues

• When did it premiere? 1997
• Number of seasons? 6

Anyone who grew up on Blue's Clues would agree that Steve and Blue are the ultimate duo. In each episode, they solve a certain puzzle or dilemma by leaving paw print "clues" and enlisting the help of viewers, making them feel more involved.

17. The Powerpuff Girls

• When did it premiere? 1998
• Number of seasons? 6

What do you get when you mix sugar, spice and everything nice with a dash of Chemical X? Three fearless young superheroes who dedicate their lives to fighting crime, of course.

16. Animaniacs

• When did it premiere? 1993
• Number of seasons? 5

Animaniacs may look like a show that appeals only to kids, but it weaves in clever satire and pop culture references to make it enjoyable for adults too. The comedy sketch series boasts eight Emmy Awards and even spawned a Hulu revival, which is still going strong after two seasons.

15. Recess

• When did it premiere? 1997
• Number of seasons? 4

When the fourth graders of Third Street School make it their mission to protect their peers, they’re forced to jump through quite a few hoops to please the playground’s leader, King Bob.

14. Pinky and the Brain

• When did it premiere? 1995
• Number of seasons? 4

The series follows an intelligent, power-hungry lab mouse and his dim-witted, but good-natured, sidekick as they try to carry out elaborate schemes. It expertly blends parody and relevant themes with silly humor, making it a must-watch for the whole family.

13. Courage the Cowardly Dog

• When did it premiere? 1996
• Number of seasons?

Best known for its dark humor and supernatural elements, Courage the Cowardly Dog follows a timid pet named Courage, who encounters a series of strange occurrences that force him to be brave and protect his owners.

12. Spider-Man: The Animated Series

• When did it premiere? 1994
• Number of seasons? 5

Before Tobey Maguire stole our hearts as Peter Parker in 2002, Christopher Daniel Barnes voiced the animated college student turned superhero in this action-packed series. Like we’ve seen in the films, it follows Peter as he struggles to balance his hero duties with his personal life.

11. Superman: The Animated Series

• When did it premiere? 1998
• Number of seasons? 4

See the infamous Man of Steel in all his glory as he juggles being a reporter with protecting humanity. Aside from the quality animation, it features several compelling characters and great role models, including the fabulous Lois Lane. (FYI, if you enjoyed this series, you will love The Batman Superman Movie.)

10. Dexter's Laboratory

• When did it premiere? 1995
• A number of seasons? 4

Right when Cartoon Network started to make a name for itself, it released this gem, which has earned four Primetime Emmy nominations. Seeing Dee Dee inadvertently ruin so many of Dexter's experiments in his “secret lab” just never gets old.

• When did it premiere? 1994
• Number of seasons? 4

Leave it to the iconic Miss Frizzle to make learning an adventure. Inspired by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's book series of the same name, it follows Miss Frizzle and her students as they travel in a magical, shape-shifting bus to learn about science, technology and more.

8. Spongebob Squarepants

• When did it premiere? 1999
• Number of seasons? 13

Follow SpongeBob and his friends as they embark on a series of adventures under the sea in the city of Bikini Bottom. Since it first aired, the popular Nickelodeon series has blossomed into a multimedia franchise that includes video games, comic books, merch and even theme parks.

7. Arthur

• When did it premiere? 1996
• Number of seasons? 25

The iconic show revolves around Arthur, an anthropomorphic aardvark, and his family and friends. Arthur is known for its educational and complex themes, from autism spectrum disorder and cancer to family relationships. So, it's no wonder this Emmy-winning show made history as the longest-running animated kids' series in the U.S.

6. Hey Arnold!

• When did it premiere? 1996
• Number of seasons? 5

Arnold is a grade-schooler who lives with his clueless grandparents in an inner-city tenement. The series follows him and his classmates as they navigate childhood, which is chock-full of bullies and urban legends.

5. Rugrats

• When did it premiere? 1991
• Number of seasons? 9

The show is told from the perspective of Tommy Pickles, a curious toddler who spends his days investigating various mysteries around the house, all while trying to avoid the wrath of his older cousin, Angelica.

4. X-Men: The Animated Series

• When did it premiere? 1992
• Number of seasons? 5

Although it centers on the beloved group of superheroes and features plenty of action sequences, X-Men also tackles social and political issues, from the Holocaust to the AIDS virus. Not to mention, the stellar writing and music scores don’t disappoint.

3. Doug

• When did it premiere? 1991
• Number of seasons? 7

Almost every kid can relate to Doug, an imaginative 11-year-old who tries to navigate school, friendships, bullying, family life and a major crush on Patti Mayonnaise. NBD.

2. Daria

• When did it premiere? 1997
• Number of seasons? 5

With its feminist themes, dry humor and sharp commentary, this MTV series was way ahead of its time. It focuses on Daria and her group of friends, who are so over high school. Together, they navigate life among the less-than-intelligent students of Lawndale High. (Bonus: An animated film spin-off, Jodie, is now in the works.)

1. Batman: The Animated Series

• When did it premiere? 1992
• Number of seasons? 2

Often considered the best version of Batman ever made, this iconic series set the standard in terms of quality animation, top-notch storytelling, relevant themes and compelling characters. The Emmy Award-winning show follows the dark knight as he fights crime in Gotham City, going up against enemies like the Joker, Mr. Freeze and Penguin.