The 1990s saw the arrival and rise of cartoons that went on to become some of the best animated TV shows of all time, thus becoming classics. The list of the best TV shows of all time has a couple of cartoon shows from different decades and with very different styles. While cartoon shows are mostly associated with children and younger audiences, there are plenty of shows aimed at a mature audience, such as The Midnight Gospel, Rick and Morty, and South Park.
Every decade has had great animated shows, but one that stands out for having some of the best cartoons of all time is the 1990s. This decade saw the release of some now classic cartoon shows for kids and some for adults as well, while also witnessing the peak of shows that debuted in the 1980s and the beginning of others that continued through the 2000s. Many of these are some of the most influential cartoons of all time, shaping the field of animation on TV into what it is now.
Networks like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network had their peak in the 1990s with their Nicktoons and Cartoon Cartoon branches, as did Fox Kids, which housed superhero shows, cartoons aimed at adults, and more. The most popular cartoons from the 1990s are charged with nostalgia, though most of them still have relevant and relatable themes, characters, and moments, which have helped them maintain their popularity.
The Ren & Stimpy Show
1991-1996
The Ren & Stimpy Show premiered on Nickelodeon in 1991 and was the third show of the original three Nicktoons – however, it wasn’t a show for kids. The Ren & Stimpy Show follows the psychotic chihuahua dog Ren Höek and the good-natured but dimwitted Manx cat Stimpy on their daily but chaotic adventures. The Ren & Stimpy Show relied on absurdist, surreal, and grotesque humor along with black comedy, which didn’t appeal to many, but the show was still popular during its initial run.
The original three Nicktoons are Doug, Rugrats, and The Ren & Stimpy Show.
The Ren & Stimpy Show was praised for its animation, originality, and design, and it was unlike anything else on TV back then, especially when it came to cartoons. The Ren & Stimpy Show was widely popular among teenagers and adults, and thanks to it avoiding addressing contemporary issues, the show was able to keep some relevancy for years. A reboot has been in development since 2020, but it still hasn’t seen the light of day.
Gargoyles
1994-1997
Gargoyles introduced the audience to the title nocturnal creatures, who, a thousand years ago, lived in a castle in Scotland. However, in 994, the clan was betrayed, and most of them were killed by humans during the day, while they were petrified. The remaining gargoyles were cursed to be frozen in stone until the castle “rises above the clouds”, which finally happened in 1994 when billionaire David Xanatos bought the castle and reconstructed it atop his New York skyscraper.
This broke the curse, and the gargoyles reawakened, and as they adjusted to the modern world, they became the city’s new nighttime protectors. Gargoyles stood out for its darker tone compared to other cartoons from the time, especially those aimed at children, as well as for addressing mature themes. Gargoyles has complex characters, great voice acting, and brilliant storytelling, and it has become a cult classic.
The Powerpuff Girls
1998-2005
Created by Craig McCracken, The Powerpuff Girls premiered on Cartoon Network in 1998 and ended in 2005, qualifying as both a popular 1990s and 2000s cartoon show. The Powerpuff Girls centers on the title team of superheroes: three five-year-old girls named Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, who were accidentally created by Professor Utonium. The mix of sugar, spice, everything nice, and Chemical X resulted in these three superpowered girls who now dedicate their lives to fighting monsters and any other threat in Townsville.
The Powerpuff Girls was a huge success, with critics and general audiences praising its concept, design, animation, and stories, which gave a fresh spin to the superhero genre on TV. The Powerpuff Girls spawned a franchise with a movie, an anime adaptation, and a TV reboot (with a second one in development), but the original show continues to be one of the best and most beloved cartoons of all time.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series
1994-1998
Spider-Man had his own animated show in the 1990s, and it’s widely considered one of the best animated superhero shows of all time. Spider-Man: The Animated Series aired on Fox Kids Network from 1994 to 1998, and it followed Peter Parker (voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes) as he did his best to balance college and his heroic duties as Spider-Man. Of course, Peter also went through many personal struggles, most notably the death of Uncle Ben, his friendship with Harry Osborn, and his relationship with Felicia Hardy and Mary Jane.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series is especially notable for introducing the Spider-Verse storyline, which went on to inspire Spider-Man comics, shows, and movies. Spider-Man: The Animated Series kept the essence of the characters and comic books while giving them growth and development, complex storylines, and emotional depth, making it a perfect introduction to the world of Spider-Man for those unfamiliar with the comic books.
Dragon Ball Z
1989-1996
One of the best anime TV shows of all time had its peak in the 1990s, and it’s Dragon Ball Z. Based on Akira Toriyama’s manga series Dragon Ball and serving as a direct sequel to the 1986 TV show of the same name, Dragon Ball Z originally aired on Fuji Television from 1989 to 1996. Dragon Ball Z, then, continues the adventures of a now-adult Goku and his allies as they defend Earth from a variety of increasingly powerful threats, such as Vegeta, Majin Buu, and Frieza, among others.
Dragon Ball Z offered a type of action that wasn’t typically seen on American TV back then, and its serialized format was key to keeping the audience engaged from beginning to end. Dragon Ball Z’s relatable character development, visual transformations, action scenes, and more made the show insanely popular in the 1990s, and it’s still one of the most beloved anime shows of the decade and in general.
Animaniacs
1993-1998
Created by Tom Ruegger, Animaniacs aired on Fox Kids from 1993 to 1994 and later on The WB from 1995 to 1998. Presented as a variety show, Animaniacs is led by the Warner siblings – Yakko, Wakko, and Dot –, who are locked away in the Warner Bros. Water Tower but escape all the time to cause chaos. Animaniacs is formed by segments starring different characters, most notably those starring Pinky and the Brain, Slappy Squirrel, and the Goodfeathers. Animaniacs was made for both children and adults, with plenty of jokes for the latter.
Animaniacs was praised for its humor, format, and characters, as well as how it appealed to viewers of all ages. Animaniacs has that type of chaotic comedy that makes cartoon shows so entertaining, accompanied by some clever jokes, creative stories and characters, and some very catchy songs from time to time. Animaniacs got a revival in 2020, but it failed to capture the charm and fun of the original show.
Rugrats
1991-2004
Created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain, Rugrats aired on Nickelodeon for nine seasons, and it was key to the success of the Nicktoons branch. Rugrats followed a group of toddlers – Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, twins Phil and Lil DeVille, and Tommy’s cousin, Angelica – on their daily adventures, fueled by their imagination, which turns ordinary events and places into amazing adventures. In later seasons, the group is joined by Tommy’s baby brother Dil, Chuckie’s stepsister Kimi, and their new neighbor Susie.
Rugrats had a unique premise that transformed the mundane into epic stories, and the imagination of the characters truly knew no limits. Through their imagination, Tommy and his friends did their best to understand the world around them, overcoming their fears, learning new things, and making new friends. Rugrats made history in children’s TV through its cultural representation, and even though many years have passed, it’s still an entertaining and endearing show.
Hey Arnold!
1996-2004
Created by Craig Bartlett, Hey Arnold! is one of Nickelodeon’s most successful and impactful animated shows of all time. Hey Arnold! introduced viewers to fourth-grader Arnold, who lived with his grandparents in an inner-city tenement as his parents disappeared during an expedition when he was a baby. Hey Arnold! follows Arnold’s daily life as he navigates school, friendships, and more, accompanied by his best friend Gerald, bully Helga (who is secretly in love with Arnold), and some colorful neighbors.
Hey Arnold! was heartwarming and fun, but it also covered some serious topics and did so with respect, such as death, grief, parental neglect, and loneliness. Hey Arnold! has been praised for its depiction of adolescence and growing up in the city, as well as the different struggles kids and teens go through, such as bullying and social pressure. Hey Arnold! is a timeless show, highly rewatchable, and very entertaining.
Batman: The Animated Series
1992-1995
One of the best TV shows of all time, as well as one of the most influential ones in its genre, also comes from the 1990s, and it’s Batman: The Animated Series. Created by Eric Radomski and Bruce W. Timm, Batman: The Animated Series followed Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy) and his mission to fight crime in Gotham City, which is plagued by corruption and is controlled by a dangerous criminal underworld. Batman comes across some iconic villains, such as the Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, Riddler, and Mr. Freeze, among many others.
Harley Quinn was created for Batman: The Animated Series.
Batman: The Animated Series is recognized as a key show in the superhero genre and in Batman history, thanks to its modernization of Batman, exploration of Gotham’s issues, character development, and beautiful animation. Batman: The Animated Series also covered serious themes like mental illness, abuse, loss, and more, proving that animated superhero shows didn’t have to be childish and could still appeal to children and adults.
The Simpsons
1989-Present
The Simpsons is one of the biggest animated TV shows of all time, and it had its peak in the 1990s. Created by Matt Groening, The Simpsons had its beginning as a series of animated shorts in The Tracey Ullman Show before becoming a half-hour primetime show. Since 1989, viewers have followed Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson throughout a variety of fun, absurd, and some heartbreaking moments.
Although The Simpsons’ quality has been in decline for years, it’s still quite popular and doesn’t show signs of stopping anytime soon. The Simpsons has been praised for its humor, satire, and how different the title family was from those typically depicted in sitcoms, cartoons, and more. The Simpsons had its peak in the 1990s, and those seasons are some of the show’s most rewatchable ones.
- Release Date
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December 17, 1989
- Network
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FOX
- Showrunner
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Al Jean
- Directors
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Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller
- Writers
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J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Brian Kelley, Bill Odenkirk, Dan Vebber, Kevin Curran, Stephanie Gillis, Dan Castellaneta, Deb Lacusta, Billy Kimball, Jessica Conrad, Cesar Mazariegos, Daniel Chun, Jennifer Crittenden, Conan O’Brien, Valentina Garza, Elisabeth Kiernan Averick, Christine Nangle, Broti Gupta, Loni Steele Sosthand, Megan Amram, Bob Kushell, David Isaacs, David Mandel
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Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice)
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Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)