Yearning for a simpler time when 90s cartoons ruled the television?
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Nostalgia is good for the soul.
And for many, 90s cartoons bring about that restless desire for the past.
Unfortunately, time travel is still a sci-fi exclusive.
But thanks to thelimitless streaming optionsavailable you could easily transport yourself to a different time and place.
The 90s saw a wave of cartoons unlike any of the other shows airing on primetime television.
And today this animated renaissance still holds up strong.
Douglacks much of the weirdness and gross-out common to later Nicktoons.
Instead of wild antics,Dougis a more realistic, wholesome, and genuine slice of life.
Even if the character design features a wild array of colors!
It helps to see youre not alone when you reach the precipice of your angsty years.
Eventually,Dougends up at Disney.
And with the move to Disney,Dougbecame a movie, videogame, and even a musical.
2.Animaniacs(1993-Present)
By 1993 the entertainment industry was inundated with cartoons.
Theres also an impressive list of cameo appearances and pop culture references.
All while remaining educational and heartwarming.
And these cartoon charactersproduce their own cartoonssome of which are about other cartoons!
…But you get the idea,Animanicasdid meta first.
They even sing a song about it.
How to watch Animaniacs:
Thanks to the shows popularity,Animaniacsis back on the air.
you’re free to watch it onHulu, or buy it onAmazon.
3.Rugrats(1991-Present)
Is there a more quintessential example of 90s cartoons thanRugrats?
Of course there are many shows that come to mind when youre discussing a decade of content.
ButRugratsis quite literally 90s childhood locked in perpetuity.
Originally airing from 1991-1993Rugratswent off the air for three years.
In that time, the show grew from a simple kids cartoon to a rating behemoth.
Then after three years of reruns,Rugratscame back in 1996.
All the better, we say.
Maybe the jokes are overly insensitive, or the once loveable quirks now make you cringe.
But something aboutJohnny Bravo, the self-centered, wannabe playboy, remains lovable.
The adult humor and frequent cameos make the show unique for its intended audience.
So, if youre wanting to catch up on Johnnys antics you’re free to find him onAmazon.
ButRockos Modern Lifechooses to go against the current, and instead showcases a more irreverent side of 90s cartoons.
Offbeat is a great way to describe Rocko, the Australian wallaby living in the United States.
AlthoughRockos Modern Lifewas only on the air from 1991-1996, it made a pretty big impact on viewers.
And if youve seenDariathen youre bound to remember the distortion-heavy intro.
But the soundtrack isnt the only memorable element ofDaria.
In fact the 90s couldnt get enough ofDariawith an initial cameo appearance in Beavis and Butt-Head.
Then her own spinoff.
Well, the rest is history.
In fact, its difficult to imagine Ren and Stimpy making their television debutin 2021.
But the impact it made on 90s cartoons is strong enough to have garnered a faithful cult following.
For a kids cartoon,The Ren & Stimpy Showrelies heavily on shock, surrealism, and gross-out.
Many of the jokes feature toilet humor, double entendre, and slapstick routines.
But for many, the obscene humor is what makes the show so great.
Ren having a psychotic meltdown can be delightfully terrifying, in particular.
Unsurprisingly, some parents would rather their kids not watch such a lewd show.
And parts of the original series were censored altogether.
Indeed, creator John K would intentionally bombard censorsthey couldnt catch everything and he knew it!
But hey, the whole series is set to get a reboot through Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
Each character embodies stereotypical small town cliches in a very sincere manner.
And there are even rumors of apossible reboot.
So, well be keeping our fingers crossed.
9.Captain Planet and the Planeteers(1990-1996)
Theres nothing cool aboutclimate change.
And the thought of our planet slowly dying beneath our feet can elicit feelings of helplessness.
If only someone could come save the day!
For 90s cartoons, that someone isCaptain Planet and the Planeteers.
And in six seasons, no villainous stone is left unturned.
Who knows, it might just inspire you to develop moreeco-friendly habits.
The power is yours!
And cartoon shows were no exception to this creative expression.
What separateson Fluxfrom other 90s cartoons is not just the presentation, or animation style itself.
Its theabsurdityof it all.
An avant-garde take on an apocryphal earth is a harsh theme for an animated cartoon to carry out.
Especially considering that until the premiere ofon Flux, adult cartoons were typically sitcoms, or comedies.
Clearly, a chord was struck.
11.The Simpsons(1989-Present)
So, technicallyThe Simpsonsdidnt premiere in the 90s.
But it still rightfully deserves a place on our listbecause the 90s would have been very different withoutThe Simpsons.
BeforeThe Simpsonsgot its big break, the quirky family was a feature on theTracey Ullman Show.
However, the skit was so popular it soon became the cartoon sitcom viewers know and love.
The Simpsonssparked an era of adult oriented sitcom style cartoons.
Instead they createGargoyles, one of the most intricately dark 90s cartoons.
Unlike other 1990s cartoons of the time,Gargoylesis a plot heavy, action packed epic.
The show follows a group of gargoylesfrom Scotlandthat end up atop a skyscraper in New York City.
Even thoughGargoylesonly has three seasons, the fanbase has remained loyal.
And although there has been talk of a live-actionGargoylesmovie, nothing has been set in stone.
13.Hey Arnold!
But the show isnt always so weighty, its often lighthearted, and whimsical.
How to watch Hey Arnold!
14.CatDog(1998-2005)
In the world of classic cartoons, anthropomorphic creatures were all the rage.
But even with all of the other talking animals in 90s cartoons, nothing could prepare the world forCatDog.
WithCatDog, the creators of the show chose to splice together a cat and a dog.
However, the resulting abomination of polar opposites have to endure life stuck together.
And in the strangest, most uncomfortable way possible: Two heads on either end of a torso.
But, one of the biggest pulls of the show is just how bizarre it is.
In the shows short run,Beavis and Butt-Headnever held back.
First off, both titular characters are unapologetically blundersome buffoons.
But hey; it works, and it was weirdly relatable.
The pair even introduces us to our favorite angsty teen, Daria Morgendorffer.
Theres even a Hank Hill prototype to torture!
But thanks to the popularity, moreBeavis and Butt-Headis on the way.
Our Favorite 90s Cartoons: Thats All Folks!
Even though there are endless shows to choose from, its difficult to decide on what to watch.
So make it easy for yourself and tune into one of these iconic 90s cartoons.
What is your favorite 90s cartoon?
Are there any on this list you havent seen?
Let us know what you think below!
