As ‘RIP Cartoon Network’ trends, because of the channel being “supposedly dead,” some memories might have resurfaced after a long time for the past viewers of the channel. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and rank all the wild and weird cartoons that defined our childhoods. This ranking is not about pitting shows against each other, but rather a fun way to reminisce and celebrate the diversity of cartoons that we grew up with. (Yes, we’ll cover both ends of the spectrum.)
Cartoon Network, a unique blend of kid-friendly (debatable) and weird, questionable shows, launched in 1992. It was the ultimate place for cartoon lovers, a realm of exclusivity that proved growing up didn’t necessarily mean having to grow out of cartoons. (It’s not a phase, mom.)
Whether you were watching Cartoon Network as a kid or are looking to watch some shows, chances are you love almost all of the shows on this list.
10Ben 10
If there was never a point in your life where you remembered all of Ben’s aliens by heart, you’re not one of us. One of Cartoon Network’s most iconic originals and the longest-running franchise, with five different iterations spanning over the course of a decade and a half, Ben 10 is as loved as it gets. However, the original still has everyone’s heart.
The series is all about Ben Tennyson, a 10-year-old who owns an Omnitrix: a watch from outer space that enables him to morph into 10 different aliens, each with unique powers. Ben eventually finds himself in situations that call for the use of his alien forms. However, there are times when his watch surprises him by transforming him into a different alien, adding an unexpected twist to his adventures. At its core, the idea of an unconventional, unlikely hero really got us hooked.
9Regular Show
Even though it is named Regular Show, this Cartoon Network original packs quite a punch with its humor and narrative style, filled with innuendos and some of the strangest characters Cartoon Network has ever seen. The show follows Rigby and Mordecai, apathetic young adults who work as groundskeepers at a local park and often find themselves in situations that would be simple enough to overcome but everything that can go wrong, always goes wrong.
Toeing the line between being for kids and being for adults, the Regular Show became a fast favorite amongst teens and adults who appreciated the inappropriate humor that (hopefully) the younger viewers didn’t understand. This unique blend of chaos and hilarity, while dealing with mature themes and over-the-top violence, makes it the kind of show you can always revisit when you need a good laugh.
8Teen Titans
The original Teen Titans animated show, which premiered in 2003, was not just a typical animated show. It was critically acclaimed for its humor, wit, and most notably, its ability to tackle serious themes. The show’s courage to delve into these issues, despite being marketed to kids, is a testament to its depth and engagement with its audience.
The show’s set-up, which followed a character-based story arc for each season, was a groundbreaking approach for a show of its stature. Teen Titans pioneered the evolution of animated kids’ shows, demonstrating what they could achieve and where they could go. (If you’d like a funnier, lighter version, we have the Teen Titans Go!, pure comedic gold.)
7Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry, eternally timeless, is one of the most celebrated Cartoon Network originals. The show’s episodes are a testament to the cat and mouse’s humorous rivalry, each one filled with wildly innovative contraptions as they try to outsmart each other, keeping the audience entertained and intrigued.
Despite neither Tom nor Jerry saying a single word, the two have gone on to become some of the most popular animated characters of all time, which is saying a lot, because dialogue delivery is such an important part of slapstick. The show’s simple yet effective sense of exaggerated slapstick comedy has aged well, continuing to bring joy and amusement to audiences.
6Looney Tunes
The Looney Tunes Show is a delightful new take on a classic that many of us grew up with. While the original Looney Tunes premiered as a Warner Bros original, the animated anthology series became a staple of Cartoon Network’s programming in the years to come, evoking fond memories for many. Dealing with the over-the-top misadventures of anthropomorphic animal characters, the Looney Tunes explored the limits of physical humor with occasional hints of satire.
Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, our favorite roommates, find themselves in a myriad of entertaining situations with their vibrant neighbors. Each episode unfolds with the delightful presence of other iconic characters. The inherent silliness of seeing them deal with things like employment, money troubles, and love triangles is addicting.
5Scooby Doo
Cartoon Network is a significant platform for the Scooby-Doo! franchise, having premiered Mystery Incorporated, the only one of the franchises to be launched by the network, further cementing his place in the hearts of fans.
Scooby-Doo and gang caught in famous horror film and TV-inspired scenarios, referencing the SAW franchise, Twin Peaks, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and the works of H.P. Lovecraft sounds fun, doesn’t it? Unlike the usual light-hearted tone, some episodes treated the dark and dangerous situations the gang found themselves in with a surprising level of seriousness, making the Scooby-Doo that premiered exclusively on Cartoon Network more curated towards adults.
4Steven Universe
Steven Universe, a groundbreaking creation by Cartoon Network’s first only female show creator, is a pioneer in the world of animation. It’s the first to depict gay marriage, feature a main character struggling with PTSD, and have all female superheroes. These unique features, introduced in 2016 by Rebecca Sugar, an Adventure Time writer alum, have not only garnered a massive fanbase but also shattered heteronormative ideals. Steven Universe is a show that helps kids find their identity, empowering them to be true to themselves.
The science fantasy show Steven Universe follows the journey of Steven Universe, an adolescent half-human who is coming of age while being raised by the Crystal Gems, a group of magical beings. The show is not just about poignant life lessons but also about its stunning animation and original music that will undoubtedly leave you in awe.
3Courage the Cowardly Dog
There’s nothing quite like the nostalgic shiver of fear that Courage the Cowardly Dog used to send down our spines when we watched it late at night as kids. This was one of Cartoon Network’s most bizarre shows, Courage the Cowardly Dog, which first aired in 1996. It followed an anxious anthropomorphic pink dog, Courage, who was adopted by an elderly couple living in the middle of Nowhere.
Courage had to put aside his fears in every episode, battling supernatural forces, demons, zombies, and more genuinely scary things to protect his owners, who were often clueless to the peril lurking around the corner. The show’s unique blend of horror and comedy, with Muriel’s obliviousness and Eustace’s grumpiness often leading to humorous situations, made it a hit among viewers of all ages.
2The Powerpuff Girls
If the phrase Sugar, spice, and everything nice doesn’t immediately remind you of The Powerpuff Girls, then hate to break it tp you but you just might be living under the rock. A Cartoon Network classic, introduced in 1998, followed three sisters with superpowers made in a lab by their scientist father and spent their spare time-fighting crime in Townsville. Their biggest nemesis was Mojo Jojo, an evil talking monkey with a tragic backstory.
Just like the Harry Potter House debate, you’ve probably debated with friends over whether you’re Blossom, Buttercup or a Bubbles. (And if you were as serious about it as I was, you probably also took several quizzes. Does Which Powerpuff Girl am I? sound familiar?)
1Adventure Time
Launched in 2010, Adventure Time, featuring a 12-year-old boy named Finn and his magical talking dog, Jake, battling evil and embarking on adventures in the Land of Ooo, is adored for its engaging storyline.
Adventure Time‘s animation style, original music, eccentric characters, timeless life lessons, and incredible queer representation (romance between a rockstar vampire and a bubblegum princess, talk about iconic!) all contribute to its charm.
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