The 20 Best Cartoon Network Shows Of All Time, Ranked
From Classics Like ‘The Powerpuff Girls,’ To Forgotten Gems Like ‘Class Of 3000,’ We’Ve Ranked Cartoon Network’S 20 Best Shows Of All Time.
Saturday mornings with and on blast remains a top-tier moment of life no matter your age. While the , it still helms a slew of shows that have made their own significant mark in recent years (one of them even holds the #1 spot on this list).
So whether you still flock to the classics like or welcome newer shows like with open arms, we’ve sifted through Cartoon Network’s catalog to round up its best shows, past to present. From 1996 all the way to 2023, here are Cartoon Network’s 20 best shows ranked.
20. Cow and Chicken
Years Aired: 1997–1999
Starring: Charlie Adler, Candi Milo, Dee Bradley Baker
How to Watch: Cow and Chickenthere’s a live stream available for viewers.Prime Video and Apple TV+.
It is one of the most memorable introductions to any cartoon network Series.Cow and Chicken is by far the weirdest series on this list. The show follows two surprisingly biological siblings, Cow and Chicken, anthropomorphic animals who somehow were born from two human parents. Their dad was proud, he never asked how, and maybe he should have. The pair get up to wild adventures, often entangled with the Red Guy (a.k.a. the not-so PG version of the Devil), and go about their day exactly how you’d imagine any two humanoid animals would. The show is a Cartoon Network classic, even treading into “this episode makes a lot more sense as an adult” type beats. And it makes for an incredibly weird, yet . —Yasmeen Hamadeh
19. Mike, Lu, & Og
Years Aired: 1999–2001
Starring:Nancy Cartwright Dee Bradley Baker Nika Futterman nancy cartwright.
How to Watch: Mike, Lu, & Og is streaming on .
This one’s a real throwback. One of the last shows to be made under Cartoon Network’s Cartoon Cartoons banner, Mike, Lu & Og follows the adventures of its eponymous trio as they get up to hilarious hijinks on a remote island. Mike’s a foreign exchange student from Manhattan eager to learn the island’s customs. While Lu is the island’s self-appointed princess, meanwhile Og is a genius eager to sink his teeth into his next invention. The show is the perfect example of pure vibes and peak nostalgia, with an incredibly memorable theme songyou might remember that one if you decide to watch It again and it’s a great Lesson In cartoon Network history while the animation is old.Mike, Lu & Ogit’s still an enjoyable and incredibly bingeable show.Yasmeen Hamadeh
18. Evil Con Carne
Years Aired: 2001–2004
Starring:Frank welker Grey delisle Armin Shimerman Phil Lamarr.
How to Watch: Evil Con Carne is available to watch on Prime Video.
A long-forgotten gem from Cartoon Network, Evil Con Carne follows the not-so malevolent adventures of an evil billionaire who, after a serious accident, lives through a purple circus bear that holds his last remaining organs—his brain and stomach. It’s a wild premise, but what do you expect from a show that exists in the same universe as The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandythere are also crossovers.Evil Con Carne may have gotten cut too soon, but the show’s two seasons boast and hilarious hijinks you’d want from an OG Cartoon Network show. And if you think you might not remember it, watch a couple of episodes, and the memories will come flooding back. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
17. Class of 3000
Years Aired: 2006–2008
Starring: André 3000, Small Fire, Tom Kenny, Jennifer Hale, Crystal Scales, Phil LaMarr
How to Watch: Class of 3000 is streaming on Apple TV+.
The unrecognized masterpiece of cartoon networks deserved so much more.Class of 3000 follows the day-to-day life of gifted students at Atlanta’s Westley School for the Performing Arts. Helmed and created by the incredible (yes, thee André), the show’s told through the lens of music teacher Sunny Bridges (voiced by André) as he tries to rally up his students for lessons on music and inspiration. The show’s soundtrack, with , is unmatched, and its animation was ahead of its time. Class of 3000it’s a lesson in its own right about animation’s ability to tell stories that are often overlooked by other genres.Yasmeen Hamadeh
16. Johnny Bravo
Years Aired: 1997–2004
Starring: Jeff Bennett, Brenda Vaccaro, Mae Whitman, Tom Kenny, Larry Drake
How to Watch: Johnny Bravo is streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The origin of all himbos, Johnny Bravo is everyone’s favorite sunglass-wearing, muscle-flexing, king. Another absolute Cartoon Network classic, Johnny Bravo follows the failed attempts of its eponymous lead as he coasts his way through life trying to swoon one woman at a time. Accompanied by his mom, Bunny “Momma” Bravo, and his friendly neighbor Little Suzy, Johnny gets up to hilarious hijinks as he goes out of his way to pine after Aron City’s bombshell bachelorettes, only to find that he truly loves himself more than anyone at the end of the day. Oozing confidence and a , Johnny Bravo is one of Cartoon Network’s most iconic characters to this day. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
15. Ben 10
Years Aired: 2005–2008
Starring:Meagan Smith Tara Strong Paul Eiding Dee Bradley Baker baker paul eiding.
How to Watch: Ben 10 is streaming on .
The coolest kid to ever do it, 10-year-old Ben lived a life we all probably dreamt of growing up. After a mysterious watch gets latched onto him, Ben finds himself bestowed with the ability to turn into and uses his new superpowers to save the day. From fire bending to speed that’d put to shame, Ben has it all. And unlike his other colleagues in the “mysterious object gave me superpowers” department, Ben holds several powers matched to each alien type he can turn into—easily outranking and the likes with a single click of his Omnitrix. The original show went on to amass several spinoffs including Ben 10: Alien Force, Ultimate Alien, Omniversethe og show still holds the closest connection TO our hearts.Yasmeen Hamadeh
14. The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
Years Aired: 2001–2007
Starring: Grey DeLisle, Richard Steven Horvitz, Greg Eagles, Vanessa Marshall
How to Watch: The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy is streaming on .
Part of why making this list was so difficult was the sheer amount of great shows Cartoon Network had to offer in the early 2000s—and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy is no exception. The show probably rests in many people’s top 10, and while it may not have made the cut in this one, that doesn’t negate just how good it actually is. After winning over a limbo match that permanently put the Grim Reaper under their servitude, Billy and Mandy get up to wild hijinks with their new pal, trekking to the underworld and beyond. Sure the premise of this show is really weird (and obtusely dark) in hindsight, but Billy and Mandy still offers up hilarious episodes, memorable characters, and a slew of “blink and you’ll miss it” one-liners you’ll only really appreciate as an adult. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
13. Ed, Edd n Eddy
Years Aired: 1999–2008
Starring: Matt Hill, Samuel Khouth, Tony Sampson
How to Watch: Ed, Edd n Eddy is streaming on .
When it comes to childhood TV friends, very few groups are as tight-knit—and absolutely insane—as . The series, which made its debut in 1999, mixed together its unique blend of humor, relatable characters, and visually exciting animation style to emerge as one of the greatest shows on Cartoon Network.
The story follows the titular characters Ed the lovably clueless one Edd Double D the intelligent and organized friend and Eddy the schemer with a penchant for get-rich quick Schemes it’s a timeless series that children of all ages can not only relate to but revel in.Jacob Kramer
12. Total Drama
Years Aired: 2007–2023
Starring: Christian Potenza, Clé Bennett, Scott McCord, Megan Fahlenbock, Rachel Wilson, Drew Nelson
How to Watch: Total Drama is streaming on .
A hilarious spoof of like Survivor, Total Dramathe show sees a group of teenagers compete where backstabbing elimination and love triangles run amok on the same level As over-the-top hijinks.Total Drama Island in 2007 that it inspired several spinoffs, including Total Drama Action, World Tour, and the recently revamped rendition of the show in 2023. The challenges in the show are so outrageous and the lore behind its host, Chris McLeanplus watching this show weekly as a kid And treating it like it was actually a top-notch experience i wish everyone had had.Total Drama are made equal, the show still packs on the punches, and we all have our favorite characters we’re still hoping will win one of the competitions soon. Gwen and Duncan deserved so much more. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
11. Regular Show
Years Aired: 2010–2017
Starring:J G Quintel William Salyers Sam Marin Mark hamill sam salyers.
How to Watch: Regular Show is streaming on Hulu and .
One of Cartoon network’s more adult-oriented shows follows the trippy misadventures of Mordecai and Rigby an anthropomorphic bluejay and raccoon respectively who are the best of friends The two twenty-somethings work at a local park as.Regular Showthis series can be enjoyed at any time of the day and has quickly become one of the Most iconic cartoon network shows for its durability.Yasmeen Hamadeh
10. Dexter’s Laboratory
Years Aired: 1996–2003
Starring: Christine Cavanaugh, Candi Milo, Allison Moore, Kat Cressida, Kath Soucie, Jeff Bennett, Eddie Deezen
How to Watch: Dexter’s Laboratory is streaming on Prime Video and .
An absolute Cartoon Network classic, follows the ingenious adventures of a boy prodigy who owns the coolest secret lab in his bedroom. Often challenged by his curious sister, Dee Dee, and his nemesis, Mandark, Dexter rises to the occasion each time with new gadgets and quips that usually have a broken string or two. comfortably rests in Cartoon Network’s hall of fame, and is packed with some of the studio’s most iconic episodes and one-liners we all still remember (and quote) to this day. From Dee Dee’s call to action—“Oooh what does this button do”—to Mandark’s timeless laugh, there are one too many iconic moments to count from Dexter’s Laboratoryand It’S always a good replay.Yasmeen Hamadeh
9. The Powerpuff Girls
Years Aired: 1998–2005
Starring: Cathy Cavadini, Tara Strong, E.G. Daily, Tom Kane
How to Watch: The Powerpuff Girls is streaming on .
While there’s been for The Powerpuff Girls, nothing comes remotely close to the original show. Made up of sugar, spice, everything nice, and a wee bit of Chemical X, Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles are sister superheroes protecting the city of Townsville from wayward monsters and more notorious supervillains like Mojo Jojo. Every aspect of has become its own fixture in pop-culture iconography, to the show’s many iconic villains who we can all still list by name to this day. It’s action-packed. It’s timeless. And it’s a show that’ll always comfortably rest in Cartoon Network’s hall of fame, remaining well over a decade later. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
8. Teen Titans
Years Aired: 2003–2006
Starring: Hynden Walch, Greg Cipes, Scott Menville
How to Watch: Teen Titans is streaming on .
Long before existed, the superhero genre for kids was dominated by only a handful of projects. And , the OG series of course, was chief among them. It had a commanding run from 2003 to 2006, introducing the eclectic group of Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg to the masses, and cementing its title as one of the greatest shows ever on Cartoon Network.
One of the series’ standout features was its exceptional character development. Though it featured five strong characters, the writers made sure to delve deep into the complexities of their lives to explore themes of friendship, identity, and the struggle between personal desires and collective responsibility. The characters were magnetic, and it was one of those shows where you could truly pick between all of the leads for your “favorite” hero. The show was so popular that it (which we won’t talk about here). But its enduring popularity, along with its ability to resonate with audiences both young and old, serves only as a testament to and legacy in the history of Cartoon Network. —Jacob Kramer
7. Steven Universe
Years Aired: 2013–2019
Starring: Zach Callison, Estelle, Michaela Dietz, Deedee Magno Hall
How to Watch: Steven Universe is streaming on Hulu.
Steven Universe is a great example of animation’s ability to transcend barriers and be a genre for all ages. A coming-of-age story, the show follows Steven, a young boy who lives amongst Crystal Gems in Beach City. The Gems are essentially mineral-based magical entities who each possess their own superpowers based off the stones within them. There’s Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, Steven’s mentors who guide him in discovering his true powers as a half-Gem. Together, the foursome protect Beach City from other magical foes and get up to an adventure that’s as entertaining as it is incredibly heartfelt. The show has been lauded for , world-building, and even soundtrack, positing some of Cartoon Network’s most important (and only) queer characters with a killer fantasy story to boot. If you ever think you’re too old for cartoons, is a seminal example of how the genre will always captivate regardless of age. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
6. Over the Garden Wall
Years Aired: 2014
Starring: Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry, Jack Jones, Samuel Ramey
How to Watch: Over the Garden Wall is streaming on Hulu.
Over the Garden Wallthe show helmed by A surprisingly star-studded cast Follows two half-brothers wirt and greg as they find their way Into the Unknown forest after getting lost to help with their adventure the Boys have the companionship Of a bluebird called beatrice who is also.Over the Garden Wallthis is an amazing animation show with an emotional story with a finale that will have you tumbling down a reddit rabbit hole There aren’t enough Words that speak to HOW incredible this show is.Yasmeen Hamadeh
5. Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
Years Aired: 2004–2009
Starring:Keith Ferguson Sean Marquette Tom kenny Candi Milo Grey Delisle Phil lamarr.
How to Watch: Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends is streaming on .
Your childhood was not the same if you didn’t dream of going to Fosters the show followed the mischievous misadventures of an 8-year-old boy named Mac and his imaginary friend Bloo as they hilariously tumbled their way through the day-to-day life.Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friendsthe show is funny and often Sneaks in humor that more mature audiences can really appreciate and it helms some of the most memorable episodes and characters on Cartoon network.Yasmeen Hamadeh
4. Courage the Cowardly Dog
Years Aired: 1999–2002
Starring: Marty Grabstein, Thea White, Peter Fernandez
How to Watch: Courage the Cowardly Dog is streaming on Prime Video.
Dogs are a man’s best friend and that old adage rings true.Courage the Cowardly Dog. A show that was way too scary, but way too good to look away for children ended up becoming one of the most iconic series to ever grace Cartoon Network. And that’s all thanks to the show’s incredible writing, imaginative world, and its array of unforgettable characters.
Courage the Cowardly Dog is the perfect combination of heart and horror, a rare feat that few other animated children shows were able to successfully achieve. Through visits from the supernatural (plus other bizarre entities), Courage’s quirky relationship with and Eustace, and the drama that ensued from these two worlds colliding, the show was an absolute treat to watch. The series’ willingness to explore unconventional themes, and its ability to elicit genuine emotions from its audience, remains a testament to Cartoon Network’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of animated storytelling. —Jacob Kramer
3. Samurai Jack
Years Aired: 2001–2017
Starring:Kevin michael Richardson Phil Lamarr Mako.
How to Watch: Samurai Jackthe stream goes on .
There are classics. Then there are timeless classics. And Samurai Jackthe series created by genndy Tartakovsky follows The Journey of its titular samurai as he is displaced in time and forced to navigate a dystopian future where he must defeat the shape-shift.
At the heart of Samurai Jack is its visual mastery. The animation style blends minimalistic design with dynamic action sequences, making it a visually incredible series to binge as a kid. The show is also a masterclass in innovative storytelling, relying on atmospheric visuals and evocative soundscapes to tell its story instead of solely dialogue. Without going too deep into the woods with an overly analyzed take on the animated children series, just know this show is an absolute banger and must-watch if you’re into samurais unleashing havoc on their enemies. —Jacob Kramer
2. Codename: Kids Next Door
Years Aired: 2002–2008
Starring: Benjamin Diskin, Lauren Tom, Dee Bradley Baker, Cree Summer
How to Watch: Kids Next Door is streaming on .
One of the greatest shows to ever do it, Codename: Kids Next Doorthe story follows five secret Operatives who work in an espionage-type organization that Protects children from anything adult from broccoli to flossing.KND’s main fivesome get up to a wild roller coaster of mayhem that entails anything between stealing jackpots of candy on Halloween to fighting against their nemeses, the Delightful Children from Down the Lane. Each episode is a masterpiece, and we don’t mean it lightly when we say this show was game changing to watch as a kid. You honestly didn’t have a childhood if you weren’t dreaming up of going on adventures with the gang, and we’re all still waiting to get our KND recruiting letter to this day. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
1. Adventure Time
Years Aired: 2010–2018
Starring: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hynden Walch, Tom Kenny, Olivia Olson
How to Watch: Adventure Time is streaming on Hulu and .
The fun never ends in . By far one of Cartoon Network’s most successful series—even , theme parks, and more—the show follows the adventures of Finn and Jake, a human and magical dog, respectively, that live in the Land of Ooo. From battles with the Ice King to afternoons in Princess Bubblegum’s laboratory, Finn and Jake get up to a roller coaster of mayhem that’s widely entertaining and at times surprisingly heartfelt. The show and gradually delves into more serious themes on found family, love, and even death with each season. It also boasts incredible world-building and lore on how the Land of Ooo came to be, why Finn’s the only human there, and what that reflects back to us on our own humanity. So come along with Finn and Jake for an everlasting adventure across many distant lands—you’ll be crying buckets by the series finale. —Yasmeen Hamadeh
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