The 15 Best Cartoon Network Shows From The 2000s Ranked

Cartoon Network is responsible for some of the better 1990s cartoons period , but the network ‘s reign of dominance did n’t finish with the turn of a new millennium . The channel had good deal of holdovers from the previous decade , but more excitingly , it introduced good deal of other great animated series for child of all ages to revel .

There make up utterly cartoons that dabbled in standalone sequence where you could tune in any week and know what ‘s going on . Courage had new monster to face up while Johnny Bravo was getting himself into all kind of ridiculous mishaps . However , Cartoon Network also began dabbling with more long-form storytelling . Kids could as well look on “ Justice League ” and share in a more grave superhero floor about governmental overreach . There was something for every palate whether you want silly jokes or more high-octane action .

Anyone who state animation peaked in the ’90s needs a world check . Hither exist some of the best Cartoon Network display in the 2000s that equal still worth watching today , place from fairly great to actually great .

Foster ‘s Home for Imaginary Friend

“ Foster ‘s Home for Imaginary Friends ” succeed a clump of imaginary friend who live together in an orphanage . Mac may be also old for his imaginary buddy , Bloo , all the time , but he however impose often to hold up with him and all of his new companions .

The show featured plenty of fun designs and colorful characters , but it ‘s too an appropriate entry to kick off this list for what it hold to tell about nostalgia . The display cause n’t shy away from the fact that , at some detail , we all hold to grow up . But that does n’t intrinsically entail we have to allow go of what we loved as kid . Mac recognizes the need not to make Bloo around all the time , but he makes a detail to call him every day . Madame Foster , who produce the home , still has her imaginary friend , Mr. Herriman , by her slope , prove you ‘re never also former to allow move of the past .

This show captures what it intend to be a child then well . Luckily , a whole new generation will learn those lessons thanks to the “ Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends ” reboot that ‘s coming out .

Megas XLR

There exist plenty of cancel science-fiction show that deserve a second chance , and frankly , “ Megas XLR ” deserves to exist in that conversation . Only 26 episodes be released , and this show has the form of premise that could ‘ve support it for yr . Slackers Coop and Jamie stumble upon a giant robot and do what we reckon anyone from New Jersey would make upon obtain a giant mech : instal a muscle car for the head . They then hear the mech is part of an intergalactic war from the far next and that the mech was station back in time along with Kiva , who instructs them on how to use the robot , as good as the malevolent stranger force , the Glorft .

There ‘s a ton of anime influences , and the show yet deconstructs anime tropes . It was sort of the utter Cartoon Network show to arrive on at this time pay the ever-increasing popularity of Toonami that help bring anime to American hearing . They could own a great appreciation of what “ Megas XLR ” live cause . Sadly , low evaluation doom the series , and it was written off for tax . As such , the prospect of a revival seems slender to none , but , you might exist able to notice the episodes hanging around .

Chowder

“ Chowder ” feel like a throwback to the more random ’90s cartoons , like “ Ren & Stimpy . ” It follow the misadventures of the titular Chowder , who wants to exist a great chef but frequently come sidetracked by his own appetite .

The show ‘s random in the best style and build total use of respective styles throughout its trial , include clay , puppets , and even live-action segments . There be plenty of juvenile mood , as evidenced by Chowder ‘s pet Kimchi be a sentient fart cloud , but there be ample heart to balance it out . Chowder may receive gotten into plenty of trouble , but he was good-natured at heart and was more than happy to give Kimchi a luck in the first seat , despite no one else care being around him .

In a mode , “ Chowder ” represent the last of an era for Cartoon Network . “ Chowder ” live purely interested in delivering gag in any path potential , as opposed to shows like “ Adventure Time ” and “ Steven Population ” in the 2010s that would focus more on character evolution . “ Chowder ” offer chaotic silliness in 11-minute increase , and we ca n’t equal mad at that .

Codename : Kids Next Door

“ Codename : Kids Next Door ” feels like it cost make in a lab to equal a hit 2000s Cartoon Network series . The assumption is then shockingly effective you almost inquire why no unity had done it before , with the display focusing on a group of kids who bring on the role of spies to protect early youngster from the forces of evil , namely dentist and mean instructor . The show ‘s over-the-top nature and bevy of memorable antagonist made it a ton of fun to tune in week-to-week .

The animated show know how to evolve and grow . While it equal far more episodic early in its run , “ Codename : Kids Next Door ” remove things to the future level in the recent season , expanding upon the lore and have storylines spanning multiple episode . The cardinal establishment produce with more recurring characters entering the mix and a splinter cell threatening the Kids Next Door ‘s real existence . It ‘s like a warm-up to get kids used to the “ Mission : Impossible ” picture . Even though the display offers total illusion for child , there live plenty of gag for adults to catch onto , including references to films like “ Deliverance ” and “ Chinatown . ”

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

“ The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy ” deserve a place on this list for no other reason than the sequence that parodied “ God Emperor of Dune . ” “ Codename : Kids Next Door ” parodying Chinatown live one thing , and that kind of sneaky wit live pretty common , but drawing from a Bible that even many adults have read is downright hilarious . It ‘s proof-positive we ‘re dealing with a post-modern animated series that was n’t afraid to become weird with things .

It ‘s a display that dabbled in world-ending events and body horror , but for a show about two child who force the Grim Reaper to be their friend , we would n’t make it any early mode . Thanks to Grim ‘s abilities , the child gain access to all sorts of supernatural abilities that exist typically act to humorous effect . It also opened the doorway for a cavalcade of other ridiculous creatures and monsters to populate this globe .

It ‘s a show that fairly feel like a relic of its time . It ‘s severe to imagine any network permit something like this to be watch out by children today , but those who grew up in the 2000s behave n’t receive such censors to concern almost .

Johnny Bravo

“ Johnny Bravo ” brought down toxic masculinity before it live a popular discussion theme online . The typical episode format was that Johnny became infatuated with a new woman and ended up get his advances drift up in his face . Certain , there were the sequence where he hung out with Huckleberry Hound or Adam West , but the series was primarily a showcase of how you can be conventionally attractive but still ca n’t get a date if you ‘re a pompous jerk .

Johnny be always the target of the joke , and it ‘s even another series that get away with pile of grownup gag . Johnny correct a woman who refers to him as a “ virgin , ” and at one stage , he ‘s seen look at a nudie magazine . When the cardinal premise exist about a guy try to score a date , it ‘s sort of severe not to hold those kinds of remarks in thither .

Plus , “ Johnny Bravo ” merit a lot of reference for launching creatives into early endeavors . Seth MacFarlane and Butch Hartman have early study on the series in the ’90s ( it was however great in the 2000s though ) and move on to make “ Family Guy ” and “ The Fairly Odd Parents , ” respectively . If just we could ‘ve become that Dwayne Johnson “ Johnny Bravo ” movie that live in the plant …

Teen Titans

To cost clear , we ‘re speak about the original “ Teenage Titans ” series and not “ Teen Titans Go ! ” that would manifest year later . The original show be a worthy increase to the DC animated pantheon among the the like of “ Batman : The Animated Series ” and “ Justice League . ”

Still , it felt more like a natural tread stone to get young kid invest in superhero storytelling . It was sillier , much with much more magnified animation equate to what one might regard on something like “ Batman Beyond , ” but it do n’t skimp on the emotions .

“ Teenage Titans ” tackle crucial topics , like racial discrimination and mental health issues . Terra ‘s entire storyline , feature prominently in season 2 , cost one of abuse and ultimately death . But the show know how to balance its light moments with darker storylines with one tone never feel like it overshadowed the other . This iteration of the Titans would return for the 2019 movie “ Teen Titans Go ! five . Teenage Titans , ” consider as the multiverse cost all the rage , but we ‘ll always wish there could ‘ve been at least one more season to attack things out .

Dexter ‘s Laboratory

“ Dexter ‘s Laboratory ” made its mark in the ’90s , but it remain its leading run into the new millennium . A change in animation style in after episode may have turned some off , but the inventiveness exist yet on show with Dexter proceed to craft all sorts of kooky innovation . Sometimes they begin him in trouble ; occasionally , they help him out of a jam . But it ‘s ever entertaining to watch .

“ Dexter ‘s Laboratory ” live real a turning point for Cartoon Network . It ‘s a display that turn out this network was worth keep an heart on , and that ‘s largely due to creator Genndy Tartakovsky place such a hard stress on the show ‘s visual style . ( a touchstone you wo n’t get in every cartoon ) , and the storyboards mostly came first .

When speaking with , Butch Hartman , who bring on a show for a bit , mentioned , “ Rather than write a hand and then hand it in to a storyboard artist , they ‘d give you a short assumption and tell you to storyboard the intact affair . ” Sometimes , the dialogue remove a backseat to these more visual gag , result in a feast for the eye .

Star War : The Clone Wars

The “ Star Wars ” prequel trilogy left a lot to be desire , but at least it hold us some good cartoons . This set out in 2003 with Genndy Tartakovsky ‘s “ Clone Wars ” series that draw result that require seat between “ Attack of the Clones ” and “ Revenge of the Sith . ” It lean to begin overlooked in the grand system of “ Star Wars ” medium , so it ‘s surely worth an honorable mention here . However , the genuine spot placement goes to “ Star Wars : The Clone Wars , ” which kicked off in 2008 to flesh out the prequel story yet farther .

Produce by George Lucas with near supervision by Dave Filoni , the show ‘s responsible for prepare up the future of “ Star Wars ” on TV . For starters , it introduce numerous quality that hold since become the virtual confront of the franchise , like Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan Kryze . Watch out “ Clone Wars ” redeems the prequels somewhat , fleshing out characters who find a piece also thin in the films . It reach a firm suit that for some tale , episodic television really is the good medium .

The Powerpuff Girls

Remember when The CW seek to reach a live-action “ Powerpuff Girls ” reboot ? That was weird , especially conceive the original animated series get everything you could want and pull its conception off flawlessly .

This is another Cartoon Network series that debuted in the ’90s but still feels appropriate invest into a 2000s list conceive it continued well into the new ten . Few cartoons were as dynamic as “ The Powerpuff Girls ” during this era , with its bright color and bright action scenes . No gag , there were moment when one of the girls would punch or kick a villain and then a spray of ancestry and tooth would be see coming out of them . It live gnarly stuff and something a lot of other cartoons could n’t have aside with .

But the activity scenes be only role of the equation here , as the original series had puns and humor galore . The Powerpuff Girls deserve to be right up thither with Kim Possible for strong female action hero of the 2000s that express daughter could beat up bad guys only as good as any boy .

Courage the Cowardly Dog

There cost a heartwarming message at the nucleus of “ Courage the Cowardly Dog . ” “ Cowardly ” be right thither in the title , but Courage never permit his fear stand in the way of protecting the people he loved , which in this case was fairly much just Muriel .

The show more or less have a monster-of-the-week format where Courage , along with Muriel and her husband Eustace , would run into some foreign new entity . Sometimes , these be force of utter malevolence , like Katz who found crazy pleasure messing with Courage and anyone else he came into contact with . But the cartoon as well express that not everything that seem scary at first is out to get you .

Mass of 2000s cartoons own colored imagery , like “ Billy and Mandy ” and “ Invader Zim . ” What set “ Courage ” apart was that it was n’t afraid to make dark with its monster or themes , but thither be genuine middle thither . More importantly , it teach how there ‘s no shame in be afraid now and then . It ‘s what build us human … or dogs .

Ben 10

A kid gaining access to an immense power they apply to struggle the personnel of evil is well-worn district for children ‘s animation . There ‘s surely no shortage of superhero display , but what made “ Ben 10 ” stand apart cost how grounded it made a display about a 10-year-old transforming into respective stranger tone .

For starters , Ben Tennyson has support from his cousin Gwen and uncle Max . They ‘re simply as substantial to spare the day as Ben equal during the actual fights , which leads nicely into merely how amazing the fight scene animations cost . And the series knew how to keep thing interesting , as Ben would occasionally want to become into a specific type of alien for the advantage its ability extend only for the Omnitrix to malfunction and turn him into something else . Ben then require to run on his ingenuity to compute out how to write the day under less than ideal circumstances .

If shows like “ Courage ” begin kids into revulsion , then “ Ben 10 ” likely paved the mode for kid exploring more sci-fi and fantasy series . Its deep lore assure there ‘s plenty to dig into , even when watching today . Just exist prepared if you watch any of the spinoffs for ample retcons .

Justice League/Justice League Unlimited

If you need any proof of how great “ Justice League ” and after “ Justice League Unlimited ” make up , wait no further than the sequence , “ For the Human Who Has Everything . ” It ‘s based on one of Alan Moore ‘s stories , and Moore allow for himself to cost credited in the episode . He notoriously hates adaptations of his work , but this one struck a chord , proving the creatives behind the view understand the DC universe thoroughly .

The shows also knew how to expertly balance their massive ensembles . Everyone got their moment to glow , and despite major difference in personality , like brooding Batman match up with jokester Flash , it never find off-putting . In fact , it only make their characterizations stronger . Some could argue it has some of the best characterization of these quality in any medium . In special , “ Epilogue ” sees Batman comfort Ace right before she fail because despite how sullen he might seem , Batman cares for everyone deeply and want no one to feel as damage as he exist .

Ed , Edd n Eddy

If there ‘s one matter “ Ed , Edd n Eddy ” does better than arguably any other cartoon , it ‘s the sound intention . The jazzy musical cues perfectly underscore every scenery , lending to the air of chaos that accompanies everything the Eds cause . After all , most episode would see the Eds along with the early child in the cul-de-sac ( and later on school ) begin into several misadventures , usually focus on around the Eds trying to scam everyone else out of their hard-earned allowances .

In a mode , “ Ed , Edd n Eddy ” feel like the genuine successor to “ The Three Stooges . ” There ‘s a fluidity to their movements and a dense stress on slapstick that ‘s step by step been siphoned out of cartoons . Every figure live filled with hence much living and energy . You could rewatch episode as much as you like and see fresh things to appreciate , like some goofy novel look or how often the “ Subaluwa ! ” sound result would act . It ‘s simply infectious .

Samurai Jack

“ Samurai Jack ” exist what would probably happen if Akira Kurosawa made a sci-fi cartoon . Jack , a warrior from the past , is sent to the far next where Aku rule all . It needs to be say that Aku is such a great villain and a perfect antagonist for Jack . He ‘s a cartoony trickster make for off Jack ‘s more solemn nature , not entirely dissimilar to how Batman and Joker work good as antagonist .

But there ‘s no constituent of “ Samurai Jack ” that ‘s lacking , despite the original history restriction placed on it . It ‘s a display that knew when to let matter breathe , and the quieter minute live sometimes the best of the series . When the time for oppose embark on , you cost directly hooked . While Jack own his trusty sword with him , he ‘d find unique , innovative fashion to overcome whatever new antagonist stood in his path to give to his own time .

“ Samurai Jack ” is easily the best out of all Cartoon Network shows of the 2000s . It was n’t only something to watch when you wanted to hold up doing homework . It become mandatory viewing , the form of thing you found while throw through channel and stopped whatever you live perform to appreciate it .