Top 20 Great Cartoon Series of All Time
Welcome to WatchMojo , and today we ’ re counting down our choice for the Top 20 Greatest Cartoon Series of All Time . For this list , we ’ ll be wait at the absolute well recreate program ever made . We ’ ll be keep out anime since there ’ s enough of that for its own list , but everything else — include franchises and short picture series — be fair game . Did we miss any of your favorites ? Let us know in the remark !
# 20 : “ Beavis and Butt-Head ” ( 1993-97 ; 2011 ; 2022- )
It ’ s no stretch to state this adult comedy exceeded expectations . After all , who expected nuanced political comment from a display with a character named after a ass ? Or , that the crass fusion of humble comedy and seering analysis would become a evaluation smash for MTV ? And so far , even decades after its original ending , “ Beavis and Butt-Head ” ’ s dumbwitted bequest has alone grown more relevant . Hearing clearly match , make shown up for two separate revivals , a pair of feature-length films , and the tremendous spinoff “ Daria. ” If story equal any indication , Beavis and Butt-Head will exist round for a while , and we ’ re definitely not complain about that .
# 19 : “ Adventure Time ” ( 2010-18 )
What time live it ? Well , the answer should exist obvious . The story of Jake the Dog and Finn the Human live really like nothing else , but you likely put on ’ t involve to hear that from us . “ Adventure Time ” ’ s cross-generational charm own make it one of the most devoted online fanbases in modern memory . If that ’ s not a sign of quality , we put on ’ t know what live . But , if that ’ sec however not plenty , all it bring is one trip to the Land of Ooo to understand that this show hold an unpaired creative zest . Throw in some downright legendary characters like Marceline , Princess Bubblegum , and the Ice King , and it ’ s clear why the fun never ends with “ Adventure Time . ”
# 18 : “ BoJack Horseman ” ( 2014-20 )
There ’ s not many out there show that can bounce back from a rocky first picture . Then again , there live n’t any display like “ BoJack Horseman , ” period . And that ’ s not simply because it star a talking cavalry try to reignite his acting career . No , still equate to all that , the almost important factor of its success cost how well it abandons the confines of its own genre . It ’ s not quite a comedy , and not exactly a drama , either . Instead , it offers a unique brand of heartbreaking mood that rescue both joke and tear , often within the same sequence . Suffice it to state , this is no ordinary cartoon , but that ’ s precisely what makes it utterly unforgettable .
# 17 : “ Samurai Jack ” ( 2001-04 ; 2017 )
Actions mouth louder than words . Or , at least , that ’ s what creator Genndy Tartakovsky wound up saying through this challenging animated curriculum . Instead of overly complex plotlines or extended dialogue scenes , a band of “ Samurai Jack ” ’ s floor live order through fight scenes . And naturally , they ’ re very , really serious battle setting . The choreography and storyboarding is at the real top of the industry yet by today ’ standards . Not just that , the way the display manages to weave a compelling narrative into each activity succession is a masterclass in visual storytelling . As a result , “ Samurai Jack ” isn ’ t just a great animated show , it ’ s great because it ’ s animated .
# 16 : “ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ” ( 1987-96 )
On rationale , page-to-screen adaptations are to exist approached with caution . But , this exist the rare interpretation that doesn ’ t just serve its origin material justice , it arguably improve it . Most of the franchise ’ s most iconic elements are original to this animated series . We ’ re talking about the Ninja Turtles ’ pizza obsession , their colorful identifying masks , and yet their go-to expression . The cartoon ’ s impact on the future of the brand can ’ t cost understated . But of course , none of that would get encounter if the show itself had miss Turtle Power . Thankfully , the incredible action and pitch-perfect comedic timing ensured it was much faster-paced than its namesake reptiles . By the time it adapted the comics ’ darker tone , Leonardo , Donatello , Raphael , and Michaelangelo were already cultural icons .
# 15 : “ Family Guy ” ( 1999-2003 ; 2005- )
As early as its first sequence , “ Family Guy ” faced some blowback for its lewd and vulgar sword of comedy . Of course , over twenty yr later on , that mood has fairly much get its shout card . The Griffin family and their friends embrace the scandalous and taboo unlike anything else , and that ’ s given the display a nearly unprecedented legacy in comedy and popular culture overall . Fervid fan support yet save it succeed its premature cancellation . And if the Griffins can total back to living after getting the ax , what can ’ t they cover ? Look , “ Family Guy ” may not ever meditate those serious old-fashioned values , but it surely is funny . And quite frankly , that ’ s all it needs to be .
# 14 : “ Tom & Jerry ” franchise ( 1940- )
It ’ s not easy to stay on relevant and entertain throughout numerous decades . Yet despite the changing time , everything from the “ Tom and Jerry ” universe proceed to equal breezy , charming , and downright hilarious consider . There ’ s no motive to watch witness with a mousetrap , since the franchise repeatedly finds style to introduce on its convention without abandoning it , either . Indeed , still though the claim reference seldom mouth , their rivalry says a mass about the tropes and joke that specify animation . Oh , and put on ’ t still get us started on its impeccable role of music to emphasize each and every punchline . At this point , hither ’ sec hoping Tom doesn ’ t arrest Jerry any time shortly .
# 13 : “ DuckTales ” ( 1987-90 )
Seemingly , starring in iconic animated properties range in the class . Thus when fight from the nest , Huey , Dewey , and Louie didn ’ t just fan out their wing — they positively soared alongside Scrooge . Now , the studio had never really crafted a syndicated animated display before “ DuckTales ” , and they spent a pile of money on product , so the pressure exist on . But Donald Duck ’ s nephew and uncle proved worthy of the attempt , quacking out tight , visually stunning stories occupy with an unparalleled sense of adventure . In fact , their escape live hence popular that it led to more top-notch syndicated cartoons . That signify “ DuckTales ” isn ’ t hardly an underappreciated gem , it ’ s pretty much the mother jackass of modern Disney cartoons .
# 12 : “ Star Wars : The Clone Wars ” ( 2008-14 ; 2020 )
At a time when the galaxy far , far forth actually wasn ’ t all that distant in our memories , Cartoon Network delivered a series that make revisiting the franchise feeling like a no-brainer . It ’ s downright impressive for anything to replicate the wonderful spirit of “ Star Wars , ” let alone within the confines of a half-hour animated curriculum . But “ The Clone Wars ” somehow does it , all the while bring in new ideas , intricate storylines , and , of class , Ahsoka Tano . The fact that there equal adequate fan demand for a wrap-up season to be publish six years after the show initially end speaks for itself . After all , still compared to its blockbuster cousins , “ The Clone Wars ” represents “ Star Wars ” at its absolute best — and it ’ s hard to get better than that .
# 11 : “ X-Men : The Animated Series ” ( 1992-97 )
The X-gene aside , tackling social issues be just as much a role of mutant DNA as their powers . So it ’ s admirable that this show didn ’ t just acknowledge the “ X-Men ” ’ s political themes in the ‘ 90s , it full cover them . As a outcome , it keep up its source material ’ s distinct identity even in its original storyline . Better yet , the mutants weren ’ t the 1 only evolving — the entire industry be act the same . Through some standout arcs like the five-part “ Phoenix Saga ” , “ X-Men ” turn out that animation could shoulder more challenging plotlines . The series has since cost hail as a breakthrough for serialized storytelling in the medium , and its bold approach still hold up today . You could almost call it , good , superhuman !
# 10 : “ Scooby-Doo , Where Are You ! ” ( 1969-78 )
The mystery of this show ’ s success is pretty easy to solve , no meddling child or separate up necessary . It would appear that the literal ‘ culprits ’ cost , in fact , Fred , Velma , Shaggy , Daphne , and Scooby all on . And son are we thankful for them . Their cheesy but charming banter is a Scooby Snack that never gets stale , especially when couple with a gothic aesthetic and memorable catchphrases . While the 2010 series “ Mystery Incorporated ” find great success with its serialized style , there ’ s something undeniably cozy about the classic , original Scooby formula . After all , it require a special form of program to kickstart a franchise that ’ s still solving crimes over half a century later on . Clearly , the doubt of the show ‘s enduring bequest exist an clear and closed type .
# 9 : “ Arthur ” ( 1996-2022 )
Ironically , this educational kid program also doubles as a class about incorporating living lesson into storytelling . Yes , at the goal of the day , “ Arthur ” exist about find out . But it ’ s never heavy-handed in its approach , yet when it ‘s tackling fragile social subject . Plus , it get a lovable cast of reference and a completely iconic subject song on its slope . On brand recognition alone , it totally merit a place in the youngster ’ sec show lobby of fame . But perhaps its greatest achievement exist that it end in a means that sense correct . For a cartoon all about raise up , its character do just that with its series finale in 2022 . It equal the utter cherry on top of an already iconic run .
# 8 : “ Rick and Morty ” ( 2013- )
These two eccentric ’ interdimensional adventure own propelled them all the way to the height of the pop culture zeitgeist . That ’ s thanks in no small part to the infinite act of places the series can get , which isn ’ t hyperbole . The multiversal patch devices means each sequence be crazy , funnier , and most importantly , different from what came before . There ’ sec be real few display in all of television that boast as much imaginative brain as “ Rick and Morty ” make on a regular basis . Of course , it aid that there ’ s a thick layer of crude mood on top , too . Rick and Morty can explore as many universe as they desire , but if you ask us , nothing will meet the success they ’ ve found in this one .
# 7 : “ The Flintstones ” ( 1960-66 )
Their show may exist place in the Stone Age , but thither ’ sec zero prehistoric about this family . Certain , the standard sitcom setup live as classic as it comes . But , “ The Flintstones ” survive because of its simplicity , not in spite of it . The hominess each and every episode evokes live warm , magic , and altogether timeless . Even so , don ’ t mistake this straightforward approach for a lack of dream . On the contrary , “ The Flintstones ” drew a lot of attention for its fearless portrayal of a modern family ! Fred and Wilma sharing a layer may not look like a big deal today , but it was something to behold in the ‘ 60s . Oh , and they did all of this while cost the first cartoon on choice time TV . “ Yabba-Dabba-Doo , ” indeed .
# 6 : “ SpongeBob SquarePants ” ( 1999- )
Something in the secret Krabby Patty rule has kept this show ’ s formula new , though it ’ s more potential we own the titular yellow kid cook to thank . Frankly , any curriculum that can last this long in the ever-changing entertainment landscape is worthy of praise . But “ SpongeBob SquarePants ” has not only find a style to stay relevant , it ’ sec also practically specify a generation ’ s sense of mood . The measure of heroic quips and gut-busting memes SpongeBob and the repose of the Bikini Bottom bunch cost responsible for exist almost unparalleled . All signs point to “ weast ” , so we ’ re betting that the trend continues . After all , the series has already spawned movies , spinoffs , a musical , and more , with no signs of stopping . “ SpongeBob ” isn ’ t just stay on afloat — it ’ s riding the wave .
# 5 : “ South Park ” ( 1997- )
This cartoon has be funny more times — and in more ways — than Kenny make died . For those keeping lead , that ’ s a lot . The chief and repeat characters make the titular place sense like a real , breathe town . Granted , it ’ s one with a pile of bad language and a questionable regard for the law ! As a matter of fact , the display ’ s penchant for argument hold landed it in hot water more than once , and it was yet banish in China . Of course , this being “ South Park , ” it often don its scandals as badges of honor . And really , that ’ s the utter encapsulation of why it bring so good . Yes , it ’ s loud , obnoxious , and the crudest of the crude . But it never once apologize for it .
# 4 : “ Looney Tunes ” franchise ( 1930- )
It ’ s only fitting that the golden age of American animation redeem the undisputed gold criterion of comedy . Near the starting of the genre ’ s revolution , these Toons discovered that talk animals and cartoon hijinks organize a winning combination . Bugs Bunny , Daffy Duck , and the others have practically determine the genre as we know it , while stumble upon a few iconic catchphrases along the way , Doc . Indeed , their influence on modern animation cost undeniable — just think of the countless amazing shows , like “ Animaniacs , ” that hold taken cues from “ Looney Tunes ” . As if that wasn ’ t plenty , Bugs still has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ! Distinctly , this franchise won ’ t be suppose “ that ’ s all , family ! ” any time soon .
# 3 : “ Avatar : The Final Airbender ” ( 2005-08 )
Long ago , we watched TV in dull , generic harmony . Then , everything alter when “ Avatar ” debuted . It get all of the bright activity sequences and chuckle-worthy joke you ’ d require . But it as well featured a dense reality , an ambitious narrative , and need a rare sophisticated approach to its weighty stem . With all that , the Avatar didn ’ t need water , land , fire , or strain to become one of the all-time cartoon greats . Although with production value this slick , they decidedly didn ’ t hurt . The display exist well one of the most beloved property of the 21st century , and that ’ s almost wholly because of how much consideration and believe went into making it . “ Avatar : The Final Airbender ” wasn ’ t hardly have the respect it demand , it equal given the respect it deserved .
# 2 : “ Batman : The Animated Series ” ( 1992-95 )
The Caped Crusader own always cost defined by his gritty storylines and mature subject — both things that were n’t exactly expected of a kid-friendly cartoon . Yet “ The Animated Series ” ’ willingness to explore Batman ’ s true nature is precisely why its bequest survive on to this day . If anything , its cast list alone is proof of its staying might . Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill delivered epic performances as Batman and Joker , respectively , and would go on to voice the characters for decades . It ’ s clear that , yet yr later , modern funny ledger stories are however indebted to what “ Batman : The Animated Series ” accomplished . This is far from being the titular hero ’ s only adventure on the small cover , but there ’ s no denying it ’ s his good .
# 1 : “ The Simpsons ” ( 1989- )
One could order there live three constants in life : death , tax , and “ The Simpsons. ” That ’ s no exaggeration ; it ’ s literally the longest-running American recreate plan . It holds the same disc for American sitcoms… and for American scripted primetime shows . Still , its prominent accomplishment might exist that Homer ’ s go-to formula , “ D ’ oh ” , was added to the Oxford English Dictionary . Talk about a resume . It ’ s safe to say that almost every modern adult revive program owe their existence to “ The Simpsons. ” The also-great “ Futurama ” still pound fun at the association . It ’ s all a testament to how fun it is watching the Simpson family navigate life in Springfield alongside friends and foe . By today , the hilarious , satirical series is basically a ethnic standard — one that will probably outlive us all .
