Top 20 Criminally Underrated Cartoon Series
There are a lot of great cartoon series, but these deserve to be seen by more people. For this list, we’ll be looking at the best animated programs that don’t get nearly the respect they deserve. We won’t include shows who have experienced a massive resurgence in fans such the gothic “Gargoyles” or the comedic “Clone High.” Our countdown includes “Freakazoid!” (1995-97), “Code Lyoko” (2003-07), “The Awesomes” (2013-15), “SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron” (1993-94), and more! What’s a show you wish more people talked about? Give us those recommendations in the comments!
#20: “Todd McFarlane’s Spawn” (1997-99)
At a time when animation was heavily marketed towards younger audiences, HBO greenlit a faithful adaptation of one of the darkest comic characters ever written. The mature storylines pushed the limits of what was acceptable from the medium. There were plenty of guns, tons of violence and frequent deaths. But the show never felt like it was being shocking just for the sake of it either. Its gritty aesthetic and stylized direction felt right for a main character who had made a literal deal with the devil. So, why did it get overlooked? There are fans who believe the critical and commercial failure of the live-action 1997 “Spawn” film is to blame. Without that flop, this antihero show may have spawned a larger fanbase.
#19: “2 Stupid Dogs” (1993-95)
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There’s a refreshing simplicity to the dimwitted hijinks of these two canine companions. Unsurprisingly, the name also serves as the show’s premise. And it never strays too far from delivering what’s on the tin. But the uncomplicated setup didn’t mean the series lacked lots of bark. Underneath the straightforward animation style, there were some absolutely absurd storylines that were quirky, chuckle-worthy, and most definitely memorable. But declining viewership led to an abrupt end for the series after its very zany second season. Although it was gone too soon, this dog duo is still capable of waking up the whole neighborhood with laughter.
#18: “Earthworm Jim” (1995-96)
A show following a grub in space has no right being this charming. But against all odds, a worm shot for the stars and landed among animation greatness. Based on a series of side-scrolling video games, the series follows Jim. As you might’ve guessed, he’s an Earthworm that rocks a robotic supersuit. His earnest personality made watching him fight crimes across the cosmos into a ridiculously entertaining experience. Armed with plenty of knowing wit and original ideas, Jim soared across the cosmos before crash-landing after just two seasons. While he may have Earthworm in his name, he deserved to leave his mark across the entire galaxy in a much longer run.
#17: “The Awesomes” (2013-15)
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Instead of focusing on the classic action-packed, high-stakes drama that fills many superhero series, this show focused on less-than-awesome heroes. And that’s not us being mean. These guys are literally only brought in because the heavy-hitters left the team. Through the fresh eyes of these b-listers, we got a supersized load of wisecracking gags and surprisingly thoughtful commentary. It blends memorable characters, heartwarming themes, and lots of laughs into one heroic package. But it was only Hulu’s second ever original show. Since these heroes arrived so early on the service, they flew under the radar and didn’t get the fame they deserved. It's definitely not your average superhero tale. However, its quirky differences gave us a show that’s befitting of its title.
#16: “¡Mucha Lucha!” (2002-05)
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Under the mask of Luchaville is a series that unapologetically embraces wrestling and all the zaniness it entails. This show follows the delightful exploits of three up-and-coming wrestlers enrolled at the Foremost World-Renowned International School of Lucha. Thanks to energetic voice acting and striking character designs, you instantly want to step into the ring with these contenders. The show conveys a true love for the Mexican style of the sport that’s hard to not be charmed by. It’s just an absolute shame that a planned fourth-season was scrapped after executives apparently didn’t see the fun of lunchtime duels. Without a doubt, this school was totally worth enrolling in for another term. What other curriculum requires a signature move to pass finals?
#15: “Disenchantment” (2018-)
Made by the creator of “Futurama” and “The Simpsons,” this spell-binding tale had all the right ingredients to make a love potion with audiences. It boasts the same comical vulgarity and stylized animation of its contemporaries with a medieval coat of paint on top. What’s not to love? However, its esteemed staff and excellent voice cast hasn’t enchanted audiences as much as expected. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of your time. While it may not drive much fan chatter as other animated shows, it has an ambitious serialized narrative. It also has multi-dimensional characters that make Dreamland feel like an easy place to vacation. Just be wary of falling off the Edge of The World.
#14: “Clerks: The Animated Series” (2000)
While it shares a name with the Kevin Smith classic, this television continuation of the cult-hit comedy film looked a bit different from the original. For one, it was in color, and also completely animated. But the presence of the original cast and creative team made this zany show feel like a natural extension of its source material. Unfortunately, the eccentric tone wasn’t a great fit with its original network. And out-of-order airings put the series right in the express cancellation aisle Tragically, only a mere two episodes aired before the show checked out for good. This forgotten corner of the franchise is still deserving of its chance to stock the shelves.
#13: “Mission Hill” (1999-2002)
When Andy’s inept brother Kevin moves in with him, the French siblings have to face the overbearing weight of societal expectations. They each have their own baggage. While Andy’s trapped in a post-college slump, Kevin is more sheltered than a tornado bunker. Somehow, they make for a charming duo. The show absolutely nails the brotherly dynamic and all the dry humor and probing quips that come with it. And while there’s plenty of cheek-numbing laughs in each episode, there’s tons of depth too. Stories routinely address issues of politics, growing up, and self-worth without losing the low-stakes fun. This brotherly show ultimately couldn’t quite overcome the hill of low ratings. But the hike was certainly one to remember.
#12: “Code Lyoko” (2003-07)
This show leapt over expectations, borders and dimensions all without breaking a sweat. Originally created in France, the series' expert balance of character, action, and comedy made it a prime candidate for English audiences. It followed a group of teens entering a virtual world called Lyoko to fight the evil X.A.N.A.. But the exciting combat was always complimented by a grounded storyline in the real world. The stylistic choice to animate scenes in Lyoko using CGI and the rest in traditional 2D gave each world a distinct visual identity. However, despite these artistic merits, the show has largely been forgotten since its end in 2007. It’s totally worth a revisit just for the catchy theme song alone.
#11: “Whatever Happened to Robot Jones?” (2002-03)
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Ironically, the title of this show is also what most audiences asked when it was unceremoniously canceled after a brief thirteen episode run. It chronicled the timeless tale of a naive character growing up and learning about what it means to be human. The only dent is that he’s, you know, a robot with a few screws loose. But that became the series’ strength. Jones’ sweet optimism in the face of school, friends, and love was an engaging spin on the well-trodden formula. The series’ blueprints manufactured something that could have easily become one of the absolute greats. However, they just didn’t give the robot enough time to shine in front of audiences.
#10: “Superman: The Animated Series” (1996-2000)
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The blue boy scout’s 90s animated series was definitely overshadowed by the Caped Crusader’s small screen adventures. This take on the Last Son of Krypton had the daunting task of updating the mythology for a whole new generation. Thankfully, complex story arcs and a stellar voice cast succeeded in making this the de facto version of the character for many. It’s got classic villains, tons of comic-book easter eggs and great action sequences. It also features one of greatest portrayals of the Clark and Lois romance in any medium. And if Superman alone isn’t a big enough sell, rest assured there are plenty of iconic team ups during the series. His flights across the world make the series a must watch for DC Fans.
#9: “Sealab 2021” (2001-05)
Deep in the ocean lies a well-meaning television program about marine life and environmentalism. But this isn’t that at all. Instead, “Sealab 2021” is actually a parody of the short-lived “Sealab 2020.” As a satire that outlived the original, it’s maddening how little this show is discussed. The staff was given little to no creative oversight while writing. In the end, they decided to borrow the original’s animation while abandoning any of its inspiration’s serious overtones. A distinct lack of continuity meant relationships, setpieces, and characters themselves could meet hilarious ends and be reset next episode. The result is a show that has to be seen to be appreciated. Even today, the water is still just right for a swim with this unhinged comedy.
#8: “SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron” (1993-94)
After getting discharged from their military positions, these two feline crime fighters literally rose from the ashes of defeat. They focused on building their own fighter plane that was complete with plenty of cool gadgets and weaponry. Once it was ready, they took to the skies to take down villains. The adventurous plotlines and engaging characters made the dogfights - or, in this case, catfights - absolutely riveting. Better yet, both fans and critics agreed. Reportedly, it was the number one syndicated animated program in 1994. But executives that disliked the show’s violence threw future plans for the series into the litter box despite its apparent success. Although “SWAT Kats” deserved so much better, it just didn’t have 9 lives.
#7: “Undergrads” (2001)
The best lessons in college don’t come from a classroom. Or, at least, that’s what these freshmen hope since they spend so little time attending courses. Instead, they’re navigating newfound freedom, girl troubles, and roommate spats. But what significantly lightens this course load is how authentic their vulgar antics feel. Part of the reason it feels so relatable is the fact that series creator Pete Williams was a college dropout when he started working on the show. Additionally, he also voiced all four of the central characters. In our eyes, these undergrads passed all their exams with flying colors. But they were tragically expelled after just one season.
#6: “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” (1994-2001; 2001-04; 2004-2008)
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Constrained by budget limitations, this creative team decided to completely reimagine its recycled footage into a different kind of cult-classic. Gone was the straightlaced tone of the original “Space Ghost”. In its place, a satirical talk show was greenlit. This framing device was a brilliant workaround for limited animation since it quickly becomes a part of the joke. The format also allowed several meta gags. Audiences got recurring segments, a complete lack of a fourth wall, and weekly guests. But they weren’t always animated. Sometimes, real-world celebrities made appearances promoting actual projects. The series has dealt with changing networks and unfavorable time slots throughout its run. But its sheer amount of wit, laughter, and fun makes this Space Ghost always worth tuning into.
#5: “The Tick” (1994-96)
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The only thing serious about this loving parody is how seriously fun it is. With absolutely no pretense of a dramatic narrative in sight, this farce-like take on superheroes focused on cracking jokes instead of saving the day. The lack of high-stakes allowed it strike a heroic balance of homage and insult to a genre in dire need of a fresh perspective. While “the Tick: '' lasted three seasons and garnered Emmy nods, it’s still not treated with the reverence other superhero shows get. Now that superhero stories are bigger than ever, this flea–like crime-fighter is well-deserving of a resurgence. The Tick’s not the best crime-fighter on the block. But the one thing villains can’t squash is this guy’s knack for entertaining.
#4: “Freakazoid!” (1995-97)
Originally developed as an action-adventure program, some retooling led to the creation of one of the funniest cartoons of its time. Protagonist Dexter Douglas accidentally becomes superpowered after absorbing all the knowledge of the 90s internet. He decides to use his powers for mostly the right reasons. While “Freakazoid!” acknowledged the utter insanity of someone in a skintight suit fighting crime, it didn’t discount the concept. Instead, the slapstick charm and exaggerated expressions made the show into a devoted love letter to superhero stories. But a lot of its zany wit and meta humor might’ve been lost on its KidsWB audience. So, Freakazoid was forced into early retirement. At the end of the day, it left behind a beloved legacy of untapped potential.
#3: “Rocko's Modern Life” (1993-96)
Existence is pretty mundane for this anthropomorphic wallaby. He’s Australian, scared of most everything, and does his best in day to day life. But thanks to the hijinks of his wacky friends, Rocko’s adventures are anything but dull. The outrageous stories featured an unreal amount of laughs-per-minute. And they weren’t just for children. The edgy comedy was written with older audiences in mind, featuring plenty of biting commentary and questionable innuendos. Its cult-fanbase is a testament to its quality. However, this show should’ve been a mainstream smash. Despite having an incredible launch and critical acclaim, it never reached the heights of nicktoons like “Spongebob”. It’s a shame because “Rocko’s” was hilarious and meaningful. It proved that cartoons could examine resonant issues without forgoing the fun-factor.
#2: “The Critic” (1994-95)
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The reviews are in, and this one is a hit. Jay Prescott Sherman is far from the friendliest pundit. But his prickly attitude and dry wit made each episode an easy ten out of ten. His job included commenting on in-universe parodies of real-life blockbusters. Fortunately, Jay always delivered meaningful and constructive feedback. The abstract humor paved the way for an impressively insightful look at criticism, public opinion, and pop-culture that’s still relevant to this day. But the sharp show only stood for two seasons. Its satirized takes on classics like “Home Alone” and “Jurassic Park” are enough to make this underappreciated sitcom mandatory viewing for any movie-buff.
#1: “Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man” (1994-97)
This game of “duck, duck, goose” landed on a blend of film-noir and household comedy. But somehow, it still took flight. It followed private investigator Eric Tiberius Duckman. As the name of the series implies, he’s torn between his detective work and being a semi-decent father-figure. But he’s also a self-loathing duck with lots of rage and a penchant for some long-winded rants. The Emmy-Nominated series has quacked out rightful acclaim thanks to its fantastically indulgent plotlines and pitch-black comedic timing. If anything is truly shameful, it’s that this masterful portrayal of self-destruction never got the flock of fans its quality warranted. After all, nothing will ever top an anthropomorphic P.I. going on a tantrum about the unfairness of life.
