Top 20 Greatest Cartoon Series of All Time

It’s no stretch to say this adult comedy exceeded expectations. After all, who expected nuanced political commentary from a show with a character named after a behind? Or, that the crass fusion of low comedy and seering analysis would become a ratings smash for MTV? And yet, even decades after its original ending, “Beavis and Butt-Head”’s dumbwitted legacy has only grown more relevant. Audiences clearly agree, having shown up for two separate revivals, a pair of feature-length films, and the fantastic spinoff “Daria.” If history is any indication, Beavis and Butt-Head will be around for a while, and we’re definitely not complaining about that.

What time is it? Well, the answer should be obvious. The story of Jake the Dog and Finn the Human is truly like nothing else, but you probably don’t need to hear that from us. “Adventure Time”’s cross-generational appeal has earned it one of the most devoted online fanbases in modern memory. If that’s not a sign of quality, we don’t know what is. But, if that’s still not enough, all it takes is one trip to the Land of Ooo to understand that this show has an unmatched 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.”

There’s not many out there shows that can bounce back from a rocky first impression. Then again, there aren't any shows like “BoJack Horseman,” period. And that’s not just because it stars a talking horse trying to reignite his acting career. No, even compared to all that, the most important factor of its success is 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 humor that delivers both laughs and tears, often within the same episode. Suffice it to say, this is no ordinary cartoon, but that’s precisely what makes it utterly unforgettable.

Actions speak louder than words. Or, at least, that’s what creator Genndy Tartakovsky wound up saying through this ambitious animated program. Instead of overly complex plotlines or lengthy dialogue scenes, a lot of “Samurai Jack”’s story is told through fight scenes. And naturally, they’re really, really good fight scenes. The choreography and storyboarding is at the very top of the industry even by todays’ standards. Not just that, the way the show manages to weave a compelling narrative into each action sequence 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.

On principle, page-to-screen adaptations are to be approached with caution. But, this is the rare interpretation that doesn’t just do its source material justice, it arguably improves 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 even their go-to sayings. The cartoon’s impact on the future of the brand can’t be understated. But of course, none of that would have happened if the show itself had lacked 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.

As early as its first episode, “Family Guy” faced some blowback for its lewd and vulgar brand of comedy. Of course, over twenty years later, that humor has pretty much become its calling card. The Griffin family and their friends embrace the scandalous and taboo unlike anything else, and that’s given the show a nearly unprecedented legacy in comedy and popular culture overall. Fervid fan support even saved it following its premature cancellation. And if the Griffins can come back to life after getting the ax, what can’t they handle? Look, “Family Guy” may not always reflect those good old-fashioned values, but it sure is funny. And quite frankly, that’s all it needs to be.

It’s not easy to stay relevant and entertaining throughout numerous decades. Yet despite the changing times, everything from the “Tom and Jerry” universe continues to be breezy, charming, and downright hilarious viewing. There’s no need to catch viewers with a mousetrap, since the franchise repeatedly finds ways to innovate on its formula without abandoning it, either. Indeed, even though the title characters seldom talk, their rivalry says a lot about the tropes and gags that define animation. Oh, and don’t even get us started on its impeccable use of music to accentuate each and every punchline. At this point, here’s hoping Tom doesn’t catch Jerry any time soon.

Apparently, starring in iconic animated properties runs in the family. So when pushed from the nest, Huey, Dewey, and Louie didn’t just spread their wings — they positively soared alongside Scrooge. Now, the studio had never really crafted a syndicated animated show before “DuckTales”, and they spent a lot of money on production, so the pressure was on. But Donald Duck’s nephews and uncle proved worthy of the effort, quacking out tight, visually stunning stories filled with an unparalleled sense of adventure. In fact, their flight was so popular that it led to more top-notch syndicated cartoons. That means “DuckTales” isn’t just an underappreciated gem, it’s pretty much the mother goose of modern Disney cartoons.

At a time when the galaxy far, far away really wasn’t all that distant in our memories, Cartoon Network delivered a series that made revisiting the franchise feel like a no-brainer. It’s downright impressive for anything to replicate the wondrous spirit of “Star Wars,” let alone within the confines of a half-hour animated program. But “The Clone Wars” somehow does it, all the while introducing new ideas, intricate storylines, and, of course, Ahsoka Tano. The fact that there was enough fan demand for a wrap-up season to be released six years after the show initially ended speaks for itself. After all, even compared to its blockbuster cousins, “The Clone Wars” represents “Star Wars” at its absolute best — and it’s hard to get better than that.

The X-gene aside, tackling social issues is just as much a part 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 fully embraced them. As a result, it maintained its source material’s distinct identity even in its original storylines. Better yet, the mutants weren’t the ones only evolving — the entire industry was doing the same. Through some standout arcs like the five-part “Phoenix Saga”, “X-Men” proved that animation could shoulder more ambitious plotlines. The series has since been hailed as a breakthrough for serialized storytelling in the medium, and its bold approach still holds up today. You could almost call it, well, superhuman!

The mystery of this show’s success is pretty easy to solve, no meddling kids or splitting up necessary. It would appear that the real ‘culprits’ were, in fact, Fred, Velma, Shaggy, Daphne, and Scooby all along. And boy are we thankful for them. Their cheesy but charming banter is a Scooby Snack that never gets stale, especially when paired with a gothic aesthetic and memorable catchphrases. While the 2010 series “Mystery Incorporated” found great success with its serialized style, there’s something undeniably cozy about the classic, original Scooby formula. After all, it takes a special kind of program to kickstart a franchise that’s still solving crimes over half a century later. Clearly, the question of the show's enduring legacy is an open and shut case.

Ironically, this educational kids program also doubles as a class about incorporating life lessons into storytelling. Yes, at the end of the day, “Arthur” is about learning. But it’s never heavy-handed in its approach, even when it's tackling delicate social issues. Plus, it has a lovable cast of characters and a completely iconic theme song on its side. On brand recognition alone, it totally deserves a spot in the children’s show hall of fame. But perhaps its greatest accomplishment is that it ended in a way that felt right. For a cartoon all about growing up, its characters did just that with its series finale in 2022. It was the perfect cherry on top of an already iconic run.

These two oddballs’ interdimensional adventures have propelled them all the way to the top of the pop culture zeitgeist. That’s thanks in no small part to the infinite number of places the series can go, which isn’t hyperbole. The multiversal plot devices means each episode is crazier, funnier, and most importantly, different from what came before. There’s been very few shows in all of television that boast as much inventive wit as “Rick and Morty” does on a regular basis. Of course, it helps that there’s a thick layer of crude humor on top, too. Rick and Morty can explore as many universes as they want, but if you ask us, nothing will match the success they’ve found in this one.

Their show may be set in the Stone Age, but there’s nothing prehistoric about this family. Sure, the standard sitcom setup is as classic as it comes. But, “The Flintstones” endures because of its simplicity, not in spite of it. The hominess each and every episode evokes is warm, charming, and completely timeless. However, don’t mistake this straightforward approach for a lack of ambition. On the contrary, “The Flintstones” drew a lot of attention for its fearless portrayal of a modern family! Fred and Wilma sharing a bed may not seem like a big deal now, but it was something to behold in the ‘60s. Oh, and they did all of this while being the first cartoon on prime time TV. “Yabba-Dabba-Doo,” indeed.

Something in the secret Krabby Patty formula has kept this show’s recipe fresh, though it’s more likely we have the titular yellow fry cook to thank. Frankly, any program that can last this long in the ever-changing entertainment landscape is worthy of praise. But “SpongeBob SquarePants” has not only found a way to stay relevant, it’s also practically defined a generation’s sense of humor. The amount of epic quips and gut-busting memes SpongeBob and the rest of the Bikini Bottom gang are responsible for is nearly 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 staying afloat — it’s riding the waves.

This cartoon has been funny more times — and in more ways — than Kenny has died. For those keeping track, that’s a lot. The main and recurring characters make the titular place feel like a real, breathing town. Granted, it’s one with a lot of bad language and a questionable respect for the law! As a matter of fact, the show’s penchant for controversy has landed it in hot water more than once, and it was even banned in China. Of course, this being “South Park,” it often wears its scandals as badges of honor. And really, that’s the perfect encapsulation of why it works so well. Yes, it’s loud, obnoxious, and the crudest of the crude. But it never once apologizes for it.

It’s only fitting that the golden age of American animation delivered the undisputed gold standard of comedy. Near the start of the genre’s revolution, these Toons discovered that talking animals and cartoon hijinks formed a winning combination. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the others have practically defined the genre as we know it, while stumbling upon a few iconic catchphrases along the way, Doc. Indeed, their influence on modern animation is undeniable — just think of the countless amazing shows, like “Animaniacs,” that have taken cues from “Looney Tunes”. As if that wasn’t enough, Bugs even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Clearly, this franchise won’t be saying “that’s all, folks!” any time soon.

Long ago, we watched TV in dull, generic harmony. Then, everything changed when “Avatar” debuted. It had all of the bright action sequences and chuckle-worthy gags you’d expect. But it also featured a dense world, an ambitious narrative, and took a rare sophisticated approach to its weighty themes. With all that, the Avatar didn’t need water, earth, fire, or air to become one of the all-time cartoon greats. Although with production values this slick, they definitely didn’t hurt. The show is easily one of the most beloved properties of the 21st century, and that’s almost entirely because of how much consideration and thought went into making it. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” wasn’t just given the respect it needed, it was given the respect it deserved.

The Caped Crusader has always been defined by his gritty storylines and mature themes — both things that weren't exactly expected of a kid-friendly cartoon. Yet “The Animated Series”’ willingness to explore Batman’s true nature is precisely why its legacy lives on to this day. If anything, its cast list alone is proof of its staying power. 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, even years later, modern comic book stories are still indebted to what “Batman: The Animated Series” accomplished. This is far from being the titular hero’s only adventure on the small screen, but there’s no denying it’s his best.

One could say there are three constants in life: death, taxes, and “The Simpsons.” That’s no exaggeration; it’s literally the longest-running American animated program. It holds the same record for American sitcoms… and for American scripted primetime shows. Still, its biggest achievement might be that Homer’s go-to expression, “D’oh”, was added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Talk about a resume. It’s safe to say that almost every modern adult animated program owes their existence to “The Simpsons.” The also-great “Futurama” even pokes fun at the connection. It’s all a testament to how fun it is watching the Simpson family navigate life in Springfield alongside friends and foes. By now, the hilarious, satirical series is essentially a cultural touchstone — one that will probably outlive us all.