Cartoons of the 90s That Defined A Generation

The 90s were the last great decade for hand drawn animation. The decade was awash with creative energy and boundary pushing cartoons that influenced an entire generation. Cartoons like Batman: The Animated Series, Beavis and Butt-Head, and The Powerpuff Girls each brought their own energy to the decade that continued to inform and influence further generations. The shows we’re talking about today brought unforgettable characters and worlds beyond worlds into our living rooms with zany humor and even some heartfelt storytelling. Don’t touch that dial, we’re looking at some of the most important animated shows that shaped our childhoods.

Few cartoons capture the wonder of childhood quite like Rugrats. This Nickelodeon classic follows a group of babies as they go on their first, imaginative adventures. With this show we can see their world through their innocent eyes, which is why the show resonates with people of all ages, not just children. With heartwarming moments, witty humor, and some truly cool music, Rugrats defines what it means to be a 90s kid.

Batman: The Animated Series is more than just a cartoon, it’s a masterpiece of storytelling and animation. The show’s dark, noir aesthetic and complex character development set it apart not only from other animated shows at the time, but from most of what was on TV in the 90s. This series redefined what could be done on a superhero show, and it inspired countless animated series that followed. Batman: The Animated Series doesn’t just hold up, it’s one of the greatest cartoons of all time.

No cartoon was zanier or more off the wall than Animaniacs. Not only did they have baloney in their slacks, but this Steven Spielberg produced series was packed with rapid-fire humor, parodies that threw back to the early days of Looney Tunes, and a cast of characters that made each episode a pure delight. Yakko, Wakko, and Dot may have been unhinged, but their anarchic comedy appealed to kids and adults alike, which is why it’s one of the defining cartoons of the decade.

No cartoon speaks to the awkwardness of growing up quite like Doug. This beloved coming of age series follows the life of Doug Funnie, a middle school student prone to daydreaming, as he navigates a world of crushes, friendships, and trying to understand exactly who he is with plenty of heart and humor. The thing that makes Doug special aren’t just his relatable anxieties, but the unique cast of characters – like his best friend Skeeter and mega crush Patti Mayonnaise – who fill out this surreal world to make it a little more real.

With its trio of super-powered kindergarteners, The Powerpuff Girls has a kinetic energy and pop of cuteness that you can’t ignore. Drawing on ‘60s nostalgia for shows like Batman and Get Smart, The Powerpuff Girls is both ironic and deadly serious with its cute blend of action and sass. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup fight evil with sugar, spice, and everything nice, and even though its colorful sheen makes this show seem like it’s just for young girls, it’s crazy how watchable and fun this show really is.

Ren & Stimpy didn’t just push the boundaries of what a kids’ show could be, it pushed the boundaries of the medium of animated television. On its face, the show’s gross-out humor, surreal animated, and bizarre characters are pure chaos, but breaking all the rules of Saturday morning cartoons the show was able to move the 90s into an entirely new era of programming. Controversial and irreverent, Ren & Stimpy is still an influential piece of animation.

Hey Arnold! shouldn’t have appealed to everyone. Based around a real New York kid with a football shaped head, Hey Arnold! told stories that everyone – regardless of where you live or who you are – can relate to. The show revolves around Arnold (he with the football head) and his eccentric group of friends as they learn important lessons about friendship, family, and community. The series can be surreal and over the top, but its emotional core is why stands out from many of the other Nick Toons of the era.

MTV’s Beavis and Butt-Head is unlike any other cartoon from the 90s. With crude humor and a satirical take on what it really means to be a teenage slacker, the show was an instant cultural phenomenon. Immediately controversial for its perceived negative influence on viewers, the series remains a searing commentary on youth culture.

Dexter’s Laboratory is a Cartoon Network classic that revolves around Dexter, a boy genius with a secret lab hidden in his family’s home. The show is witty and fast-paced, something that sets it apart from other children’s shows of the era. Dexter’s Laboratory doesn’t talk down to its audience. In fact, it expects the kids on their couches to keep up. With colorful animation and whip-smart writing, Dexter’s Laboratory is a must-watch cartoon from the 90s.

No show captured the essence of schoolyard politics and the unspoken social hierarchies that dominate school life quite like Recess. Running from 1997 to 2001, the series follows a group of rag tag friends during their daily lives as they navigate the confusing social structure of the playground. By digging into friendship dynamics as well as Cold War parallels, this unique series was a staple of Saturday morning and after school programming, giving 90s kids a chance to see their lives reflected back at them.