10 Best Cartoon Shows For 90’s Kids - Refresh Your Childhood Memories

We, the 90s generation, did not have social media while we were growing up; instead, our favourite medium of entertainment, television, was so much more special. Each of us grew up watching animated series that, even now, just thinking about them makes us nostalgic. 

We eagerly anticipated the set times when our shows would go on air, leaving all other work behind. This is for you if you still enjoy cartoons because it includes some of the best ones:

1. The Simpsons

The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by "Matt Groening" for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of a middle-class American lifestyle epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.

The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and parodies American culture, society, television, and many aspects of the human condition. The Simpsons are one of the longest-running series in television history, airing its twenty-first season in 2019.

The series has won dozens of awards since it debuted in 1989, including 27 Emmy Awards, 30 Annie Awards, and a Peabody Award. The Simpsons are also the first animated series to reach 30 seasons.

2. Samurai Jack

The anime series portrayed an unidentified Samurai named "Jack" who, after vanquishing the supremely wicked Aku, was transported to a dismal future where shape-shifting demons rule. Though intended for children, the show was gloomy. 

As Samurai Jack works toward his objective of travelling back in time to defeat Aku once more to prevent this future from ever occurring, each episode had you gripped to the edge of your seat.

3. The Radical Squadron, The SWAT Kats

Agents Jake "Razor" Clawson and Chance "T-Bone" now patrol Megakat City as the SWAT Kats, guarding it against all of its threats after being released from the Enforcers. Dark Kat, the zombie sorcerer Pastmaster, the wicked genius Doctor Viper, and the robotic thugs the Metallikats are some of their adversaries.

4. Rugrats

Nickelodeon began attempting to create animated series in the early 1990s that would appeal to their viewership. Rugrats, a cartoon about talking babies and their antics, would revolutionize the network's programming.

Although the premise was straightforward, it was a cartoon that youngsters could enjoy as well because many of the issues the newborns encounter and the ups and downs of growing up are related. Before a certain sponge took control, Rugrats was Nicktoons' signature animated series.

Even though SpongeBob SquarePants has replaced Rugrats as the network's top animation, this series continues to demonstrate how current it is thanks to a reboot that is presently airing on Paramount+.

5. Animaniacs

Among the other characters were the Warner siblings, who resided in Burbank, California. Having said that, they all had adventures in many settings and eras, frequently engaging with well-known individuals and artists from both the past and the present.

Pop cultural icons and mythological characters combined to create a very captivating television program.

6. SpongeBob Squarepants

When SpongeBob Squarepants debuted on Nickelodeon in 1999, it was immediately following the Kid's Choice Awards, and the network had no idea what was in store. The longest-running show in Nickelodeon history would come following the series pilot.

While some may contend that SpongeBob Squarepants has long since passed its prime, much like The Simpsons and Family Guy, the show is still hugely popular today for good reason. The show continues to appeal to children, but it also dabbles in humour that appeals to older audiences as well.

7. Book Of The Jungle

This stands out as one of the better adaptations of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book among the many that have been made. It was enjoyable to watch the show. We used to like seeing Mowgli develop with a pack of wolves while having fun with Baloo and learning from Bagheera.

8. Scooby-Doo 

There's no need to introduce the show. In addition to other detective instincts, Scooby and the gang employ brains to solve puzzles that initially seem otherworldly but always have a human cause. The characters work well together despite having different comedic styles and make the greatest investigative team in the annals of animation.

9. The Ren & Stimpy Show

It remains a mystery as to how Nickelodeon executives approved The Ren & Stimpy, Show. This is due to the cartoon's potential to be an early predecessor to the later, more adult-focused cartoons that would appear in the 1990s.

For what it's worth, The Ren & Stimpy Show was groundbreaking for blending pre-teen-oriented content with adult humour. The show's humour was bizarre and occasionally somewhat dark, but it was inspired by many famous scenes from one of the most well-known "child" cartoons on television.

10. Dexter's Laboratory

The Cartoon Network was becoming well-known by the middle of the 1990s because of its original animated series, one of which stood out above the rest: Dexter's Laboratory. Dexter, a young genius with a secret laboratory that only his older sister Dee Dee (Allison Moore in Seasons 1 and 3; Kat Cressida in Seasons 2 and 4) knew about, served as the show's main character.

Dexter was played by Christine Cavanaugh from Seasons 1-3 and by Candi Milo from Seasons 3-4. Dexter's intelligence was called into question by Dee Dee's ease of access to his "secret" laboratory and ability to thwart his intentions, which made the animation even more entertaining to watch.

Childhood is supposedly the best time of our lives, and these animated series helped us make memories that we would always cherish. Every cartoon character on this list of the top 90s cartoons can help us learn something. 

Final Thoughts

By making you remember those times when we used to wave goodbye to all of our concerns and watch 90s cartoons and animated TV shows, we hope we helped you recall some pleasant memories. Which animated program was your favourite? Please share with us in the comments area below. Until then, continue to be joyful and nurture your inner kid.

Written By: Nivetha