21 ‘90s Cartoons That Prove This Decade Ruled

As far as totally rad 'n' gnarly animated television programs go, the final ten years of the 1900s are without parallel. You want sharks with legs? The '90s got you. You want a series about the monster universe? The '90s got you. A series about recess? The '90s got you. If you were a kid in the last decade before the new millennium, then you know darn well that the 1990s were an awesome time to be a cartoon fan. Nay, one of the best times be a cartoon fan.

Sure, I may be biased. And sure, by “I may be biased” I mean “I was a youth in the '90s, I fell in love a whole bunch of cartoons in the '90s, and I am most certainly biased.” However, if I were to switch out my regular eyeglasses with a pair of objective lenses, plop down in front of the tube, and flip on the best animated shows the ’90s had to offer, I am certain I would be like, "Yep, this era of cartoons rules." As a matter of fact, I would bet a Tamagotchi Angel, a canister of pizza-scented Smell My Gak, a mint condition 13 Dead End Drive board game, and a Puppy Surprise plush dog on it. The toons are just that good.

Here are just a few of the '90s cartoons that cannot be denied:

1. Tiny Toon Adventures

Still waiting for my acceptance letter from ACME Looniversity.

2. Bobby’s World

Such a delightful program, dontcha know.

3. Rugrats

I love this show as much as Angelica loves Cynthia.

4. Marsupilami

Marsupilami’s tail is the eighth wonder of the world.

5. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

I think of Ickis, Krumm, and Oblina every Super Bowl Sunday.

6. Animaniancs

If I had to rate my Animaniacs adoration on a scale from one to 10, I’d give it a bologna in slacks.

7. Rocko’s Modern Life

Hot take: Ed Bighead is one of the most underrated TV villains of all time.

8. Pepper Ann

This cartoon’s like one in a million.

9. Gargoyles

Before Gargoyles, I did not know that stone statues were so aerodynamic. This show really opened my eyes.

10. Recess

A toon that celebrates the best part of the school day? This sure doesn’t whomps.

11. Doug

You know what pairs nicely with Doug reruns? A tall cold glass of beet juice.

12. Batman: The Animated Series

Mark Hamill’s Joker. That is all.

13. Arthur

A great book series, a great meme series, and a great TV series.

14. Daria

Bow down to the queen of the misanthropes.

15. The Angry Beavers

The most charming semiaquatic rodent brothers you ever did see.

16. Street Sharks

This toon finally answers a question that gnawed at humankind for centuries: What if sharks had legs and could live on land?

17. Hey Arnold!

*Lights candle at bubblegum shrine to Football Head.*

18. Dexter’s Laboratory

You know who Dexter would (probably) get along with?

19. Pinky and the Brain

The Brain.

20. Pokémon

Years before Pokémon GO took over our cellular devices, a show based on a Gameboy game took over our television sets.

21. Freakazoid!

The internet is a heck of a thing, eh?

To quote the Street Sharks theme, these '90s cartoons kick some serious fin. And to quote the Pepper Ann theme, these '90s cartoons are marching in their own parade. And to quote the Doug theme, do do do do do do do '90s cartoons do do do do do.