TV characters may often lead more exciting lives than the average person, but they're just as susceptible as anyone to relaxing on the couch while watching their own televisions. Most of the time, those shows-within-shows are completely fictional, as not to cause any copyright friction, which can lead to some hilariously weird and inspired creations.

So, in the vein of fake bands we love listening to, fictional brandings we love promoting, and commercials for faux products, let's now celebrate fake TV shows that might just be as watchable as the real ones.

Married...With Children - "Psycho Dad"

Perhaps Al Bundy's favorite TV show, the "simple saga of a guy run amok in the Old West" was somehow a PBS series (and then a Fox one), despite being one of the most violent shows on TV, which the theme song alludes to. Didn't stop the spinoff Psycho Mom from happening, though.

Gravity Falls - "Duck-tective"

If it walks like a duck and solves mysteries like a detective, it can only be Gravity Falls' fine-feathered sleuth Duck-tective, who heads up the titular mystery series that relies heavily on bad puns and cheap effects, like so many shows of the '80s and '90s.

Community - "Inspector Spacetime"

Despite Community's Abed having once worn a Doctor Who T-shirt, his preferred sci-fi time-travel saga is Inspector Spacetime, a very on-the-nose homage to the long-running UK fave. (The American version introduced years later was portrayed by Luke Perry.) I'd wager I.S. has more canonical backstory than almost any other show-within-a-show, with lots of background for fans, real and otherwise, to dig into.

South Park - "The Terrance And Phillip Show"

Two of the biggest celebrities within South Park that aren't parodies of real-world celebs are Sir Phillip Niles Argyle and Sir Terrance Henry Stoot, best known to the Canadian comedy lovers as Terrance and Phillip, who have their own TV show that's a real gas...gas...gasssss.

Extras - "When The Whistle Blows"

One of the funniest things about Ricky Gervais satirizing BBC sitcoms in HBO's Extras is how little it feels like a parody, and how believable it would be as a real-world series with its lowest-common-denominator jokes, forever cementing "Are you 'avin' a laugh?" into the annals of love-to-hate TV catchphrases.

Saturday Night Live - "TV Funhouse"

Saturday Night Live has featured loads of fake movie trailers, songs, TV shows, etc., but perhaps the only applicable recurring sketch to get spun off with its own shows-within-a-show concept was "TV Funhouse," as created by Robert Smigel. Later a standalone series on Comedy Central, the OG run gave the world the Ambiguously Gay Duo, "Bambi 2002," and other SNL classics from the '90s and 2000s.

The Big Bang Theory - "Professor Proton"

I'd have to imagine Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper would have loved Mr. Wizard's World or Beakman's World if he were real, as his favorite small-screen personality was the science educator Professor Proton (real name: Arthur Jeffries). For viewers, Proton's excellence was naturally due to comedy legend Bob Newhart being cast. And you can't forget his puppet pal Gino the Neutrino, even if it's best not to bring up the puppeteer.

Parks And Recreation - "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show"

Chris Pratt's Andy Dwyer brought Johnny Karate to life initially as a guitar-playing act for children's birthday parties, but that just wasn't musical or explosive enough, so of course he got his own inspirational TV show. Johnny may have been a doofus, but alter-alter ego Jonathan Karate is the one who has it all together.

Rocko's Modern LIfe - "Meet The Fatheads"

Within Rocko's Modern Life, the Bigheads' lives were fictionalized as The Fatheads, a family sitcom centered on pretty awful and stereotypical characters. Amusingly enough, the revival special Static Cling also featured the in-universe revival of The Fatheads, which not everyone was a fan of.

Home Improvement - "Tool Time"

One of TV's ultimate "How-Not-To" characters, Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor somehow kept his job hosting the Detroit-set series "Tool Time," despite being shockingly consistent at destroying property and electrical equipment with ease. It's just as shocking that co-host Al Borland didn't quit or suffer grave injuries during that run.

Only Murders In The Building - "Brazzos"

No one remembers the detective series "Brazzos" as well as Only Murders in the Building's Charles-Haden Savage, the actor who donned the iconic hat for its surprisingly long run. (Okay, perhaps his loyal stunt double Sazz remembered it just as fondly.) But who else could have spun these banal words into an oft-ish-repeated catchphrase: "This sends the investigation into a whole new direction." So many new directions for this guy.

Rugrats - "Oodles The Talking Poodle"

As an avid Rugrats fan during the NickToons era, it's been 30+ years since I've been able to hear the world "poodle" without hearing a light "ding" behind it, as it goes in the talking dog's theme song. "OOdles. OOdles the TALking POOdle. Ding." How is this not a movie by now?

Stargate SG-1 - "Wormhole X-Treme"

While Stargate SG-1 didn't always show off its funny bone so directly, the self-spoofing 100th episode "Wormhole X-Treme," which focuses on the action-geared sci-fi series that provided the ep's title. I wish every show I love had a parody as faithful and fan-friendly as this one.

The Simpsons - "The Krusty The Clown Show"

If not for Krusty the Clown's quality-questionable variety show, Bart, Lisa and Simpsons fans around the world might never have been introduced to the hyperviolent "Itchy and Scratchy Show," which superceded its own source clown's popularity, with former sidekick Sideshow Bob amassing more notoriety.

Murderbot - "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon"

It's easy to see why Alexander Skarsgård's sentient SecUnit just wants to spend all day, all 397 (at least) episodes of the sudsy space opera "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon." With legit talents like John Cho, Clark Gregg and DeWanda Wise heading up the How to Get Away with Murder-esque series, this is easily worthy of a standalone spinoff to keep viewers rapt.

Young Justice - "Hello, Megan!"

Who knew superheroes would get into such normalcy as the sitcom "Hello, Megan!" A by-the-books sitcom from 1979-1980, the show follows a pretty cheerleader, her BFF, hunky boyfriend, and parents, and not even for large-scale adventures, but just everyday plots like taking care of the school frog. Okay, fine, I completely understand why everyone is obsessed.

Channel Zero - "Candle Cove"

The worst kind of TV show, I think we can all agree, is one that inevitably brings you harm just by watching it. So it goes for the first season of the excellent horror anthology Channel Zero, where "Candle Cove" is a pirate-based puppet show that may only exist in the minds of its viewers. Watch out for The Skin-Taker, that's all I'm saying.

Steven Universe - Crying Breakfast Friends

If you don't know the value of watching "Crying Breakfast Friends," then I don't suggest mentioning it to Steven Universe's titular crystal being. He adores watching the various food items, leaking both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Glum Glass and Weeping Egg Cup are all of us, really.

Supernatural - "Ghostfacers"

Supernatural, a show that legitimately crossed over with the animated Scooby-Doo gang, brought an equally silly spin to the never-ending number of paranormal investigator series that took over cable in the 21st century. Founded by the Ghostbusters-homaging Harry Spangler and Ed Zeddmore, the Ghostfacers appeared quite a few times over the years, and even sparked a web series of shorts.

BoJack Horseman - "Horsin' Around"

For as dramatically serious and maudlin as BoJack Horseman could get, none of that was to be found in the cornball hijinks of the in-series sitcom "Horsin' Around," centering on three kids adopted by a horse, obviously. It fights right alongside fare like Punky Brewster, with a slew of wonderfully groan-worthy lines perhaps best exemplified by the pun "Now, that's a horse of a different...crueller."

Twin Peaks - "Invitation To Love"

Oh, to explore around inside David Lynch's brain to see all of the things he might have been thinking about for the expertly crafted soap opera "Invitation to Love," which was a favorite amongst some of the characters inhabiting Twin Peaks' titular town. The fact that the storylines reference the characters' lives only makes it more interesting.

Seinfeld - "Jerry"

While Seinfeld's show-within-a-show "Jerry" really only existed as a pilot and not as a fully ordered network-aired series, given the actions of its characters, its ridiculous plot is enough to make it one of the more memorable faux TV series out there. Jerry gets into a car accident, and the other insurance-less driver has to become Jerry's butler, making "Because he's MY butler" one of the more logically accurate fake TV catchphrases.

Family Guy - "Jolly Farm Revue"

With an aesthetic that mashed up the Teletubbies with other pastoral children's fare, Family Guy's faux UK series "Jolly Farm Revue" became an obsession of Stewie's, as he believed its characters actually existed, only to find them to be less real than his teddy bear Rupert. I prefer the American remake with that li'l cutie Karina Smirnoff.

Arrested Development - "Mock Trial With J. Reinhold"

Arrested Development's melting pot of humor is well-exemplified by Michael Bluth having a legal case heard as part of a courtroom reality show fronted by Judge Reinhold (who definitely isn't a real judge), with a theme song sung live on-set by William Hung and a backing band. Should this have turned into an actual series? "I'm going to allow it," even if it pretty much rips on a gag from Clerks: the Animated Series.

SpongeBob SquarePants - "Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy"

Not only was the superhero series "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy" a fun show-within-a-show for SpongeBob SquarePants' characters, but the titular characters were a treat outside of their televised exploits as well. For one, they were originally voiced by legends Ernest Bornine and Tim Conway, and later boasted '60s Batman icons Adam West and Burt Ward in the respective hero and sidekick roles at one point or another.

30 Rock - "MILF Island"

A fake TV show that will likely exist before this sentence is finished, 30 Rock's reality TV-aping romance competition MILF Island was sold with the disturbing tagline "25 Super-Hot Moms, 50 Eighth Grade Boys, No Rules." Okay, maybe we should just keep this one hidden behind a locked door back in 2008.

Lost - "Exposé"

Lost's storylines didn't just flash backwards, forwards and sideways. They also went internal for the show-within-a-show Exposé, a '70s-esque action-adventure series in which Kiele Sanchez's Nikki was guest-starring. (With Billy Dee Williams as the lead of the faux show.) We see just enough to make me want more, although that would never happen, as audiences' dislike of Nikki and Rodrigo Santoro's Paolo was strong enough to get them killed off during the same season in which they were introduced.

DuckTales - "Ottoman Empire"

A TV parody that is too close to the real thing to be entirely comedic, DuckTales' "Ottoman Empire" centers on two twin rooster brothers, Johnny and Randy, who design custom ottomans for customers. It's like Property Brothers with a punnier title, and you know, roosters.

Drake And Josh - "Drew And Jerry"

Drake & Josh entered sitcom doppelgänger territory in Season 2 when Drake Bell and Josh Peck's namesake characters took a friendly break from each other, only to befriend someone else with the exact same personality. By the end, the titular teens were buds again, while their "others" were somehow given their own TV show that looks exactly like D&J. Presumably with its own Season 2 doppelgänger plot.

My Name Is Earl - "Estrada Or Nada"

We're at a point where real-life game shows are about as ridiculous as anything fictional, but My Name Is Earl's "Estrada or Nada" is still pretty special. Basically, anyone can challenge the CHiPs star to any imaginable challenge, from shooting basketballs to eating hot dogs to looking like Erik Estrada.

Futurama - "Everybody Loves Hynotoad"

I love Hypnotoad. You love Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Good show.

Garfield & Friends - "The Binky Show"

Hey, kids! No fake TV clown seemed quite as intent on waking everyone in the hosue up as Garfield & Friends' Binky the Clown, whose show seemed to be on at literally all hours. Because it was of such high production value, I can only assume.

Sitcoms are meant to bring joy into the homes of those who watch them. However, not every episode manages to please every viewer and, in some instances, might stir up enough outrage to get banned. Such a fate actually befell some of the following episodes from the best sitcoms of all time which caused controversy.

"The Puppy Episode" - Ellen

At the same time Ellen Degeneres came out of the closet in real life, so did her sitcom alter ego – the first lead character on a TV series to do so – in "The Puppy Episode." While the two-part Season 4 episode of Ellen proved to be an Emmy-winning success and a big ratings win, many affiliates of ABC refused to air the episode and several sponsors chose not to advertise during its broadcast

"Edith's 50 Birthday" - All In The Family

In a two-part episode from the eighth season of All in the Family called "Edith's 50th Birthday," Jean Stapleton's character is nearly assaulted by a stranger posing as a detective whom she manages to escape but not without traumatizing circumstances. While remembered as one of the most powerful dramatic moments in a sitcom, seeing a character like Edith involved in such a harrowing situation was overwhelmingly "heartbreaking" for some to watch.

"Partial Terms Of Endearment" - Family Guy

Originally intended to be the Season 8 finale for Family Guy, "Partial Terms Of Endearment" sees Lois (Alex Borstein) agree to carry a child for a couple but, when they suddenly die in an accident, she considers having an abortion. The episode's satirical approach to a hotly debated serious topic led it to be banned from airing on American television but has been made available in the United States on DVD.

"Running Zack" - Saved By The Bell

Zack Morris is known today as one of the most ill-behaved sitcom kids for many reasons but one time Saved by the Bell tried to pain him in an admirable light has since backfired heavily. Star Mark-Paul Gosselaar later voiced regret over this Saved by the Bell episode in which his character discovers he has Native American ancestry and actually dons a headdress for a class presentation.

"You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato" - Murphy Brown

In the Season 4 finale of Murphy Brown, Candace Bergen's title character chooses to raise her new baby on her own – a decision that was criticized by then-Vice President Dan Quayle. The following season's premiere was written in response to this and even directly acknowledged the vice president's comments.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - Roseanne

Roseanne was a revolutionary moment in sitcom history as a TV show featuring blue-collar characters but it also pushed boundaries in many other ways, such as an episode when Roseanne Barr's title character kisses a woman in a lesbian Barr. The comedian had to fight ABC on their hesitation to air the episode fearing there it would spark a backlash from religious conservatives and they turned out to be right.

"The Bicycle Man" - Diff'rent Strokes

In a famous "very special episode" of Diff'rent Strokes, Arnold (Gary Coleman) and his friend, Dudley (Shavar Ross) discover that a bicycle shop owner named Mr. Horton (Gordon Jump) is the kind of grown-up parents would not want their children to be alone with. While acclaimed for its bold depiction of the dangers of inappropriate attention from adults directed at minors, it was criticized for not downplaying its humor as much as it could have.

"Episode #1.1" - Soap

Right out of the gate, the revolutionary daytime drama spoof Soap garnered intense backlash by a wide margin for its approach to topics that were still very sensitive in the late 1970s. Billy Crystal's character, Jodie Dallas, was criticized both by anti-gay groups as well as the gay community, which felt that the otherwise groundbreaking characters portrayed their culture in a stereotypical and mocking fashion.

"Maude's Dilemma" - Maude

In the premiere season of Maude, the also beloved spin-off from All in the Family aired a two-part episode in which Bea Arthur's title character becomes pregnant and decides that, at her age, she would rather not have the baby. "Maude's Dilemma" was the first episode of a television show to acknowledge the abortion debate, which led to CBS receiving thousands of letters in protest.

"The Puerto Rican Day" - Seinfeld

The penultimate episode of Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David's mega-hit comedy is not considered one of the best episodes of Seinfeld for the same reasons it was taken out of circulation for years. "The Puerto Rican Day" – in which the gang gets stuck in traffic due to the eponymous parade – was viewed as culturally insensitive, particularly for one scene when Kramer accidentally lights a Puerto Rican flag on fire and tries to stomp it out, but has since been made available in syndication and on streaming.

"Lucy Is Enceinte" - I Love Lucy

In the 1950s, saying the word "pregnant" was not permitted on television, which is why you never actually hear Lucy (Lucille Ball) say the word in her many attempts to tell Ricky (Desi Arnaz) her big news in this classic I Love Lucy episode. Despite its clever censorship, "Lucy is Enceinte" almost did not air due to advertisers' reluctance because the mere topic of making Lucy pregnant would mean acknowledging that she and Ricky had been intimate.

"The Speech" - The IT Crowd

In the third season of the hilarious British sitcom, The IT Crowd, Matt Berry's Douglas Reynholm discovers his girlfriend, April, is a transwoman (as demonstrated in a tasteless montage of her performing traditionally masculine tasks), which leads to a violent end to their relationship. Considered abhorrent upon broadcast, the U.K.'s Channel 4 decided to pull the episode from its streaming service in 2020, prompting creator Graham Lineman to cut ties with the network.

"The One With The Lesbian Wedding" - Friends

The first TV series to depict the marriage between two women was Friends in Season 2's "The One with the Lesbian Wedding." However, many NBC network affiliates, including in Texas, refused to air the episode in which Ross' ex-wife, Carol (Jane Sibbett), and her girlfriend, Susan (Jessica Hecht), tie the knot.

"Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" - Community

For years, the Season 2 Community episode, "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" was not available to stream, due to a moment when Ken Jeong's Chang dons what appears to be blackface to cosplay as a "dark elf." However, Community cast member Yvette Nicole Brown, when speaking to Gizmodo, defended the episode, especially since her character, Shirley Bennett, calls out Chang's insensitive act.

"Stark Raving Dad" - The Simpsons

Michael Jackson makes an uncredited appearance in an episode of The Simpsons as the voice of an institutionalized man who believes he is the "Thriller" singer. In 2019, following the release of the documentary, Leaving Neverland, the episode was pulled from circulation and has since been made unavailable to stream.

"Eric's Buddy" - That 70s Show

Joseph Gordon-Levitt guest starred on That '70s Show as Buddy, whom Eric (Topher Grace) discovers is interested in more than lab partners when he plants a kiss on him. The otherwise refreshingly open-minded episode has been criticized for reducing the openly gay character to not much more than a punchline and a means for Eric to reinforce his identity as a straight man.

"200" - South Park

South Park is known for its many boundary-pushing moments, which creator Matt Stone and Trey Parker decided to pay tribute to in the animated series' two-part 200th episode. Unsurprisingly, the episode would face heavy backlash and, since its initial broadcast, has been censored for its depiction of Muslim faith.

"Koi Pond" - The Office

One example of an ill-fated prank from The Office that some fans have probably never seen comes from the since-removed cold open for an episode called "Koi Pond." In it, Michael (Steve Carell) stages a suicide for Dunder-Miffling's Halloween haunted house attraction, traumatizing the young trick-or-treaters and angering viewers for its insensitive approach to the subject.

"Comedians" - Beavis And Butt-Head

When Beavis and Butt-Head pursue stand-up comedy careers and fail, they retaliate by setting fire to the club where they performed and happily giggle as it burns to the ground. In 1993, a The New York Times report claimed that five-year-old Austin Messner watched the episode and accidentally killed his sister by setting his own home on fire, prompting MTV to pull it from rotation. However, in 2008, the 20-year-old Messner revealed (via PopCulture) that he never watched Beavis and Butt-Head because his addict mother could not afford cable.

"I'll See You In Court" - Married... With Children

While Married... with Children never had the squeakiest reputation, Fox refused to air an episode in which Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg Bundy (Katey Sagal) discover their night at a motel was recorded and file a lawsuit. While initially deemed in poor taste, an edited version of the episode finally made it to air on FX years later.

"Live Show" - 30 Rock

Both times 30 Rock put on a live episode, the shows were met with backlash for the use of Blackface. For instance, the East Coast broadcast of Season 5's "Live Show" would be pulled from syndication for a scene in which guest star Jon Hamm's character shows off his hand transplant from a Black donor.

"Prom-ises, Prom-ises" - Boy Meets World

Some episodes of the beloved TGIF comedy Boy Meets World were removed from Disney Channel's rotation of reruns, including Season 5's "Prom-ises, Prom-ises." The plot sees teen lovers Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) considering the decision to consummate their relationship on prom night, only to discover his parents are having their own fun in a nearby hotel room.

"The Hunger Strike" - The Boondocks

It took 12 years for "The Hunger Strike," an episode of The Boondocks that was originally called "BET Sucks" and set to air on Adult Swim in 2008, to finally be shown on American television. The actual reason for the banning has not been confirmed but reports claim that BET threatened litigation, due to its overtly scathing spoofing of the cable network's programming.

"Mid-Life Crustacean" - SpongeBob Squarepants

Even a Nicktoon as beloved as SpongeBob Squarepants has a couple of episodes that modern audiences will never see on Nickelodeon or with a Paramount+ subscription and, in retrospect, it is surprising that one of them ever made it to air. Season 3's "Mid-Life Crustacean" involves a scene when Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), in a bid to reclaim his youth, joins SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) to raid a woman's undergarment drawer, only to discover too late that they have broken into his mother's house.

"Boston" - Aqua Teen Hunger Force

In 2007, battery-powered LED placards designed to resemble Aqua Teen Hunger Force characters called The Mooninites were placed around Boston as a marketing strategy for the adult animated movie, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, but were mistaken for explosive devices. The original show's writers decided to create an episode based on the incident, in which Frylock (Carey Means), Master Shake (Dana Snyder), and Meatwad (Dave Wilis) are mistaken for explosives in Boston. The episode would become the first in the series to get banned but was later leaked online in 2015.

"Something's Up There" - Back To You

The short-lived Fox sitcom Back to You – starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton as bickering news anchors – has been largely forgotten since it ended in 2008. However, one episode was deemed controversial upon airing for the following line said to a Polish character when trying to convince them to go bowling: "Come on, it's in your blood, like Kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis."

"Leap Frogs" - Rocko's Modern Life

Not only was Rocko's Modern Life one of the weirdest Nicktoons ever but it was especially one of the lewdest. Nickelodeon let plenty of mature humor slide but did ban an episode in which Mrs. Bighead tries to seduce the titular wallaby.

"Elephant Issues" - Tiny Toon Adventures

The Steven Spielberg-produced Tiny Toon Adventures served as a new era for the Looney Tunes legacy but did make a few dark turns during its run. For instance, one banned episode, which was meant to serve as a PSA of sorts, saw Buster Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton J. Pig getting intoxicated and suffering a car accident

"Dentist" - Adventure Time

The plot of the Adventure Time Season 6 episode, "Dentist," – in which Finn (Jeremy Shada) receives oral treatment from a colony of ants – offers nothing controversial in concept. However, it caused a bit of an internet uproar when a character named Lt. Gamergate (which is the name of a type of ant) was interpreted as a reference to the recently developing "GamerGate" movement.

30. "Fat Like Me" - Daria

Spun-off from Beavis and Butt-Head, Daria followed the misadventures of the cynical, monotone titular teen (voiced by Tracy Grandstaff). One episode of the animated never aired in reruns on the Nickelodeon subsidiary Teen Nick (formerly known as The N) because of the way it depicts obesity's connection to high school social status.

"Terms Of Endearment" - Drawn Together

Drawn Together is a mockumentary-style animated Comedy Central series following a group of cartoon characters living together. One episode was met with controversy for its satirical portrayal of the horse riding accident that paralyzed Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who passed away shortly before the series premiered.

"Man's Best Friend" - Ren & Stimpy

One of the most unhinged episodes of Ren & Stimpy was banned on Nickelodeon for a violent scene in which Ren beats up a character with an oar, as well as the depiction of dog treats that, for some reason, look like cigars and feces. The episode was later broadcast on MTV, which is certainly a more appropriate home for its subject matter.

Kids today don't understand the feeling of waking up early on a weekend or summer day and watching cartoons. We'll look back on the '90s and 2000s as the peak of cartoons, especially when it comes to Nickelodeon's Nicktoons. This era had some absolute classics that still hold up to this day, so it's a good thing one can stream most of them with a Paramount+ subscription. 

The following is a rundown of our ranked list of the best Nicktoons from the '90s through the 2000s. Readers will notice the glaring omission of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and while it technically qualifies for the list and is fantastic, it felt like an odd inclusion factoring in most of these shows skew toward comedy. With that said, let's dive in and remember all the best Nicktoons of the past:

15. The Penguins Of Madagascar

It's rare that I find the side characters of a movie more entertaining than the main stars, but this was certainly the case with Madagascar. The Penguins Of Madagascar was a show for the crowd that wanted more of the Penguins scheming and less of the zoo animals adapting to life in the wild. The concept proved popular enough to get 149 episodes, which is pretty astounding, considering they were envisioned as minor characters initially.

14. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters hasn't quite withstood the test of time like other Nicktoons on this list, but it's very worthy of this list all the same. Making a horror comedy for children centered around monsters is daring, especially when using an art style that is somewhat frightening to younger audiences. Its inclusion on the list of massively underrated cartoons is also justified, because we should all have more Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm merch in stores, given how great the storytelling was. 

13. The Angry Beavers

I don't think there's ever been a better characterization of brothers who are around the same age than Norbert and Daggett from The Angry Beavers. Both were different and alike in the same ways, and oh so entertaining to watch as a kid. I won't lie, these two effectively drilled the word "spoot" into my vocabulary. 

12. Rocket Power

When Rocket Power was first on television, I begged my parents for a skateboard for Christmas. Seeing Otto, Reggie, Twister, and Sam shred had me convinced I could do it just as well. That never really worked out, but I still have fond memories of all the extreme fun those friends had and think this series would be worthy of a reboot in 2024. 

11. Invader Zim

I don't think there's any stating how culturally significant Invader Zim was to millenials who embraced the emo lifestyle. Whether it was a love of Zim or his robot, Gir, who posed as a dog, the franchise had enough of an impact to make a comeback to Nickelodeon years later for a full-length movie. 

10. KaBlam!

The wonderful thing about KaBlam! was that the actual show was a collection of several mini-shows. I loved the excitement of tuning into an episode and not knowing if I was about to watch Prometheus and Bob, Action League Now, or one of the many other shorts in rotation for the comic-book-themed series. The show only aired 48 episodes, but the number of shorts packed in makes it feel like there were a lot more. 

9. Doug

There are a lot of great shows about the middle school experience that kids can look to for guidance these days, but Doug felt like one of the only animated options back in the day. Unfortunately, the series hasn't survived with a reboot or revival in the modern day, though creator Jim Jenkins did reveal if he thought Doug and Patty ever ended up together. 

8. Rocko's Modern Life

Rocko's Modern Life is one of those shows that was great when you were a kid, and it holds up really well when you're an adult. It's one of the weirdest Nicktoons of all time, but not so over the top that it was obvious to a child audience, like Ren & Stimpy was. I'll forever love this show and appreciate that it taught me the key difference between a kangaroo and a wallaby. 

7. Danny Phantom

There's something truly special about Danny Phantom. The series was mainly meant to be a comedy, but there were plenty of dramatic elements and action to it that made it about as enjoyable as the modern features in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Frankly, I'm surprised that there hasn't been a live-action series or movie announced for this hero, as a teen whose powers allow him to become a ghost and fight baddies is pretty damn cool. 

6. The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius

The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius might be one of the cases in which the television series exceeded the quality of the original movie in about every way. The Nickelodeon series expanded on Jimmy's well-intentioned but chaotic inventions and the colorful cast of characters in town. You might have even forgotten it spawned a spinoff called Planet Sheen, but we don't talk about that one, because it's terrible. 

5. Hey Arnold!

Hey Arnold! was a great series that encapsulated the life of children living in the big city. As for what big city that is, I always assumed it was New York City, but as Bustle and others over the years have pointed out, the show actually takes place in Washington state. Put that mindblowing fact aside for a bit and remember that this is a series that celebrated the rich diversity of our world long before Hollywood made it a priority, and it holds up really well to this day. 

4. The Ren & Stimpy Show

When I look at the humor Gen Z finds most appealing on TikTok, I always think about how much they'd probably enjoy The Ren & Stimpy Show. It's loaded with bizarre tension, over-the-top reactions, and visuals that you can't help but cringe watching. It's no wonder that a reboot is in development, though we've heard little about it in recent years. Hopefully, it's still coming, because I think it'll be something people enjoy. 

3. The Fairly OddParents

The Fairly OddParents is the ultimate fantasy if you're a kid. Who wouldn't want a pair of fairies who are capable of granting wishes beyond your wildest dreams just to make the boring days pass by faster? It's a concept that, frankly, never gets old, and I think the series could still work today if it got a reboot. 

2. Rugrats

Before the parents of today were obsessed with Bluey, Rugrats was the definitive show that they could enjoy with their children. The series' early episodes featured plenty of jokes for the older audience, but it went entirely over the heads of the kids tuning in to watch what adventure the babies would get in that week. In hindsight, it's a wonder none of these kids ever died, but I guess it wouldn't be a kids cartoon if it was realistic. 

1. Spongebob Squarepants

In 2024, I don't think there's any disputing that Spongebob Squarepants is the king of Nicktoons programming. What started as a bizarre show about a sponge in a pineapple has evolved into a franchise in which its starring character is as recognizable to children around the world as Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny. The series is still rolling strong, has had three movies, and has two more on the way. All hail the king of Nicktoons, and long live Spongebob. 

As mentioned, you can find a bunch of Nicktoons available on streaming on Paramount+. There's also a '90s Kids channel on Pluto TV worth checking out for those who want that Saturday Morning cartoon experience without having to click around on their own. 

Animation is one of the earlier moving art forms, and has provided countless artists the means to bring their stories to life, be it through the black-and-white hues of Bosco the Talk-Ink Kid or the multicolored bliss of Fantasia. Toons can be as simple as the Oscar-winning “The Dot and the Line” from legends Chuck Jones and Maurice Noble, or they can be as endlessly complex as Wallace and Gromit’s stop-motion universe. Television has provided audiences with 80 years of memorable projects –- including some forgotten Saturday morning gems — with new shows debuting at a rapid pace, and we’re here to celebrate the very best animated series of all time.

From classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Fred Flintstone to modern favorites like Monkey D. Luffy and the Belcher family, CinemaBlend’s staff is saluting them all. So join us in paying tribute to the funniest, coolest, smartest, and most moving animated series that have graced our TV screens over the decades.

75. The Jetsons

Despite being the first show ABC ever broadcast in color, The Jetsons was canceled after a single season and only 24 total episodes. It just couldn’t find the right audience, at least until the reruns started airing on Saturday mornings and an entire generation of kids fell in love with the futuristic setting and zany plotlines. George, Jane, Judy, Elroy, Astro and Rosey eventually became so popular in syndication that more than 20 years after its cancellation, a further fifty-one episodes were produced, as well as a movie. It’s an unconventional success story but perhaps one fitting for a show filled with futuristic tech that hilariously never works as intended.

74. Aqua Teen Hunger Force

When Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block premiered in September 2001, Aqua Teen Hunger Force was one of its surreal cornerstones, and it’s pretty much stayed that way ever since. The long-running series follows three anthropomorphic fast food items – Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad – who get into all kinds of trouble with their neighbor(s), locals, and interdimensional beings. ATHF helped usher in a new era for adult animation at the turn of the century, and it's remained just as hilarious and timeless during that historic run. But for as wild and nonsensical as it gets, there’s a certain charm that makes it not just one of the funniest shows on Adult Swim, but in all of TV animation.

73. Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends

Though not lauded quite as high as animation giants such as Walt Disney or Hanna-Barbera, Jay Ward delivered many of the medium’s most lasting creations, with The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle at the center of his zany, intelligent, and meta-before-meta-was-cool storytelling skills. The titular moose and squirrel’s serialized rivalry with the devious Boris and Natasha can never be forgotten, while the history-adoring side characters Sherman and his pup Mr. Peabody became a pop culture magnet unto themselves over the years. Now if only we could get a Fractured Fairy Tales spinoff for the 21st century…

72. What If...?

Upon its launch, part of the reason why a Disney+ subscription was so appealing involved the streaming service's new content directly connected to major IPs like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And while we’ve been treated to a number of live-action shows, the studio also took a major risk with the multiversal animated series What If…? The comic book anthology series offers alternate realities to the MCU characters and events we know and love, and shows how the entire franchise could be radically altered if just one character's arc differed. Additionally, the voice cast of What…If? features many Marvel favorites reprising their roles to tell these ambitious stories that could never be produced in live-action.

71. The Proud Family

The Proud Family was all about Penny Proud and her wild, yet relatable, journey through high school. While the premise was simple, this show’s fabulous crew of characters is what made it iconic, and its depiction of the day-to-day lives of an African American family is what made it groundbreaking. From our lead Penny to her father Oscar, her besties Dijonay, Zoey, LaCienega and Sticky Webb — and of course Sugar Mama — this family is the best, and we’ll adore them forever.

70. Beavis and Butt-Head

Besides The Simpsons, arguably no animated series from the 1990s sparked a bigger array of multi-generational reactions around the country than Beavis and Butthead. As soon as it premiered on MTV in March 1993, Mike Judge’s groundbreaking, edgy, and unsavory cartoon became a national sensation while following two objectively moronic teenagers barely navigating school, life, nachos, and a carousel of music video commentary. Video games, movies, tons of merchandising (both official and bootleg) flooded the market in the years that followed, and there's a reason revivals keep happening: it's a great show, dammit. Mm-heh-heh.

69. Schoolhouse Rock!

Schoolhouse Rock! is an animated gem that has been passed down from generation to generation for all the right reasons. Originally debuting on TV back in 1973, the show's approach to combining educational programming with toon-filled songs cemented it as a true classic with more lasting value than most. From grammar-focused tunes like “Conjunction Junction" to the iconic intro-to-governmental-processes track “I’m Just a Bill” to even its Preamble song, Schoolhouse Rock! has had a lasting cultural impact, influencing many other shows, and even inspiring some spoofs along the way to its permanent place within pop culture.

68. Static Shock

The DC Animated Universe got a true shock to its system when Denys Cowan's Static Shock zapped onto TV screens in the early 2000s as a Saturday morning offering on Kids’ WB. Viewers were treated to some truly exciting, funny and heartfelt episodes that tracked the heroic exploits of teenager Virgil Hawkins in Dakota City. Thanks to late series creator Dwayne McDuffie and his talented team, Static Shock remains a dynamic piece of comic book fun, serving up some serious action mixed in with thoughtful social commentary on occasion. In short, this is a super-powered gem that’s rightfully still revered to this day.

67. Dexter's Laboratory

What child hasn't wished they had a secret location in their house that provided the means to do the most fantastic things their heart desires? Dexter’s Laboratory helped many youngins live vicariously through its titular brainiac, and the general hilarity of his meddling sister Dee Dee derailing it all helped make this one a definitive Cartoon Network classic. From the brain of the similarly brainy Genndy Tartakovsky, Dexter also boasted other animated shorts like Dial M For Monkey and The Justice Friends, which were all equally as enjoyable. To this day, I bet there are many who owe their ability to say “cheese omelet” in French to this wonderful series.

66. Kim Possible

“Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me,” because it’s time to talk about Kim Possible. Mixing a high-stakes spy drama with high school shenanigans appropriate for Disney Channel-aged audiences, this show is an action-packed good time. Largely centered on Kim’s missions to take down Dr. Drakken and Shego with the help (or more like attempted help) of her bestie Ron Stoppable and his naked molerat Rufus, Kim Possible defined many childhoods and taught generations of kids, and specifically girls, that anything is possible with the right mindset and gadgets.

65. Muppet Babies (1984)

How amazing are Jim Henson’s Muppets? The list goes on, but one key factor would be that Kermit and the gang brought to life what remains one of pop culture’s only genuinely great examples of “Your favorite characters, but they’re babies.” Trading TV studios and New York City exteriors for a Nanny-run nursery where the power of make-believe knows no bounds, Muppet Babies showed viewers of all ages that imagination is powered best when one is surrounded by friends to the end. Unfortunately for avid fans, the show’s abundant use of licensed TV, film, and music clips will likely keep it from ever hitting home media.

64. Family Guy

For one reason or 69 others — get it, Peter? — certain TV shows are able to get away with wildly edgy content without getting “canceled," either literally or figuratively. Granted, Seth MacFarlane's long-running fave Family Guy actually did actually get canceled by Fox back in 2002, but the '80s-adoring comedy was able to return from its shallow grave just two years later due to extraordinary DVD sales, a hit syndicated run, and the embrace of Adult Swim. and high ratings from reruns in syndication. Ever since that 2004 revival, viewers have followed the antics of Peter, Lois, Chris, Meg, Stewie and Brian along with all the ridiculous and often offensive cutaway flashbacks that fill their lives.

63. Robot Chicken 

Watching Robot Chicken calls to mind many chldhood memories of inventing scenarios with action figures modeled after classic movie and TV characters. That's essentially what Seth Green and Matthew Senreich’s stop-motion animated Adult Swim hit is: people playing with their toys. But with a bigger budget and more talented voice actors than any kids I ever played with. With boundary-pushing and insightful humor in the mix, the Emmy-winning Robot Chicken is sketch comedy at its most refreshingly unique, rebelliously raw, and deliciously nostalgic, and is not bogged down by the limitations that might come with a live-action production.

62. The Flintstones

For many people, The Flintstones is one of the first cartoons we remember watching on TV. This classic Hanna-Barbera series about a lovable caveman and his family navigating a prehistoric world field with outrageous stone-age variations of modern-day appliances and tools, is just as funny and attention-grabbing as it was upon its release more than 60 years ago, which is really saying something about its quality. On top of such indelible characters like Fred Flinstone, Barney Rubble, and the Great Gazoo, the show also has one of the most iconic opening themes of all time.

61. Freakazoid!

Though not the most marquee-ready superhero, Freakazoid!’s titular protagonist is the creation of Batman: The Animated Series legends Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, with Steven Spielberg and Tiny Toons vet Paul Ruegger leading the charge. So yeah, it’s a perfectly bonkers mix of comic book mythos mixed with slapstick and fourth-wall-breaking comedy, complete with a mini-universe of B-tier heroes and villains such as Candle Jack (but don’t say his name). Lasting two seasons from 1995-1997, Freakazoid! ss a joy for viewers of all ages, anchored by the stellar voice work of stars Paul Rugg and Ed Asner.

60. Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers

Long before the series was reimagined as a hilarious Disney+ movie starring John Mulaney and Andy Sandberg, Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers started out as a tremendous and timeless action-adventure toon about a pair of chipmunks fronting a crew of anthropomorphic animals. Thanks in part to that earworm theme, it never gets old watching Chip, Dale, Gadget Hackwrench, Monterey Jack, and Zipper solve all manner of crimes (both big and small, really small) and save the day before the end of each episode, and the show can still hold the attention of our kids all these years later.

59. Teen Titans

Some viewers probably weren’t sure what to make of Teen Titans upon its debut, but the series eventually became a hit – and for good reason. The quirky superhero romp is the definition of cartoon greatness, as it skillfully blends action and comedy, ultimately using both to great effect. Yet, most importantly, so much heart is on display amidst the explosions and sheer wackiness as well. Because of that, Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy and Raven remain not only one of DC’s best TV super teams, but also one of its greatest familial units. And, yes, that theme song still slaps.

58. Gargoyles

The oft-underrated Saturday morning toon Gargoyles is one of those shows that manages to deliver more than the kind of action you’d expect from Disney's weekly animated fare. It’s a dark and complex drama series with dynamic characters, beautiful animation and stories that sometimes border on Greek tragedy. Many viewers understandably still have such reverence for the tales that EP Greg Weisman and his team told about the mighty Goliath and his clan of night guardians. It’s ironic that a group of beings that turn cold as stone are among some of the warmest heroes to ever grace a TV screen.

57. DuckTales

Having quite possibly the catchiest theme song on this list that's chock-full of them is probably enough reason to include DuckTales on this list, but of course, the show has so much more going for it. Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, previously only bit players in Disney cartoons, earned the star spotlight for a show that was about as close to an action/adventure cartoon as Disney had delivered at the time, making it something fresh new, and exciting. But it was still “Disney” and thus more accessible to younger viewers than other ‘80s cartoons looking to sell action figures, drawing from Carl Banks' timeless comic run.

56. Hey Arnold!

Amidst all of Nickelodeon's best chracters, perhaps no greater role model for younger viewers exists than the football-headed protagonist of Hey Arnold! In fact, Craig Bartlett’s series offered something very few animated programs have (then or since): a diverse ensemble whom kids could potentially relate to or aspire to be like. With a stunningly grounded urban aesthetic, even in its most peculiar momens, and a hefty set of valuable life lessons that often came out of dark situations, admittedly — not to mention an absolute banger of a jazz score — Hey Arnold! is a masterstroke for the medium.

55. The Real Ghostbusters

1984's Ghostbusters inspired an immediate sequel, but when live-action follow-ups stalled, Sony did the next best thing: created this magnificent riff on the beloved property. No, they couldn’t get BIll Murray and Dan Aykroyd together every three years, but they could animate Peter, Ray, Winston and Egon for a series of animated adventures around New York City, the world, and even realms beyond. The best part about The Real Ghostbusters is that it understood the irreverent tone of Ivan Reitman’s two movies, but split the difference to also appeal directly to kids who just wanted to see Slimer. When we really need a hit of that nostalgic rush, these are the Ghostbusters stories that most deserve revisiting.

54. Teen Titans Go

DC Comics adaptations often get knocked for being too serious, but that's not the case with Teen Titans Go, an effervescent, energetic, and rapid-fire funny series centered on Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and Starfire. The show embraced irreverent humor, leaning hard into its heroes' stereotypical behaviors, from Robin’s crippling need to be a leader to Raven’s broody Goth Girl energy and beyond. Without hinging on continuity or major cameos from A-list DC heroes (at least, not until Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, which was equally excellent), this slap-happy toon basically gave young kids a comic book portal where they could enjoy “waffles, waffles, waffles” without having to brood over anyone's parents getting gunned down in an alley.

53. The Powerpuff Girls

Sugar, spice, and everything nice wasn’t even half of what we got with The Powerpuff Girls. Like many other animated classics, it was a show made for kids that adults could easily also enjoy. The superpowered Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup deal with typical childhood troubles like sibling rivalry and bed wetting while also saving their town from a truly ingenious rogue’s gallery. These endearing kindergartners, their friends and foes (like arch nemesis Mojo Jojo, and Powerpuff wanna-be Princess Morbucks) provide us with laughs, lessons and intrigue, all wrapped in a parody and pop-culture focused package that doles out plenty of surprises.

52. Tiny Toon Adventures

Following in the footsteps of the iconic Looney Tunes squad was always going to be a tall order, but the Stephen Spielbeg-produced Tiny Toon Adventures understood the assignment. While the characters may have been inspired by those that came before, each one from Babs and Buster to Plucky and Hampton, was given just as much freedom to be entirely new characters, not simply the “new versions” of the classics. The humor was always on point, with plenty of gags for younger viewers, alongside references only the older “kids” watching would get.

51. Courage the Cowardly Dog

Making a cartoon for children that's as creepy as it is funny is no easy task, but Courage the Cowardly Dog found a way to execute that balance quite beautifully, relying mostly on overtly bizarre and/or paranormal villains. Courage protecting his owners, Eustace and Muriel, against everything from a cursed mummy to a duck with a mallet never gets old. It’s the most deserving Cartoon Network original that needs a revival, which could potentially still happen someday, considering Courage was part of a Scooby-Doo crossover movie released in 2021. Until that day comes, fans can revisit the entire series with a Max subscription.

50. Adventure Time

Most classic adventure cartoons engage in storytelling in a more earnest manner, but only a few effectively capture the joys of make-believe like Adventure Time — which for many is the absolute cream of the crop for Cartoon Network’s original programming. Creator Pendleton Ward’s fantasy-comedy follows Finn the Human (Jeremy Shada) and Jake the Dog (John DiMaggio) as they navigate the weird and wonderful, post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, having a mathematical time along the way. With its charming animation, ingenious creatures, clever world-building, and a lighthearted tone that never abandons spellbinding excitement, the fun truly never ends.

49. Big Mouth

It’s not every day that audiences get a hilariously offensive animated show that actually provides accurate representation of growing up LGBTQ+. On the surface, Netflix's Big Mouth, which rocks an all-star cast led by co-creator Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, simply shows the trouble and turmoil of puberty, sexuality, hormones, and the everyday struggle that we call “life.” Lucky for viewers, it is also much, much more than that. The show follows a group of young people who tend to be accompanied by “hormone monsters” (who now have their own wacky spinoff series) who help guide them through the changes and struggles that come with growing up.

48. Arthur

Kids owe PBS for so many great animated series, but Arthur might be its crown jewel. For over 20 years, Marc Brown’s storybook aardvark, along with his friends and family, endeared themselves to the public. The author and the show’s writing staff, through their efforts, taught youngsters firm lessons in responsibility, community, empathy and much more. What’s particularly impressive is that the grade-school comedy managed to remain consistent in conveying such morals during its lengthy run. Of course, when the program wasn’t dropping vital nuggets of knowledge, it was simply exuding pure, imaginative fun. What we have here is a truly timeless show, and one that’s sure to delight audiences for generations to come.

47. Pokémon

Part of the reason Pokémon remains one of the top franchises worldwide is because the series can have a different meaning for every generation that consumes it. The kids of 2024 can watch the same show O.G. viewers watched in the late '90s and appreciate those characters in new ways, given there have been plenty of successive projects that have come loaded with over a thousand different Pokémon for children to latch onto and make their favorite. The show's awesome battles haven't quite held up when it comes to the franchise's many video games, but perhaps someday, Game Freak will give the people what they want.

46. Spider-Man

Spider-Man fandom has been known to grow from many sources, including the comics and multiple generations of live-action blockbusters, but the Spider-Man animated series from 1994 holds a special place in the hearts of millennials – as it should, because it is amazing (pun totally intended). In retrospect, the content censorship is ridiculous (this is a show where Spidey wasn’t even allowed to punch people), but the filmmakers still found ways to deliver exciting adaptations of comic book stories, and some episodes are even better than the source material. We have yet to see a better version of the Venom origin story than what was created here.

45. Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Thanks in large part to the success of Tim Burton’s Batman from 1989, it was at one point decided that the best version of the Caped Crusader is the dark and brooding version. That has now been the go-to mode for the superhero for decades – but at the very least Batman: The Brave And The Bold reminded us for a time just how much fun the Dark Knight can be. The deep voice and silly sensibilities of Diedrich Bader make him one of the best to ever play the hero, and every episode delivers a fun team-up opportunity. Every DC character is represented with love, but there’s an argument to be made that John DiMaggio's Aquaman is the all-time best version of the Atlantean king.

44. Doug

The entire Nicktoons library was a big deal for '90s kids, and who was more relatable than Doug Funnie on Doug? Through his journal entries and soaring imagination, the preteen opened up about the seemingly everyday events of his life, from getting a haircut to trying liver and onions, and we totally felt that. We understood the middle school awkwardness, the anguish of his crush on Patti Mayonnaise and just how good it felt to rock out to your favorite band (The Beets, of course! “Aw-wee-oo! Killer tofuuuuu!”). We wanted Skeeter to be our best friend and a dog as cool as Porkchop. Not to mention, the opening credits and theme song are pretty iconic.

43. Pinky and the Brain

Let’s be honest here: Pinky and the Brain was repetitive. In every episode, the two main characters did “the same thing we do every night, Pinky… try to take over the world!” But it was the way that the odd couple mice played off of each other — with Pinky being the doofus assistant to the Orson Welles-inspired mastermind mouse that is The Brain — that allowed this Animaniacs episode segment to thrive as its own standalone series. It's one we still quote to this day, using many of the cast members’ favorite jokes. Like everything in Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain benefitted from an “anything goes” approach to humor, meaning that stories would involve Brain’s archnemesis (a hamster named Snowball) or a bit where Pinky gets elected President of the United States. And it all worked because the creators understood how to be intelligent while also being goofy.

42. X-Men: The Animated Series

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe revitalized how big and connected comic book adaptations could be, few film and TV examples truly brought to live what people loved about the medium. X-Men: The Animated Series was one of the first, giving audiences comic book-accurate versions of the beloved mutants that felt like they jumped right off the page. The show offered long-term serializing storytelling just like the source material, something that was essentially unheard of for a Saturday morning cartoon. But whether one was an avid reader or not, these were (and perhaps still are) the definitive versions of the X-Men. It’s no wonder that decades later, the series was revived as X-Men '97.

41. Infinity Train

Created by Regular Show writer/artist Owen Dennis, the Cartoon Network-turned-Max series Infinity Train is the crown jewel of overlooked and under-discussed animated series. A highly imaginative coming-of-age sci-fi fantasy,  not the most common sub-genre, the series centers on a different interconnected story and character set in each of its four seasons, with everything taking place on a mysterious and impossibly long train where most cars present challenges for the characters to figure out and overcome. It’s an emotionally gripping and exciting tale that never goes off the rails, with a stacked cast of familiar voices.

40. Futurama

The second mega-hit series created in part by Matt Groening, Futurama has always been far more than just The Future Simpsons, thanks to its unforgettable cast of meme-ready nutjobs, egomaniacs, and bending-proficient robots. From Fry’s dopey optimism to The Professor’s absent-minded genius to Hermes’ ability to drop everything if a limbo stick comes around, the series balances its strong personalities with tons of space-faring, paradox-thwarting, time-traveling mayhem that never stops being fun. Both one of the smartest and silliest animated series of all time, and filled with some of the nerdiest jokes possible, Futurama has remained a beloved small-screen entity in part because the Planet Express crew has managed to survive multiple cancellations at Fox and Comedy Central, reaching its third lifeform at Hulu, presumably because the Hypnotoad demanded it so.

39. Mickey Mouse (Classic Disney Shorts)

There are few animated characters more famous than Mickey Mouse, and it’s safe to say the House of Mouse wouldn’t be everything it is today without Disney’s classic Mickey Mouse animated shorts that debuted in the 1920s. Smartly written and brimming with slapstick comedy, these quick hits of quirky fun introduced us to the loveable mouse — who displayed courage and strength but in a way that was achievable for any of us — along with the equally iconic Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy. Included in this series is 1935’s “The Band Concert” — Disney’s first color cartoon, which quite literally paved the way for Disney animation for 100 years and counting. And while it may not be part of that exact era, give me Goofy bungling up ski lessons any day.

38. Dragon Ball Z

Though it wasn’t the first show in the franchise, Dragon Ball Z introduced countless kids and teenagers to iconic characters like Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Gohan throughout the ‘90s, especially after the anime series became a mainstay in Cartoon Network’s Toonami afternoon block. This intense cartoon about a group known as the Z Fighters who attempt to protect Earth (and later, other planets) from diabolical forces was something many of us ran home from school or off the bus to catch each weekday. The introduction of increasingly dangerous and destructive villains like Frieza, Cell, and Boo (each had their own saga) continued to raise the bar as the series went on, and make this still a gem worth revisiting.

37. Rocko's Modern Life

Is there a classic Nickelodeon show from the ‘90s that captures the spirit of the era more than Rocko’s Modern Life? This zany, surreal, and extraordinary animated series debuted in 1993 and quickly found an audience thanks to its unique style of humor that appealed to both children and adults. With characters like the neurotic titular wallaby, his best friends Heffer Wolfe and Filburt, and the various members of the Bighead family, there was so much to love about the show. It pushed the envelope with its humor and art direction and had a lot to say about the modern world, hence its name. The mammalian gang even returned to fans in 2019 with the special Static Cling.

36. Animaniacs

We still have no idea how Animaniacs creator Tom Ruegger got the greenlight to make everyone's childhood better with this hilarious, clever, but extremely inside-baseball showbiz comedy aimed at mature kids. Yes, on the surface, the Animaniacs works as a variety show, an evolution off The Muppet Show during which the hosts – the Warner siblings, one with a Liverpool accent – would set up individual cartoons. But in between, the banter and humor offered up in Animaniacs consisted of some of the funniest, most outrageous, and unpredictable jokes that would spoof Dolly Parton, Marilyn Monroe, and the idea of fingering Prince, as it were. Sometimes the show managed to be educational, but mostly it was pure lunacy, and we loved every second of it.

35. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Mysteries are the most entertaining genre of storytelling. What’s more satisfying than a tidy reveal at the end of a whodunit, and a villain exclaiming how they would have gotten away with it, if not for those meddling kids? Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? followed a very popular “monster of the week” format, but wasn’t afraid to push the envelope to freak out little kids who tuned into a cartoon and were terrified by haunted suits of armor, killer clowns, and more. From its unforgettable theme song to the vocal contributions of radio icon Casey Kasem as Shaggy, Scooby-Doo Where Are You? walked so that Goosebumps and Gravity Falls could run.

34. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated is a breath of fresh air within the long-running franchise birthed by Hanna-Barbera. For this particular production, the typical case-of-the-week format isn’t in play, as serialized storytelling is utilized. It’s a great approach that really fleshes out the meddling kids and the titular canine in a way that past incarnations don’t. The humor associated with this entertainment property is definitely employed in this iteration. However, what’s also exciting is how the writers and artists aim to deliver some truly scary monsters, all seemingly tied to the antagonist Mr. E. While it’s admirable that the show sticks to its predecessors’ roots in many ways, its goal to shake up the classic formula results in an overarching mystery that’s both compelling and creepy.

33. Archer

Creator Adam Reed’s singular vision and undying creativity turned Archer from a ribald spin on James Bond into one of the most well-rounded pieces of spy fiction in existence. H. Jon Benjamin’s unmistakable voice gives life to the booze-swilling agent’s snappy insults and TV-MA euphemisms alongside a downright stellar cast that also includes Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell and more. The series is a testament to the importance of characters compared to plot, with Archer’s core group shifting from years of traditional storytelling to multiple side-mission seasons such as the Miami-set Vice, the subconscious-set Dreamland, the jungle-filled Danger Island and others. On a jokes-per-minute basis, it stands next to comedy giants like The Simpsons and Airplane!, and can drink them both under the table.

32. Batman Beyond

Debuting in 1999, Batman Beyond jumps decades forward into the future and showcases the story of a now-retired Bruce Wayne who is acting as a mentor to the next generation Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, as voiced by the legend himself, Kevin Conroy. The show earned multiple award nominations, winning two Daytime Emmy Awards. Bruce and Terry have just enough similarities and frustrating differences to keep their dynamic captivating while still wholesome, which makes this particular animated series one of the most enjoyable to watch in the franchise. Terry is forced to work twice as hard in order to balance out both his personal life and his crime-fighting side persona, as he both learns from and teaches his mentor as they both work to stand up for what they both clearly believe in.

31. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

While a lot is owed to Genndy Tartakovsky’s Star Wars: Clone Wars, the animated side of George Lucas’ sci-fi universe truly took off in 2008 with the launch of Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The series is, in large part, what it is due to franchise guru Dave Filoni, who thought his hiring was a prank. Filoni’s respect for Lucas’ work permeates the entire CGI show, but there are also some cool elements that he himself adds to the canon, including the now-beloved Jedi Ahsoka Tano. With incredible storylines, sweet animation and strong voice acting, this show works well on its own but also stands firmly alongside the films it builds upon.

30. Bob's Burgers

One of the many things to love about Bob’s Burgers is just how close, loving, and, well, lovingly strange the main characters at the center of the show are. The Belcher family is (mostly) committed to keeping their small, family-run burger shop up and running, but their kooky adventures usually take the whole family away from the restaurant. Exasperated pessimist Bob, his happy-go-lucky wife Linda and their kids, Tina, Gene and Louise get into a number of hilariously weird scrapes that, honestly, most of us only wish we could have to make life more intriguing. Add to that Louise’s near-constant scheming, Tina’s awkwardness, and how the whole family interacts with a town full of endearing oddballs, and you have yourself a wonderfully weird winner. Tell 'em Teddy sent ya.

29. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the perfect show for a perfect moment in time. It combined outrageous and over the top late 80s imagery with some of the first mainstream depictions of skater culture and added ninjas, an outrageous backstory and a steady stream of cheesy catchphrases. Deep in the sewer of our hearts, amidst roundhouse kicks and impossibly yellow April O’Neil jumpsuits, they carved out a place for themselves, and more than thirty years later, their ooze still remains in the form of reimagined shows, new movies and billions of dollars worth of merchandise. And despite all the success, they're still just heroes in a half-shell, and they're green. (Hey, get a grip.)

28. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)

In 1999, if you told someone a silly gap-toothed sponge would one day be as recognizable to the children of the world as Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny, they would’ve laughed. And yet, SpongeBob SquarePants continues to entertain the children of today, and has been lovingly embraced by the Millenials and Gen-Z who grew up with it as well. The internet is loaded with memes dedicated to the franchise, and there’s still plenty of debate as to what is in a Krabby Patty. With plenty of episodes and even some spinoffs, it feels like SpongeBob and friends will be entertaining children for many years to come.

27. Rugrats (1991)

Rugrats premiered in 1991 on Nickelodeon as one of the first three Nicktoons, aimed at a younger audience than Doug and The Ren & Stimpy Show. It was a staple for kids throughout the ‘90s and into the early 2000s, with nine seasons about the adventures of babies Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil, with regular appearances from characters like the parents, Angelica, and (eventually) Dil. The show could swing from silly to serious, with memorable episodes that ranged from covering the grief of losing a parent to the spectacular Reptar On Ice, with a dinosaur love song that still rings in the hearts of plenty of ‘90s kids. There’s a reason why this Nicktoon show went on to inspire Rugrats movies and a 2021 reboot.

26. Harley Quinn

What happens when you blend DC Comics mythology with the kind of crass adult comedy you find in shows like Family Guy and South Park? You get Harley Quinn, which follows Kaley Cuoco’s version of The Joker’s former squeeze going on adventures with Lake Bell’s Poison Ivy, her best-friend-turned-girlfriend, and getting into hijinks with fellow supervillains and superheroes alike. One doesn’t need to be a hardcore DC fan to appreciate Harley Quinn, although that definitely helps with catching the deep-cut references and Easter eggs. As long as you're in the mood for clever writing and all the edgy, not-safe-for-kids humor you could ask for, Harley Quinn is a must-[censored]-watch.

25. Gravity Falls

With hands on our bible of beasts, baubles and bafflement — Journal 3, naturally — we can solemnly swear that Gravity Falls is the weirdest, wildest and gobblewonkiest project that’s ever come out of Disney, bursting through the castle doors like rainbows from a gnome’s mouth. Created by Alex Hirsch, the mystery-hinged funfest centers on a pair of siblings, Jason Ritter’s Dipper and Kristen Schaal’s Mabel, living with their kooky and perhaps unstable great uncle, Grunkle Stan (voiced by Hirsch). And for anyone who loves codes, hidden messages, deep lore, crytozoology, conspiracies, and everything sharing that fringe space, Gravity Falls is the holy grail of animated shows. (And that grail is filled with Pitt Cola.)

Despite nearly universal love and acclaim, Disney cut Gravity Falls’ run short at just two seasons, although the actual supplementary Journal 3 (which Hirsch co-wrote) is expansive and unique enough of an experience to at least count as a one-off special. There’s still hope that fans will one day go on more adventures in the Mystery Shack with Soos, assuming Bill Cipher doesn’t muck anything up, but even if these 40 episodes are all that ever get produced, it was perfection.

24. The Boondocks

Aaron McGruder’s adaptation of his own comic strip, The Boondocks, is a must-watch for those trying to better understand racial relations, culture, and racism in the United States. With the help of some voice acting from Regina King, Riley and his brother Huey navigate the Black experience of living in a predominantly white suburb.

The Boondocks thrived on taking hot-button issues and forcing the viewer to think about not just the issue but their own reaction and perspective of that issue. The Boondocks deserves applause for how it pushed the envelope in its four seasons and offered thoughtful commentary in a way few other animated shows can.

23. Justice League

Superheroes joining forces in the DC Animated Universe wasn’t anything new prior to 2001 thanks to special pairings in Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond’s “The Call” two-parter, but Justice League placed teamwork front and center. Viewers watched Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl vanquish terrestrial, alien and magical threats together, and it was a blast.

Justice League continues to be appreciated for its crisp animation, mature storytelling and stellar character development, as well as for transforming John Stewart from a B-list character to the definitive Green Lantern for a generation. Justice League makes an effective crash course for those wanting to dive into DC lore without having read any of the comics.

22. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Being such a well known and praised franchise for decades, die-hard fans were quite surprised when it was announced back in 2019 that the Star Trek franchise would be taking a shot at an adult comedy with a brand new animated show, Star Trek: Lower Decks. Written by Rick and Morty’s Mike McMahan, the show takes place in the 24th century and instead of focusing on the high-ranking officers on the Bridge Crew, it gives viewers a glimpse into the “lower deck” officers with the more humble jobs that keep the ship running…smoothly? The show often references the rest of the Star Trek earlier entries and breaks down sci-fi tropes, often in a very NSFW way, and should delight both seasoned and new fans alike.

21. Sailor Moon

If you’re of a certain age, Sailor Moon may be the first anime you ever saw in your entire life. It’s one of those ‘90s anime that was sandwiched between Fist of the North Star in the ‘80s, and the explosion that was Dragon Ball Z, and Pokemon in the later ‘90s. Even so, Sailor Moon still managed to stand out, and it still stands out today. It may be because Serena (or Usagi, if you prefer sub over dub) is so dang loveable. As is her relationship with Darien (AKA, Tuxedo Mask).

And of course, we can’t forget the many other Sailor Scouts, as they all have their own unique personalities and inner worlds. In truth, Sailor Moon is the kind of cartoon that appeals to both young girls, but also grown men in their ‘30s and ‘40s, and really, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

20. One Piece

Shows like One Piece don’t come along often, and really, we’re not sure there is any other show on television that’s like it. It’s one thing to have an astronomically high episode count, but quite another for that story to be serialized and tell a great story of a pirate adventure that’s been wowing viewers for over two decades. The character development and growth of the Straw Hat Pirates and the world-building it boasts makes this an easy choice for top-tier anime, and it’s great that Netflix finally took notice and made an equally enjoyable live-action series.

It’s a modern-day epic story equatable to Gilgamesh or Beowulf, and feels like a lived-in universe more than any other anime out there. It’s totally worth the time investment for those who feel overwhelmed by tackling the 1000+ episodes of this ongoing series.

19. The Critic

The Critic, which revolves around New York film critic, Jay Sherman (voiced by A League of Their Own’s Jon Lovitz) sometimes hits way too close to home. What we mean is, with many of us being critics ourselves, a lot of Jay’s fussy qualms about movies seem super spot on, such as the eye roll he gave to the made-up movie, Beverly Hills RoboCanine Cop and a Half 2 (Starring Clint Eastwood!).

But that’s just the beauty of The Critic, because even though Jay was often fed up with having to review so many mediocre movies, he still loved his job, and stayed a movie fan to his core. Which, again, hits very close to home. Plus, it didn’t hurt that the series had The Simpsons writers, Al Jean and Mike Reiss as showrunners. It stinks!...that we don’t have any new episodes of The Critic to watch these days.

18. Daria

Daria once described herself to a therapist as actively working to make people dislike her. She’s not wrong. Daria's main character is, at times, deeply unlikeable. She speaks as if she’s a detached observer into her own life, making callous observations in a dry, dispassionate voice. She’s like a real life narrator, condescendingly commenting on the world around her as everyone else plays volleyball and talks about who they’re going to prom with.

Despite all her efforts, however, it’s impossible to hate Daria because she’s really funny and also not wrong most of the time. High school is often pretty stupid and populated with try-hards who don’t know themselves or have any idea where they’re going. Listening to Daria judge them feels like therapy, even if, deep down, we know she’s just as lost as they are.

17. Over The Garden Wall

What’s most impressive about Over The Garden Wall is just how effectively it slips under your skin and rattles you. The familiar sibling dynamic between Wirt (Elijah Wood) and his little brother Greg (Collin Dean) is disarming, as are the fantasy elements and talking animals… but never forgotten is the terror that comes from the show’s central premise: two boys getting lost in the woods and trying to find their way home. Each chapter starts with a light touch, but ends up gripping you by the throat and invading your nightmares.

The episodes brim with fantastic and horrific imagination - from the shadowy beasts that lead souls astray to the disturbing Auntie Whispers (voiced brilliantly by John Cleese). There are only 10 episodes and none of them run over 12 minutes, but Over The Wall leaves a deep impression, and it’s wonderful to revisit annually during Spooky Season.

16. King of the Hill

I tell you what, it’s hard to get better than King of the Hill. The long-running hit (which has a Mike Judge-led revival coming to Hulu soon), focused on Hank, Peggy and their son Bobby Hill, and their day to day life in the small town of Arlen, Texas. This slice-of-life animated show used something a lot of people probably take for granted - the absurdities of relationships, work, growing up, marriage and other aspects of daily life - turned them up to 11 and made every episode across 13 seasons feel like we were laughing at our own friends and family.

Don’t we all know at least one person obsessed with lawn care? Or one boy who ain’t right? If not, you’ll certainly wish you knew the residents of Rainey Street and could call them neighbors, because mundane, working class life has never looked like so much looney fun.

15. Mickey Mouse (2013 shorts)

Mickey Mouse is one of the most iconic characters in the history of animation. He’s been everywhere and done everything. What made the new series of shorts that began in 2013 and ended in 2023 special wasn’t that they did anything differently, (though certainly the visual style was completely new for the character) it was that they went back to the beginning and let Mickey be the Mickey he was always designed to be.

The modern run of shorts, simple called Mickey Mouse, let the big-eared protagonist be the hero, but they also let him be silly, angry, surprising, and ridiculous. They pack more gags into a five-minute short than would seem possible. The shorts were new, but also served as throwbacks to earlier Mickey eras when the character had more creative freedom before he became the icon we know. They were a breath of fresh air after decades of a stagnant and sterilized mouse.

14. The Legend Of Korra

There is sometimes debate on whether Avatar: The Last Airbender or its follow-up series, The Legend of Korra, is the better cartoon. But, when it comes to us, all we have to say is, why not both? Because honestly, you can’t lose with either series. That said, The Legend of Korra definitely is special in its own right. This is a more grown-up take on the world of Avatar, where each season introduces a new threat to our heroine, Korra (Voiced by the magnificent Janet Varney).

With each season, however, we see Korra adapt and change in ways that Aang never got to do, which is enhanced by Korra’s fantastic Team Avatar of Bolin, Mako, and of course, Asami. Oh, and speaking of Asami, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how groundbreaking this show was, as Korrasami is still one of our favorite TV couples of all time.

13. South Park

Possibly the most controversial animated show of all time, South Park. With 26 seasons under their belt, Trey Parker and Matt Stones’ on Comedy Central follows the story of four young boys and the typically pop-culture chaos that surrounds them. The show’s intro blatantly states that the show “...should not be viewed by anyone.” South Park pulls no punches and gives no f’s. T

The creators have pulled some crazy stunts in the past, like attending the 2000 Oscars while being nominated, wearing dresses, and high on LSD. They have also attempted to get their own show canceled, been banned in China, as well as hitting a television milestone by going “bleep-free” with the use of the “f-bomb” live on air. It’s a show that could not be launched today, but since it has such huge weight in the zeitgeist, expect to see some more offensive Colorado antics for some time.

12. Star Wars Rebels

Star Wars Rebels picked up the action set in the galaxy far, far away after The Clone Wars ended, and the animated series ran from 2014-2018 on Disney XD to expand on the era ahead of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with a found family of original characters. Not only did the show prove that Star Wars doesn’t need to rely on legacy characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to tell a fantastic story and deliver arguably one of the best deaths in the franchise’s history, but it set up some stellar stories that are being expanded in live-action with Ahsoka.

There was no certainty that Rebels would succeed back in the beginning despite the popularity of The Clone Wars, but the story was solid during its original run and stands the test of time for first-time watchers and re-watchers alike. And its characters, ships and plots have remained core to the universe even beyond its conclusion.

11. Invincible

Invincible was released for those with an Amazon Prime subscription during the height of superhero mania. Despite concerns about superhero fatigue, the animated series carved stands out within the genre. Namely by being the animated answer to The Boys, and being an R-rated and wildly violent cartoon show. Invincible focuses on the title character aka Mark Grayson who is a young person coming into his own as a wildly popular hero who boasts the same powers, if not the same prowess, as his father Omni- Man, who is revealed to be something quite a bit more dangerous than anyone readily expected.

Adapted rather faithfully from Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker's comic book, the story is emotional, the action sequences are bloody and brutal, and Invincible’s voice cast is led by A-list talent like Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, and more. And the show is so popular that Omni-Man spawned a character in Mortal Kombat 1.

10. Justice League Unlimited

Everything that was great about Justice League got ratcheted up a notch with Justice League Unlimited. Thanks to the team’s founding heroes expanding its ranks — minus Hawkgirl, who returned later in Season 1 — this continuation allowed the DC Animated Universe to shine the spotlight on even lesser-known heroes, from Green Arrow and The Question to Booster Gold and Huntress. Like its predecessor, the show wholeheartedly embraced its printed page while also putting unique spins on its starring protagonists and antagonists.

Although there were various standalone episodes peppered throughout Justice League Unlimited, the show was at its best when delving into its serialized stories that built off plot threads from the previous DC Animated Universe shows, namely the Cadmus and Secret Society arcs. That makes Unlimited arguably feel like the most comic book-y entry in this shared continuity. While the DCAU would be revisited a handful of other times following the show’s conclusion, Unlimited definitely marked the end of an era, and it stuck the landing wonderfully.

9. Phineas and Ferb

The concept of two brothers spending their summer vacation trying to figure out a way to spend it comes with endless possibilities, and Phineas and Ferb explored them creatively and expertly. Following a formula where every episode the titular characters are always finding an over-the-top thing to do or build. Meanwhile, their sister Candace tries to bust them while their pet platypus Perry goes on a mission to stop his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his latest -enator.

Over the years, Phineas and Ferb mastered its formula and had a blast with it. Watching the brothers build a roller-coaster, create a backyard beach, get their parents' favorite band back together and oh so much more was not only fun but creatively invigorating. Not to mention, many episodes also featured incredible original music – like the Emmy-nominated song “Ain’t Got Rhythm” – meaning you’ll be humming along and thinking about this show long after the episode ends.

8. Looney Tunes

To describe Looney Tunes as a classic is completely appropriate, and yet, somehow not quite enough. This collection of animated shorts (produced from 1930 to 1969 and then revived in the late 1970s) has provided generations of audiences with wacky adventures featuring some of the most recognizable and quotable cartoon characters ever created. Even if you’ve only seen a handful of the many, many cartoons made by Warner Bros., you likely know that Bugs Bunny usually outsmarts everyone, Sylvester and Tweety are hilarious adversaries, Daffy Duck is at his funniest when he’s angry or on the losing end of anything, and that Roadrunner is way more trouble than it’s worth to Wile E. Coyote.

Looney Tunes is yet another example of how something could, technically, be pleasantly silly enough for kids, but just mature enough to get and keep the attention of adults. (Who doesn’t know what it’s like to repeatedly miss your target like Elmer Fudd?) When you watch one of these belly-laugh inducing entries, the only thing stopping you from watching another (and another) will be a power outage… That’s a joke, son!

7. Rick and Morty

A decade ago, if you asked us to name our Top Five most thoroughly inventive, consistently thrilling, amusingly thought-provoking, and deeply moving science-fiction series, we would have never guessed an Adult Swim original comedy would make the cut. Nevertheless, Rick and Morty — co-created by the now-fired Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon — has risen above its crude animation, and even cruder humor, to be widely remembered as, not just one of the funniest sci-fi TV shows, but among the genre’s all-time finest.

It is no surprise the series was bred from a Back to the Future parody short, as the pairing of alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez with his grandson, Morty Smith, feels like a more volatile Marty and Doc situation, which is also just one of the many ways the series brilliantly pokes fun at and pays homage to pop culture. However, the best Rick and Morty episodes — in addition to introducing eye-popping, otherworldly, and downright absurd concepts — honor the series’ more relatable themes, such as family and existential dread, which cleverly sneak up on you while you experience the duo's latest crazy adventure through time and space.

6. Attack On Titan

There’s a lot of great anime out there, from wholesome shows like Spy X Family to much more action-heavy series like Demon Slayer and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. But when it comes to anime that just generally rivals some of the greatest television shows of all-time, then look no further than Attack on Titan, which we once called the best under-the-radar show on television. Because no show swerved like Attack on Titan did, and it all falls upon its protagonist/antagonist, Eren Yeager, who the audience is firmly behind…until we aren’t.

That’s right, Attack on Titan initially seems very simple in premise — Titans bad, people good — but soon changes dramatically to the point where we wonder if we may have had it all wrong the entire time. Are the titans were the ones who were misunderstood, and the humans were the bad guys. Plus, this is the rare exception where the anime may be superior to the manga, and if you know anything about manga, that is no small feat. This is an anime for the ages.

5. Bluey

Bluey has simply become must-watch programming for families, and don’t be surprised when Mom and Dad find themselves just as entertained as the little ones. The infectious theme song ropes you in as it introduces Mum (Chilli), Dad (Bandit), little sister Bingo and big sister Bluey, but it’s the heart-filled interactions between the Blue Heelers that have kept people coming back. Some episodes are laugh-out-loud funny — “I slipped on my beans!” — and others will hit you right in the feels and cause tears to flow freely.

Parents have become endeared to Bluey because it inspires us to be better. It encourages us to play with our kids and gives us permission to act silly in public. Why care what strangers think if you can make your kids laugh, right? But Bluey also shows the harder moments. Sometimes Bandit and Chilli don’t have time to play. Sometimes they don’t know what to say or just need some peace and quiet after partying too hard on New Year’s Eve. We need permission to want those things in real life, too.

4. The Simpsons

The Simpsons is the most popular and successful animated show in history because it’s hilarious in so many different ways. No matter what your sense of humor is, there’s almost certainly a Simpsons character that’s funny in the exact way you’re looking for. From highbrow literary references thrown out as asides to people falling over and getting injured in embarrassing or gruesome ways, and everything in between, each episode is jam-packed with jokes intended to do very different things and to appeal to very different people.

If it happened in a lesser show, it might feel like pandering, but with The Simpsons, the "whatever sticks" approach always felt like layers and variance. That’s a testament to the quality of the writing. Most shows that try to do too much are overtly better at one of the things they’re trying to do, which makes the rest seem less than or out of place. Not The Simpsons. Thanks to fantastic, complicated leads and the funniest supporting network of side characters in TV history, the writers can be funny in so many unique, challenging, satirical, irreverent and sometimes prophetic ways, and they have for more than 750 delightful episodes.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender

From scathing commentary about imperialism to discussions of spirituality, trauma and extinction, Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender packs deep philosophical meaning into its animated stories. This universe, centered around people boasting the ability to bend elements, follows Avatar Aang on his journey to master the elements and defeat the Fire Lord. This series from Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko is a masterful classic, filled with fun side-quests like the trio’s journey to Omashu, as well as complex politics surrounding the Royal Fire Nation family, sassy characters (we’re of course talking about Sokka and Toph), insanely well-developed story arcs like Zuko’s, and it's all taied together with mind-boggling action,

Like the Avatar, ATLA gets stronger with time, and as Aang mastered the elements, the series grew with him. No matter how old you are, this series hits hard, and the more you watch it the better it gets. Avatar: The Last Airbender seems destined to always feel timeless, and like the Avatar’s powers, this show will likely continue to be passed down through generations for years to come.

2. BoJack Horseman

It’s understandable if you watch the first episode of BoJack Horseman and don’t quite click with it. It’s a show that throws you headfirst into its world  – providing a deep inside look at Hollywood and celebrity in a reality where humans coexist with humanoid animals. That being said, as one of the first Netflix original creations, it’s a series that greatly benefited from the streamer’s binge model, as to dig deeper into the show is to fall in love with it and everything it has to say.

All six seasons of BoJack Horseman are witty, clever, and hilarious, with countless background gags that make it incredibly rewarding on rewatch – but what makes it special is just how real it is. The aesthetic may be silly, but the characters are all ultimately broken people and there is an unflinching and powerful examination of their individual damage over the course of the show. The penultimate episode of every season manages to be as emotionally devastating as anything that Hollywood has ever produced for the small screen, and each one is both shocking and mesmerizing.

1. Batman: The Animated Series

Unquestionably one of the best examples of any animated TV show appealing to both kids and adults, Batman: The Animated Series continues to stand as perhaps the greatest triumph in the media history of DC Comics’ Caped Crusader. BTAS, and by extension The New Batman Adventures, followed in the footsteps of the Tim Burton Batman movies by bringing the character back to his darker roots and inserting viewers into an anachronistic Gotham City dripping with noir flavor. Here we have a Batman who strikes fear into the hearts of criminals just as easily as he inspires the innocent.

Anchored by the late Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne, Batman: The Animated Series effectively walked the line of honoring the source material while also putting unique spins on characters like The Joker, Mr. Freeze and Two-Face, while also launching neo-icons like Harley Quinn, Renee Montoya and a handful of others who’ve become mythos mainstays. Even ignoring that BTAS launched the beloved DC Animated Universe, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski's show serves for many as the gold(black) standard by which all other Batman adaptations are judged. 1992 may be a long time ago, but BTAS still feels wonderfully timeless.

Hopefully the next 80 years of animated series can stand up to the classic eras that have already come and gone, as well as everything happening currently. But for anyone who hasn't yet watched everything listed above, now you know the assignment, mmk?

Few would likely disagree with the assertion that ‘90s Nickelodeon shows were top tier. It was during the decade that the network provided viewers with a humorous look at toddlers through Rugrats and painted a nuanced picture of urban life via Hey Arnold!. Those beloved shows and more remain in the public consciousness today, thanks in great part to streaming services. Up to this point, one would need a paid membership of some kind to access them. However, those two animated series and more Nick classics are available to stream in one place for free! It’s a fun turn of events that makes my ‘90s TV-loving heart so full. 

Fans of the shows have Pluto TV to thank for this blast of nostalgia. The streamer revealed via a press release that it just established its 90s Kids channel, which specifically provides vintage, small-screen offerings. In addition to the shows mentioned above, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life and Kenan & Kel will also be available to watch. This newly established channel is set to serve as a companion to the platform’s Totally Teen channel, which features Nick offerings from the 2000s and beyond like iCarly and Victorious. The 90s block will air four episodes of a single show six times a day. You can check out the schedule (which takes Eastern Standard Time into account) below: 

Monday

6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Rugrats

Tuesday 

6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Hey Arnold!

Wednesday

6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Doug

Thursday

6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Kenan & Kel 

Friday

6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Rocko’s Modern Life

Saturday

6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Rugrats

Sunday

6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Hey Arnold!

Looking at this lineup, I can’t help but think back to a time when these shows were actually airing on TV. I’ll admit that I’m not actually a ‘90s kid, as I was born in the early part of that decade. However, I surely enjoyed Nickelodeon’s shows (along with others like The Wild Thornberrys and CatDog) from the end of the decade through the early 2000s. So this is absolutely my bread and butter, and I’m too happy that these shows can still be enjoyed – and free of charge at that.

This is far from the first time Nick has tried to highlight its classic shows using a streaming entity or a cable block. Over a decade ago, fans were introduced to The ‘90s Are All That, which aired nightly on The N. That chunk of programming would eventually receive a few other names, and it finished its run as Nick Rewind. While it was known as NickSplat, a VRV streaming service was announced. 

If there’s any single downside to this latest endeavor, it’s that the viewing options are limited at that moment. That could always change, though. Maybe a show like Double Dare, which was revived a few years ago, could join the schedule. The same could be said for the Angry Beavers and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. We’ll have to wait and see if that happens but, at present, the five shows that have been picked are perfect. 

It never ceases to amaze me just how much longevity Nick’s shows continue to have. Not only do the reruns still air, but there have also been reboots and revivals. 2017 saw the release of Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie, which addressed long standing-questions about the football-headed protagonists’ parents. And as we speak, a Rugrats reboot is currently airing (and is streamable with a Paramount+ subscription). While fresh additions like those are nice, I have a soft spot for the classics and love that they can be watched for free in  single place.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am a ‘90s kid, through and through. In fact, in my article about movie and TV memories that I share with other ‘90s kids, I discussed key moments in entertainment that I’m pretty sure every ‘90s kid remembers. But, out of all things that could have possibly slipped my mind, how in the heck did I forget to mention Nickelodeon?   

Ah, Nick, the home of slime and silliness. For me to leave out all the great ‘90s Nickelodeon TV shows in that list is a gross oversight that I plan to rectify today! Because, while yes, kids back in my day likely saw the Jurassic Park movies, and look back fondly upon the Disney Renaissance, we also spent hundreds of hours wishing that we could be on one of its game shows, or watched its cartoons and live-action programs endlessly.     

Now, with such a vast selection of shows, SOME of your favorites are not going to make this list. For example, I was never a big fan of weird Nicktoons like Aaahh!!! Real Monsters or Ren and Stimpy, so even though I know they were popular, they just weren’t for me (I LIKE weird stuff–you should just hear me talk about Tim and Eric’s Chrimbus Special). But, SOME of your favorites will be on this list, because how could they not be? We Nick kids think alike.    

Clarissa Explains It All 

Starring Melissa Joan Hart (before she was a teenage witch), Clarissa Explains It All was about a teenage girl just being, well, a teenage girl. She talked about stuff like pimples, boys, and school, usually breaking the fourth wall, Deadpool style, and was always funny about it. In every way, it was a show that likely spoke to teenage girls. 

Which is why it’s so surprising that I was such a big fan since I definitely WASN’T a teenage girl. Unlike The Adventures of Pete and Pete, which is another popular Nick show that just didn’t click with me, the weirdness of Clarissa Explains It All felt more self-contained and manageable. Like, even though Clarissa would talk about boys she was attracted to, she also talked about They Might Be Giants, video games, and her pet alligator, Elvis. The show lasted for five seasons, but you never had to consistently watch it. You could just tune in whenever and have a good time, which is why it ends up on this list. 

Rocko's Modern Life 

I know I said that I didn’t like weird shows like Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, but I LOVED Rocko’s Modern Life. The show was about an immigrant wallaby and his bizarre friends. And O-Town, which was where he resided, was pretty much a character of its own. In a lot of ways, Rocko’s Modern Life felt like baby’s first Seinfeld, as the plots were usually nonsensical and more a means to an end to slide in more adult humor. (Chokey Chicken, anyone?)  

It also led the way for the even more bizarre, sometimes risque, humor of SpongeBob SquarePants, which makes sense, because Rocko’s creative director created SpongeBob (RIP, Stephen Hillenburg). The show ran for four seasons, but honestly, every episode felt pretty much the same. (In a good way!) I can’t be the only one who loved this offbeat show, since it got an out-of-the-blue modern revival a few years back, which just goes to show that we Rocko fans back in the day knew what was up.    

Double Dare 

Nickelodeon’s first game show may not be its best, but it’s probably its most classic. Hosted by Marc Summers (the first version of the show, anyway), Double Dare consisted of quiz questions and physical challenges, with the challenges usually being hilarious, and almost always messy. In this way, you would think that Family Double Dare, which added parents, would be a lot more fun, but I always preferred the original to all the spin-offs.   

The major conceit of the show is the actual daring portion, where if kids didn’t know the answers, they could dare (or double dare) the other kids to get more cash prizes. The last obstacle course, which involved pulling a flag out of a nose, will forever live in my memories as Peak TV. You think I’m joking!  

Nickelodeon Guts 

While Double Dare seemed like fun, Nickelodeon Guts seemed like work. And, being a big boy back in the day who wore big boy pants (size 40 at age 13), I knew Nickelodeon Guts was the kind of show that I could watch, but never even dared imagine myself being on it like Double Dare. Hosted by Glee's Mike O’ Malley, and reffed by Moira “MO!” Quirk, Guts was all about athleticism, one elastic harness at a time.    

The events were always really fast-paced, and the show always ended with contestants scaling the Aggro Crag (Later the Super Aggro Crag on Global Guts). Interestingly, the show was always moving, and it almost seemed like the kind of game show that you’d see being made for kids today with their cell phone addled, short attention spans. So, even though I d-d-d-d-didn’t have it, I could still openly appreciate Guts for being the enthralling show that it was.  

My Brother And Me 

Goooo Punch! Sure, there were a lot of great Black sitcoms in the ‘90s, but none of them had predominantly kid casts like My Brother and Me. Lasting only one season, it was about the Parker family just living out their lives. That’s it. So, why is it on this list then?     

Well, it might be because it was about Black characters, but it never made a big deal about it. This was a show that was just about kids being kids. You had storylines about first kisses and trying out for basketball, and they were just wholesome, enjoyable episodes with relatable characters, who just happened to be Black. And for that, I loved it.  

Salute Your Shorts 

We hold you in our hearts, Salute Your Shorts! Lasting only two seasons, this series was about a bunch of campers at Camp Anawanna, and the hijinks they got into. Like a lot of the Nick shows of this era, the episodes were throwaway, but the characters were indispensable. 

Of course you had Budnick, your resident jerk with a mullet, Michael (and then later Ronnie in Season 2) as your everyboy hero, Kevin “Ug” Lee as your older bully, and my personal favorite, “Donkey Lips” Eddie Gelfand. The show worked because it was irreverent and almost seemed a bit counterculture (as opposed to the super lame Hey Dude, which lasted much longer). In summary, Salute Your Shorts was about jerky kids being jerks, and it actually made you like them. Sounds legit.  

The Secret World Of Alex Mack 

Depending on whom you ask, Alex Mack was a lighthearted adventure series about a girl who got splashed with chemical waste and acquired superpowers. Or, it was a show about shady scientists who were trying to cover up their malfeasance, and would do so by any means necessary, even if it meant assassination. This is because the series changed dramatically over its four seasons, kind of like Harry Potter over the course of its seven books. 

Rarely has a show so completely compared the struggles of acquiring superpowers with going through puberty, though. Alex (the super charming Larisa Oleynik) was just trying to find her way in the world, and she thought it was both cool (and scary!) to have powers, just like growing up itself. 

Kenan & Kel 

Kenan & Kel was like a version of The Three Stooges, but minus a Stooge. That’s not to say that Kenan and Kel would be bopping each other on the bean or anything like that. But, you always had a dynamic where one of them was always trying to scheme (Kenan), and the other would always inevitably mess it up (Kel). 

Believe it or not, this formula worked for four whole seasons. It might be because the show often liked to break the fourth wall, and it stayed fresh with both actors being masters of goofball comedy. Kenan and Kel reunited on SNL recently, and it meant a lot to us old fans. For a time, they were the funniest guys on TV (and in movies as well, with Good Burger), so seeing them at any point together is always a good time.      

Rugrats

Today, any kid will tell you that SpongeBob SquarePants is Nickelodeon’s most famous cartoon, but anybody who grew up in the ‘90s will tell you that it’s Rugrats. Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil, and Angelica were the primary babies and toddlers, but we’d later get Susie, and Tommy’s baby brother, Dylan, in later years. 

The show ran for nine seasons (Damn!), and was basically about a day in the life of a baby, and what they might possibly imagine as they go on little mental adventures together. It was cute, it was quirky, and it was funny, and America loved it. What can we say? Babies are adorable.

Legends Of The Hidden Temple 

Six teams with outrageous names like the Blue Barracudas and the Silver Snakes competed in both mental and physical challenges, all while a talking stone head named Olmec flapped its gums like it was a perfectly normal thing to do. 

Legends of the Hidden Temple was a top tier game show, mostly because of its final obstacle course, which had contestants assembling statues and running all about, while temple guards could jump out of nowhere and scare the crud out of them. It wasn’t as wacky as Double Dare, or as athletic as Guts, but it was somewhere in-between, making it a nice little variation on the tried and true formula of quiz game meets challenges.  

All That

Basically SNL for kids, All That, which ran for 11 seasons, was a sketch comedy show that featured the likes of Amanda Bynes, Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Lori Beth Denberg, and even Nick Cannon, just to name a few. The jokes could be kind of corny, and, if I’m being honest, it was never really all that funny, but, it was just cool to see a sketch comedy show with young actors making silly jokes just for us kids.

There were also musical guests, like Coolio, AZ, and Nas, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the intro song by TLC. The biggest takeaway, though, is that you really had to be there. This wasn’t SNL. It wasn’t Mad TV. It was All That, and it was all for us, making it special in its own sort of way.  

Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

If All That was SNL for kids, then Are You Afraid of the Dark? was The Twilight Zone for kids. It was an anthology series where kids would hunker down around a campfire, and then tell spooky stories, where we’d actually see visual representations of their tales. 

The show ran for five seasons, but was brought back a couple of times for revivals. That initial run is what I really remember, because some of the episodes were truly scary, like “The Tale of the Phantom Cab,” “The Tale of the Nightly Neighbors” and “The Tale of the Thirteenth Floor,” all of which really freaked me out as a kid. It might not have been bone-chilling, but it did its job. 

Again, I know shows like Doug and The Adventures of Pete and Pete didn’t make the list, but there were just too many popular shows to put on here, so I settled with 12. But, which ones were your favorite? For more news on Nickelodeon, be sure to swing by here often.  

As you may or may not be aware, voice actor Tom Kenny has been the voice of SpongeBob Squarepants on the iconic Nickelodeon series of the same name since 1999. Of course, many might also remember him from Adventure Time as the Ice King. However, there are likely a whole lot more movies and TV shows that you know him from without even realizing it.

In fact, it took a while to sift through nearly the 500 acting credits of the 58-year-old former stand-up comedian - not even counting his 2021 new movie releases (namely The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run on Paramount+). Luckily, I managed to narrow it down to 12 movies and TV shows of both an animated and live-action variety that present Tom Kenny at his best outside of Bikini Bottom. See if you remember spotting (or hearing) the man behind SpongeBob Squarepants as any of the following characters, starting with one of his more iconic villains.

Adventure Time (Ice King, Various)

It is hard to imagine the voice of SpongeBob playing anyone other than an innocent, child-like dolt, but Tom Kenny was Finn the Human and Jake the Dog’s arch-nemesis from 2010-2018. Yet, the Ice King was not even his first (and far from the last) character on the Cartoon Network hit Adventure Time (such as Lumpy Space King of Ice King’s hench-penguin Gunter), which is pretty common in his voice acting career. For instance…

Rocko’s Modern Life (Heffer Wolfe, Various)

Before landing a lead Nicktoons role, Tom Kenny was the slow-witted sidekick to Carlos Alazraqui’s titular Australian wallaby on Rocko’s Modern Life as Heffer - a male cow raised by wolves. Kenny also voiced Chuck Chameleon and Really Really Big Man among other on what was actually his first collaboration with late SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg, who also co-created the bizarre and often dark comedy in the early 1990s.

Mr. Show With Bob And David (Various)

In the mid-to-late 1990s, Tom Kenny's live-action talents were most prominently brought to light on Mr. Show with Bob and David. The “Bob and David” of the groundbreaking HBO sketch comedy series’ title are Breaking Bad and Nobody star Bob Odenkirk and Arrested Development’s David Cross, who would reboot the show on Netflix as W/ Bob and David, with Kenny returning, for another aggressively weird season in 2015.

CatDog (Dog, Various)

Speaking of aggressive weirdness, this classic Nicktoon, starring Tom Kenny as the canine half of a conjoined, inner-species brotherly duo, is a prime example of his reputation for playing slow-witted sidekicks before SpongeBob. Kenny also frequently voiced a tough bulldog named Cliff on CatDog, on which Kenny’s future Winnie the Pooh co-star Jim Cummings played his feline brother from 1998 until 2005.

Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends (Eduardo, Various)

Tom Kenny also was able work with many voice acting greats, including DC animated TV show veterans Phil LaMarr and Grey Griffin (née DeLisle), on this highly imaginative hit Cartoon Network show that won six Emmy Awards during its 2004-2009 run. Once again, Kenny had the liberty of playing multiple characters on Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, but his best-known role was the two-horned, two-eyed, Spanish-accented, purple people protector Eduardo.

The Powerpuff Girls (Narrator, Mayor)

Speaking of colorful people protectors, this other Cartoon Network classic about a trio of young girls with superpowers saw Tom Kenny show off his booming announcer voice, opening each episode with a reminder that it is set in the city of Townsville. He did not narrate The Powerpuff Girls’ 2016 revival as frequently as its 1998-2004 run, but did get to bring back his role as the Mayor quite often. I wonder if he has a chance at appearing on The CW’s live-action Powerpuff Girls series, which is now in the works.

Sky High (Mr. Timmerman)

If not, at least Tom Kenny can say he has starred in a live-action superhero movie before. In 2005’s underrated Disney gem Sky High, he and his real-life wife and Mr. Show co-star Jill Talley (also Plankton’s computer spouse, Karen, in the SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run cast) play a couple whose new house is almost destroyed by the titular school for young crimefighters after it literally falls from the sky.

The Batman (The Penguin)

In a rare instance of Tom Kenny playing just one character for an animated series’ entire run, he voiced bird-like villain The Penguin on The Batman (which follows a younger Bruce Wayne protecting Gotham) and the 2005 spin-off movie in which becomes Dracula’s minion. Of course, Kenny has played many additional DC characters, such as Mumbo on Teen Titans, Plastic Man (among others) on Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Commissioner James Gordon on DC Super Hero Girls (again, among others).

Ultimate Spider-Man (Doctor Octopus, Vulture)

Tom Kenny has also voiced a plethora of Marvel characters, not counting a vocal cameo in Ant-Man as an ugly rabbit doll Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) gives young Cassie for her birthday. His personal record for most roles in a single Marvel adaptation comes from the animated Ultimate Spider-Man series, on which he has appeared as villains Doctor Octopus and Vulture most frequently.

The Transformers Movies (Wheelie, Skids)

Tom Kenny can also claim to be involved with both the live-action cinematic and modern animated TV adaptations of the Transformers franchise. As expected, he has an innumerable amount of characters from the show, but appears as both Decepticon Wheelie and controversial twin Autobot Skids in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, reprised Wheelie as a full-fledge Autobot in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and later appeared as the tiny alien robot again in Transformers: The Last Knight in 2017.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Greedo, Various)

On the other hand, Tom Kenny has yet to appear in any live-action Star Wars movies, but still has a prominent role of the universe through lending his voice to many well-known characters. He has played the likes of Greedo (the one Han shot first at) and Nute Gunray on the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, in addition to voicing X-wing pilot, and friend of Luke Skywalker, Biggs Darklighter in two Star Wars: Rogue Squadron video games.

The Spyro Video Games (Spyro, Various)

Speaking of video games, Tom Kenny has appeared in many, including several that are related to SpongeBob Squarepants if you can believe it. His most famous video game-specific character, however, would have to be Spyro - the purple dragon, which he has been voicing since the second installment of the series, 1999’s Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage.

At 22 years, Tom Kenny has been voicing Spyro as long as he has played SpongeBob, but the porous, yellow bottom dweller is easily his defining role and one he is far from finished playing. After more than 200 episodes of SpongeBob Squarepants, three movies, and the prequel series Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, now Bill Fagerbakke’s Patrick Star is getting his own spin-off which Kenny is also set appear on. I guess we have no choice but to be “ready.”

Summer is winding down, but just because vacation season is slowing and the kids are headed back to school doesn't mean things are all bad. Netflix is still churning out quality original content, which can numb that growing pain that the dog days of summer are ending.

And, as has been the case these past few months, Netflix has a lot of exciting new shows paired alongside some acclaimed heavy hitters returning to the lineup. This month has everything: serial killers, pro wrestling, political conspiracies, Nicktoons and other nostalgia all on deck. Such is the Netflix originals lineup in August, which hits the gas and doesn't stop until the month's end.

Wu Assassins - 8/8

Martial arts and sci-fi fans rejoice, The Raid's Iko Uwais is back with his own Netflix original. Uwais plays a San Francisco chef who hails from a long line of assassins. He's bestowed with the power of Wu, and must keep that power out of the hands of evildoers. Anyone who has see Uwais' insane fight choreography skills (or read him talking about fighting) should know this will be an action-packed adventure, so let's hope the story is the same quality.

The Family - 8/9

Netflix's upcoming original docu-series is an exposé of sorts of one of the most influential political organizations many may not know about. The episodes highlight the legacy of "The Fellowship," a religious organization that has quite the pull in American politics. Netflix's categories for this series include "conspiracy theories" and "provocative," for the record, so viewers may want to do a little more research on this organization after watching.

GLOW (Season 3)- 8/9

GLOW is back for Season 3, and the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling are kicking off their run in Las Vegas. That residency in Sin City won't be without issues, as power struggles will put friendships on the line and sexual tension may very well create a budding romance or two. GLOW scored five Emmy nominations for Season 2, and has two awards under its belt already. Those who aren't caught up better get on board and get ready for another potentially award-winning season.

Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling - 8/9

After what feels like a lifetime of waiting, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling is finally coming to Netflix. The movie brings audiences back to the franchise, and puts Rocko, Heffer and Filburt back in O-Town after 25 years of being in space. They'll soon learn a lot has changed since they were away, and maybe some things haven't. I would assume that, regardless the year, garbage day remains a very dangerous day.

Better Than Us - 8/16

Netflix has an interesting sci-fi original in mid-August, as Russian series Better Than Us follows a family who gets a killer android. This is significant because this is the first murder case involving an experimental humanoid, so there's bound to be some conflict in how to address that. It sounds like a show perfect for those who live for premises like those in Black Mirror, and a stark look at problems we may face in the near future.

Diagnosis - 8/16

In what may be the most interesting docu-series of the month, Diagnosis highlights individuals suffering from a mysterious illness and their quest to get a diagnosis and the cure to their malady. If that premise sounds familiar, it's because it's based off The New York Times Magazine column of the same name. This show sounds as though it will have more answers than questions, as doctors utilize unique methods to find an answer patients hadn't found previously.

Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus- 8/16

After a long time away (both within the context of the series and in real life), Zim is back and ready to enact his big plan of world domination. Fortunately for Earth, Dib is going to do all he can to prevent that from happening and perhaps finally find a way to expose Zim as an alien. Will he be successful? Does this classic Nicktoons series still have a loyal fanbase? We'll get an answer soon enough!

Mindhunter (Season 2) - 8/16

It's been almost two years, but finally Mindhunter is returning for its sophomore season. This time around, Holden Ford and Bill Tench will get to put all that information and interviews they gathered in Season 1 to work and use it in an effort to catch a serial child murderer. For true crime lovers looking for specifics, this season is based on the Atlanta murders of 1979-1981. We suggest not reading about it to avoid spoilers.

Hyperdrive - 8/21

Fast and Furious fans, this will be the show to binge while that animated series is still in development. Hyperdrive takes some of the world's top street racers and gives them souped up cars to drive on an obstacle course. Judging from the picture above, that includes outmaneuvering cars suspended in the air. Sounds exciting, but will it deliver the same excitement other staple racing shows have given car aficionados over the years?

Million Pound Menu (Season 2) - 8/27

Million Pound Menu is back for another season, which means more chefs are vying for the chance to wow investors and get money for their own restaurant. For those who haven't watched, this series is like Shark Tank if investors got to try and get a preview of how the pitched product would perform in a test setting. It's a cool premise, and it's a real shame there isn't an American adaptation of this!

The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance - 8/30

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is coming to Netflix at the end of August, and it still doesn't feel real. Jim Henson's cult classic is seriously getting another installment with an all-star cast? It's a wonderful thing and a testament to the fact that streaming has brought us some amazing shows that network television and cable may not have taken a chance on. Anyway, the original Dark Crystal is already on Netflix for anyone who wants to watch or re-watch it ahead of time to prepare!

Netflix New Releases: Movies And TV Shows Coming To Netflix Streaming In August 2019

There's always something exciting on the way when it comes to Netflix, so be sure to stick with CinemaBlend for updates on what's happening with it and other streaming services.

For just about every 1990s kid, the name Nickelodeon is synonymous with entertainment. The network had a string of original hit series over the course of the decade (and beyond), with each one carving out a unique identity for itself, and the Nicktoons brand stood above all else. However, despite the fact that the animated series were specifically geared towards kids, it's almost impossible to deny that some of them were (and still are) insanely weird. Even for adults.

On that note, we have gone through the pantheon of classic Nickelodeon cartoons (most of which can be seen on The Splat programming block) and compiled a list of the ten weirdest shows ever to grace the network. Take a look at our list, and let us know what you think of these classically surreal cartoons in the comments below. Now let's strap a belt around our head and dive in to see which of these absurd shows made the cut.

10. Doug

On the surface, Doug seemed like a show about a new kid in town with a wildly active imagination. We regularly floated through Doug Funnie's imagination as he placed himself into the various identities of fictional heroes like Quailman, Jack Bandit, and Smash Adams -- all characters that he would actually play out in real life. Couple that with an anthropomorphic dog named Porkchop, a quasi-romance with a girl named Patti Mayonaise, and various characters of all shapes, sizes, and colors -- Why was Skeeter blue? -- in his hometown of Bluffington, and Doug provided one of the weirdest takes on adolescence that we have ever seen on Nickelodeon.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

9. The Wild Thornberrys

Compared to other shows on this list, The Wild Thornberrys seems normal on the surface because of its earnestness, much like Doug in a way. Focusing on a young girl who can talk to animals, the show followed the titular family in their quest to document and save nature. In execution, however, the show was far weirder than it usually gets credit for, as its references to famous scientists, focus on teen angst, and consistent storylines about preservation made it one of Nick's most layered and out-of-the-box shows. With the delightful Tim Curry added to the mix as Nigel Thornberry, you're left with one weird kid-based property.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

8. The Angry Beavers

Cartoons that aired on Nickelodeon were well-known for their use of double entendres, obscure pop culture references, and jokes that would (more often than not) go over the heads of the young viewers, and The Angry Beavers epitomized that idea during its run on the network. Centering on brothers Norbert and Daggett, The Angry Beavers was rooted in the concept of family, but the oddball comedy would also dig deep into the annals of pop culture -- offering up a bear modeled on Barry White, an imaginary superhero (provocatively) called "Muscular Beaver," and consistent references to classic movies and TV shows such as The Twilight Zone.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

7. Spongebob Squarepants

At this point, a show like SpongeBob SquarePants needs no introduction. Though many Nickelodeon cartoons have maintained their popularity in the years since they first achieved their fame, SpongeBob has persisted in meme culture arguably better than any other Nick property -- whether it is because of the mystery of Old Man Jenkins, or a Krabby Patty's secret recipe, just to name a couple. Though the stories told on the show were often incredibly simple, the writing featured some serious deep-cut references to figures like Toulouse-Lautrec and Salvador Dali -- with plenty of bluntly sexual jokes thrown in for good measure. And some of that animation is the stuff of magnificent nightmares.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

6. KaBlam!

KaBlam! stands apart from the other shows on this list because it was actually a variety show hosted by two animated characters -- Henry and June. The show featured a broad range of cartoon and stop-motion segments (such as Prometheus and Bob and Action League NOW!), and it's clear that Adult Swim and Robot Chicken owe a considerable debt of gratitude for the bizarre DNA that KaBlam! provided. On a relatively mainstream children's network, a variety show like KaBlam! embraced alternative comedy in a way that we have seldom seen since the show went off the air back in 2000. All That! couldn't compare.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

5. CatDog

CatDog was not unlike The Angry Beavers regarding how it approached its brotherly dynamic. Taking ample inspiration from The Odd Couple, the core emotional through-line of the series centered on their conflicting styles as individuals (despite being literally attached at the hip, or however you want to put it ). However, unlike Beavers, CatDog embraced a far darker tone and often put its two heroes in far creepier situations involving more villainous characters such as The Greaser Dogs and Rancid Rabbit. CatDog's existence was frequently portrayed as a bad situation for both characters, and it made for some utterly bizarre episodes about dealing with life's inconveniences.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

4. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

Long before Pixar introduced the world to Mike Wazowski and Sully with Monsters, Inc., Nickelodeon introduced us to the idea of an entire monster bureaucracy with Aaahh! Real Monsters. Premiering on Halloween in 1994, the show ran for four seasons and never shied away from embracing a decidedly gothic tone and visual style, while also offering up some truly lovable characters in the form of Ickis, Oblina, Krumm, and The Gromble. (Less lovable than the others, but still.) If you grew up loving Tim Burton, then there's a pretty good chance that you can trace some of that love back to the distinct stylings of this creepily wonderful cartoon.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

3. Invader Zim

Invader Zim is arguably the darkest Nickelodeon show on this list. The science fiction cartoon told the story of an alien who accidentally lands on Earth when his overlords want to get rid of him on their homeworld, and showcases his subsequent battles with a human boy. In many ways, Invader Zim has more in common with a classic David Cronenberg body horror story than anything else ever seen on Nick, as the show consistently embraced violence, darkness, and sheer weirdness to deliver its best jokes and most striking moments. With a movie reportedly on the way, we could all be singing the Doom Song one more time very soon.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

2. Rocko's Modern Life

Pretty much every show on this list thrived on subtle jokes that only adults could pick up on, but few could pull off that delicate balancing act quite like Rocko's Modern Life, which went adult with entire storylines. Centering on a timid wallaby and his best friends (a free-spirited cow and a neurotic turtle), the show took a number of bold chances -- offering audiences episodes about cults, addiction recovery, death, hell (run by a fabulously sinister figure named Peaches), and prison. With a revival currently in the works that will tackle modern society, we can rest easy knowing that there's plenty more of this absurdist humor on the way.

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

1. Ren and Stimpy

Last, but definitely not least, we come to Ren and Stimpy, which remains the definitive WTF and endlessly dark TV show ever to grace Nickelodeon. Violent, vulgar, and utterly insane, this acid trip of an animated series centered on the adventures of a neurotic chihuahua and a loveable fat cat, and it continues to have far more in common with the type of programming seen on Adult Swim's classic, late-night block of programming like Aqua Teen Hunger Force than anything that has followed it on Nick. (Maybe blame that on the network's issues with creator John Kricfalusi, who was ousted and replaced, leading to the far sub-standard later seasons.) Episodes that should be considered required viewing: "Space Madness," "Stimpy's Invention," and "Powdered Toast Man."

Want to see the weirdness for yourself? Take a look at the clip below!

To see what weird new and returning TV shows are hitting the small screen soon, head to our fall premiere schedule.

When the TV gods are smiling, viewers usually win out, and that's definitely the case with the impending comeback of the classic Nicktoon Rocko's Modern Life. Bringing the beloved wallaby and his friends into the 21st century, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling is one big way Nickelodeon is honoring the older animated series that turned the channel into a juggernaut. Creator Joe Murray, writer/star Mr. Lawrence, star Tom Kenny and more were gloriously on hand for this year's Comic-Con, where everyone shared how the highly anticipated project came together. Here's how Murray put it during the panel.

Joe Murray was definitely being cheeky there with that last sentiment, but the cheering crowd probably proved that he should absolutely be glad that decision was made. While the entire lineup of Nicktoons definitely deserves a comeback in some form or fashion, Rocko's Modern Life is the kind of project that CAN make a bizarre return after 20 years without having to worry about the characters' ages (like Rugrats) or having to necessarily wrap up important narrative points (like the Hey Arnold movie). Rocko, Heffer and Filburt -- not to mention the plethora of fantastic side-characters -- can inexplicably reappear in 2017/2018 for more satirical and slightly curmudgeonly antics, and it immediately works.

Mr. Lawrence, who voices Filburt and others, talked more during the panel about what the mindset was as Joe Murray gathered the creative team together to discuss the potential future for Rocko's Modern Life. And it sounds like a total blast.

The first footage from Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling was revealed during the Comic-Con panel, and was subsequently released online, showing fans just how hardcore the upcoming special dove into modern society. Particularly when it comes to consumables like coffee and food truck fare. It must have been a blast, and also mildly overwhelming, for everyone to realize just how different life is now.

I had the absolute pleasure of talking to both Mr. Lawrence and voice actor extraordinaire Tom "Heffer and also SpongeBob" Kenny ahead of the panel, and Lawrence revealed to me the very first gag they came up with for Rocko's return. (Even though it won't actually get seen by anyone.)

That sounds so brilliantly in tune with Rocko's Modern Life, and we did see an extension of that concept in the footage, with both Heffer and Filburt going crazy over getting the new O-Phones. Of course, Heffer goes crazy over everything, but Filburt's excitement was fun to watch.

If this early clip and creation stories are any indication, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling will be exactly what fans have been hoping for during the past two decades. And we'll all get to see it in its full glory when it premieres on Nickelodeon at some point in 2018. (Damned animation.) In the meantime, head to our summer TV premiere schedule to see what'll get here a lot sooner. And you can watch that previously mentioned footage on the next page.

Television nowadays is in an era of reboots, remakes, and revivals, with many long-cancelled series coming back for another go on the small screen. Nickelodeon is in on the revival game, as a number of its classic shows will be back with special TV movies. Everybody's favorite talking wallaby and his pals are getting the revival treatment with a special that will be called Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling. CinemaBlend's own Nick Venable was in the audience at the Rocko's Modern Life panel at San Diego Comic-Con, and he was among the first to see footage of Rocko and Co. in the 21st century. Take a look!

In case you were afraid that there was no way a Rocko's Modern Life revival could possibly recapture the magic of the original, I'd say that this sneak peek should allay some of your fears. The animation style hasn't been given a 21st century an update, and the voice cast is back for another go. It could totally pass for something produced 20 years ago, smart phones and gritty 3D superhero movies aside.

The crowd at San Diego Comic-Con was ecstatic throughout the whole panel. They also got to see character models for the special on the big screen, and they were definitely worth celebrating. If you weren't already totally psyched for more Rocko's Modern Life, you definitely should be now.

As somebody who started laughing as soon as Filburt dropped the "Let's frolic innocently in nature!" line, I'm definitely on board to see what the Rocko's Modern Life team has put together for the revival. The show isn't holding back on modernizing Rocko's Modern Life, although hopefully the inclusion of the radioactive energy drink won't become true-to-life any time soon. I'm all for jolts of caffeine, but I draw the line at tentacles and extra heads.

If you were wondering if there's a reason why Rocko and his pals only just discovered the 21st century, it turns out that there's an in-story reason why they didn't realize the 90s were over. In Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling, the group will return to Earth after they were lost in space in 1996. Heffer and Filburt are going to totally embrace the delights of technology, the spiral of social media, and all the joys that the endless variety of food trucks can provide.

Rocko, on the other hand, will clearly have less enthusiasm for how much the world has changed since 1996. If I got food poisoning from a taco truck and punched in the face by Really Really Big Man, I think I'd rather go back to the 90s as well. Our hero will believe that his nostalgia for his glory days will spare him the torment of modern life.

The new special has been written and executive produced by Joe Murray, who created the original series. Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling won't debut until 2018, so we have a while to wait, but we can get a blast from another animated past this fall with Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie. Be sure to stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest news from San Diego Comic-Con!

The modern TV schedule almost always has a handful of noteworthy remakes and revivals sprinkled around, and recent years have really upped that ante. Yet another iteration of The Odd Couple came and went, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore made a big return for Netflix and audiences are currently getting their brains softly bludgeoned by David Lynch and Twin Peaks: The Return. And so, of course, it's perfectly natural to be curious about what else might be on the way.

Below, we've pulled together all of the biggest and most anticipated remakes, revivals and other returns that are currently in development for your small screen enjoyment. Some are much further along than others, for better or worse, and we'll let you know where each show is at on its journey to our eyeballs. Let's kick things off with a blue-collar classic.

Roseanne

Roseanne had already cemented itself as an unforgettable sitcom by Season 8's finale, but Season 9's ballsy change in its lottery-stained direction threatened the show's spot in TV history. Thankfully, former star Sara Gilbert tested fan hunger with a well-timed interview with John Goodman on The Talk earlier this year, and even though Roseanne Barr herself tried to play coy with where things were headed, a legitimate Roseanne comeback was soon announced, with the likelihood of Dan Conner's death getting retconned in some way.

Its Current Status: ABC has already ordered up the eight-episode return, which will come back as a midseason replacement in 2018, with every principal cast member returning, and then some.

Star Trek: Discovery

J.J. Abrams' recent spearheading of Star Trek's return to the big screen took the reboot angle, but when the iconic sci-fi franchise returns to TV, it's staying in-canon and going the prequel route in bringing audiences an all-new batch of space-faring (and apparently body-dropping) adventures. The first TV series since Enterprise's 2005 finale, Star Trek: Discovery first went into development near the end of 2015, and has faced an uphill battle in the meantime, losing a showrunner and idea-producer in Bryan Fuller a little less than a year later.

Its Current Status: The much-delayed series will finally make its official debut on CBS on Sunday, September 24, with those and future episodes airing on CBS All Access. And it looks great.

Charmed

Easily one of the most popular TV shows to feature witches as its main characters, Charmed offered up the super-team of Shannon Doherty, Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs (and later the big TV debut for Rose McGowan). A huge hit for then-network The WB, Charmed became its highest-rated series, as well as the #2 longest-running series with female leads. But its final season was less magical, thanks to the UPN-WB merger (that made way for The CW) causing budget cuts. In 2017, four years after CBS' own remake plans were dashed,The CW announced a Charmed reboot was going into development.

Its Current Status: Less than a month after that initial announcement, The CW publicly stated the reboot's pilot was being pushed back to allow for a complete creative revamp. So maybe in 2018...

DuckTales

Woo-oo! The classic Disney animated series DuckTales first appeared 30 years ago, wrapping its run in 1990, and its semi-timelessness speaks to not only the company's animation standards, but also the rich history of Carl Banks' brilliant comic books about the extended Duck-filled universe. Back in 2015, Disney announced that a new take on DuckTales was being developed, meant to rekindle the adventurous feelings of the past for newer audiences. Hopefully announcements for Darkwing Duck and Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers are to soon follow.

*Its Current Status: *The new DuckTales series, with stars like David Tennant and Bobby Moynihan, is set for its big Disney XD premiere on Saturday, August 12. What's more, Disney already ordered up a second season to air in 2018.

American Idol

Due to flagging ratings and a bloated budget, the once domineering reality competition American Idol was cancelled by Fox in 2015, though talks about reviving it were happening even before its finale came into existence. Production company FremantleMedia shopped the project around for a while, with several networks beyond Fox showing interest, and ABC came out of the bidding game with American Idol's future in its House-of-Mouse hands, with plans to bring it back to the top of the zeitgeist.

Its Current Status: ABC formally ordered up a new season of American Idol to air in 2018, and possibly without Ryan Seacrest as the host. At the time of this writing, pop star Katy Perry is the only new addition confirmed for the judge's table.

Young Justice

While big-named superheroes are constantly appearing on the big screen without a lot to stand in their way, it's sometimes harder for TV shows to keep up the same consistency. For instance, Cartoon Network's teen-skewing animated series Young Justice was both a critical and a ratings hit when it debuted in early 2011, so it was hugely shocking when the series was shelved after two seasons. (Blame it on toy companies.) Due to impressive viewership on Netflix, though, serious talks started making the rounds in 2016 about bringing the fan favorite back.

Its Current Status: The Season 3 return of Young Justice, subtitled Outsiders, was announced earlier this year, and it will be one of the launch titles for DC Comics' upcoming exclusive streaming service.

Dynasty

If you were looking for the juiciest primetime TV possible in the 1980s, there's a good chance your remote always landed on Dynasty during its 9-season run. The soapy trials and tribulations of the Carrington and Colby families would have been awful to live through, but were just fine to watch on the small screen, and the show is most often remembered for its vicious brawls between characters. (If you've ever thought about getting into a slap-fight with someone inside of a decorative fountain, that's Dynasty.) 26 years after the Dynasty: The Reunion special wrapped things up, The CW announced a new version was on the way.

Its Current Status: With Gossip Girl's Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage behind it, the new Dynasty reboot was confirmed earlier this year and is set for an October 11 premiere date.

Arrested Development

This is a story about a family whose on-screen complications are only slightly more involved than what goes on behind-the-scenes in order to get the massive ensemble cast back together to film more episodes. Netflix saved Arrested Development from Fox's cancellation, with Season 4 being released 7 years after Season 3 concluded, and the polarizing batch of episodes was left open-ended in the event that more could be made in the future. And ever since, the Internet has been a big ball of "Will Season 5 happen?"

Its Current Status: After all those the answer "It'll happen one day" from all involved, star Jason Bateman confirmed his involvement earlier this year, and the official Season 5 renewal announcement soon followed, with a 2018 premiere date in the books.

The Twilight Zone

Before American Horror Story reconfigured the TV anthology series, the format was previously perfected in the episode-to-episode change-ups of Rod Serling's 1960s classic, The Twilight Zone, as influential a series as they come. Influential enough to have already had two successful (enough) reboots, with one coming during the mid-1980s and the next hitting UPN in the early 2000s. The latter did not last very long, and not even a decade passed before Bryan Singer and CBS teamed up for a new revival, although it's been pretty slow going ever since that 2012 announcement.

Its Current Status: While Bryan Singer may or may not be involved anymore, The Twilight Zone reboot got a shot of exciting news in 2016 when BioShock co-creator Ken Levine signed on to develop an interactive take on the franchise. No word on how it's going, but CBS hasn't shelved it yet.

Living Single

For five seasons -- which are still arguably far more under-appreciated than they deserve to be -- the Fox comedy Living Single made audiences laugh while turning former rap starlet Queen Latifah into a bona fide actress. Sadly, TV didn't exactly embrace "a group of funny black women" as a TV trope in the years following the show's finale, and it will apparently take the literal return of Living Single in order to get another show with a similar cast of characters. Good thing Queen Latifah was talking about doing just that.

Its Current Status: It was only earlier this year when Queen Latifah dropped the infobomb that she's developing a revival for Living Single, with hopes of getting the full cast back. Nothing big has come up since, but our own hopes are high.

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

Back in 2003, before reality TV entries took up half of all programming, Bravo premiered Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, the rare series that not only focused on a group of gay men, but also flaunted their homosexuality as a core facet of the concept. (Plus, the show introduced the world to Ted Allen, who remains one of TV's finest hosts on Food Network's Chopped.) The Emmy-winning series later loosened its titular rules to allow makeovers for others, ending after five seasons. But because Queer Eye's central focus is timeless, a reboot always seemed inevitable.

Its Current Status: Netflix announced earlier this year that a revived version of Queer Eye was being developed with a new Fab Five at its core and new destinations for them to travel to. That said, it's unclear if this will be a 2017 or 2018 release.

The Tick

With both Marvel and DC comic book characters appearing everywhere on the small screen, you might not think there would be any room left for the return of The Tick, Ben Edlund's offbeat and partially insane hero-spoofing superdude was indeed the subject of a TV reboot. While the comic character spent the 1990s as an animated series and a live-action comedy starring Patrick Warburton, both shows were too short-lived, and when Amazon announced a new Tick remake would be part of its Pilot Season process, all we could say was "Spoon!"

Its Current Status: Starring the hilarious Peter Serafinowicz in the title role, The Tick was officially ordered for a full season at Amazon, and it's set to debut on Friday, August 25.

Will & Grace

When it premiered in 1998, Will & Grace was a spearheader for gay characters as TV leads, and it spent eight seasons on NBC making audiences laugh while allowing them to do their best Sean "Just Jack" Hayes impressions in the comfort of their homes. Talks about a reboot went into high gear after cast and crew members reunited in 2016 to create a standalone short tied to the Presidential election, and it wasn't long before NBC got official with its intentions to bring the fabulous foursome back for today's TV audiences.

Its Current Status: NBC didn't take long to make the Will & Grace revival a thing, and it'll make its newest primetime debut this fall. The network even upped the initial episode count from 10 to 12 after the ball got rolling.

Lost in Space

Now that space has finally become an exciting concept again for TV -- with shows like The Expanse and the upcoming Orville winning out -- it's no surprise that one of the most iconic sci-fi series of the space-loving 1960s would emerge anew in the 21st century. And while the original Lost in Space may look dated by today's standards, the fact that the prestige-oozing Netflix stepped in to take on the reboot likely means the new version will look gorgeous for at least the next 50 years.

Its Current Status: First going into development back in 2014, Lost in Space is set for a 2018 premiere on Netflix, with a cast that includes Toby Stephens, Molly Parker, Ignacio Serricchio and Parker Posey.

Rocko's Modern Life

You probably can't read the name of this show without vocalizing it as it went in the theme song, and we'll thankfully be singing it again in front of our TVs at some point, with an all-new adventure facing the put-upon wallaby. Lasting for four seasons in the early 1990s, Rocko's Modern Life remains a fan favorite Nicktoon, and fans get pumped each time Nickelodeon finds a way to rebroadcast its classic series. (Currently through the Splat programming lineup.) We didn't even have to wait until the cows came home to get Heffer the cow to come back to our homes in a new TV special.

Its Current Status: Announced in 2016 and titled in June 2017, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling will bring the entire cast back together, but it's not clear when it'll be ready for premiere.

The Mickey Mouse Club

No, this wouldn't be a new version of the insufferable-for-parents animated series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but rather a new take on the tween-friendly series whose first iteration debuted on ABC back in 1955. With its gang of singing Mouseketeers as the main focus, The Mickey Mouse Club offered up a variety of cartoons, sketches and music, and did so across several rebooted versions across the years -- once in 1977 and again in 1989, with South Korea's Disney channel bringing the show back in 2015. Disney has far more channels and programming than it did back in the day, so news about a modern-day reboot wasn't all that surprising.

Its Current Status: While the development process is ongoing, it was announced in May 2017 that Disney would be teaming up with Facebook for a new iteration that will be dubbed Club Mickey Mouse.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Unlike Seinfeld, Larry David's other TV comedy juggernaut, Curb Your Enthusiasm didn't have an official finale or final season on HBO, with its Season 8 run in 2011 only serving as a temporary stopgap. Gloriously, though, 2016 brought the news that a new season was going into development, and star JB Smoove has been the frequent informational hub for Curb's return, which will introduce Lauren Graham has a new character that Larry will likely have to get into an uncomfortable confrontation with at one time or 50 others.

Its Current Status: While not confirmed, an October 1 premiere date has been rumored for Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 9, and it seems likely that HBO will go public with more news soon.

These aren't the only remakes and revivals out there, of course, but we'll be bringing you round-ups of all the others soon. While waiting, you might find some of these shows popping up on our summer TV premiere guide, but you'll have to go check it to find out.

Get ready to wash your hands after taking part in Garbage Day, because Nickelodeon's upcoming Rocko's Modern Life TV movie just got some exciting news. The original voice actors from the subtlety irreverent '90s animated series will be back in tow for Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling, which is the project's new and official title. Here's who will be returning, as well as what we can expect to see when Rocko and the gang return to our lives in the modern era.

Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling would not be a revival without it's leading man, and Reno 911 vet Carlos Alazraqui has signed on to voice the titular wallaby, his dog Spunky, and Leon, one of those green long-necked twins. Legendary voice actor Tom Kenny is also slated to return, as both Heffer and Really Really Big Man, which should blow the minds of younger fans who only know him as Adventure Time's Ice King or Spongebob Squarepants's main character.

Doug Lawrence will return as the shell-backed Filburt, and other former series regulars like Charlie Adler (the Big Heads), Linda Wallem (Dr. Hutchinson), Jill Talley (Nosey), and creator Joe Murray (Ralph Big Head) will lend their voices to their respective characters as well. And it's not just about the former stars, as Eastbound & Down's Steve Little and the Rocko movie's director Cosmo Segurson will jump on as newcomers to the series as Cowboy and Pillow Salesman, respectively.

Each actor will return to each of their respective characters, who have been lost in space since 1996, and Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling will find Rocko and the gang attempting to adjust to 21st century living and all the stress that comes along with it. Heffer and Filburt should have no trouble going with the flow, but Rocko definitely will face some troubles adjusting to new life.

Does that mean we're about to see Rocko get on Tinder and have some strange encounter? Considering some of the unsavory stuff the show was able to sneak by censors back in the day, it wouldn't be surprising. The press announcement teased the show will be revealing more details on the series via social media, to inform fans young and slightly-less-young who want to follow along with the process.

Rocko's Modern Life is one of three classic Nicktoons that will get an upcoming revival, with Hey Arnold and Invader Zim also earning TV-based features of their own. Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling, is set to premiere in 2018, but fans will get their first taste of Nickelodeon nostalgia with Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie this fall. Invader Zim's return has yet to receive a premiere date, but it's safe to speculate that the film won't be making its premiere in 2017.

Gloriously, Rocko's Modern Life airs sporadically during the late night hours on Teen Nick, so set your DVR for any potential airings that could pop up from now until the premiere of Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling in 2018. There's also a lot of great television for those looking for something to get hooked on, so get started by searching our summer premiere guide for all shows new and returning. Also, for those who may not be aware, there's also an entirely separate Nicktoons crossover movie that has been in development for awhile, and it got some rather unsavory news recently. Check out which Nicktoons will not be in tow for the massive crossover right here.

When most of us think of kids' TV shows, we probably think of series filled with mostly innocent adventures and lessons about life, with maybe a handful of adult jokes thrown in for the parents watching. Still, there are some TV shows that have aired on networks devoted to kids' programming that got surprisingly dark and probably fueled the nightmares of youngsters everywhere. In fact, some of us might have to wonder what kind of people we would have become if we'd watched lighter shows as kids. Plenty of the darkest series on Nickelodeon, and we've picked out eight that were way darker than they should have been. Check them out!

Rugrats

There is something fundamentally creepy about a show following the adventures of a bunch of babies who can talk and reason and concoct plots, and Rugrats didn't hold back from getting pretty dark. Sure, we got classic shenanigans like the Reptar On Ice tale, but we also got terrifying dream sequences and fantasies. Judging by some of the teases, I don't even want to think about what Grandpa Lou got up to in his alone time. Then, there's what happened to Chuckie's mom. Oh, poor, poor Chuckie. Why was the world so cruel to you so early in life?

Ren & Stimpy

The animated series Ren & Stimpy was all about the shenanigans of the imbalanced chihuahua Ren and his not-especially-bright cat pal Stimpy. Episodes were filled with adult humor, sexual innuendo, and bodily fluids, but those weren't necessarily what made it such a dark program. What ranks Ren & Stimpy among the darkest kids' series is all the graphic and even bloody violence, which could range from Ren smashing himself in the head with a hammer to beating somebody with a paddle to plucking the nerve endings out of his mouth with tweezers.

Hey Arnold

Compared to some of the other kids' shows that made this list, Hey Arnold didn't feature a whole lot in the way of sexual innuendo or graphic violence. In fact, most of the trauma on Hey Arnold was emotional, which can arguably be much worse. The story of why Helga is such a bully is pretty heartbreaking, and then there was poor Stoop Kid, who was an orphan with no home beyond his stoop, but do we remember him for his tragic story? No, we remember the chant of "Stoop Kid's afraid to leave his stoop!" See what you did to us, Hey Arnold?

Animorphs

Based on a book series of the same name, Animorphs followed a group of five teenagers after they gained the ability to morph into whatever animal they touched. A dying alien gave them the morphing powers to battle the evil parasite race known as the Yeerks, which was infiltrating Earth, infesting humans, and taking over their bodies to turn them into Controllers. One of the heroes found out that his brother was a Controller, and another became trapped in the body of a hawk almost immediately. Sure, the show wasn't nearly as dark as the book series, but the Yeerk invaders were pretty sinister.

Rocko's Modern Life

Like Ren & Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life managed to sneak in an awful lot of innuendo, although with fewer graphic beatings and psychosis from the main characters. Still, it put its characters in some pretty rough situations, some of which involved drugs, death, and seriously inappropriate overtures from Mrs. Bighead to Rocko. The episode that takes the cake, however, has to be the one that kills off Heffer and sends down him to Hell... well, Heck. Nickelodeon can temporarily kill off characters to send them down to eternal damnation, but only as long as it's Heck. We can have hellfire, just not Hell.

Mr. Meaty

Mr. Meaty is one of the more obscure series to air on Nickelodeon, and it only ran for 20 episodes, but it packed a lot of grim punch into those 20 episodes. The series stars Josh and Parker, who work at the fast food joint called Mr. Meaty, and they get into all kind of trouble. Who can forget the time Parker got a job elsewhere and ended up as the intended main course for a bunch of cannibals? Or when Parker got a huge and epically gross tapeworm? Or when he channeled his inner Freddy Krueger when he didn't get invited to a party? I know I haven't.

Invader Zim

In hindsight, it's kind of hard to believe that Invader Zim ever made it to the airwaves on Nickelodeon, as it could get pretty obscenely nightmarish at times. Admittedly, there were some silly hijinks that came with the alien Zim's mission to conquer earth and enslave the human race, all while attending school with a bunch of kids, but there were also some really, really dark episodes. We got a Christmas episode that introduced a carol with the words "His jolly boots of doom," an acne-themed half hour that involved mind-controlling pus, and that merry little episode all about Zim harvesting his classmates' organs.

Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

What would a list of macabre kids' shows be without Are You Afraid of the Dark? It was the series that made kids afraid of things that weren't at all scary before. If you liked dolls, fairy tales, clowns, making new friends, and other wonderful things, Are You Afraid of the Dark could definitely cure you of those fancies. It was actually a pretty fabulous show if you liked horror, but it also told stories that could haunt your dreams well into adulthood. The kids in the stories didn't even all get happy endings at the end.

What are your favorite dark Nickelodeon shows? Let us know in the comments! Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest in TV news, and don't forget to check out our summer TV premiere schedule to discover all your viewing options now and in the coming weeks. Be sure to drop by our rundowns for cable/streaming and broadcast TV renewals and cancellations as well.

These are magical days indeed for anyone who grew up with Nickelodeon as a surrogate guardian, as the network is still in the early stages of bringing the biggest Nicktoons of yesteryear back to modern audiences, with the highly anticipated Hey Arnold! TV movie kicking it all off. (Well, I guess the launch of Splat was the real origin here.) The latest beloved franchise to get a welcomed resurrection is the oft-sidelined Rocko's Modern Life, easily the greatest cartoon about a talking wallaby in TV history.

To be clear, even if there were a bunch of other talking wallaby shows, Rocko's Modern Life would still win out, because it was an instant classic in all the right ways. And that timelessness is obviously regarded by more than just me, since Nickelodeon has given a greenlight to an hour-long animated Rocko's Modern Life TV special. It's not an entire season of new episodes, of course, but the "O" in our O-Town stands for "optimistic," because we're hoping the reaction to this new special will be enough to convince network execs that more Rocko is what the worlds needs in these troublesome times.

As the special is just being announced, there sadly aren't any big details to go along with it. It's confirmed that original creator Joe Murray will be back at the head of this project, along with executive producer duties. According to the press release, the special will put fans right back with the characters we all know and love, but there will also be some "surprising new takes on life in O-Town." And for those no doubt wondering what the balance will be like between the classic appeal and the modernization, here's what Murray had to say.

And we want to hear them say things! It's been 20 years since Rocko's Modern Life stopped producing new episodes, so the last time we got to watch this show with new eyes, people made "Macarena" the biggest song of the year. (What an awful time to be alive, yeah?) We cannot wait to hear Carlos Alazraqui back as the constantly put-upon Rocko, or Tom Kenny as the naive and blissfully content Heffer, or Doug Lawrence as the perma-nauseous turtle Filburt. These guys were my friends! And who didn't want Spunky as their pet?

More news on the storyline and the casting process for the Rocko's Modern Life special will be released in the coming months as all the parts start to come together. There are so many characters that need to be revisited, an hour is going to feel extremely limited. Because we totally have to catch up with Bloaty the Tick and Squirmy the Ringworm, as well as the Bigheads, Melba Toast, the Ambulance Beavers, Dingo and all the rest.

Join me in singing one of the most underrated themes of the 1990s, will you?

Nickelodeon fans are no doubt already amped up for the upcoming TV movie centered on Legends of the Hidden Temple, which still sounds like too strange an idea to me. If that and Hey Arnold's movie do well, we can probably expect to see Rugrats coming back in some capacity, as well as others. (Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is a must.) Sadly, Doug probably won't ever join the revival group, even though its creator has stories ready, since the rights owners at Disney seem to have no interest in either revisiting or selling the rights back.

We don't have a solid idea yet of when we'll get to see the Rocko's Modern Life special on our TVs, but you can bet that Nickelodeon will make that knowledge widely available as soon as the decision is made. In the meantime, bow down to the all-powerful Conglom-O Corporation and check out everything that definitely will make it to the small screen this year with our fall TV schedule.

In the world of cartoons, Disney and the Looney Tunes will probably always been king of the mountain - but there's a certain growing argument to be made for the Nicktoons of the 1990s. The individuals of the generation that grew up on these shows are now 25-35 years old, and the programming is looked back on with powerful nostalgia and appreciation - from great memories of Doug's crazy days in Bluffington, to Rocko's wild adventures with Filbert and Heffer. If new rumors are to be believed, these characters and many more are now close to coming back in a big way, with their very own Who Framed Roger Rabbit-type feature film.

This news comes to us from The Tracking Board, which says that Paramount Pictures (a subsidiary of Viacom, just like Nickelodeon) is now in the midst of developing a film that will simply be titled Nicktoons. Citing projects like Space Jam, The LEGO Movie, and Wreck-It Ralph, the plan is for the film to be a blend of live-action and animation, and feature characters from all of the biggest Nick cartoons. As noted by the site, this is a list that includes Rugrats, Angry Beavers, Hey Arnold!, Rocko’s Modern Life, Ren and Stimpy, Catdog, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, and Doug.

The project is only starting to be developed now, so the foundation is only starting to be laid. Producer Mary Parent is reportedly heading up the project for now, and is currently making sure that the rights to all of the aforementioned shows can be locked down. At the same time, Paramount Pictures is currently meeting with writers to try and find the right person or team to tackle the big feature.

This isn't the first time that Nickelodeon has been in the news recently - and it's why we're not too surprised that we're hearing of this Nicktoons feature. Last week, the studio's president of content and development Russell Hicks went on record saying that the company is in the process of looking back into its library of successful shows and looking for ways to bring them back. We don't know if there are any other major projects in the works, but Nicktoons certainly sounds like a great way to reinvigorate the brand. Of course, they have to find the proper filmmakers to make sure that it's done right.

Provided that this film is in development, it will be fascinating to watch it develop. After all, the cartoon titles mentioned above all don't exactly have a ton in common, so getting them to come together may take a bit of narrative legwork. That being said, there are thousands upon thousands of creative and fun ways to go about it, and it will be fun and interesting to see which route it winds up taking.

Ever since Shout! Factory nabbed the rights to Rocko’s Modern Life, the company has been churning out DVD sets. According to Joe Murray, who created the popular nineties cartoon, the season sets have sold so well, Shout! Factory has decided to put together a complete series set for the show. Even better, fans will be able to nab a copy much sooner than they might assume.

Currently, Shout! Factory is working to put together a Season 4 set that will hit sometime later in 2013. Also in 2013, the company will release what Murray is referring to as Rocko’s Modern Life: All Complete Seasons Set, which is a gruesome title that will probably be reworded to The Complete Series by the time the DVD hits the market. After hinting at the news on his blog, on Monday, Murray wrote that the set would be available for purchase beginning on February 26, 2013. So, if you’ve been waiting to purchase a copy of the series, February may be the best time. If you are simply waiting for Season 4, you will have a little longer than February to wait.

There’s no cover art or details yet for the set and, in fact, Shout! Factory hasn’t officially stated the wallaby and O-Town will get a complete series collection. However, Murray also says the 2012 Rocko Live event will be included as a bonus feature, as well as a copy of a full color art piece, which will also appear as the box art. Since Shout! Factory doesn’t usually go all out on the bonus features, the release should be special, indeed. We’ll keep you posted when Shout! Factory gets it act together and actually announces the set.