List of children's animated television series of the 1990s facts for kids
This is a list of children's animated television shows, including ones made for the internet. These shows were first created for kids aged 12 and younger.
We won't be looking at shows from Japan, China, or Korea here, as children's animation is very common in those places.
The 1990s were a super exciting time for cartoons! Many shows that are still loved today first appeared then. Let's dive into some of the cool animated series that kids enjoyed.
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Awesome Cartoons from the United States
The 1990s saw many new and creative cartoons come from the United States. Networks like Fox Kids and Nickelodeon became huge players, alongside classics like ABC and CBS.
Early 90s Hits (1990-1992)
The decade kicked off with some memorable shows. Tiny Toon Adventures (1990) brought back the classic Looney Tunes style with new, younger characters like Buster Bunny and Babs Bunny. It was known for its funny jokes and musical numbers.
Another big show was Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990). This series taught kids about protecting the environment, with a team of young heroes who could summon Captain Planet to fight pollution.
Nickelodeon started to make a name for itself with shows like Doug, Rugrats, and The Ren & Stimpy Show, all premiering on the same day in 1991.
- Doug followed the life of a shy middle schooler, Doug Funnie, as he navigated friendships and everyday adventures.
- Rugrats showed the world from the perspective of a group of babies, led by the brave Tommy Pickles. Their imaginative adventures in the house and backyard were always a blast.
- The Ren & Stimpy Show was known for its wild and sometimes silly humor, featuring a grumpy chihuahua and a dim-witted cat.
In 1992, Batman: The Animated Series changed superhero cartoons forever. It was darker and more serious than many kids' shows, but it had amazing stories and characters that appealed to older kids and even adults.
Mid-90s Favorites (1993-1996)
The mid-90s continued the cartoon boom. Animaniacs (1993) from Warner Bros. Animation was a huge hit, bringing back the zany humor of classic cartoons with characters like Yakko, Wakko, and Dot. It was famous for its witty songs and clever jokes.
Nickelodeon also launched Rocko's Modern Life (1993), a quirky show about a wallaby named Rocko and his friends. It was known for its unique art style and humor.
In 1994, Gargoyles offered a different kind of animated series. It was an action-packed fantasy show about ancient creatures who turn to stone by day and protect New York City by night. It had complex stories and characters. Also, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994) introduced kids to a school for monsters under the city.
A very important show that started in 1995 was What a Cartoon! on Cartoon Network. This show was a collection of short cartoons, and it helped launch many popular series that would come later, like Dexter's Laboratory and The Powerpuff Girls.
Late 90s Icons (1997-1999)
The end of the decade brought even more cartoon classics. Dexter's Laboratory (1996) was about a boy genius with a secret lab in his bedroom, constantly trying to keep his older sister Dee Dee out.
Nickelodeon continued its success with Hey Arnold! (1996), which followed a kind-hearted fourth grader living in a big city, and The Angry Beavers (1997), about two beaver brothers living on their own.
Johnny Bravo (1997) and Cow and Chicken (1997) were other funny shows from Cartoon Network, known for their unique humor.
In 1998, The Powerpuff Girls became a massive hit. This show featured three super-powered little girls who fought crime and monsters in the city of Townsville. It was known for its action, humor, and cool animation style.
The very end of the 90s saw the debut of two shows that would become huge:
- SpongeBob SquarePants (1999) premiered on Nickelodeon and quickly became one of the most popular cartoons ever. It's about a cheerful sea sponge and his friends living in a pineapple under the sea.
- Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999) on Cartoon Network was a unique blend of comedy and spooky stories, following a timid dog who constantly has to save his owners from strange creatures.
Cool Cartoons from the United Kingdom
The UK also produced some beloved animated shows during the 1990s, often known for their gentle stories and unique animation styles.
Kipper (1997) was a sweet show about a friendly dog and his animal friends, perfect for younger viewers.
One of the most famous UK cartoons from this era is Bob the Builder (1999). This stop-motion animated series followed Bob and his team of talking construction vehicles as they worked together to fix things and solve problems. Its catchy theme song and positive messages made it a global success.
Maisy (1999) was another popular show, based on the beloved children's books about a mouse and her friends.
Amazing Cartoons from Canada
Canada contributed significantly to children's animation in the 1990s, often partnering with US studios.
A groundbreaking Canadian show was ReBoot (1994). This was the first ever computer-animated (CGI) TV series! It took place inside a computer world called Mainframe, where characters were digital sprites and viruses were the bad guys.
Little Bear (1995) was a gentle and imaginative show based on the books by Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak. It followed the everyday adventures of a young bear and his animal friends.
Arthur (1996) became a long-running and highly educational series. It's about an aardvark named Arthur Read and his friends and family, dealing with common childhood issues and learning important life lessons.
Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999) was a very popular and funny show about three friends, all named Ed, who are always trying to scam their neighborhood friends to get money for their favorite candy, jawbreakers. It was known for its unique, squiggly animation style.
Shows Made Together (Co-productions)
Sometimes, studios from different countries work together to create a show. This was common in the 1990s, leading to some interesting animated series.
European Co-productions
Many shows were made with European partners, especially from Italy and France.
- Super Mario World (1991) was an animated series based on the popular Nintendo video game, featuring Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool.
- Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) and Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) were two different animated series based on the fast-paced Sega video game character.
Canadian Co-productions
Canadian studios often teamed up with American networks.
- The Magic School Bus (1994) was a fantastic educational show that taught kids about science in a fun way. Ms. Frizzle and her class would go on amazing field trips in their magical school bus, shrinking down or traveling through space to learn about different topics.
- Franklin (1997) was another popular Canadian co-production, based on the books about a young turtle named Franklin and his friends.
These co-productions helped bring a wide variety of animated stories and styles to children around the world during the exciting 1990s!
