Looking Back At 90s Cartoons

After the decade where boundless hours of Saturday Morning cartoons dominated television, came a new era where animation dwindled and ultimately became a haven for "educational TV." We remember and explore the 90s: a time of grunge mayhem, superhero comebacks and a revitalization of weekday afternoon cartoon programming. Look back at 90s cartoons...and pick up a DVD or two!

Remembering Cartoons of the 90s

The late 80s came and went, and epic series such as the Transformers and G.I. Joe lost their luster (although both later had revival series), due to plots that fell apart from their inceptions, and toylines that simply didn't cut it (the death of die cast, due to the cheaper alternative of plastic). So, no longer were the days of toyline-inspired cartoons, but the emergence of different ideas such as the bizarre Mighty Max - a gritty cartoon for the somewhat older kids, about a boy and his magical baseball cap that warped him to different dimensions...not to mention, he was accompanied by a talking chicken and a violence-starved barbarian? We also continued to watch popular spill-overs from 1989 like the Super Mario Bros. Super Show, and great continuations of its Super Mario Brothers 3 series, as well as the Friday-only special: The Legend of Zelda. Other video game titles made it to their own cartoon series, such as the dry-humor packed Earthworm Jim, and two separate series for Sega series icon Sonic the Hedgehog.

Saturday Mornings & Weekday Afternoons...

Saturday mornings changed shape and featured lots of new cartoons, many of which you've probably forgotten, or just didn't care about: like Zazzoo U, Cowboys of Moo Mesa (I'm still scratching my head over that one), Skeleton Warriors and the Mighty Ducks animated series. There was even a short lived mockumentary series for the Sega Genesis game, "Mutant League Football," simply re-titled to Mutant League. In fact, there were many long-lost cartoons in the 90s, such as the underrated Gravedale High - which could be thought of as the 'undead' version of the 1986 cartoon, Galaxy High. A most worthy syndicated cartoon was Conan the Adventurer - which, along with Arthur and the Knights of Justice, could possibly be the last two outstanding epic cartoons ever shown on television. Afternoons in the 90s were filled with great Disney toons on "The Disney Afternoon" rotation series, such as Duck Tales, Chip N Dale's Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck, Tale Spin, Gargoyles, Bonkers, Goof Troop, Aladdin, and several other short-lived additions.

Other syndicates showed great after-school cartoons such as Beetlejuice, Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs and Tiny Toon Adventures that helped you unwind after a day of school or work...from 3:00 PM, long until 5:00.

Much toward the end of the decade, we saw a big slow-down in the animation world, as new laws dictated that the majority of children's television had to be deemed "educational" ...effectively killing off the oodles of purely imaginative, fantasy-driven and action based cartoons that have aired for the past two decades. This was also the death of hand-drawn cartoons and the adoption of 3D animation, as seen on this technique's primer series, "Reboot," and later, "Voltron: the 3rd Dimension" and the toyline-promoting "Max Steel." Not much has changed since - except the desire to watch all of these great shows once more, based on the memories they've given to their viewers. In fact, it's baffling as to why the high demand for traditional and original animated series are going unnoticed by studios and networks across the country.

[Check out this constantly-updated list of 90s cartoon intros]

Your Favorite 90s Cartoon?

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X-Men

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Pinky and the Brain

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Earthworm Jim

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Mighty Max

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Conan the Adventurer

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Working List of 90s Cartoons on DVD

Feed the urge to watch these great shows again - or even introduce them to your own kids! Below is a constantly updated list of every 90s cartoon series that has made it to DVD. Otherwise, we'll try to help you spot the more rare series elsewhere!

Animaniacs on DVD

Animaniacs was arguably the most inventive and deliriously entertaining cartoon series of the 1990s. With its wild and wonderful cast of cartoon characters led by "Warner Brothers" Wakko and Yakko, and their ever-so-cute Warner sister, Dot, a playful trio of indeterminate species who were (fictionally) created in the early 1930s by the overworked animators of "Termite Terrace" (the actual name given to Warner's animation studios) and wreaked havoc on the Warner Bros. backlot until they were caught and captured in the studio's water tower.

Animaniacs, Vol. 1

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Animaniacs, Vol. 2

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Animaniacs, Vol. 3

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Batman: The New Adventures (1992) on DVD

Warner Brothers' Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) remains a striking, stylized program that helped to revitalize the familiar comic book hero. Drawing on such diverse influences as Frank Miller's graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns, the Fleischers' Superman cartoons of the early '40s, and contemporary Japanese animation, the filmmakers stress interesting designs and cinematography. The Caped Crusader prowls a sinister, Art Deco-styled world of tall verticals, sharp angles, silhouettes, searchlights, and grid-like shadows cast by window frames.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Batman - The Animated Series, Volume Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Batman - The Animated Series, Volume Three (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Batman - The Animated Series, Volume Four (From the New Batman Adventures) (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Batman Beyond (1999) on DVD

Batman Beyond was the futuristic follow-up to the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series from the team of Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, Andrea Romano, and others (though less self-winking for comics fans than that series). High school kid Terry McGinnis's run-in with a biker gang called the Jokers leads to a chance encounter with a rich recluse named Bruce Wayne. McGinnis soon discovers that 20 years ago Wayne was Batman, but has since retired from active duty. Not getting any help from Wayne, McGinnis swipes the Bat suit--now tricked-up with enhanced strength, flight capability, and nifty gadgets--and sets out to right a wrong perpetrated by his father's former business partner, Derek Powers.

Batman Beyond - Season One (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Batman Beyond - Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Batman Beyond - Season Three (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Darkwing Duck on DVD

"Let's get dangerous!" Indeed, Disney's delightful Darkwing Duck, a masked mallard superhero, can get very dangerous--though the biggest danger he presents, typically, is to himself. Darkwing (DW to his friends) is the well-meaning if flamboyant (and klutzy) protector of St. Canard, a city that looks suspiciously like San Francisco and even has a Golden Gate-like bridge in which the winged avenger has tucked away his secret headquarters. A publicity-seeking ham, DW doesn't possess any superpowers, but has some nifty gadgets and the determination to meddle with nefarious plans of high-profile villains. Among them are the fascinating Bushroot, a disillusioned scientist who turns himself into a plant and has the power to make flora do his bidding; Quackerjack, a cackling, Joker-like evildoer; Megavolt, a whining dog who controls electricity; and the Liquidator, another pooch who is made of, well, water.

Darkwing Duck, Volume 1

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Darkwing Duck, Volume 2

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Gargoyles on DVD

Since its 1994 debut, Disney's animated series Gargoyles has attracted a sophisticated viewership for its unusually thoughtful storyline, mature characters, literary allusions (Arthurian lore, Shakespeare), and parade of celebrity voiceovers. Part Gothic fantasy and part contemporary urban drama, Gargoyles begins with a brutal, 10th-century battle over a Scottish castle, which is guarded at night by winged gargoyles who become flesh in the dark (but who return to stone by day). Under the leadership of Goliath (Keith David), the gargoyles ward off an attack by Vikings, yet are met with disdain by those they protect, including a princess and her advisors. Such is the gargoyles' lot until they are betrayed by a friend and turned to stone for a thousand years. Rescued by a billionaire named Xanatos (Jonathan Frakes)--who breaks the spell by purchasing the castle and relocating it atop his Manhattan skyscraper--Goliath and his friends slowly adapt to the modern world and figure out whom they can trust.

Gargoyles - The Complete First Season (Special 10th Anniversary Edition)

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Gargoyles - Season Two, Vol. 1

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Goof Troop (1992) on DVD

Only 3 episodes of the series have been officially released, on one DVD. Description: Disney's lovable superstar Goofy is back in his very own show! You'll howl with laughter as Goofy and his son Max find themselves up to their necks in the kind of mishaps that made their family famous. Whether diving for buried treasure or appearing in the "World's Most Painful Home Videos," Goofy and Max know that no matter how badly things go awry, they will always have each other. With three of the most hilarious Goof Troop episodes, it's easy to see why Goofy is the first name in comedy.

Goof Troop, Volume 1

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Mask, The (1994) on DVD

This short-lived series only existed on one DVD, now out of print. Your only hope is to buy it used, below!

The Mask: Animated Series

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Mighty Max (1993) on DVD

We're still waiting for an official full-series release of Mighty Max on DVD. In the meantime, see if they're available on eBay:

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Pinky and the Brain (1995) on DVD

These genetically engineered lab mice are going to prove, once and for all, that they're the best comedy duo ever created for an animated series aimed at children.... but, why limit their appeal to kids? As executive producer Steven Spielberg said to the show's creators, he wanted this brilliant, Emmy-winning half-hour cartoon series to lure adults into watching it with their kids, and like the classic Warner Brothers cartoons of the past, it's likely the grown-ups will enjoy it even more! This is largely due to the fact that Pinky and the Brain was produced under the radar, almost as if nobody was watching, so while this delightfully inventive spin-off from Animaniacs is purely entertaining for kids, it also includes a wide variety of in-jokes, movie spoofs, and outrageous dialogue that only older viewers can truly appreciate.

Pinky and the Brain, Vol. 1

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Pinky and the Brain, Vol. 2

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Pinky and the Brain, Vol. 3

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Pro Stars (1991) on VHS

A cartoon featuring Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Bo Jackson as a trio of heroes.

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Reboot on DVD

ReBoot was the first computer animated network series, and these episodes from its third season (1994) reveal how quickly computer visual effects has advanced. The designs look decidedly passe, and the motion-capture animation is limited and uneven. Enzo, the hero of ReBoot, is an adolescent guardian-in-training, fighting to protect the cyberworld from the evil virus Megabyte. Enzo's older sister, Dot Matrix, serves as commander of the defense forces; they both miss Bob, the hunky Guardian who disappeared at the end of the second season. Enzo's duties involve assuming roles in different games with AndrAIa, the obligatory spunky girl. Strangely enough, only season 3 was ever released.B00004Z1F7

Reboot - Daemon Rising / My Two Bobs

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Reboot - Season III, Vol. 1

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ReBoot - Season III, Vol. 2 - The Net

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Reboot - Season III, Vol. 3: The Web

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Reboot - Season III, Vol. 4: The Viral Wars

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Skeleton Warriors (1995) on VHS

Another long forgotten series that never made it to DVD. Check back often to see if one of the original VHS releases shows up.

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Sonic the Hedgehog (1993) on DVD

Nineties-era cartoon fans may remember that at one time, two animated series based on the ultra-popular Sega game character Sonic the Hedgehog sped across TV sets in 1993. This Sonic aired on Saturday mornings between '93-'95 and offered a slightly darker tone and more elaborate stories than its syndicated counterpart, The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993 to present). Jaleel White (Urkel from Family Matters) provided the voice of Sonic for both series, but the similarities between the two shows essentially ended there; SatAM (as it was known to its small but loyal fanbase) followed the futuristic adventures of young Sonic and his band of Freedom Fighters (which included Bunnie Rabbot, Antoine, and other characters from the original games) as they attempted to foil the evil plans of mad scientist Dr. Robotnik, who had enslaved the city of Mobotropolis and turned its citizens into robots.

Sonic The Hedgehog - The Complete Series

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Sonic the Hedgehog (Adventures Of) on DVD

The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog focused on the comic elements of the games, and was notorious for its airtime amongst the more "serious" series: Sonic the Hedgehog. Both ran during the weekend morning cartoon lineup.

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog

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Spiderman (1994) on DVD

Bitten by a radioactive spider while on a high school field trip, young Peter Parker is transformed into a human web-slinger with incredible spider strength. Now, for the first time on video or DVD, you can discover how the Spider-Man legend began and watch as he learns the dark origins of The Green Goblin and wages spectacular battles with supervillains Dr. Octopus and Kingpin. You'll get caught in a web of excitement with this thrilling animated adventure.

The Spider-Man Collection (Special 3-Disc Collector's Set)

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Superman (1996) on DVD

Own this classic after-school 90s cartoon on DVD! Set in present day Metropolis against the backdrop of a bright, urban landscape, the ageless superhero combats sinister villains and rescues innocent victims in exciting new stories based on universal themes encompassing the same time-honored tradition of the classic Superman legend.

Superman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Superman - The Animated Series, Volume Two (The New Superman Adventures) (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Superman - The Animated Series, Volume Three (DC Comics Classic Collection)

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Super Mario Brothers 3 on DVD

Premiering just six months after the release of the game that inspired it, the animated series The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 integrated elements from the game into a serial-style cartoon that pitted heroic plumbers Mario and Luigi against the reptilian King Koopa and a squad of new villains. Over the course of 13 double episodes, Koopa (who is also occasionally addressed by his American handle, Bowser) and his seven unpleasant children, the Koopa Kids (or Koopalings) wreaked havoc in both the Mushroom World and the "real world," including stints in Hollywood, Venice, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. (which includes a guest appearance by then-President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush!). Coming to the defense are the heroic plumbers Mario and Luigi, as well as Princess Toadstool and her faithful friend Toad, who thwart the Koopa menace by using many of the power-ups and aspects of the Super Mario Bros. 3 game.

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3: The Complete Series

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Tale Spin on DVD

The ever-swinging Baloo from Disney's Jungle Book has taken up flying and is now the proud pilot of his very own bush plane--problem is, Baloo's laid-back, "work only when you want to" attitude is definitely not conducive to running a thriving business. Add in a young orphan bear named Kit Cloudkicker who's befriended Baloo and stolen a valuable treasure from a band of pirates led by the evil Don Karnage and a newly graduated business major Rebecca Cunningham who's recently purchased the deeds to Baloo's plane and cabin, and you've got an animated series that simply explodes with adventure and conflict.

TaleSpin, Volume 1

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Wild C.A.T.S. (1994) on DVD

Jim Lee fans...your wait is over. This art box contains the complete series in a collectible art box. 10,000 years ago, amidst a war that spanned millennia, the Kherubim and Daemonites crashed on the planet Earth. While the Kherubim assimilated, the Daemonites carried their plans of domination underground, until which time they could resurface and conquer not only Earth%u2026 but the entire galaxy. Now%u2026 the time has come, necessitating the Kherubim and their descendants to emerge, mobilize and form the Covert Action Teams (WildC.A.T.S). Their mission: to fight the evil Daemonite forces and ensure the safety and sovereignty of the planet. Watch how it begins and ends as Warblade, Zealot, Grifter, Spartan, Voodoo, Maul, and Void go head to head with Lord Helspont and the evil Daemonites to determine the fate of the universe.

Wild Cats - The Complete Series (Collector's Edition)

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X-Men, The Uncanny (1992) on DVD

This beloved early 90s cartoon series has never made it to an official DVD release. Two individual DVDs have been released, and your best bet is to purchase them used:

X-Men - Reunion Parts 1 & 2 / Out of the Past Parts 1 & 2 / No Mutant is an Island

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X-Men - The Phoenix Saga

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Reader Feedback

90s Cartoon fans - leave your feedback here!

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jock1 jock1 Jul 23, 2009 @ 1:28 am

i remember most of these shows i wish there never cut these shows ill get up for school and watch them then ill come from school & turn the t.v right to the channel they play on my most 6 favorite shows was pinky & the brain, Animaniacs,rug rats,hey Arnold, catdog and tiny toons most cartoons today are not funny as those were please put them back on t.v

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junebugco junebugco Jun 25, 2009 @ 8:31 pm

What expanded knowledge on an interesting subject.

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kephrira kephrira Aug 10, 2008 @ 12:01 pm

Earthworm Jim is brilliant. I love animation with that kind of ironic humour. The Tic (or was it Tick?) was very similar, and I think it was from the 90's. I used to love them both. You might be interested to take a look at my Watch Cartoons Online lens.

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ShortSaleRealtor ShortSaleRealtor Nov 6, 2007 @ 7:47 pm

great lens 5 stars 4 u

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DerekPadula DerekPadula Oct 4, 2007 @ 6:15 pm

I used to watch all of these shows religiously. They're great.

Another one I'd recommend for this lens is Dragonball Z. That show actually changed my life in a profound way. I'm writing a book about it at The Dao of Dragonball. Check it out!

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Looking Back At 90s Cartoons