However, the 1990s arguably had its share of unique Saturday morning cartoons 90s. Shows like Animaniacs, Pokemon, and Spongebob Squarepants were appointment viewing for kids across the country, with each one bringing something unique and entertaining to the table. Whether it was through creative writing, clever humor, or slapstick comedy, these cartoons could keep viewers engaged week after week.
To put it simply, there’s no underestimating the influence that Saturday morning cartoons from the ’90s had on an entire generation of children. And because of that, we thought it would be fun to look back at some of the best ones that graced our screens during that period. So without further ado, here are the 15 Saturday morning cartoons from the ’90s that we think deserve an extra special mention.
15 Best Saturday Morning Cartoons 90s
Goof Troop (1992 – 1995)
Picking up where the classic Goofy shorts left off, Goof Troop followed everyone’s favorite single father and young son Max as they navigated life in Spoonerville. Despite being turned into a show for kids, it still had its fair share of adult humor (at one point, Pete gets an entire restaurant drunk), but there were also plenty of touching moments between the two central characters to balance things out. Eventually, both characters gained new family members when their co-star from A Goofy Movie hit the airwaves in 1995; An interesting note is that during production on that movie, Max was named “Bobby,” but due to the success of this series at the time he was rechristened “Max” to keep the two separate. When Max is introduced in that movie, he’s already living with Goofy, and his son doesn’t even know they’re related until his father shows up unexpectedly at a carnival near the end of the film.
In all fairness, it should be noted that when this series was first conceived, there were plans for the characters from A Goofy Movie to join them as regular cast members during their second season on the air. However, due to poor ratings and lackluster toy support, amongst other factors, most of those plans were scrapped. They ended up getting replaced by Pete’s three mismatched sons after only five episodes into that same season. Typically, what happens in these cases is that the network wanted to launch a new toy line with the character’s likeness attached to it, but they ended up not being popular enough, so they moved on to another toy line.
Marsupilami
was one of the most popular Saturday morning cartoons in the early 1990s. The character was based on a Franco-Belgian comic book, and Disney developed their iteration of the character that aired during Raw Tonnage segments. Following its popularity, the character appeared in his Saturday morning cartoon on CBS during the 1993-1994 Fall to Spring season. Although it only lasted for one season, Marsupilami is still fondly remembered by many fans. There are even rumors of a possible reboot in the works!
Taz-Mania
An animated cartoon ran from the fall of 1991 to the summer of 1994 on ABC, alongside shows like The Tick and Hammerman. It was created by veteran animators David Feiss and Will McRobb, and partner Joshua Sternin.
Like Goof Troop, Taz-Mania highlighted a person we were at that point acquainted with, the Tasmanian Devil, and developed his origin story with a family and supporting characters. While Taz was as yet his insane, hyper self, we got to see him doing ordinary things like chatting on the telephone and attempting to sew. Not at all like the Looney Tunes rendition of the person who’s just seen pursuing prey in an avaricious cyclone, Taz additionally needs to manage the disappointments of guardians, kin, and living a domesticated life.
The cartoon also features some catchy songs, like the theme song that would go something like this: “Taz is wild/He eats anything that moves/He’s got a family, but he doesn’t care about them at all/, And they’re always telling him to be nice!/(Boo) Taz-mania!”
Taz also had his own video game on Sega Genesis titled Taz in Escape from Mars. The game’s premise was that Marvin the Martian created an evil clone of Taz, who drove around in vehicles dropping bombs on Earth. It was up to our Tasmanian Devil to save the planet, which he did by hopping on animals back to defeat their bosses for them before they reached Earth.
Taz-Mania was the favorite show of the writer, so much so that in 2016 they started a podcast about it on Soundcloud, which you can find here. It’s called Taz-Mania Today!.
It sounds like an average Saturday morning cartoon for kids, but with everything I learned after watching it again after all these years, I never realized how cleverly written this show was. Instead of mainly using slapstick comedy and recycled gags, this cartoon had some hilarious dialogue coming out of the mouths of our Tasmanian Devil heroes. Despite their overprotective mother wanting more than to keep her son out of trouble, his antics always land him in it one way or another.
Whether you’re a fan of Looney Tunes or not, I highly recommend checking out Taz-Mania if you ever get the chance. It’s a great example of taking a well-known character and turning them into a relatable and lovable protagonist. And with that, I’ll sign off for now. Thanks for reading!
Saturday morning cartoons were a staple in almost every 90s kid’s life. Shows like Animaniacs, Tiny Toon Adventures, and Batman: The Animated Series entertained us while we ate our cereal and watched the morning news. But among all these classics, one show managed to stand out from the rest.
Tiny Toon Adventures
This was one of several Saturday morning cartoons that aired in the early 1990s. Other popular shows included The Simpsons, Animaniacs, and Batman: The Animated Series.
These cartoons were often targeted at children with simplified storylines and bright colors. They were a welcome break from the more animated severe fare that adults might watch during prime time.
In addition to airing on traditional television networks, many of these cartoons were also available through streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. This allowed kids who couldn’t watch them live to catch up on their favorite shows whenever they wanted.
While some of these cartoons have been discontinued, they continue to be popular with fans of all ages. Many are now available in remastered versions, which look even better than the originals.
Freakazoid
A half-hour animated television series created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. It was one of the first cartoon shows to be done in Adobe Flash animation and was produced by
Warner Bros. Animation. The show ran for two seasons from 1995 to 1997 on Kids’ WB! and YTV.
The title character is a giant muscular superhero who possesses an extreme form of multiple personalities that the show’s creators described as “inner craziness.” This last trait causes him to shift between normal and “freak” modes (which are just his inner personas manifested). His catchphrase is “Freak out!”.
Darkwing Duck
was one of the many cartoons that aired during the Saturday morning block. These cartoons were typically aimed at children, and Darkwing Duck was no exception. The show revolved around the adventures of Darkwing Duck, a vigilante crime-fighter who fought crime at night while trying to maintain a usual persona by day.
The show was filled with references to the Golden Age of comics, primarily the 1940s. This was likely done to appeal to older viewers who may have been familiar with these comics and younger viewers who may not have been aware of them. In addition to the comic references, the show also borrowed from film noir and pulp novelization, creating a unique and entertaining show that would please audiences of all ages.
The single dad lived in the city of St. Canard, along with his adopted daughter Gosalyn, who often aided Darkwing in fighting crime. He was also surrounded by several other recurring characters, including Launchpad McQuack, his trusted sidekick he met when working at an air show, and Drake Mallard’s boss Philbert Desanex who never accepted that Drake Mallard was much more than co-host to Darkwing Duck. Many of the crimes that Darkwing would end up solving involved evildoer Steelbeak, a robotic chicken with a beak that resembled that of a gangster from the 1930s. In addition to him were Moliarty and Megavolt, who would later leave Steelbeak’s gang to form their own.
The show was canceled in 1992 after three seasons, but it has maintained a cult following over the years. This is likely because it is a unique and well-made show that appeals to all ages. Whether you’re a child who loves superheroes or an adult who enjoys a good parody, Darkwing Duck is sure to entertain.
Bobby’s World
was produced by Ruby-Spears Productions for ABC and ran from 1990 to 1998. The show was created by Canadian cartoonist Howie Mandel (who also served as the character’s voice) in collaboration with writer Tom Morrison, who both previously worked on The Smurfs.
The show revolved around eight-year-old Bobby Generic, his family, friends, and enemies. Each episode began with Bobby daydreaming or reading comic books about fables or superheroes, which would inspire him to create original stories starring himself. These episodes featured two alternate endings: one filmed in traditional animation (which was referred to as “the Shows” despite appearing only rarely). At the same time, the other was done via paper cutouts over still images (referred to as “the Pages”).
The show was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1995. It also spawned a spinoff series, Hey Arnold! , which ran from 1996 to 2004.
Bobby’s World is one of the few cartoons on this list that focuses on superheroes or comic book characters. Instead, it tells the story of an everyday kid who uses his imagination to escape childhood challenges. This makes it a unique and timeless show that children and adults can enjoy. Plus, it’s just hilarious. Check it out if you haven’t already!
Pinky And The BrainPinky and The Brain started out as part of Animaniacs way back in 1993. Heck, even their theme song was embedded into the brains of 90s kids everywhere. After gaining enough popularity, they got their spinoff show in 1995, which lasted for 65 episodes, spanning two seasons.
For the most part, Pinky is your typical dimwitted mouse who tends to be utterly oblivious to what’s going on around him (not much has changed over the years). The Brain is well. The Brain of the operation He’s pink too, because why not. His plans are surprisingly always foiled by his arch-nemesis from Acme Looniversity: Yakko Warner, Wakko Warner, and Dot Warner.
Interestingly, the show was initially pitched as “two mice who try to take over the world,” but it was eventually toned down to make it more kid-friendly. Despite that, it’s still a pretty clever show with a lot of adult humor thrown in for good measure. And if you’re a fan of Animaniacs, you’ll enjoy this one too. Pinky and The Brain is currently available on DVD and iTunes.
Recess
This is an animated series that ran on ABC from 1997 until 2001. It tells the story of six elementary school classmates who enjoy pit. These six friends are TJ Detweiler, Gretchen Grundler, Vince LaSalle, Ashley Spinelli, Mikey Blumberg, and Gus Griswald. Each member has distinct characteristics that define him or her for viewers. For example, one is mature beyond his years, while another is a bit of a know-it-all science wizard boy genius hybrid.
However, the main character in Recess was not any of these six people mentioned above – instead, it was someone none of them knew about: King Bob. This recurring antagonist is the selfish ruler of Third Street Elementary School and spends his days making the students’ lives difficult. His assistants and minions enforce his every rule, making Recess a total nightmare for TJ and the company.
Recess was one of the last cartoons to air on ABC before the Saturday morning cartoon block ended 2002. It was canceled along with other popular shows such as Pepper Ann and The Wild Thornberrys. For many people, this was the end of an era. Cartoons on Saturday mornings were a staple in most households across America, and their loss left a gaping hole in the hearts of children everywhere. Although they’ve made a resurgence in recent years, nothing quite compares to those classic cartoons we all grew up watching. Let’s take a look back at some of our favorite Saturday morning cartoons 90s!
The Tick vs. the Tick
In a world of superheroes, no one is more heroic than The Tick!
He was created by Ben Edlund in 1986, this superhero parodying spoof into an animated series on Fox Kids in 1994. First appearing in “The Tick vs. Crime,” he later starred in his comic book series before the animated show became successful enough to warrant its existence (the titular character had previously appeared alongside other heroes like Invincible Man and American Maid). From 1994-1996, the show garnered its toy line and even spawned a video game for Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Éric Serra (of GoldenEye fame) wrote the original score (for both seasons), while Townsend Coleman (the original Michaelangelo from the ’87 TMNT series) voiced The Tick.
The show followed a straightforward formula: the Tick and his sidekick Arthur (an average, non-super human who feels obligated to help out with this superhero nonsense) encounter a supervillain who has some kind of doomsday weapon that he uses against them; they manage to defeat him and convince him to give up his life of crime, and save the day before Commissioner Deron (Edlund himself) can put together any evidence about what occurred.
Hey Arnold!
Is it one of those Nickelodeon shows that sticks with you even into adulthood? Arnold’s neighborhood could have been in any major North American city, making it easy to put yourself in Arnold and his friends’ shoes. Along with his dilemmas, Arnold was also helping solve the problems of others, including many adults, which is something a lot of ’90s kids can relate to.
Even though cartoons are typically viewed as being for children, quite a few adult-oriented cartoons aired on Saturday mornings during the ’90s. Shows like The Simpsons, Beavis and Butt-head, and South Park pushed the envelope in terms of what could be shown on TV at a time when most cartoons.
X-Men
was one of the many animated series that aired on Saturday morning TV in the 1990s. Other popular shows included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
These cartoons were often aired as part of a block of programming geared towards children. This meant plenty of comics to choose from, and parents could allow their kids to watch TV for a couple of hours without worrying about them seeing inappropriate content.
Saturday morning cartoons were a big part of many people’s childhoods. They provided a way for kids to escape into a world of fantasy, where they could forget about their troubles and just have some fun. And for many years, they were the only option for children’s programming on TV.
However, there was concern that kids were spending too much time watching TV. As a result, Saturday morning cartoons were eventually replaced by educational programming in some places. Instead of being taught about the importance of entertainment and escapism from a young age, children would learn how to read and write instead.
Although it’s not entirely clear when this change happened for sure, many people say it did so gradually over a few decades. By the 2000s, television stations had mainly stopped showing Saturday morning cartoons altogether.
Rugrats
was one of the first shows to be shown on Nickelodeon’s all-new Saturday morning block, Nicktoons. Rugrats also had a short-lived primetime series where the episodes were randomly arranged and not part of an overarching story. It aired from August 11th, 1991 to December 1st, 1994, with reruns airing until May 21st, 1995.
Nickelodeon officially canceled rugrats in 2004 after nine successful seasons. The show continued being produced for new fans through syndication on various channels such as TeenNick (as “The Splat”) and Boomerang until 2013, when it stopped for unknown reasons.
As of January 22nd, 2019, Rugrats is now available through Amazon.
Animaniacs
This was an American animated television series created by Tom Ruegger for Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and the first production of Warner Bros. Animation during the renaissance of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Animaniacs first aired on Fox Kids from 1993 to 1995, running a total of one hundred episodes.
The characters were designed by graphic artist Andrea Romano, who also worked on Tiny Toon Adventures, which was being produced simultaneously as Animaniacs and Batman: The Animated Series. All three shows are similar in style, tone, humor, and use of parody, catchphrases, genre parodies, and musical numbers.
Animaniacs featured various sketches featuring a large cast of characters. There would be at least one main character on the show that the episode would revolve around at any given time. The majority of them were inserted into random or unconnected skits, with no regard for continuity (much like the early work of Monty Python). These segments included brief interludes in which characters would talk to the viewing audience, musical numbers, and cartoon shorts.
The following is a list of all three hundred and ninety-five episodes in order by production number:
1. De-Sanitized (9/13/1993)
2. Yakko’s World/Cookies For Einstein/Win Big (9/21/1994)
3. Hakuna Matata (9/27/1993) 4. A Hard Day’s Warners (10/4/1993)
5. The Great Wakkorotti: The Master and His Music (10/11/1993)
6. The Big Boing Boo (10/18/1993)
7. Wheel of Morality (10/25/1993)
8. Hello Nurse! (11/1/1993)
9. A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste (11/8/1993)
10. I’m Mad (11/15/1993)
11. There’s No Place Like Home (11/22/1993)
12. Cutie and the Beast (1/3/1994)
13. King Yakko (1/10/1994)
14. Ta-Dah (1/17/1994)
15. Wakko’s Gizmo (1/24/1994)
16. Roll Over Beethoven (2/7/1994)
17. Clown and Out (2/14/1994)
18. Magic Time (2/21/1994)
19. Spellbound [a.k.a., Psycho Angelica] (2/28/1994)
20. The Big Kiss (3/7//943)
21. Chickens in the Mist [a.k4a, Cute Little Toons]
22. Rock ‘n’ Roll Shows [a k4a, Blastin’ Into Funkotronicus].
Batman: The Animated Series
it is a prime example of the perfect superhero cartoon. Not only was it an outstanding show in its own right, redefining what it meant to produce Saturday morning cartoons aimed at children, but it also worked as a great gateway into the subject matter which inspired it – DC comics and superheroes in general. And while Batman: The Animated Series is easily the most apparent reason for this statement, there are even more reasons we can make such a bold claim about this animated classic.
So many things make Batman: TAS successful – from its style and presentation down to its characterizations and narratives, yet each necessary component is fundamentally connected with the other throughout every aspect of this timeless art piece. The idea is that no single element within itself could exist without contributing.
