Cartoon Network's best cartoons marked the childhood of many young adults today. The wacky and humorous stories kept children of the 1990s and 2000s glued to their screens, influencing generations with themes that are still relevant today. All this, of course, presented by charismatic and unforgettable characters who continue to delight fans.
With nostalgia in mind, we've put together a special list of the eleven best old Cartoon Network cartoons, as rated by IMDb. Here, you'll remember great classics that have left an undeniable legacy in pop culture. Get ready to dive into this journey through time and discover or rediscover the titles that defined an era!
KND - Kids Next Door (2002)
KND - Kids Next Door is one of the most iconic Cartoon Network cartoons of the 2000s. Launched in 2002, the show follows a quintet of children with numerical codenames: Nico (Number 1), Horรกcio (Number 2), Ukibe (Number 3), Maurรญcio (Number 4) and Abby (Number 5). Together, they take on teenagers and adults in missions full of humor and creativity. All this with lots of action and adventure, which won over the public very quickly.
Created by Tom Warburton, the animation ran for six seasons and 78 episodes that explored children's imaginations and the differences between adults and children in a fun way. Its well-constructed stories and charismatic characters marked the childhood of many and are still close to many people's hearts. With a 7.2 rating on IMDb, KND - A Turma do Bairro is available on the Max platform, making it the perfect choice for reliving moments of pure nostalgia.
The Powerpuff Girls (1998)
One of the most iconic of the Cartoon Network cartoons that marked the childhood of many is The Powerpuff Girls. Launched in 1998 and created by Craig McCracken, it features a trio of heroine sisters: Florzinha, Lindinha and Docinho. They were created by a chemical accident caused by Professor Upton and together they fight menacing villains in the town of Townsville.
The main ingredient for this mixture to have worked so well is not just the "X element", but also its dynamic storyline and captivating characters. With these, the animation won over the public and spawned several spin-off productions. It has six seasons and a series of products, remaining relevant to this day. The series has an IMDb rating of 7.3 and is available on Max and Netflix.
What's New Scooby-Doo? (2002)
What's New Scooby-Doo?from 2002, is an example of success. The series brought an updated version of the classic S/A Mystery team, with Scooby-Doo and his friends Shaggy, Velma, Fred and Daphne, traveling in their famous Mystery Machine to solve intriguing cases. The plot mixes comedy and investigation, maintaining the format that has made the franchise famous since the 1960s.
With three seasons and a good reception, What's New Scooby-Doo? stands out as one of Cartoon Network's most memorable cartoon productions. Its ability to maintain the essence of the original version, while bringing in new elements, pleased old fans and won over new ones. The series has an IMDb rating of 7.3 and is available in the Max catalog.
The Adventures of Jackie Chan (2000)
Launched in 2000, The Adventures of Jackie Chan is one of Cartoon Network's most striking cartoons. The plot follows amateur archaeologist and martial arts master Jackie Chan, who, with his niece Jade and uncle, searches for magical talismans with destructive powers. Together, they take on the Black Hand, a criminal organization made up of supernatural beings. The series ran for five seasons, totaling 95 episodes.
The cartoon mixes martial arts and magic in a way that has won it a very loyal fan base around the world. The characters, such as Jackie and Jade and the villains like Shendu, guarantee intense action and great moments. First shown on Cartoon Network and TV Globo, the cartoon earned a 7.4 rating on IMDb and is still fondly remembered today. It is available in the Prime Video catalog.
Du, Dudu and Edu (1999)
Another title that deserves to be among Cartoon Network's best cartoons is Du, Dudu and Edu, launched in 1999. The series follows three friends with very different characteristics, but similar names. Du is strong but not very smart, Dudu is the smart one and Edu, the leader of the gang. Together, they come up with plans to get money and buy sweets.
One of the most striking things about the work is its distinctive humor. Combined with its creativity and charismatic characters, it stands out. During its six seasons, Du, Dudu and Edu became a Cartoon Network icon, receiving a 7.5 rating on IMDb. The series is still remembered for its comical and absurd situations and is available on Max.
The Foster Mansion for Imaginary Friends (2004)
If you like plots involving creativity and supernatural elements, the best choice among Cartoon Network's cartoons is Foster's Mansion for Imaginary Friends. Launched in 2004, the cartoon features Mac, an 8-year-old boy, who discovers a mansion that houses imaginary friends and, with his friend Bloo, goes on various adventures to make sure he isn't adopted by another child.
It has six seasons and 79 episodes that explore the friendship between Mac and his imaginary friend in a profound way. As well as being fun, the animation captivated with its messages about friendship and imagination. With an IMDb rating of 7.6, Foster Mansion is still remembered for its charismatic characters. It is available in the Prime catalog.
The Cow and the Chicken (1997)
With a very daring proposal, The Cow and the Chicken stands out as one of Cartoon Network's most unusual cartoons. It was launched in 1997 with an absurdly unusual and sometimes controversial humor that conquers with its originality. The plot revolves around two adopted siblings, a Cow and a Chicken, who go on bizarre adventures.
One of the best things about this title is how the producers steer the plot in such a way that the jokes suit both adult and child audiences, serving up very unusual situations in each episode. The series, which was a great success, earned a 7.7 rating on IMDb, is still remembered by cartoon fans and is available in the Max catalog.
The Young Titans (2003)
If you grew up watching cartoons in the 2000s, you're sure to be familiar with The Young Titans. One of Cartoon Network's best cartoons, it featured famous DC characters in episodes that appealed to children, teenagers and adults alike, with a plot that was dense with action, suspense and even drama at times.
The cartoon follows a group of young superheroes who, although still novices, face powerful villains and deal with the typical issues of adolescence. The team is made up of Robin, Stellar, Mutano, Ravena and Cyborg, characters with very different histories and personalities who strike a balance between a good fight and emotional dilemmas. This title scored 7.9 on IMDb and is available from Max.
Dexter's Laboratory (1996)
Also with a 7.9 rating on IMDb, Dexter's Laboratory is another title that deserves to be among Cartoon Network's best cartoons. Launched in 1996, the series follows the brilliant Dexter, a boy with a secret laboratory, who has to deal with the antics of his sister Dee Dee. The chaos caused by Dee Dee and Dexter's intelligence create funny and unpredictable situations.
The cartoon was created by Genndy Tartakovsky and achieved great success, with four seasons and a film adaptation. Dexter's Laboratory has won awards, including three Annie Awards, and has an excellent rating of 7.9 on IMDb. It is available in the Max catalog.
Courage, the Cowardly Dog (1999)
And the silver medal for Cartoon Network's best cartoons could not go to anyone other than him: Courage the Cowardly Dog. The cartoon released in 1999 manages to be one of the broadcaster's most "out of the box" cartoons, bringing scary supernatural elements that made many children lose sleep at the time of its release.
However, this doesn't mean that the show has abandoned its humor and the charisma of its protagonists has won over viewers from the very first episode. The story follows a fearful dog called Coragem who tries to protect his owner, Muriel, from all the possible evils that appear in the isolated place where she lives with her husband, Eustรกcio.
Among all the Cartoon Network cartoons, this is one of the most remembered precisely because of its unusual situations. It scored highly on IMDb, with an average rating of 8.3, and is currently available to watch in the Max catalog.
Samurai Jack (2001)
According to IMDb, Samurai Jack is the gold medal winner among Cartoon Network's best cartoons. With an 8.5 rating, the series mixes action, adventure and a unique narrative. Aired between 2001 and 2004, with a return in 2017, it won over fans of all ages. The plot follows a Japanese prince who, after being cursed, ends up in a dystopian future dominated by an evil being called Aku.
In the future, he assumes the identity of Samurai Jack and, in his quest to return to his time, faces a series of challenges. The combination of stylized art, an engaging story and deep characters made Samurai Jack a truly remarkable success, and it remains relevant to this day. It's available in the Max catalog.
And these were the cartoons of Cartoon Network that can be considered old and also the most acclaimed of all time! Did you miss any? Would you change positions? Share your opinion with us in the comments! Also take a look at our article on the best anime for beginners!
Questions that might interest you
Where can I watch old Cartoon Network cartoons nowadays?
On streaming platforms such as Netflix, Max and Prime Video.
Are there any remakes or continuations of these cartoons?
Some of them have had remakes, such as The Young Titans, which got a "lighter" version known as "The Young Titans in Action", and The Powerpuff Girls.
What are the most acclaimed Cartoon Network cartoons of the 2000s?
All the titles on this list, especially Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Powerpuff Girls and The Young Titans.
