20 Cartoons From The 90s That Are Pure Nostalgia

Last Updated on April 8, 2025 by Colby Droscher

Some would argue that the greatest age of cartoons was in the 1990s. Old-time classics like Cow and Chicken or Dexter’s Laboratory have proven themselves to stand the test of time, with some of these shows still airing today. There was nothing better than coming home after a long day at school and turning on Cartoon Network to let our brains rot for an hour or two. We hope you’re ready for some good old-fashioned nostalgia because here are 20 Cartoons from the ’90s that are sure to strike up some memories.

1. Who remembers the Justice Friends?

A group of cartoon superheroes poses confidently in front of a stylized logo reading "The Justice Friends." The characters include a large purple creature, a hammer-wielding hero, a star-spangled leader, a caped woman, and an armored figure.
u/lucylovescupcakes/via reddit

2. Was this the best or worst depiction of Scooby-Doo?

Illustration of the characters from "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo." Features a young Scooby-Doo in front, with child versions of Velma, Shaggy, Fred, and Daphne standing behind him. The title is displayed above them.
u/ipa_Fanatic/via reddit

3 Honestly, Rocket Power wasn’t that bad.

A colorful cartoon scene with four kids enjoying extreme sports near the beach. One is on a bike, another on skates, and two are skateboarding. A sign reading "The Pier" is visible in the background with buildings and a palm tree.
u/twinklelilydreams/via reddit

4. We remember street sharks.

Illustration of four anthropomorphic sharks from the animated series "Street Sharks." They are muscular and wearing various outfits, running through a cityscape. Bold, colorful style with the series logo at the top.
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5. It was one of the most popular shows from the late 90s.

Claymation figures of two male hosts in suits with microphones stand in a wrestling ring. The banner reads "MTV Celebrity Deathmatch.
u/running_mustard/via reddit

6. We need a Captain Planet movie.

Illustration of a superhero with a globe on his chest, surrounded by five diverse teens with glowing rings. The text above reads, "You know you're a 90s kid if... You remember this guy.
u/nostalgia_history/via reddit

7. 90s kids, what’s your opinion of this show?

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8. This unlocked a core memory for us.

Cartoon image of animated characters Yakko, Wakko, and Dot in front of the Warner Bros. water tower, with the title "Animaniacs" above them. Pinky and the Brain are also visible on top of the tower.
u/friendlybrother9660/via reddit

9. Doug exudes pure 90s nostalgia.

Illustration of characters from the show "Doug." A boy in a sweater vest stands with a dog, a cheerful girl, a green-skinned boy in a jacket, and a blue-skinned boy on a skateboard, all set against a blue background with an orange Nickelodeon logo.

10. Disney’s Recess is definitely one for the books.

A group of animated children from the show "Recess" poses cheerfully against a blue sky. One child sits on another's shoulders, while the rest stand around smiling and waving.
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11. An all-time classic, the magic school bus.

Illustration of a yellow flying bus from "The Magic School Bus" with kids and an adult inside. The bus has wings and a rocket-style engine, leaving a flame trail. The title "The Magic School Bus" is in colorful letters above and below the bus.
foodieluvsfilms143

12. One of our all time favorites, Dexter’s Laboratory.

Cartoon image of a boy in a lab coat and glasses standing in a futuristic laboratory. A character with a net is flying behind him. The text reads "Dexter's Laboratory" at the top.
u/xxharleen_quinzelxx/via reddit

13. Johnny Bravo ruled the late 90s.

A cartoon character with blonde hair and sunglasses strikes a pose, holding a red comb. He wears a black T-shirt and blue jeans, and is kneeling with one knee on the ground, with an arm raised.
u/star_prachinum/via reddit

14. Do you remember the little wooden boy episode?

Comic book cover featuring "The Tick," a muscular blue superhero, shouting with clenched fists. A villain with a red tentacle arm is in the background. A character in white with glasses stands on the left. The title is at the top.
u/agentendive/via reddit

15. Did Swat Kats deserve more than two seasons?

Animated poster of "SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron" featuring two feline characters in combat gear, standing ready under a sunset backdrop with a jet flying above them. Bold, colorful design with a dynamic, action-packed atmosphere.
u/clueembarrassed1443/via reddit

16. Garfield and Friends still holds up.

A colorful cartoon image featuring Garfield the cat, a dog, a rooster, and other animal characters gathered around a sign reading "Garfield and Friends" with smiles and cheerful expressions.
u/jb92103/via reddit

17. Does anyone else agree that this was the best incarnation of Spider-Man ever?

Title screen of "Spider-Man: The Animated Series" with a city skyline in the background. The word "SPIDER-MAN" is prominently displayed in yellow and red letters. The Marvel Comics logo is visible in the bottom right corner.
u/no_no_zone/via reddit

18. This theme song plays in our heads when we see something silly.

Illustration of a cartoon dog sitting on a larger dog's head. The background is turquoise with a red sign reading "2 Stupid Dogs." Below, it states "Created by: Donovan Cook.
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19. Season 1 was made in 1999, so this counts as a 90s cartoon.

A colorful cartoon image featuring SpongeBob SquarePants in the center, surrounded by Patrick Star, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Gary the snail. They are all smiling underwater with jellyfish in the background, showcasing a fun and lively scene.
u/retrozilla/via reddit

20. You had a good childhood if you know who they are.

Three animated characters with big eyes and colorful outfits flying against a pink heart background with stars. One has blonde hair, another red, and the last one has black hair. They appear vibrant and cheerful.
u/manwith_theplan/via reddit

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