It’s time to reminiscence about the cartoons we grew up on. What animated character inspired your personality? Which shows did you religiously watch every day after school? Was your favorite cartoon a childhood bedroom theme or proudly displayed on your school backpack?
Snatch a blanket, load up on snacks and take control of the remote. Here’s how to stream these popular cartoons through the ages that your kids will love as much as you do.
The Classics
Looney Tunes (1930-1969)
- Where to watch: HBO Max, Cartoon Network
Beep beep! Dig up some nostalgia with all your favorite Looney Tunes characters, from Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam to Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote on Boomerang’s streaming service. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the plethora of Looney Tunes episodes, find a Boomerang playlist that piques your interest, such as “Best of Granny” or “Bugs & Daffy.” The newer episodes of the popular show are available on HBO Max. Find limited episodes of the show on Cartoon Network’s website.
Popeye the Sailor (1933-2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zrRlMGeBes Watch the spinach-loving hero evolved from black and white to colored animation over 18 seasons on Boomerang. Originally on CBS’s Sunday Morning list, watch all four seasons of “The All-New Popeye Hour” (1978-1983) and some from the 1930s on Tubi for free.
Tom and Jerry (1940-2008)
A subscription to Boomerang, HBO Max, Prime Video or Apple TV includes the classic episodes that run about seven minutes each and the newer installments from the ’70s, ’90s and aughts. Watch for free on Tubi.
The Flintstones (1960-1966)
Yabba Dabba view! The Flintstones is available to stream on Prime Video.
The Yogi Bear Show (1961-1962)
The 7-minute shorts of the fun-loving Yogi Bear and his friend Boo-Boo are best-known for quotes including “Hey Boo-Boo” and “pic-a-nic baskets.” You can watch them on HBO Max.
The Jetsons (1962-1963)
Stream the futuristic family on Boomerang and HBO Max.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969-present)
Second to “The Simpsons” in its decades-long run time, “Scooby-Doo” modernized its character design each decade, which you can stream on Boomerang and HBO Max.
Interested in the phenomenon behind the show? Learn more on the “Stuff You Should Know” podcast’s 2017 Scooby-Doo episode, which is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Spider-Man (1967-present)
For his humble demeanor and relative youth compared to other superheroes, Marvel’s Peter Parker has numerous cartoon adaptations. The meme of three Spider-Men locked in a standoff is more than a half century old, dating back to season 1, episode 19 called “Double Identity” from 1967.
While the original three-season series is not available to stream, Disney+ carries seven shows from 1981 to 2020.
’70s
The Pink Panther Show (1969-1978)
Episodes are available to purchase on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Vudu for $1.99 each.
Josie and the Pussycats (1970-1971)
For those who love the CW’s “Riverdale” and the Netflix Original “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”, “Archie” comic stans can watch all 16 episodes of “Josie and the Pussycats” on Prime Video and Vudu.
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974)
No one has better eyebrow game than Spock from “Star Trek”, and the sci-fi cartoon proves it. Stream the classic two-season show on Paramount+.
Super Friends (1973-1974)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANCjrzSJOsU Disappointed by the DC movie franchise? Take it back to the ’70s and watch the animated ensemble “Super Friends” starring Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman and more on Prime Video and Tubi.
’80s
The Smurfs (1981-1989)
The lovable blue creatures who reside in mushroom-shaped homes spanned almost the whole decade and continued to the silver screen as recently as 2017. You can watch full episodes on The Smurfs’ official YouTube channel.
Danger Mouse (1982-1992)
Netflix features both the 10-season classic Danger Mouse show from the ’80s and the 2016 reboot of the secret agent mouse who travels the world.
Inspector Gadget (1983-1986)
Tag along with the blundering detective catching criminals with a Paramount+ subscription or by purchasing episodes on Apple TV.
Transformers (1984-1987)
Before they were starring alongside Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox, these aliens Autobots were defending Earth in the mid-1980s. You can purchase episodes on Prime Video or watch on Tubi.
Jem and The Holograms (1985-1988)
Search the back of your closet for your bright multicolored ’80s outfits and hum along to Jem and the Holograms’ girl group. All three seasons can be streamed on Tubi.
ThunderCats (1985-1989)
From the catchy theme song to the classic explosion sound effects, the “ThunderCats” has it all. Follow the cat-like aliens on Hulu as they navigate life after crash landing onto Third Earth.
Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985-1991)
If you have a folklore-inspired Pinterest board, you might want to add this fairy tale-esque show to your Disney+ watchlist. The show features the classic tropes of royalty, ogres, knights and a mustached villain with the twist of the myth of Gummi Bears.
DuckTales (1987-1990)
Go on adventures with the frugal Scrooge McDuck and his nephews Dewey, Louie and Huey on Disney+ or fuboTV. One of the best parts is how Scrooge wears his glasses (they balance upright on his bill). Even though the streaming service lets viewers skip the intro, you won’t want to: the theme song is a bop and has the potential to be a TikTok trend.
Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers (1989-1990)
Solve crimes with these high-pitched chipmunks on Disney+.
Babar (1989-1991)
If you remember the illustrated children’s books by Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff of Babar, the king of the elephants, you’ll love the animated show available to watch on Tubi. You can also follow his reign on Amazon Prime.
The Simpsons (1989-present)
With more than 700 episodes over three decades, the longest-running show can be streamed on Disney+.
’90s
Family Guy (1991-present)
Your parents might not have allowed you to watch it when the first season aired, but you can watch the 19 seasons of the eccentric Griffin family on Hulu.
Rugrats (1991-2004)
Paramount+ and Hulu carry all nine seasons of the adventures of Tommy, Chuckie, Susie, Lil, Phil and Angelica.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
If you’ve watched the new “Batman” movie starring Robert Pattinson as the moody Bruce Wayne, HBO Max has the animated ’90s version of the Gotham City superhero.
Dexter’s Laboratory (1995-2003)
Watch the future mad scientists Dexter as he invents and experiments in his secret lab. The show is on HBO Max and Prime Video.
Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999-2014)
True to his name, this anxious pink dog who stands on his hind legs entertained ’90s kids for four seasons on Cartoon Network. The show can be streamed on HBO Max and Boomerang.
Hey Arnold! (1996-2004)
Practice your best impression of the smirk this fourth-grader wears as you join Arnold’s world on Paramount+ and Hulu.
Arthur (1996-2022)
Whether you’re sassy and blunt like D.W. or easygoing like Buster, this PBS classic show navigates childhood problems through the lives of various anthropomorphic animals. Stream it on PBS Kids.
The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)
Were you a Blossom, Bubbles or Buttercup? If you can’t remember which crime-fighting sister was your favorite, “The Powerpuff Girls” is on Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max.
Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999-2009)
Forget your responsibilities and goof off with this naïve trio on HBO Max and Prime Video.
Futurama (1999-2013)
Millennials who grew up on this sci-fi comedy about a pizza delivery boy from 1999 can follow Philip Fry as he interacts with aliens in 2999 on Hulu.
SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-present)
“Are you ready, kids?” If you read that in a raspy pirate voice, you’re probably familiar with this classic children’s show. Scenes from earlier iconic episodes such as “Pizza Delivery” (season 1), “Band Geeks” (season 2) and “Chocolate With Nuts” (season 3) still circulate today on social media as memes.
Discover the adult humor in each episode on Paramount+. Amazon Prime has the first six seasons.
Follow Metro Parent on Instagram.
