Cartoons are a very slept on category when conversation arises about great television shows. However, people tend to forget not only the impact cartoons have on children, but the impact they have on everyone. The shows on this list, while they vary in subject and topic, all have something in common: they each reach an audience of all ages. The ability to unite the young and the old is what makes every show on this list worthy of being in the top 10. So, here is our opinion for the top 10 animated shows of all time (in reverse order).
10. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (2003-2010)
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Erik: Every Saturday morning, the most superior form of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" was able to religiously rip me from my bed and plop me in front of the TV. The creators of this version of TMNT did a much better job with the personalities of the turtles than the 1987 version. All the characters are more complex individuals, and the Turtles have a stronger family bond. The blend of complex characters with a perfect amount of action is what made this show great.
9. "Scooby-Doo" (1969-Present)
Erik: As one of the oldest cartoon shows of all time, "Scooby-Doo" has had so much influence on generations of children. "Scooby-Doo" was able to add a new twist to the horror genre by adding humor. Many people have criticized "Scooby-Doo" for being one note and doing the same thing in every episode, and for most other shows I would say that that is definitely a problem. However, "Scooby-Doo" gets a pass because of the way that it has constantly reinvented itself for the next generation. The jokes and humor remain up to date and the mysteries always change. Complex shows are always nice, but there is nothing at all wrong with good old fashioned fun.
8. "American Dad" (2005-Present)
LJ: One of the best comedy animated shows of all time and the best show by far from Seth MacFarlane. The show started off as a satire of post 9/11 American society and progressed into a satire of a variety of topics. The show explores a myriad of topics through its pervasive sense of humor with it’s memorable and lovable cast of characters; this show cements its role as one of the greatest animated shows of all time.
7. "Kim Possible" (2002-2007)
LJ: This was the staple cartoon of my childhood and I remember waiting in anticipation for the latest weekly episodes. This show starred an extremely talented heroine who could do everything and regularly saved the world and her city from enemies with her goofy sidekick Ron Stoppable. The show had fantastic villains like Drakken and Shego, who helped make the series great.
6. "Justice League" (2001-2006)
Erik: You can't go wrong with a show that built on the greatness that was "Batman: The Animated Series." The animator behind the "Batman" and "Superman" shows, Bruce Timm created and executive produced another notable show about these superheroes called "Justice League." The show had great voice acting and the story arcs were unmatched. All of the characters were complex and the creators spent a perfect amount of time telling their stories.
5. "Gargoyles" (1994-1997)
LJ: "Gargoyles" was by far the greatest cartoon ever produced by Disney Channel. The show centers around a group of Gargoyles being awoken after 1,000 years of being trapped by a spell; they awaken in 1994 on the top of a Skyscraper. "Gargoyles" has complex characters and plot, is extremely dark for a Disney show, and has great themes and stories unparalleled to anything Disney has made since then.
4. "Teen Titans" (2003-2006)
Erik: While a lot of other animated shows either focus more on the comedic, fun side or the serious, complex side with a splash of the other mixed in, "Teen Titans" is able to have both of these aspects and it does it marvelously. You would have one episode that was on the lighter side, maybe having all the characters fight a goofy villain and then right after that there would be another episode where the Titans would struggle with their own morality. This ability to do that, while also having unmatched story lines, not only made it critically acclaimed, but also loved by a wide audience.
3. "The Boondocks" (2005-Present)
LJ: This show is the greatest animated satirical show of all time, as it explores many topics prevalent to the black community and comments on them with a scathing wit unseen by any show before. The show skewers those it deems as harmful or fake to the black community such as Tyler Perry and BET. The show’s characters, led by Huey, Riley, and Robert Freeman, have differing personalities that blend together perfectly. This show also contains some of the greatest writing in animated television, which is why it ranks so high on our list.
2. "Batman the Animated Series" (1992-1995)
LJ: The best animated superhero show of all time, unparalleled with it’s top notch voice cast featuring Kevin Conroy as Batman and with Mark Hamill as the Joker. The show had fantastic plot lines and had the best portrayal of the dichotomy between Bruce Wayne and Batman while also being able to maintain the dark tone that has endeared Batman to his fans.
1. "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (2005-2008)
LJ: This was a no brainer for me; this show is by far the greatest animated show of all time because of way it blends humor, action and drama. This show, while short, tells a wonderful story and does it perfectly. Avatar focuses on all of it’s characters, giving each one of them a time to shine and grow as characters. That, in conjunction with a perfectly paced plot, is why this show stands atop our list.
Erik: GOAT. Enough said.
In a study conducted by Whatsgoodly, 28 percent of voters actually said Scooby-Doo was the best show, with 25 percent of the voters saying Avatar was the best show. So if you disagree with our list, tell us in the comments below!
