The Ultimate Ranking of Cartoon Network's Iconic 90s Shows - You Won't Believe What Takes the Top Spot!

Summary

Cartoon Network revolutionized the world of animation with its 24/7 cartoon broadcasts, starting with re-runs of classics like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo.

The '90s original Cartoon Network shows, such as Johnny Bravo and Courage the Cowardly Dog, still have a devoted fan base and are revered as iconic. However, it is The Powerpuff Girls that stands out as the ultimate original Cartoon Network show from that era. Its dynamic action, captivating animation, and clever adult humor have earned it widespread acclaim, numerous accolades, and a significant influence on popular culture that endures to this day.

The '90s Cartoon Network shows marked a golden era for the animation powerhouse. In 1991, Ted Turner acquired Hanna-Barbera Productions for a whopping $320 million. Seeking a platform to showcase Hanna-Barbera's vast collection of cartoons, he introduced the first-ever 24/7 cartoon channel called Cartoon Network in 1992. Initially featuring beloved classics such as The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, and Jonny Quest, the channel gradually expanded its programming to include influential shows like The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast, shaping the channel's overall identity.

By 1994, Cartoon Network had climbed the ranks to become the fifth most popular cable channel in the United States, thanks to hit series like Dexter's Laboratory and others. Renowned for its original and captivating content that appealed to all audiences, Cartoon Network produced iconic shows like Johnny Bravo and Courage the Cowardly Dog, as well as lesser-known gems like Mike, Lu & Og. These '90s originals continue to cultivate a dedicated following as fans rewatch the timeless series. From the worst to the best, every original Cartoon Network show from the '90s had the ability to rival the classics on the network.

12 Mike, Lu & Og, 1999-2001

Mike, Lu & Og, a show from the original '90s lineup of Cartoon Network, was unfortunately short-lived. It revolved around a group of young kids, including 11-year-old Mike, who finds herself stranded on a deserted island and encounters Lu and Og. Hailing from New York, Mike is completely out of her element on this peculiar island, but she embraces the opportunity to embark on numerous adventures with Lu and Og. However, the show faced challenges early on in terms of ratings, leading to its cancellation after two seasons, each consisting of 13 episodes. Various factors contributed to this, including criticisms regarding the pace and writing of the show. Viewers were thrust into the world of Mike, Lu & Og without sufficient explanation of its plot, resulting in moments of confusion throughout the series. Ultimately, the show failed to captivate the attention of '90s kids with its lack of excitement during its broadcast.

11 Big Bag, 1996-1998

Big Bag, an original '90s Cartoon Network show, stood out from the rest by combining live-action and animation. Created in collaboration with Sesame Workshop and the Jim Henson Company, this puppet series targeted preschoolers. Just like Sesame Street, the puppet characters interacted with humans in their world, and the main puppets, Chelli and Bag, ran a store together. The show ran for two seasons and gained a following for its vibrant characters and animated segments. It was groundbreaking as Cartoon Network's first live-action series and one of the few available for preschoolers at the time.

Big Bag had a unique concept that intrigued viewers. Initially, the show featured hour-long episodes in its first season. However, due to the declining attention spans of young audiences, the studios made a smart move and shortened the episodes to 30 minutes for the second season. Despite having the creative talents of Jim Henson, the show struggled to match the popularity of Sesame Street and was eventually canceled after its second season. Unfortunately, Big Bag disappeared from the public eye with only five episodes being released on VHS and no DVD release to date.

10 The Moxy Show, 1993-1995

The Moxy Show was a short-lived 3D-animated series created for Cartoon Network. Although it wasn't the most popular of all the original Cartoon Network shows from the 90s, it did introduce the network's first-ever original character. The show consisted of a collection of classic cartoon sketches, with interludes featuring Moxy (voiced by Bobcat Goldthwait) and Flea (originally voiced by Penn Jillette and later by Chris Rock). While it is recognized as Cartoon Network's inaugural original series, it did not receive a full production and has since become somewhat forgotten as it has not been rerun or made available for purchase.

Despite being the first original Cartoon Network character, Moxy didn't receive favorable reviews from critics or viewers. The show went through several transformations during its brief run, starting off as The Moxy Pirate Show, then becoming The Moxy Show, and finally being renamed as The Moxy & Flea Show. Unfortunately, the cartoon anthology series was not able to sustain itself on the air, but Cartoon Network learned from this experience and went on to create more successful and beloved original characters in the future.

9 I Am Weasel, 1997-1999

The Cartoon Network show, I Am Weasel, was a humorous yet overlooked series that initially began as segments on Cow & Chicken. However, when it received its own series, it did not achieve the same level of success as its parent show. The main characters, Weasel and I.R. Baboon, had contrasting personalities with Weasel being sophisticated and intelligent, while Baboon was dim-witted and messy. Baboon harbored envy towards Weasel and constantly tried to outshine him, although he rarely succeeded. Interestingly, there was a plot twist where Baboon eventually became the star of the series, surpassing Weasel. The show also featured the Red Guy as an antagonist.

Among all the original '90s Cartoon Network shows, I Am Weasel's spinoff status and its level of success within that realm were quite unique. Despite its relatively short duration, the show garnered decent ratings and was able to establish itself independently from Cow & Chicken. It ran for five seasons, consisting of 79 episodes, indicating its popularity among Cartoon Network's various properties. The reason for its cancellation remains unknown.

8 Space Ghost Coast To Coast, 1994-2001

The '90s original Cartoon Network show, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, has left a significant impact on adult viewers. This animated talk show featured the superhero Space Ghost, accompanied by his bandleader Zorak and director/producer Moltar. Originally a character from the '60s Hanna-Barbera series, Space Ghost conducted interviews with celebrity guests such as Eartha Kitt, Adam West, and Jim Carrey. However, due to his ego and lack of preparation, the interviews often went poorly and hilariously awkward. The show also showcased Space Ghost's contentious relationships with Zorak and Moltar, who despised him.

Among the numerous Cartoon Network cartoons that catered to adult audiences, Space Ghost Coast to Coast stands out and left a lasting impact. It made brief appearances in CN's Adult Swim block and played a significant role in introducing purposeful surrealism before the popularity of bizarre adult cartoons like Aqua Teen Hungerforce. After being featured from 2002 to 2004 on Adult Swim, the series moved to GameTap from 2006 to 2008. While its absurdist and erratic humor may not appeal to everyone, the undeniable influence of Space Ghost Coast to Coast on future Cartoon Network shows remains.

7 What A Cartoon!, 1995-1997, 2000

What a Cartoon! had a significant impact on the future of Cartoon Network's original shows in the 90s. This series showcased various cartoons from emerging talents in the industry, including Cow & Chicken, Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Larry and Steve, Family Guy, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. The aim of the show was to empower artists and filmmakers by giving them creative control. In addition to introducing timeless cartoons, What A Cartoon! was also recognized for reviving animation in the 90s.

In 2000, What a Cartoon! underwent a rebranding and was relaunched as The Cartoon Cartoon Show, now under the management of Sam Register after Fred Seibert's departure. Although the show continued to premiere new original Cartoon Network shows like Sheep in the Big City and Grim & Evil, its second iteration did not achieve the same level of success as its initial run. The show's format was bold and innovative for its time, as no other similar attempts had been made in the cartoon industry.

6 Johnny Bravo, 1997-2004

Johnny Bravo, portrayed by Jeff Bennett, was a muscular man who often made women uncomfortable with his advances. He embarked on strange adventures alongside his five-year-old neighbor Suzy, who took pleasure in annoying him, and his loyal fan Carl Chryniszzswics. Additionally, he had the opportunity to interact with famous guests like Adam West. Notably, among all the original '90s shows on Cartoon Network, Johnny Bravo gained widespread recognition for its clever adult humor. As one of the network's early stars, the show played a significant role in launching the careers of Butch Hartman, the creator of The Fairly Odd Parents, and Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy.

In present times, Johnny Bravo stands as one of the most iconic cartoon characters of the '90s. His catchphrases and quotes remain relevant in today's popular culture. The series also gave rise to a spin-off programming block called JBVO: Your All Request Cartoon Show, which featured Johnny Bravo as the host, occasionally accompanied by guest stars such as Chicken from Cow & Chicken. While Johnny Bravo did not secure any official awards, it received nominations in categories such as the Annie Awards, YoungStar Awards, and Golden Reel Awards.

5 Cow & Chicken, 1997-1999

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When it comes to the original Cartoon Network shows from the '90s, Cow & Chicken can be easily compared to the popular Nickelodeon show Ren & Stimpy. The show revolved around two animal siblings, Cow and Chicken, who had hilarious and crazy adventures in their peculiar city, interacting with its eccentric residents. Chicken, the self-assured older brother, was often hassled by the Red Guy, a character who took pleasure in causing them trouble. Viewers particularly enjoyed characters like Cow and the Red Guy as they were considered the funniest on the show.

Although some may have been put off by the unappealing art style and crude humor, this type of content became immensely popular and became a hallmark of beloved '90s cartoons, like Ren & Stimpy and Rocko's Modern Life. Cow & Chicken also had a spinoff called I Am Weasel and, like many other original shows on Cartoon Network, it started on What a Cartoon!. Additionally, the series garnered three Annie Awards and was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Animated Program category.

4 Courage The Cowardly Dog, 1999-2002

Courage the Cowardly Dog centered around the adventures of Courage, a dog living with his elderly owners Muriel and Eustace in a remote location. Despite their secluded home, the trio encountered numerous paranormal and supernatural occurrences and characters. Courage, despite being wise, often faced resistance from Eustace when trying to warn his owners about these encounters. The show gained popularity for its eerie atmosphere, unique character design, memorable villains, and the heartwarming bond between Muriel and Courage.

When it comes to original shows on Cartoon Network, Courage the Cowardly Dog has developed a dedicated following. The series embraced its eccentricity, using a blend of CGI and realistic imagery to create a surreal and otherworldly feel within the world of Muriel, Eustace, and, of course, Courage. While some criticized the show for being too frightening for young viewers, particularly due to its spine-chilling villains, the cartoon excelled in providing thrills and chills, earning it recognition with an Annie Award and a Golden Reel award.

3 Dexter's Laboratory, 1996-2003

Content was created by Genndy Tartakovsky as his first Cartoon Network series. Dexter's Laboratory revolves around a child prodigy named Dexter, who conducts experiments in his laboratory but often faces opposition from his older sister Dee Dee. This show, which aired in the '90s, has gained a cult following and remains popular through memes and nostalgia. Dexter's Laboratory is known for its cleverness, including subtle references that children may not catch, as well as its memorable opening and closing sequences featuring the narrator, Mako, who also voiced characters in Avatar and Samurai Jack.

Among the original Cartoon Network shows from the '90s, Dexter's Laboratory is highly acclaimed by critics. Alongside The Powerpuff Girls, it played a significant role in shaping Cartoon Network's distinctive animation style and served as a launching pad for Tartakovsky's successful career. He would go on to create Samurai Jack and Star Wars: Clone Wars. Dexter's Laboratory received numerous award nominations, ultimately winning three Annie Awards for its writing and voice acting.

2 Ed, Edd N Eddy, 1999-2002

Characters from the Cartoon Network series Ed, Edd n Eddy.

Creator Danny Antonucci dared to create the show after his previous work on The Brothers Grunt, which was known for its adult content. The show centered around three boys, Ed, Edd, and Eddy, who were considered outcasts in their neighborhood. While Eddy, in particular, attempted to trick them out of their money to purchase Jawbreakers, they also aimed to form genuine friendships. Fans were captivated by the eccentric characters, especially the three Eds, the unique and unexpected humor, and the grounded animation style.

Ed, Edd n Eddy is often compared to The Three Stooges in terms of its resemblance. The '90s animated series on Cartoon Network received widespread acclaim for its animation and storylines. Embracing the bizarre and surreal nature of other cartoons airing on CN at the time, the show became a significant success for the network. In total, Ed, Edd n Eddy has been honored with four awards, including a Reuben Award, two Leo Awards, and a SOCAN Award. The final award, presented to composer Patric Caird in 2009, serves as a testament to the show's lasting impact.

1 The Powerpuff Girls, 1998-2005

The Powerpuff Girls, an original '90s Cartoon Network show, stands out as the top pick. Born from a laboratory mishap, Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles showcased unique traits, with Blossom leading the group, Buttercup demonstrating strength, and Bubbles exuding sweetness. Its captivating villains, amusing comedy, subtle adult humor, captivating action, stylish animation, and exceptional voice acting garnered a devoted following. The show's success is evident in its nominations for six Emmy Awards, nine Annie Awards, and a Kids' Choice Award. Moreover, it boasts a plethora of additional content, including an anime spinoff, a 2016 reboot with new voice actors, three soundtracks, home releases, comic books, and video games. Although the CW's planned live-action version, named Powerpuff, faced obstacles with the pilot episode and the departure of Chloe Bennet in 2021, its status remains uncertain. Ultimately, The Powerpuff Girls' status as the best 90s Cartoon Network show is solidified by its cultural impact, in addition to its two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Annie Awards.