Top Hidden Gems from Hanna-Barbera's Collection, Ranked

The Hanna-Barbera animation and production studio, founded by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, is well-known for iconic series like The Flintstones. However, they have also created equally entertaining but underrated shows over the years. The studio is renowned for its animated sitcoms and mystery series, releasing numerous shows that dominated the morning cartoon slots in their early years.

Despite the high volume of output, some of Hanna-Barbera's shows have been overlooked over time, even though they possess quality. Many of their characters have been forgotten due to the overshadowing success of their popular shows. Additionally, the tendency to replicate successful structures in subsequent shows has hindered originality, leading to some of Hanna-Barbera's productions being overlooked. Nevertheless, these forgotten shows deserve recognition for their entertainment value.

Jabberjaw (1976)

A musical shark teams up with an underwater band.

Jabberjaw is excitedly talking to The Neptunes. - A musical shark teams up with an underwater band. - Jabberjaw (1976)

The main character of Jabberjaw, a great white shark, was inspired by the success of Jaws the previous year. Teaming up with the rock group The Neptunes, Jabberjaw battled supervillains in underwater cities. Similar to Scooby-Doo and Josie and the Pussycats, the show featured a mix of music and crime-solving. Despite creating an entertaining character, Jabberjaw failed to bring anything new to the table and ultimately faded into obscurity among other Hanna-Barbera productions.

Butch Cassidy (1973)

A musical group lives double lives as secret agents.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids are dancing on stage. - A musical group lives double lives as secret agents. - Butch Cassidy (1973)

Also recognized as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids, the series revolves around the main character and his group leading a double life. Drawing similarities to shows like Jonny Quest and Josie and the Pussycats, Butch Cassidy showcases the band working as secret agents to solve crimes when they are not performing. Despite its brief time on television and drawing inspiration from past series, Butch Cassidy failed to gain the same popularity as other iconic Hanna-Barbera productions.

Captain Caveman And The Teen Angels (1977-1980)

A crime-solving trio and their caveman companion.

Captain Caveman is pointing at Dee Dee, Brenda, and Taffy. - A crime-solving trio and their caveman companion. - Captain Caveman And The Teen Angels (1977-1980)

Inspired by Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, the series features three girls teaming up with a prehistoric superhero to solve mysteries and fight crime. Drawing parallels to iconic shows like Charlie's Angels and Scooby-Doo, the unique aspect of Captain Caveman being hailed as the "world's first superhero" adds a fun twist. Despite its entertaining elements, the familiar format and tone of the show fail to distinguish it from other Hanna-Barbera productions.

Harlem Globetrotters (1970-1971)

Real-life basketball players were placed in animated conflicts.

The Harlem Globetrotters are huddled together as seen in the series' opening sequence. - Real-life basketball players were placed in animated conflicts. - Harlem Globetrotters (1970-1971)

Harlem Globetrotters, featuring a fictionalized version of the real-life basketball team, showcased the team engaging in basketball games to settle disputes. A distinctive element of the show was its memorable soundtrack, often played during the games. Despite its brief run of two seasons, Harlem Globetrotters served as the inspiration for The Super Globetrotters, a series where the team assumed secret identities as superheroes. Moreover, characters from Harlem Globetrotters made appearances in The New Scooby-Doo Movies in the subsequent years.

The Herculoids (1967-1968)

A family and their creature friends protect their home planet.

Zandor is shooting a slingshot as Dorno and Tara are standing next to him. - A family and their creature friends protect their home planet. - The Herculoids (1967-1968)

The Herculoids, an animated series set in the realm of science fiction, revolves around a family residing on the fictional planet of Amzot. Together with their monster-like companions, they engage in battles against adversaries to safeguard their kingdom and the entire planet. Standing out from other popular Hanna-Barbera productions, The Herculoids offers a distinctive and thrilling viewing experience. Additionally, some of the fantastical creatures featured in The Herculoids have made guest appearances in Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law and Space Jam: A New Legacy.

The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop (1969-1970)

A racer on the run from an enemy in disguise.

Penelope Pitstop is standing on top of a tower. - A racer on the run from an enemy in disguise. - The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop (1969-1970)

The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, a spin-off series of Wacky Races, reintroduced beloved characters like Penelope Pitstop and the Ant Hill Mob. In each episode, Penelope finds herself fleeing from the villainous Hooded Claw. While the show's formula may seem repetitive, it maintains the same whimsical and thrilling atmosphere that made Wacky Races so enjoyable, ensuring viewers are entertained throughout.

The Addams Family (1973)

The first animated series within the Addams Family franchise.

The Addams family is standing in front of their Victorian-style camper. - The first animated series within the Addams Family franchise. - The Addams Family (1973)

The Addams Family, known for being the first animated adaptation, follows the iconic family on a cross-country road trip. Despite toning down the dark and creepy energy they are famous for, the Addams Family is still portrayed as uniquely different, leading to humorous chaos and exciting adventures. While not the most influential version of the Addams Family, the series is memorable for having the original actors of Uncle Fester and Lurch from the 1960s series provide the voices for their characters.

SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993-1995)

Two vigilante felines protect their city from powerful villains.

Razor and T-Bone are standing with weapons in their hands. - Two vigilante felines protect their city from powerful villains. - SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993-1995)

SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron features Razor and T-Bone, two feline heroes dedicated to defending Megakat City from evil forces. While the show may not have introduced characters as iconic as Scooby-Doo or The Flintstones, its clever writing and intense action sequences left a lasting impression. Despite its popularity among syndicated animated series, SWAT Kats was eventually cancelled due in part to its level of violence. The show enjoyed a brief run of two seasons before its original co-creator, Christian Tremblay, revealed plans for a revival series set to debut in 2022.

Birdman And The Galaxy Trio (1967-1968)

Various types of superheroes fight crime on land and in space.

Birdman and Avenger are flying through the sky. - Various types of superheroes fight crime on land and in space. - Birdman And The Galaxy Trio (1967-1968)

Birdman and the Galaxy Trio featured two segments dedicated to Birdman's adventures and one focused on the Galaxy Trio, a team of space-faring superheroes. Although the Galaxy Trio characters were not as memorable, Birdman went on to star in a spin-off series in 2001. Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, a popular adult swim show from the 2000s, depicts Birdman navigating the legal world alongside other beloved Hanna-Barbera characters.

The 13 Ghosts Of Scooby-Doo (1985)

The familiar Scooby-Doo gang set off on a haunted adventure.

Shaggy, Daphne, Flim-Flam and Scooby-Doo are running away from a dragon. - The familiar Scooby-Doo gang set off on a haunted adventure. - The 13 Ghosts Of Scooby-Doo (1985)

The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo is a part of the Scooby-Doo franchise, showcasing beloved characters from Hanna-Barbera. In this series, the gang stumbles upon a mystical object that unleashes 13 ghosts into their world. Currently, The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo is well-regarded within the franchise and holds a solid 7.3 rating on IMDb.

The series provided a spookier tone to the franchise and left a few die-hard fans with a lingering question that wasn't answered until three decades later. With the gang having to find the scattered spirits before they cause harm to the world, all but one ghost is captured. It wasn't until the 2019 film, Scooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost, that the final ghost would be caught, putting the series to rest.

Editor's P/S:

The article takes us on a nostalgic journey through Hanna-Barbera's lesser-known animated shows. It's a fascinating exploration of forgotten gems that deserve more recognition. The author provides insightful details about each show, highlighting their unique elements and the reasons why they may have been overshadowed by more popular productions.

Reading this article stirs up a mix of emotions. On one hand, there's a sense of longing for these forgotten shows, a desire to revisit their worlds and characters. On the other hand, there's an appreciation for the author's efforts to shed light on these underappreciated works. The article serves as a reminder of the rich and diverse history of animation, and it encourages us to explore beyond the familiar to discover hidden treasures.