10 Best Cartoon Network Shows of the 90s, Ranked

Launched in 1992, Cartoon Network has been a cable staple for over 30 years, primarily celebrating animated programming. Initially highlighting Warner Bros.’ vast animation libraries. and Hanna-Barbera, the channel then produced its own content, which ultimately became its programming focus. Today we look back at this inaugural decade of Cartoon Network programming, specifically the ’90s. After all, some of the best Cartoon Network shows of all time aired during this formative decade, laying the foundation for its additional original content to follow.

There are a few caveats to keep in mind when it comes to the shows we’ve selected for this list. We’re not just looking at animated series that aired on Cartoon Network in the ’90s, but also shows produced during the decade. For example, “Batman: The Animated Series” was produced in the ’90s but didn’t come to Cartoon Network until 2000, while “The Flintstones” was several decades old. With that in mind, here’s our pick of the 10 best Cartoon Network shows of the ’90s, highlighting this crucial decade for the channel.

For better or worse, one of the defining characteristics of ’90s cartoons, especially those produced for basic cable, was that they tended to rely heavily on crude humor. This emphasis on toilet laughs was often combined with absurd premises, and few shows of the decade were as bizarre as “Cow and Chicken.” Like many of the cartoons on this list, the series began as a pilot that aired on Cartoon Network’s anthology series “What a Cartoon!”, with successful shorts receiving their own shows. The titular couple are anthropomorphic animal siblings who are often threatened by the devil, with all three characters voiced by Charlie Adler.

Debuting in 1997, “Cow and Chicken” mixed its unorthodox family dynamic with bizarre gags that usually veered into the surreal. Adler’s multi-faceted performance carries over much of the series, particularly in the way he voices the Devil as the character attempts to trap and outwit his cattle and fowl quarry. But even better than “Cow and Chicken” itself was the series’ superhero parody segment “I Am Weasel,” with Michael Dorn playing the title character. This series may be off-putting for viewers who didn’t grow up with the show, but for any millennial who watches Cartoon Network, “Cow and Chicken” has a special nostalgic quality.

Another ’90s cartoon that relied heavily on toilet humor was “2 Stupid Dogs,” which debuted on Cartoon Network’s sister channel TBS in 1993. The series eventually made its way to Cartoon Network, with the channel even cutting its own promos featuring the characters. The show itself centers on a little dog (Mark Schiff) and a big dog (Brad Garrett) who find themselves in various misadventures, from unpleasant owners to menial jobs. Much of the show’s comedy comes from the fact that the dogs and many of the characters around them are hopelessly stupid.

If “Cow and Chicken” sounds like a riff on “Rocko’s Modern Life,” then “2 Stupid Dogs” feels like it’s treading similar ground as “Ren and Stimpy.” Both shows feature pairs of anthropomorphic animals whose ineptitude gets them into trouble, although “2 Stupid Dogs” isn’t quite as petty. This distinction goes a long way, making it more palatable than many of his contemporaries with a similar sense of humor. Finding surprising mileage from its relatively simple premise, “2 Stupid Dogs” keeps things light and fun.

In fairness, “Transformers: Beast Wars” would rank much higher on this list, but it didn’t have as big a presence in Cartoon Network’s lineup. Cartoon Network aired the second season of the series, which is among its best, although the series is more closely associated with its original syndicated run. A sequel to the original animated series “Transformers,” the series follows a group of time-traveling Cybertronians who land on Earth in prehistoric times. The second season is where the time travel stakes come into focus, opening with a bang with the return of Optimus Primal (Garry Chalk) in a new Transmetal form following the season 1 finale.

“Transformers: Beast Wars,” one of the pioneering fully computer-animated TV series of the ’90s, often seems laughable by today’s standards. But the animation quality is much better in season 2 while the narrative takes bigger swings, including the deaths of other major characters. The series’ G1 connection also makes it a must-see for fans of the franchise, finding interesting ways to continue the story of the ’80s series. A forgotten ’90s cartoon that’s still worth watching, “Transformers: Beast Wars” is a fun reinvention of what the franchise can be.

Aimed more at preteen audiences, “Johnny Bravo” premiered in 1997 and ran for four seasons. The eponymous protagonist is a sort of muscular pastiche of Elvis Presley, complete with a pompadour and a distinct drawl. Hopelessly self-centered, Johnny constantly tries to land a date with the women he meets, without much success. The series also had a surprising number of guest stars and cameos, ranging from other Hanna-Barbera animated characters to real-life characters appearing in Johnny’s escapades.

Like some of the shows fueled by disgusting gags, “Johnny Bravo” may not have aged among Cartoon Network’s early original productions. But as rude as the main character can be around women, the important thing to keep in mind is that Johnny is still portrayed as a buffoon. Johnny continually fails to initiate a romantic relationship; he’s not a ladies’ man, no matter how much he considers himself one. This distinction fuels much of the humor in “Johnny Bravo” and makes its shallow protagonist even more palatable.

Created in the late ’90s, “Ed, Edd n Eddy” still managed to become a sensation on Cartoon Network before the end of the decade. The series’ titular trio are three teenagers living in an unassuming suburb who regularly get into all sorts of mischief. The group is led by Eddy (Tony Sampson), a brash young man who drags his friends Ed (Matt Hill) and Edd (Samuel Vincent) into his projects. Running for six seasons, the series features everything from neighborhood rivalries to the characters’ awkward first steps toward adolescence.

While the character designs, particularly of its central trio, are garishly rendered, there is genuine, if turbulent, heart in “Ed, Edd n Eddy.” Much of this comes from the series’ earnest exploration of teenage imaginations and dreams, usually with chaotic results. The three main characters balance each other well, adopting a comedic team dynamic, from the good-natured but dim-witted Ed to the neurotically intelligent Edd. Transporting Cartoon Network into the 21st century, “Ed, Edd n Eddy” delivers laughs with reckless, youthful abandon.

“Transformers” wasn’t the only legacy animated property to get a 3D makeover in the ’90s. The…