Cartoons from the '90s were perceived very differently. Many of them became an integral part of the childhoods of millions of '90s children. However, there were other hits that have fallen somewhat into the background over time, especially in the era of streaming. Luckily, the internet exists, so we can rediscover some hidden gems of '90s cartoons.
Fox Kids / giphy.com
Here are 21 '90s cartoons you've probably forgotten about or haven't thought about in decades:
1. Street Sharks (1994–1997)
DIC Entertainment
In the '90s, when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was wildly popular, everyone was looking for the next kids' series about hybrid fighters who combined animal and human traits. That's how Street Sharks came about. The twisted Dr. Paradigm transforms four brothers into sharks, which, of course, leads to them becoming crime fighters battling shark-people. The series, which ran for three seasons, evokes nostalgia in any '90s kid with its animated style.
DIC Entertainment
2. Angry Beavers (1997–2003)
Nickelodeon
If you're looking for a wacky '90s animated kids' comedy, The Angry Beavers is the one for you. The unforgettable adventures of beaver brothers Norbert and Daggett are unforgettable. Compared to super-popular cartoons like Rugrats and Doug, this "odd couple" of beavers has somewhat faded into the background, which is a shame, as the voice acting of Nick Bakay (Norbert) and Richard Steven Horvitz (Daggett) has become iconic.
Nickelodeon
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3. Gargoyles (1994–1997)
Disney Television Animation
Gargoyles has its own devoted fan base, so I'm sure they haven't forgotten, but this visually intense series was an underrated gem of the '90s. Its relatively dark plot followed the awakening of ancient gargoyles in modern-day New York City. The series only lasted two seasons, but the second season consisted of a whopping 52 episodes!
Disney Television Animation
4. League of Mutants (1994–1996)
DIC Entertainment
What was "Mutant League" about? You know, just mutant athletes made from toxic waste playing sports like football and hockey. The animation is so reminiscent of a video game because it actually was a video game before it was adapted into a TV series. I've never heard of either of them, but at the same time, it looks so familiar!
DIC Entertainment
5. The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (1996–1997)
Cartoon Network
If you're unfamiliar with Jonny Quest, he's a character from 1960s science fiction adventure comics. This series wasn't even the company's first foray into television. It's the THIRD television installment in the Jonny Quest franchise, the first two being Jonny Quest (1964–1965) and The New Adventures of Jonny Quest (1986).
Cartoon Network
6. Back to the Future (1991–1992)
CBS
What the hell?! Was there really a Back to the Future series? Technically, I wasn't even alive back then (1993), but it's amazing how that show just vanished. Marty and Doc after the events of the three films. And yes, it features that iconic DeLorean time machine.
CBS
7. Wild Dragon (1995–1996)
USA Network
In the Savage Dragon comic, the Chicago police got a green-skinned hero with no memory to fight the city's villainous "superfreaks." The design is pretty cool, and that fin is quite nostalgic. If it looks like a comic book, that's because it is. The popular Image Comics superhero debuted in the 1980s.
USA Network
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8. Mighty Max (1993–1994)
Blue Bird
This magical '90s baseball cap that grants a boy superpowers is simply the bomb! Mighty Max is based on the British toy line. Max embarks on adventures through space and time after being chosen... wait for it... as the "cap wearer." The cap even had an "M" on it, just like the one on his shirt!
Blue Bird
9. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1990–1991)
Fox
«"Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" is exactly what the title suggests. Based on the B-movie franchise, the film follows mutant tomatoes that go on the attack thanks to a mad scientist.
Fox
10. The Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series (1996–1997)
ABS
Ducks playing hockey in an alternate dimension? Sign me up! As a kid, I was so disappointed to learn that The Mighty Ducks had nothing to do with real ducks playing hockey. I've loved sports since I was a kid, so this show feels like some kind of fever dream, some kind of fevered memory.
ABS
11. Pizza-Loving Samurai Cats (1991)
TXN
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Everyone was trying to get into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hype. What about cats instead of turtles? What about samurai instead of ninjas? Add pizza, and you get "Samurai Pizza Cats." The series was much less popular than other American adaptations of Japanese animation, but I remember loving those costumes.
TXN
12. Biker Mice from Mars (1993–1996)
Brentwood TV Jokes
*Sigh* Again, cartoons like "Biker Cars from Mars" were trying to be the next "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." These mutants come from Mars and find refuge in Chicago, where they fight aliens. Kids who liked motorcycles were probably thrilled by these three mice. I, on the other hand, remember almost nothing except the mice looking like cyborgs.
Brentwood TV Jokes
13. Mike, Lou and Og (1999–2000)
Cartoon Network
In the animated series "Mike, Lou, and Og," three children on an island encounter the daily adventures of the locals and their customs. I was reminded of a character in a loincloth, even though I don't think I've ever seen an episode.
Cartoon Network
14. Aaaah!!! Real Monsters (1994–1997)
Nickelodeon
You could give me 100 guesses, and I still wouldn't be able to tell you this show is called "Aaaah!!! Real Monsters." Before "Monsters University," we had the trio of Oblina, Ickis, and Krumm, monster students who terrified everyone to get good grades. Their designs are so memorable and definitely tickle the part of my brain that loved horror as a kid (and didn't realize it yet).
Nickelodeon
15. Taz-Mania (1991–1995)
Fox Kids
It's Taz! The Tasmanian Devil from the Looney Tunes cartoons starred in his own show, "Taz-Mania." The concept was truly hilarious: this eccentric character interacted with his family, each eccentric in their own way... but none of them were as chaotic as Taz.
Fox Kids
16. Bonkers (1993–1994)
Disney Channel
A cartoon bobcat becomes a cop in Los Angeles. No, seriously, that's the plot of the show. I wasn't a big Disney Channel fan back in the '90s, so I'd never even heard of Bonkers. I only recognized him because I never knew the answers to the Disney Trivial Pursuit quiz about the show. I always thought he was the cereal mascot, not a TV show character.
Disney Channel
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17. Earthworm Jim (1995–1996)
World Bank
So what is Earthworm Jim? It's another video game series turned into an animated series. After acquiring a robotic "ultrasuit," an earthworm named Jim becomes a galactic hero. The series itself was created by Doug TenNapel, who also developed the video game.
World Bank
18. Cow and Chicken (1997–1999)
Cartoon Network
So, in the cartoon "Cow and Chicken," they're brother (a chicken) and sister (a cow). Its humor is very reminiscent of "SpongeBob SquarePants" and other straightforward kids' comedies. I've never seen it, but its surreal comedy really helped shape the character of many 90s kids.
Cartoon Network
19. Roles of Poly Oli (1998–2004)
CBC TV channel
Every few years, I see a still from "Roli Poli Oli," and a wave of nostalgia washes over me. From the unsettling computer animation to that strange teapot-shaped house with a face, this children's cartoon followed a family of robots from the planet Poli. I don't know if the house is robotic, sentient, or what, but it creeps me out.
CBC TV channel
20. PB&J Otter (1998–2000)
Disney Theatre
«"I'll use my noodles, but I won't dance." *starts dancing* The Peanut Butter and Jelly Otter cartoon followed three otter children, brother and sister, Peanut, Butter, and Jelly. Aimed at preschoolers, the show taught children from an early age that they needed to use their "noodles" to achieve their goals.
Disney Theatre
21. Cat and Dog (1998–2005)
Nickelodeon
«"No blue buzzard, no three-eyed frog, just a cat-dog, little Cat-Dog." Cat-Dog is a 90s animated series about a cat and a dog joined at the waist and their crazy antics. The character designs were very original, and the theme song was a blast. I often forget about this show and would never have guessed it ran for four seasons over eight years.
Nickelodeon
What's your favorite '90s cartoon? Tell us in the comments!
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