He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was a sword-and-sorcery spectacle, centered around Prince Adam, who transforms into the mighty He-Man to protect Eternia from Skeletor and his minions. With its blend of magic, technology, and moral lessons, it became an iconic part of the 80s. A cool detail is that He-Man’s character was originally created to be a toyline, and the show was developed as a way to sell action figures.

Dexter’s Laboratory was a hilarious and innovative cartoon about a boy genius with a secret lab, constantly thwarted by his annoying sister Dee Dee. The show’s fast-paced humor, creative animation, and satirical takes on science fiction made it a fan favorite. A fun fact is that the show introduced the world to Genndy Tartakovsky, who would go on to create Samurai Jack and work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, cementing his legacy as one of animation’s greats.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became a phenomenon, following the pizza-loving, ninja-trained turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—as they battled Shredder and the Foot Clan. The show’s mix of action, humor, and memorable catchphrases made it a massive hit. A fascinating fact is that the original comic was much darker and more violent, but the show’s lighter tone helped it become a mainstream success.

Batman: The Animated Series redefined superhero cartoons with its dark, gothic art style, complex storytelling, and unforgettable voice acting, including Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker. The show introduced Harley Quinn, who became such a fan-favorite that she was later added to the comics. A fascinating fact is that the show's unique "Dark Deco" animation style was achieved by drawing on black paper instead of white, giving it a truly noir-inspired look.

Alvin & the Chipmunks followed the musical adventures of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, three chipmunk brothers with human-like traits and high-pitched voices. Their catchy songs and humorous antics made the show a hit. A fun fact is that the original Chipmunks recordings were made by speeding up real human voices, a technique that has been used ever since.

X-Men: The Animated Series was a groundbreaking cartoon that brought Marvel’s mutants to Saturday mornings, delivering deep character development and serialized storytelling rarely seen in kids’ shows. It tackled themes of prejudice, identity, and heroism in a way that resonated with fans. A fun fact is that the show’s opening theme song became so iconic that it was reused for the X-Men '97 revival decades later, proving its lasting impact.

The Powerpuff Girls was a wildly entertaining and action-packed series about three superpowered sisters—Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup—who fought villains while dealing with childhood antics. It blended humor, anime influences, and superhero action into a uniquely stylized show. A cool fact is that the character Mojo Jojo’s fast-talking speech patterns were inspired by classic villains from Japanese monster movies, making him one of the most distinct cartoon villains of the era.

DuckTales was a beloved Disney series that followed Scrooge McDuck and his grandnephews—Huey, Dewey, and Louie—on globe-trotting treasure hunts filled with adventure, danger, and humor. The show had catchy music, memorable characters like Launchpad McQuack and Gizmoduck, and some of the best storytelling in 80s animation. A fun fact is that the show's theme song is so iconic that it was ranked one of the most recognizable cartoon theme songs of all time.

Thundercats brought epic fantasy and sci-fi together, following the feline humanoid warriors led by Lion-O as they fought the evil Mumm-Ra on the planet Third Earth. The show’s distinct animation style and thrilling action sequences made it a staple of 80s cartoons. A fascinating fact is that the series was animated by a Japanese studio, giving it a unique, anime-inspired look that set it apart from other American cartoons of the time.

Johnny Bravo was a hilarious and exaggerated take on the self-absorbed macho man, following the clueless yet strangely lovable Johnny as he failed spectacularly at impressing women. The show’s humor was packed with pop culture references and slapstick comedy. A cool fact is that Johnny’s design and mannerisms were inspired by Elvis Presley, which is why he always sports sunglasses and speaks with a deep, exaggerated voice.

Tiny Toon Adventures was a modern take on Looney Tunes, introducing younger versions of classic Warner Bros. characters, such as Buster and Babs Bunny. It retained the original slapstick humor while adding a fresh twist. A cool fact is that Steven Spielberg was an executive producer on the show, helping give it a high level of animation quality and creativity.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends was one of the earliest animated adaptations of the web-slinger, teaming him up with Iceman and Firestar as they battled classic villains like the Green Goblin and Doctor Doom. The show introduced many fans to Marvel superheroes and expanded Spidey’s world beyond his usual solo adventures. A cool fact is that Firestar was originally created for the show because the rights to use the Human Torch were unavailable.

Superman: The Animated Series brought the Man of Steel to life in a beautifully animated series that focused on his heroic battles and emotional struggles. The show balanced action with deeper storytelling, introducing iconic villains like Darkseid in epic fashion. A cool detail is that it was part of the same continuity as Batman: The Animated Series, eventually leading to the Justice League series that became a defining moment in superhero animation.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers was a unique superhero series with an environmental message, where five teenagers from around the world were granted elemental powers to summon Captain Planet, a blue-skinned eco-warrior who fought pollution and corporate greed. The show’s emphasis on environmentalism made it ahead of its time. A fun fact is that Captain Planet’s design was partially inspired by Greek gods, giving him an ethereal look that symbolized nature’s power.

Inspector Gadget featured the bumbling yet lovable detective with countless built-in gadgets, constantly foiling the evil schemes of Dr. Claw—usually by accident, with help from his niece Penny and dog Brain. A neat fact is that Dr. Claw’s face was never shown in the original series, creating a mystery that fans speculated about for years.

Rugrats followed the world from the perspective of babies, with Tommy Pickles and his friends going on wild adventures while navigating childhood’s mysteries. The show’s clever writing and mix of humor and heart made it a staple of 90s animation. A fun fact is that Rugrats was one of the first cartoons to feature episodes told from an infant’s point of view, making everyday experiences feel like epic adventures.

Muppet Babies took beloved Muppet characters and reimagined them as toddlers with wild imaginations, using creative animation sequences that mixed live-action footage with cartoon adventures. The show was a favorite for its heartwarming messages and fun storytelling. A cool fact is that because of licensing agreements, Muppet Babies featured actual Star Wars footage, making it one of the first cartoons to include official Star Wars references.

GI Joe was the ultimate action-packed animated series of the 1980s, following the elite special forces team as they battled the nefarious terrorist organization Cobra. Each episode featured intense battles, over-the-top villains, and of course, the famous public service announcements at the end, teaching kids valuable lessons. A fun fact is that the show’s iconic phrase, “Knowing is half the battle,” became a widely recognized catchphrase, influencing pop culture references for decades.

Richie Rich followed the adventures of the world’s richest kid, who used his wealth to go on wild adventures, solve problems, and outwit greedy villains. The show capitalized on the fantasy of limitless money and high-tech gadgets. A fun fact is that Richie Rich was one of the longest-running Harvey Comics characters before getting his own show, proving his appeal across generations.