When you become an adult and find yourself burdened with paying taxes, doing the weekly food shop, and feeling a pain in your back every time you stand up, you really start to realise how good life was when you were a kid. Sure, catching the latest new movies at the cinema or loading up a new TV series on Netflix is great, but nothing beats those Saturday mornings you used to spend in front of the television watching cartoons.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best classic kids shows that’ll bring a sweet sense of nostalgia into your life, and we’ll even tell you where to watch them.
Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999)
Looking back, Ed, Edd n Eddy is quite possibly one of the most bizarre kids TV shows ever made, but it was wildly entertaining at the time. With slapstick humour, unique characters, and genuinely original storylines, this Cartoon Network gem is not the kind of show you forget in a hurry.
The fact that the three main characters all had their own very distinct personalities and quirks and yet always stayed loyal to each other as best friends is a heartwarming sentiment, too. Even if you never cottoned on to that idea as a kid, the surface level silliness makes this one of the best retro TV shows of all time.
Dexter's Laboratory (1996)
Perhaps one of the most iconic cartoon characters of the 1990s, Dexter and his array of scientific creations have maintained a great legacy over the years, and the little guy is still meme-worthy to this day. Dexter’s Laboratory was a staple of any child’s viewing habits back in the day and was the type of cartoon you could binge watch for hours on end.
The beauty of Dexter’s Laboratory is that it was so silly, but the kind of silly where you know the creators had to be smart to get the balance just right. The sibling rivalry between Dexter and his meddlesome sister Dee Dee, in particular, was one for the ages.
Arthur (1996)
Wouldn’t it be lovely if the world was as bright and positive as Arthur had promised us with his delightful little theme tune? As a carefree child, the idea of working and playing together and listening to your heart was such a wonderful vibe to start each day with, and the show embodied that spirit with a superb ensemble of endearing characters.
Arthur is a show that felt truly educational and nurturing, but one that did it subtly. It’s almost fable-like, in a way; a feeling that is probably helped by the fact all the characters were animals, but still.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Of all the shows on this list, Batman: The Animated Series is arguably the one you’re most likely to still be watching even as an adult. From the stunning art deco visuals to Kevin Conroy’s legendary voice work and the superb storytelling, this superhero series has aged impeccably and is still a firm favourite to this day.
Batman: The Animated Series produced some of the finest stories about the Caped Crusader ever, including ‘Heart of Ice’, ‘Feat of Clay,’ and of course, it also led to the incredible animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
Pinky and the Brain (1995)
When you think of great comedic double acts, you think of Laurel and Hardy, Morecambe and Wise, and, of course, Pinky and the Brain. Between the dastardly ways of Brain and the downright ridiculous yet charming innocence of Pinky, these two little lab rats were constantly embroiled in elaborate adventures that never quite went their way.
While Pinky may have unwittingly foiled Brain’s attempts to take over the world time and time again, the pair shared an undeniable, unrelenting love for one another in one of the most sweet depictions of friendship you’re likely to see.
Rugrats (1991)
This is one for younger audiences, sure, but there’s actually more than enough to enjoy about Rugrats even as you get older; in fact, there are plenty of subtle jokes in this show that are actually planted just for the adults in the room.
From Tommy’s stoic leadership, to Chucky’s cute anxiousness, and Phil and Lil’s playfulness, the Rugrats crew are all loveable in their own ways. Then, of course, you have Angelica, who may be a brat, but hey, some kids are annoying, right? This show also gets bonus points because the PS1 game, Rugrats: Search for Reptar, was absolutely amazing.
Samurai Jack (2001)
Genndy Tartakovsky is a legend in the animation world, with the likes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Powerpuff Girls, and the aforementioned Dexter’s Laboratory among his TV credits. However, his finest work to date has to be Samurai Jack.
Not only is this one of the most visually astounding pieces of animation, but the vast lore and thematically rich storytelling at the heart of this early 2000s show is just next level. Tartakovsky tapped into mythology and the history of samurai customs to produce truly breathtaking combat sequences that are still some of the very best you’ll ever see today.
Power Rangers (1993)
Was Power Rangers cheesy, camp, and full of ludicrous fight choreography? Yes, absolutely. Was it also the coolest TV show anyone had ever seen back in the ‘90s? Hell yes. Seriously, those colourful suits, the badass weapons, and the epic Zords… nothing comes close to how impressive these heroes were to kids at the time.
We have the Japanese superhero series Super Sentai to thank for the existence of Power Rangers, which, in turn, led to multiple films and some of the most exciting action figures ever. If you remember the toys where the heads flip over to reveal the characters underneath the helmets, you had a great childhood!
The Flintstones (1960)
Yabba dabba doo! We’re going old school for these final two entries, starting off with a trip to Bedrock and the Stone Age with The Flintstones. This is one of the finest works from the influential animation duo, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, and one that has well and truly stood the test of time.
From its unforgettable theme tune to the plethora of little catchphrases and one-liners, there’s so much to love about The Flintstones. It’s a show that has been passed down from generation to generation, and one that embodies that Saturday morning spirit of whiling away hours in front of the television.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969)
And finally, another Hanna and Barbera hit from the ‘60s, with Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! If you’re not already singing the theme tune to this classic kids show in your head, there’s something terribly wrong with you.
There are few cartoon canines who can compete with old Scooby, and for good reason. Bringing horror elements into a children’s TV show without ever taking things too far was no easy feat, but this series has managed it for the best part of 55 years now, and it’s still going strong. We will never get tired of hopping in the Mystery Machine, grabbing a few Scooby snacks, and tracking down monsters and ghouls.
Honourable Mentions
- X-Men (1992)
- Pingu (1986)
- Recess (1997)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)
- The Powerpuff Girls (1998)
Where To Watch The Best Classic Kids TV Shows Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the UK, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
