Cartoons have been more than television programs for decades, they have always been a fundamental part of growing up. From running home from school to watch Pinky and the Brain, to reciting your favorite theme song line-for-line, these programs made quite a splash. They inspired happiness, stimulated imagination, and even managed to sneak in a life lesson or two.
However, some cartoons didn’t just get stuck in our heads, they took pop culture by storm. From lunchboxes and catchphrases to whole movie franchises, their impact is still being felt. And with reboots and new generations climbing on board, the love never faded. Here are 10 retro cartoons that defined childhood for generations.
The Jetsons
Imagine flying cars, robots that do chores, and houses floating in the air. That’s the life of the titular Jetson family on The Jetsons. Busy dad George splits his time between work and the family. Fashionable mom Jane keeps things running. And then there’s their teen daughter Judy and their youngest son Elroy. Their life in the city is full of futuristic adventures and tons of cool gadgets.
The Jetsons raised the bar for generations with how it blended futuristic technology with really very down-to-earth family life. All in all, it was a great depiction of what a real family is actually like. The constant arguing, good times, and general growth all sounded very believable. It’s no surprise that this cartoon is still close to many fans’ hearts.
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry has been getting generations in stitches, ever since its original release on the big screen back in 1940. The storyline itself is simple; Tom constantly stalks Jerry, and Jerry outsmarts him in the most ridiculous ways imaginable. We’re talking everything from Tom getting assaulted by a bowling ball to Jerry somehow condemning his soul to hell. The show needed little to no dialogue because their over-the-top antics got the job done, serving up a cartoon that was simple, goofy, and fun for all ages.
It’s the type of show you could watch over and over, yet still laugh like it’s the first time. It goes without saying that Tom and Jerry are not just cartoon personalities, they’re pop culture symbols, with tons of awards, remakes, and followers to show for it. They’re equally proof that some things never go out of style.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
You can’t talk about generation-defining cartoons without mentioning Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!. The premise itself is as simple as it is intriguing — a team of teenagers and their adorable (and very hungry) dog cruising around in the Mystery Machine, solving spooky cases — what’s not to love? Every episode is loaded with eerie clues, bizarre bad guys, and that final moment where the bad guy is unmasked, only to scowl at “those meddling kids.”
What really makes Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! resonate to date is the gang. There’s Fred the confident one, Velma the smart one, Daphne the stylish one, and Shaggy and Scooby? Complete craziness and goofiness. It’s been over 50 years since the cartoon hit the screens, and yet it’s still as much fun as ever.
The Flintstones
Next up is The Flintstones. A true pioneer in the cartoon space, which gives viewers an exciting look at life in the Stone Age. It follows Fred Flintstone, his wife Wilma, their daughter Pebbles, and their neighbours, the Rubbles. Fred is a quarry worker with big dreams who sometimes gets into trouble alongside his best friend, Barney Rubble. But regardless of what happens, their friendship and family bonds stay strong.
The Flintstones earned its spot on this list not just because it defined generations, but also its contribution to TV history. As one of the first animated shows on primetime, The Flintstones opened the door for many family sitcoms down the line. Fans loved the show because of its portrayal of everyday struggles as well as its creative stone-age inventions. To this day, the show still brings smiles to fans, young and old.
The Simpsons
It’s not every day you hear that a single cartoon has managed to bag an unbreakable record or two in its day. It holds the records for being the longest-running American animated series and scripted primetime television series. Following the day-to-day lives of the titular family, The Simpsons brings a little humor, a little heart, and a little commentary to the screen against the backdrop of family life/challenges in the fictional town of Springfield.
Beyond being an iconic cartoon, The Simpsons is somewhat of a pop culture oracle. From drama to social commentary, it’s predicted everything from FaceTime to a Trump presidency. Thirty years in, it’s still shaping generations, and there’s no sign of it quitting.
The Powerpuff Girls
From the moment the cartoon was released, it was quite obvious that the Powerpuff Girls weren’t your average superheroes. Yes, they were adorable, but they were clearly just as deadly. Each episosde of the show had the three girls, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, save the fictional town of Townsville (because, why not?) from villains time and time again. With their distinct personalities and impressive powers, they proved that girl power was the real deal, especially during a time when there weren’t a lot of cartoons in that frame of mind.
The Powerpuff Girls is one of the shows that put Cartoon Network on the map, making it a giant in the animated TV space. The show successfully inspired everything from toys to stickers and even little girls who suddenly believed that cute and tough weren’t mutually exclusive. Although the anime adaptation didn’t quite live up to the original, The Powerpuff Girls will always be remembered as a cartoon that defined generations.
SpongeBob SquarePants
Not many cartoon theme songs can get a room full of adults singing like SpongeBob SquarePants. Since 1999, this underwater gem — a brainchild of marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg — has kept audiences coming back for more. With its goofy whimsy and humor that transcends all ages, it’s little wonder that it held on.
Years later, SpongeBob’s still going strong and never missing a beat, and it’s all thanks to the wholesome characters. With his relentless optimism, Squidward’s grumpy one-liners, Mr. Krabs’ greed, and whatever Patrick is peddling, SpongeBob SquarePants touches all bases. It’s one of those shows that hits the spot, no matter how old you are.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
In terms of entertainment and smart children’s cartoons as a whole, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse definitely had its thing going. The show was so great that it was second only to Ms. Rachel’s Songs for Littles as the most educational children’s program out there. Coupled with a dash of vibrant colors, a wholesome crew (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto), and those notorious Mouseketools, each episode brought first-rate fun.
Perhaps the real charm here is that the show forced kids to think, solve small mysteries, count, and sing out loud with abandon. It was subtle learning in disguise, and kids gobbled it up. To say that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a television show is to say nothing: more aptly, it’s a decade of childhood packaged as mouse ears.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The premise of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is as intriguing as it is layered — literally. Hidden beneath the streets of New York City are four mutant brothers: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. Luckily, the foursome is not on their own; they’ve got a rat for a sensei, Splinter, who’s not just a teacher, he’s a foster father of sorts. In a nutshell, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows their day-to-day shenanigans, which usually involve fighting against bad guys and eating tons of pizza.
Although the series stood out for its exciting action, the true selling point is the dynamic between the brothers. Each one brought something unique to the table, be it Leonardo’s leadership skills or Donatello’s tech expertise. All in all, TMNT was a huge part of growing up for many children all around the world.
Rugrats
To top it all off is the greatest ’90s throwback, it’s none other than Rugrats. This ragtag crew of adventurous babies, headed by fearless Tommy and high-strung little Chuckie, turned things as mundane as diaper duty into a whole blockbuster action movie in their imaginations. It captured that wide-eyed, anything-is-possible magic of childhood both comically and emotionally.
Way back in the good old days, Rugrats was basically at the top of the children’s TV food chain, and rightfully so. The show expertly smuggled in life lessons without losing its innate sense of fun. Years down the line, it still feels like a big ol’ hug from your childhood.
