There’s something undeniably magical about the journey of cartoons. From the simple black-and-white shorts of classic Felix the Cat to the vibrant mix of sound, color, and slapstick humor in the chaotic Tom and Jerry. Those early animations laid the groundwork, but little did they know they’d eventually give rise to the all-out, colorful mayhem that would define Saturday mornings for generations to come.
By the late 20th century, cartoons were coming into their own, full of deep characters, sharp humor, and the life lessons to match them. At that moment, they graduated from mere entertainment to reflections of our society. Then came the good ol’ early 2000s, by then animated pictures had mastered the recipe to keep viewers hooked. We’re talking, humor, action, and bright, eye-catching visuals that brought some of the most iconic characters to life.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
There are shows that stick with you regardless of their era and Avatar: The Last Airbender fits the bill perfectly. Its wow element lies in the expert way the story balances comedy, action and heartfelt moments. Then there’s the intricate and wholesome worldbuilding that pulls everything together. Altogether, Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in a world divided by the four elements — water, air, earth and fire. Each nation is populated by people called benders who learn how to control an element each. But, there’s a sort of chosen one called the Avatar who can master all four. In this case, it’s a 112 year old kid named Aang.
Raking in multiple accolades in any genre is no easy feat but with voiceovers from Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, and Dante Basco Avatar: The Last Airbender became a standout part of TV in the early 2000s. While it was a kids show, there was a certain depth to the lineup of characters, especially in areas like Aang’s moral dilemmas, and Zuko’s inner battles. In a nutshell, it’s storytelling at its best.
Teen Titans
Image Credit: Warner Bros.
Picture this — five young heroes with unique powers team up to battle the bad guys while figuring out who they are and what friendship really means. Teen Titans tells the story of Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy as they protect their city from notorious villains, bringing a mix of action and laughter to every episode. With memorable catchphrases and personalities that matched their bright costumes, these heroes lit up the early 2000s.
The show juggled superhero action and hilarious banter like Robin attempting to and failing to manage his team. Voiced by Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Khary Payton, Tara Strong and Greg Cipe, the teen heroes made quite an impression. Loved by the public, the show spawned a spin-off, Teen Titans Go!, in 2013.
The Fairly OddParents
Image Credit: Nickelodeon
A truly memorable cartoon from the early 2000s, The Fairly OddParents whipped viewers straight into the world of Timmy Turner and his fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda, who grant his daily wishes. However, with each wish Timmy spiralled into a new predicament, and his attempts to remedy the situation made for nonstop laughs. The show’s blend of childlike magic and unforeseen chaos turned every episode into a gripping watch.
Behind the show’s whimsical enchantment is a powerful voice cast. Tara Strong expertly captured Timmy’s character, while Daran Norris and Susanne Blakeslee brought the comically charming Cosmo and Wanda to life. Their outstanding performances proved the show was far from just children’s entertainment.
SpongeBob SquarePants
Image Credit: United Plankton
Arguably one of the most iconic cartoon characters of not just the early 2000s, but of all time, SpongeBob is a welcome fixture on this list. The show itself, SpongeBob SquarePants follows a naive, yet lovable, sea sponge’s adventures in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. Just a month after it hit the airwaves in 1999, the show skyrocketed to become the highest-rated and most-watched animated program on Saturday mornings, even leaving the likes of Pokémon in the dust.
Beyond just entertaining, the show really took off, and over the years became a fan favourite. Thanks to Tom Kenny’s unforgettable voice for SpongeBob and the fantastic supporting cast, the show won the hearts of Nickelodeon viewers in no time. Each episode pulled in loads of fans, and the cartoon has the awards to prove it. Even more, the show’s success sparked a merchandise cash cow, with reports in 2009 indicating that the SpongeBob franchise had pulled in approximately $8 billion in sales for the network.
Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
Image Credit: Cartoon Network Studios
At the centre of this next cartoon is eight-year-old Mac’s imaginative quest, who sadly has to part ways with his cherished imaginary companion, Bloo. Upon discovering a sanctuary for neglected imaginary friends, Bloo takes up residence there, launching a series of escapades as Mac makes daily visits to ensure his friend doesn’t get adopted. Talk about true friendship.
A truly memorable cartoon from the early 2000s. Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends has bagged its fair share of awards including five Annie Awards and seven Emmy Awards. Yet, it’s not just the accolades that made the show stand out, the characters added their own dash of magic to the mix. With a lineup of voice actors including Phil LaMarr, Tom Kenny, and Tara Strong Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends captures the essence of creativity and friendship.
Danny Phantom
Image Credit: Nickelodeon
When a freak accident with his parents’ ghost portal gives him supernatural abilities, Danny Fenton becomes the half-spectral guardian of his town. From high school drama to the dangers of the “Ghost Zone,” Danny takes it all in stride, making his double life look like second nature. The characters were brought to life by David Kaufman’s voice as Danny and Grey DeLisle as his friend Sam Manson.
With an unforgettable theme song, ghostly powers, and unique lineup of characters, Danny Phantom quickly became a defining cartoon of the early 2000s. This animated classic extended far beyond TV, sparking a wave of video games, home videos, and toys that kept fans hooked well after the last episode aired. Danny Fenton’s story struck a chord with viewers, blending relatable teenage struggles with superhero antics in a way that felt more grown-up and edgy than most Nickelodeon shows of the time.
Image Credit: Walt Disney
When it comes to teenage spies, Kim Possible was that girl who did it all. A household name in the cartooniverse, Kim Possible is based on a story about a teenage spy who somehow managed to juggle saving the world with day-to-day adolescent problems. The show appealed to both girls and boys thanks to Kim’s ability to subdue enemies in one minute and ace a test in the next.
No doubt, the powerful voice-over performance from Christy Carlson Romano and Will Friedle, is one of the reasons the show remains etched in our memories. A powerhouse cartoon upon its release, Kim Possible is one of the shows that allegedly contributed to Disney Channel’s viewership growth for over three years. After 4 seasons and 87 episodes, it is safe to say Kim Possible had a great run.
The Powerpuff Girls
Image Credit: Warner Bros.
From 1998 to 2005 with 6 seasons and 78 episodes, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup battled villains left and right while handling the usual ups and downs of being kids. The Powerpuff Girls didn’t just charm viewers, it practically became a Cartoon Network favourite. Behind the iconic characters were the unforgettable voices of Cathy Cavadini, Tara Strong, and Elizabeth Daily.
The show’s use of adult humor and pop culture references makes it the sort of subtle satire that appeals just as much to a 30-year-old as to a 10-year-old. Interestingly, in 2002 the show took its popularity to new heights—quite literally—having graced the exterior of a Boeing 737, that was approved in over 20 airports. The aircraft later got a fresh paint job to promote The Powerpuff Girls Movie.
Invader Zim
Image Credit: Nickelodeon
You really couldn’t ask for a better voice duo than Richard Steven Horvitz as Zim and Rikki Simons as his chaotic robot sidekick, GIR. Their dynamic was half the fun of the entire show, and it’s no wonder Invader Zim built such a dedicated fan base. Though its original run was cut short, the love was still alive and the show found it’s second wind on Netflix.
In terms of the story, it was as unique as it gets following Zim, an overly ambitious alien with one goal — conquer Earth. The only problem? He’s hilariously bad at it, thanks in no small part to GIR’s cluelessness. With a combination of sci-fi madness, dark humour, and a dose of ridiculousness, Invader Zim shook up the cartoon world in the early 2000s.
Loonatics Unleashed
Image Credit: Warner Bros.
Unlike previous Looney Tunes-related shows, Loonatics Unleashed stepped into a darker, post-apocalyptic world that set it apart from the rest. However, the show was still a fan favourite, especially among the original Looney Tunes fans. While it might not have attracted a mountain of awards, the show reinvented classic Looney Tunes characters as more action-inspired futuristic superheroes.
Taking viewers to the flashy year of 2772, fans cheered for Ace Bunny, Lexi Bunny, Danger Duck, and their gang as they battled villains and fought crime in a high-tech world. This lively series gave a fresh spin to the characters everyone loved, injecting excitement and new life into the franchise that fans had grown up with. Unfortunately, after two seasons and 26 episodes the show came to an end in 2007.
