The 50 Best 2000s Cartoons of Your Childhood

When it comes to cartoons on TV, the 2000s saw a rising influence in variety, ranging from anime to internet animation. During a global pandemic such as this, people are increasingly reminiscing about the shows their eyes twinkled at as kids. So is the case with the Best 2000s cartoons you can watch right now.

Few of these shows have been lucky to undergo a demand for revival, while others have been left in a corner. Interestingly, some of these fun cartoons never had official releases and demand unethical means if one wishes to stream. But such TV shows are still gems to many not easy to let go of, including The Simpsons.

Best 2000s Cartoon Shows

1. Dora The Explorer

• Director: James Bobin
• Writer: Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes, Eric Weiner.
• Cast: Marc Weiner, Kathleen Herles, Sasha Toro, and others.
• IMDb Rating: 4.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: Nickelodeon

Dora The Explorer is yet another American TV series included in this list. It is about Dora’s girl and her adventures with her monkey- Boots. The show is quite interactive. Dora Marquez, the main character, is a Latina girl who is 7 years old. She loves to go on various quests and is accompanied by Boots.

Each episode is based on a series of events that occur when Dora is on her way. She and Boot have to overcome various puzzles to reach their destination. The cartoon actually tops our list of “good 2000s cartoons to watch for this year”.

2. Hannah Montana

• Director: Peter Chelsom
• Writer: Michael Poryes, Richard Correll, Barry O’Brien, and others.
• Cast: Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles and others.
• IMDb Rating: 5.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
• Networks: Disney Channel

Hannah Montana also had to be included in this list as it had a huge craze among young children. It had four seasons and aired between March 2006 to January 2011. The show is about Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus), a teenage girl and a famous singer known as Hannah Montana. Episodes of Hannah Montana tell about Miley’s struggles in her everyday life.

3. Wizards of Waverly Place

• Director: Lev L. Spiro
• Writer: David Henrie, Todd J. Greenwald, Peter Murrieta, and others.
• Cast: Selena Gomez, Jake T. Austin, David Henrie, and others.
• IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
• Networks: Disney Channel

Wizards of Waverly Place is a teen comedy show with four seasons that came between 2007 to 2012. It is about Alex Russo (played by Selena Gomez), a wizard living in Greenwich Village in Manhattan who is taking training to perfect her skills. She is with her siblings Max and Justin, who are also blessed with magical powers.

The siblings are well aware of the fact that they have to compete against each other one day, and it will decide with whom the powers of the family will go. Episodes of the show are focused on Alex and her struggles to keep her powers hidden.

4. Wonder Pets!

• Director: Josh Selig, Jennifer Oxley, Tone Thyne, and others.
• Writer: Josh Selig, Jennifer Oxley, Nandita Das and others.
• Cast: Danica Lee, Teala Dunn, Sofie Zamchick and others.
• IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: Nickelodeon

Wonder Pets! is an educational children’s TV series that revolves around three classroom pets- Ming-Ming, Linny, and Tuck who show teamwork and help the animals who are in need. The dialogues of these animals are sung in the form of an operetta, and 10 members of the live orchestra give each episode its music. Each episode is more or less similar to the other episodes with many repeated elements.

5. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

• Director: Danny Kallis
• Writer: Jim Geoghan, Danny Kallis, Christian McLaughlin, and others.
• Cast: Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Brenda Song and others/
• IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
• Networks: Disney Channel

Many people will dearly remember The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, which is a sitcom that aired from March 2005 to September 2008. Those who don’t know about it can get to know about its popularity by reading that it was also nominated thrice for the Emmy Awards.

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody has over 65 episodes and is the third original from the Disney channel. The series is based in Tipton Hotel, situated in Boston, and is about Zack and Cody. They both are twin brothers and live in this hotel.

6. Dragon Tales

• Director: Tim Eldred, Curt Walstead, Phil Weinstein, Michael Hack and others.
• Writer: Jeffrey Scott
• Cast: Eli Gabay, Danny McKinnon, Kathleen Barr, and others.
• IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: PBS kids

Dragon Tales is a fantasy TV series that was highly watched and praised in the early 2000s. The show’s plot is about two kids and their adventures in the Dragon Land. Dragon Tales came into being with three educational goals.

Emmy and Max have many dragons as their friends. Emmy and Max find a dragon scale and have fun while playing with the dragons. They have a dragon scale that can transport them to a fantasy land where the dragons live.

7. Clifford the Big Red Dog

• Director: Walt Becker
• Writer: Norman Bridwell
• Cast: Jack Whitehall, Darby Camp, Izaac Wang and others.
• IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
• Networks: PBS Kids

Clifford the Big Red Dog is about Emily Elizabeth and when she meets a magical animal rescuer. This magical animal rescuer gives him a little red puppy who grows up to become a 10-foot hound. She has a mother who goes away for business.

Emily and her uncle go on various adventures. Clifford, the Big Red Dog, is a childhood favorite of many and consists of many funny and adventurous scenes.

8. Dave the Barbarian

• Program Creator: Doug Langdale
• Writer: Doug Langdale
• Cast: Estelle Harris, Daney, Cooksey, Kevin Michael Richardson.
• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
• Networks: Toon Disney, Disney Channel.
• Streaming Platform: Disney+ Hostar.

Dave the Barbarian was one of the fiction genre’s best Disney Channel animation parodies. Even though the main character was a princess, Dave’s character was one of the most admirable ones in the cartoon to influence children’s talk about physique, charisma, or morals.

Although we cannot designate it as one of the best cartoons of the 2000s in terms of content, Dave the Barbarian still has a few fun adventures that ensure a burst of quick laughter. Consider it as a family-friendly version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, only animated.

9. Johnny Bravo

• Director: Russell Calabrese, Kirk Tingblad, Nathan Chew, and others.
• Writer: Seth MacFarlane, Van Partible, Butch Hartman, and others.
• Cast: Jeff Bennett, Brenda Vaccaro, Mae Whitman, and others.
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
• Networks: Cartoon Network

Johnny Bravo aired between July 1997 to August 2004 and is based on James Dean and Elvis Presley. Many grown-ups will remember this muscular young boy wearing sunglasses and constantly trying to woo ladies. Johnny lives with his mother and tries to impress ladies but is unsuccessful.

10. Kim Possible

• Program Creator: Bob Schooley
• Writers: Bob Schooley, Mike McCorkle, Nancy Cartwright.
• Cast: Christy Carlson Romano, Nancy Cartwright, Will Friedle.
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• Streaming Platform: Disney+ Hostar
• Network: Disney Channel

Kim Possible was one of the first cartoons with a female protagonist with a statement amidst all male-led ones. The story highlights Kim as a practical teenager who had a parallel life as a top-secret agent. What interests’ viewers about Kim’s adventures is Ron, her incompetent accomplice.

The cartoon show had some really great encounters, mostly consisting of face-offs between Dr. Shrakken and Shego. But mostly, the unfolding of Kim and Ron’s romantic relationship grasped its viewers. It may have been acclaimed as slow but critically intense yet warm.

11. The Fairly Odd Parents

• Director: Butch Hartman
• Writer: Butch Hartman
• Cast: Butch Hartman, Tara Strong, Daran Norris.
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
• Networks: Nickelodeon, Nick Toons.

The Fairly OddParents was a great show until it ran out of thrilling and exciting content to introduce. It ran out on concepts that could entertain kids until it brought about a talking dog. The show exhausted itself by re-running the same plots over and over again. Timmy Turner was, undoubtedly, one of the better children on Nickelodeon- ambitious and charming.

Overall, The Fairly OddParents was pretty great to watch until the show’s charm lasted. The show delivered great humor and an excellent bunch of supporting casts with some really heart-warming life lessons at the end. Yet, if you’re looking to relive some of the redundant yet nostalgic days of watching cartoons on TV, this might just interest you.

Related:  10 Most Famous Cartoon Dogs Of All Time

12. Code Lyoko

• Director: Jérôme Muscadet
• Writer: Sophie Decroisette
• Cast: Mirabelle Kirkland, Sharon Mann, Barbara Scaff.
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
• Streaming Platform: Netflix

This cartoon series of the 2000s had something for the tech-savvies, too. Code Lyoko can be claimed as one of the sci-fi cartoons that introduced kids to the adversities of technology, where the supervillain is portrayed in the form of a supercomputer seeking to eradicate the human race.

This French animated series is based on a bunch of boarding school children and an elf-like character, an AI.

One could almost envision a scenario where Tron met Chrono-Trigger. Code Lyoko made its way through the Atlantic and was introduced to America through the Miguzi run of Cartoon Network. The show runs over four seasons, comprising 97 episodes. It is one of the lucky shows that recently produced a sequel series with live-action.

13. The Batman 

• Program Creators: Bob Kane, Bill Finger.
• Writers: Bob Kane, Bill Finger.
• Cast: Frank Gorshin, Adam West, Mark Hamill, Kevin Michael Richardson.
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
• Networks: Kids’ WB, Cartoon Network, The CW, The WB.

It is gruesome to base any series along the lines of Batman: The Animated Series. But one cannot deny the impact of The Batman because it created something original with its own version of Gotham’s Caped Crusader.

It brought back some forgotten villains like Calendar-Man, Firefly, and Ragdoll for Batman to defeat over and over again. Overall, one cannot possibly be disappointed with the show’s content despite its comparison with the 90’s show.

14. Ed, Edd N Eddy 

• Program Creator: Danny Antonucci
• Writer: Danny Antonucci
• Cast: Tony Sampson, Samuel Vincent, Matt Hill, Peter Kelamis.
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
• Network: Cartoon Network

Ed, Edd, and Eddy were iconic series elevating ‘stupid’ humor better than any of its contemporaries. One of the TV screenings enthralled its audience with brilliance combined with slapstick comedy, which was hilarious even for a cartoon.

With 11 years of laughter, the show’s content never lost its charm with kids. The episodes were a collection that introduced undying scams and characters much like a kids’ version of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

15. House Of Mouse 

• Program Creator: Roberts Gannaway
• Writers: Corey Burton, Alan Young, Bill Farmer.
• Cast: Wayne Allwine, Corey Burton, Bill Farmer, Tony Anselmo.
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
• Network: Toon Disney

If you believe that Captain America: Civil War was the best crossover in Disney and haven’t witnessed anything like it, it might interest you to know that, until then, it was House of Mouse. It presents a nightclub hosted by all the famous faces of Disney- Mickey Mouse, and his staff, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy.

So don’t be surprised if you happen to spot Snow White or Simba; it is something the show pioneers in Disney Royalty.

16. The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy 

• Program Creator: Maxwell Atoms
• Writer: Mike Diederich
• Cast: Grey DeLisle, Richard Steven Horvitz, Greg Eagles.
• IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
• Network: Cartoon Network

If you like ‘weird,’ Billy and Mandy will take you to a new zone of weird altogether. Created for a generation of Goth and Emo kids, the TV series showcases two kids who turn a grim reaper into their best friend. It balances out between the genius yet savage Mandy’s characters and the idiotic and sensitive Billy. This series proclaimed Cartoon Network’s thirst to venture into a dark art.

17. Teen Titans

• Program Creator: Glen Murakami
• Writers: Hynden Walch, Bob Hayney, David Slack.
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
• Cast: Tara Strong, Greg Cipes, Scott Menville, Khary Payton.
• Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
• Network: Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network was always a step ahead of its rivals with unique ideas of long-form storytelling through Teen Titan.

The show was a perfect blend of American humor and Japanese animation, with teenage characters that focused on a different member of the DC superhero team, sometimes with Raven involved. It was crafted for a young crowd, yet with a mature structure.

The first series never received the popularity it deserved, and so, its spinoff, Teen Titans Go! with an original voice cast, won some of the fans of the first series.

18. Phineas And Ferb

• Program Creators: Dan Povenmire, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh.
• Writers: Dan Povenmire, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Martin Olson.
• Cast: Vincent Martella, Dan Povenmire, Ashley Tisdale.
• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
• Streaming Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
• Network: Disney Channel

Phineas and Ferb was a series that sought to portray two backyard science-loving boys who enjoyed adventures. On the parallel would be the story of their sister Candace, who would be on a constant mission to bust them.

Meanwhile, their pet, platypus Perry, would save the world from the sinister Dr. Doofenshmirtz. The show grasped its audience with some great music, yet the platypus segment of the episodes stole the attention. The wise part about the series is that it ended on a solid note once it realized it was beginning to drag.

19. Spectacular Spider-Man 

• Program Creators: Stan Lee, Greg Weisman, Steve Ditko.
• Writer: Stan Lee, Greg Weisman, Steve Ditko.
• Cast: Josh Keaton, Stan Lee, Lacey Chabert, Greg Weisman.
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix
• Networks: Kids’ WB, The CW.

The Spectacular Spider-Man may come across as a show that suffered once Disney bought Marvel. Unlike its contemporary Teen Titans, which at least ended with a film, Spectacular Spider-Man ended after two seasons.

With Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, which raised the bar to near perfection, Spectacular Spider-Man existed for long as the best adaption of the Spider-Man collection on screen. This is because the series adapted the exhaustive character masterfully with a classic touch.

20. Spongebob Squarepants 

• Program Creator: Stephen Hillenberg
• Writers: Stephen Hillenberg, Mr. Lawrence, Tim Hill.
• Cast: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence.
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
• Network: Nickelodeon

One of the most iconic cartoon series that carved a pop culture position is Spongebob Squarepants. The show was the creative genius of Stephen Hillenburg made as a modern version of Pre Wee’s Playhouse, where absurdity met surrealism.

The content of the series is such that one may find its relevance today in the form of memes or through the Broadway musical. With its crazy energy, the show has entertained its audiences (both adults and kids of all ages) as an American series that has a long run and is still very popular.

Related: 37 Best SpongeBob Episodes You Should Definitely Watch Now

21. Invader Zim 

• Program Creator: Jhonen Vasquez
• Writers: Jhonen Vasquez, Frank Conniff, Roman Dirge.
• Cast: Jhonen Vasquez, Richard Steven Horvitz.
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• Network: Nickelodeon

This is one of the exciting shows of the 00s, which you must be familiar with if you know Hot Topic. The show portrays an idiotic alien who seeks to take over a planet comprising of equally stupid mankind, all the more reason why it might look relevant today as compared to 2001.

The show was claimed to be questionable for children because of its absurd animation, mild violence, and satirical comedy. Although it lasted for only 27 episodes, it won the creation of a comic and movie revival. It may hence interest you now.

22. Samurai Jack 

• Program Creator: Genndy Tartakovsky
• Writer: Genndy Tartakovsky
• Cast: Mako Iwamatsu, Tara Strong, Phil LaMarr.
• IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
• Networks: Cartoon Network, Adult Swim.

Samurai Jack, by far, has had some of the most unique and exquisite animation content on American TV cartoons. The cartoon’s mastery of action was polished and movie-like, along with its special effects. It grasped the viewers with incredible audio design and direction, thanks to the cinematic geniuses of Genndy Tartakovsky.

Samurai Jack encapsulates a folk tale about Jack who fights an evil demon called Aku. It brings a blend of stability and contemplation before finally serving the audiences with mind-boggling action one could afford to find on TV and more.

23. Justice League/Justice League Unlimited 

• Program Creators: Joaquim dos Santos, Dan Riba.
• Writer: Gardner Fox
• Cast: Susan Eisenberg, Kevin Conroy, George Newbern.
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
• Network: Cartoon Network

As far as Justice League animated is concerned, they laid out an entire register of characters and pretty much shamed the live-action Justice League with the show’s wholesome delivery.

Even though the show circles mostly around Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, every other character was equally executed, perfectly making every on-screen character look essential and admirable. Even super-villains, foreign to the audience, joined in and made cordial familiarity.

24. Avatar: The Last Airbender 

• Program Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Aaron Ehasz.
• Writers: Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich, Matthew Aldrich.
• Cast: Dante Basco, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Zach Tyler Eisen.
• IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
• Network: Nickelodeon

Avatar: The Airbender created an ethereal world where people had the power to bend things. The storytelling was commendable as they carried the episodes until the very end, yet created enough plot for the next while keeping the viewers on edge.

This anime has been a favorite of the fans since the 2000s and is produced by Western studios. Avatar can control all the four Greek elements, aiming to restore peace back into the world. The world is divided into four nations according to the elements.

This anime has many comedy, action, and moral lessons, like Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba. Avatar is a must-watch, and all of the readers must have watched it at one point. The quality of Avatar is very good and is still among the famous TV shows.

There are also other tiny stories in the show concerning characters’ personal relations, which are equally heart-warming and some of the show’s main attractions. Avatar: The Last Airbender also featured Azula, who has been known to be one of the most dominant and proficient on-screen characters.

Irrespective of the show’s imperfections, it was massively engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. The film adaption of the show was a big-time flop show, and there is news about a remake of the show’s live-action version, but there is no denying that the animated version has already set the bar too high.

Read More: The 35 Best Anime on Netflix to Watch Right Now

25. Tom and Jerry

• Director: Tim Story
• Writer: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, Tim Story and others.
• Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Pallavi Sharda, Patsy Ferran, and others.
• IMDb Rating: 9.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 31%
• Networks: Cartoon Network

Tom and Jerry is an animated series produced by Warner Bros and is based on the characters created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. It is among the very famous and popular TV shows.

This animated series follows Tom trying his best to catch Jerry. Now, each episode consists of various 11-minute and 7-minute segments that make a 22-minute-long episode. Many scenarios are shown in this show. It is packed with entertainment and surely would be a part of everyone’s childhood.

26. Teacher’s Pet

• Director: Timothy Björklund
• Writer: Gary Baseman (created by)
• Cast: Nathan Lane as Spot Helperman/Scott Leadready II, Shaun Fleming as Leonard Helperman, David Ogden Stiers as Mr. Jolly, Jerry Stiller as Pretty Boy, Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Helperman, Megan Mullally as Adele (Spot’s love interest), Wallace Shawn as Principal Strickler.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Teacher’s Pet” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it was generally well-received by audiences.
• Networks: The show originally aired on ABC as part of the “One Saturday Morning” block.

Teacher’s Pet tells the tale of a talking dog who dresses up like a boy with the sole aim of attending school and learning a thing or two.

The excellent voice cast members, and the polished jokes that were written for them were two of the major selling points of this show.

27. Whatever Happened To… Robot Homes?

• Creator/Director: Greg Miller
• Writer: Greg Miller
• Cast: Bobby Block as Robot Jones (voice), Kyle Sullivan as Timothy “Socks” Morton (voice), Gary LeRoi Gray as Charles “Cubey” Cubinacle (voice), Megan Taylor Harvey as Shannon Westerburg (voice), Grey DeLisle as Mom Unit (voice), Maurice LaMarche as Dad Unit (voice), Tom Kenny as Mr. McMcMc (voice).
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Whatever Happened to… Robot Jones?” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it had a cult following and mixed reviews from audiences.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Cartoon Network.

The series tracks the adventures of a daring young robot that is trying its best to survive the age of adolescence. It had a promising debut season.

28. Camp Lazlo

• Creator/Director: Joe Murray
• Writers: Various writers contributed to the show, including Joe Murray, Doug Lawrence, and others.
• Cast: Carlos Alazraqui as Lazlo (voice), Tom Kenny as Scoutmaster Lumpus (voice), Jeff Bennett as Raj (voice), Steve Little as Edward Platypus (voice), Jill Talley as Nina Neckerly (voice), Linda Cardellini as Gretchen (voice), Doug Lawrence as Clam (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Camp Lazlo” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it was generally well-received by audiences and had a loyal fanbase.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Cartoon Network.

Camp Lazlo might be silly (some cartoons are supposed to be), but it is also worth watching. The story follows a friendly and optimistic spider monkey named Bean Scout Lazlo, who, along with his two bunkmates Raj and Clam, bring a lot of chaos to an otherwise very organized summer camp.

29. CatDoCreator: Peter Hannan

• Cast: Jim Cummings as Cat (voice), Tom Kenny as Dog (voice), (Additional cast members voiced various characters in the show.)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “CatDog” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it was a popular show with a unique concept.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Nickelodeon.

What’s amusing about this show is that even though they have two very different personalities, the cat and the dog are made to share the same body; a creative decision that is the unique selling point of the show.

30. The Wild Thornberrys

• Creator: Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, Steve Pepoon, David Silverman
• Cast: Lacey Chabert as Eliza Thornberry (voice), Tim Curry as Nigel Thornberry (voice), Flea (Michael Balzary) as Donnie Thornberry (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “The Wild Thornberrys” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it was well-received by audiences and had a unique premise.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Nickelodeon.

The series tracks the journey of Eliza, who tours the world with her rather odd family since her folks happen to make wildlife films.

Extra marks have to be given to the makers of the show for ensuring that children get to learn a thing or two about wildlife; all while being genuinely entertained.

31. Pelswick

• Creator: John Callahan
• Cast:Robert Tinkler as Pelswick Eggert (voice)
• David Arquette as Goon Gunderson (voice)
• Kevin McDonald as Quentin Eggert (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Pelswick” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it was well-received for its unique humor and approach to disability representation.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Nickelodeon.

It has to be noted that this series is a family-friendly way to discuss disabilities and how important it is for the kids to know that no one should be treated indifferently, for indifference can lead to ignorance.

32. Courage The Cowardly Dog

• Creator: John R. Dilworth
• Cast: Marty Grabstein as Courage (voice), The White as Muriel Bagge (voice), Lionel G. Wilson as Eustace Bagge (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Courage the Cowardly Dog” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it gained a cult following for its unique blend of horror and comedy.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Cartoon Network.

Even though it originated as animated shorts, the popularity of the titular character paved the way for Courage the Cowardly Dog to be transformed into a full-fledged series that premiered at the end of 1999 on Cartoon Network.

The show was a fascinating mix of cartoon and supernatural elements. However, it also aimed to cast a light on how loyal Courage really was to his owners despite the odds often being stacked against him.

33. Rick And Morty

• Creators: Justin Roiland, Dan Harmon
• Cast: Justin Roiland as Rick Sanchez / Morty Smith (voices), Chris Parnell as Jerry Smith (voice), Sarah Chalke as Beth Smith (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Rick and Morty” has received critical acclaim and has a high Rotten Tomatoes score, with various seasons holding ratings ranging from 90% to 97% or more.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Adult Swim, a nighttime programming block of Cartoon Network.

It follows the misadventures of a cynical scientist, Rick Sanchez, and his kind but not-so-bright grandson, Morty Smith. The show tracks how the delightful duo tries to keep a balance between their respective domestic lives and interdimensional expeditions.

34. The Venture Bros.

• Creator: Jackson Publick (pseudonym of Christopher McCulloch)
• Cast: James Urbaniak as Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture (voice), Michael Sinterniklaas as Dean Venture (voice), Christopher McCulloch as Hank Venture (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “The Venture Bros.” received critical acclaim and has a high Rotten Tomatoes score, with various seasons holding ratings ranging from 90% to 100% or more.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Adult Swim, a nighttime 

The story follows the outrageous escapades of a pseudo-heroic scientist named Dr. Rusty Venture. A lot of flavor and humor was injected into its storytelling with the inclusion of other characters, such as the scientist’s competent bodyguard and his two overenthusiastic sons.

35. Futurama

• Creators: Matt Groening
• Main Cast: Billy West as Philip J. Fry / Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth / Dr. Zoidberg / Zapp Brannigan / others (voices), Katey Sagal as Turanga Leela (voice), John DiMaggio as Bender Bending Rodríguez (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Futurama” received critical acclaim and has a high Rotten Tomatoes score, with various seasons holding ratings ranging from 80% to 100% or more.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Fox and later on Comedy Central after its revival.

The plot of this science-fiction comedy TV show is simple: A pizza delivery guy named Philip J. Fry gets accidentally frozen in 1999 and, consequently, finds himself waking up in the 31st century.

36. The Boondocks

• Creator: Aaron McGruder
• Main Cast: Regina King as Huey Freeman / Riley Freeman (voices), John Witherspoon as Robert Freeman (voice), Gary Anthony Williams as Uncle Ruckus (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “The Boondocks” received positive reviews and has a Rotten Tomatoes score that varies across its seasons, with some holding ratings ranging from 90% to 100% or more.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Adult Swim, a nighttime 

Want to go on adventures with Riley and Huey Freeman and accompany them as they withstand a cultural clash of sorts? Look no further than this show for it will provide you with just the opportunity to do so.

37. Megas XLR

• Creators: Jody Schaeffer, George Krstic
• Main Cast: David DeLuise as Coop (voice)
• Wendee Lee as Kiva Andru (voice)
• Steve Blum as Jamie (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Megas XLR” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it gained a cult following for its unique blend of sci-fi and humor.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Cartoon Network.

The story tracks the journey of two slackers who stumble upon an enormous robot from the future. Sooner than later, they agree to use the robot to their advantage.

38. Wolverine And The X-Men 

• Creator: Greg Johnson, Craig Kyle
• Main Cast: Steve Blum,Nolan North,Fred Tatasciore
• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
• Networks:  Nicktoons Network.

The narrative demonstrates Professor X’s difficulty in maintaining the X-Men’s unity and how matters get slightly more difficult as a result of a heated argument between Rogue and Wolverine.

39. Star Wars: Clone Wars

• Creator: Genndy Tartakovsky
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): Mat Lucas as Anakin Skywalker, James Arnold Taylor, Tom Kane 
• Rotten Tomatoes:  NA
• Networks: Cartoon Network.

One of the first animated programs to focus on the conflict between the clone trooper and droid armies was Star Wars: Clone Wars, whose plot primarily centers on the Jedi knights taking against Darth Sidious.

40. Duck Dodgers

• Creator: Spike Brandt, Tony Cervone
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): Daffy Duck, Bob Bergen, Joe Alaskey 
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks:  Cartoon Network.

Another animated show with several adored Looney Tunes characters that most of us grew up watching and admiring is called Duck Dodgers.

41. The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack

• Creator: Thurop Van Orman
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): Thurop Van Orman, Brian Doyle-Murray, Roz Ryan
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: Cartoon Network

The story followed the exploits of a young child who was nurtured within a whale that could talk. He soon became visible setting sail for the magical Candied Island.

Read More: The 30 Best Gundam Series of All Time (Ovas and T.V. Shows)

42. Dragon Booster

• Creator: Rob Travalino
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): Sam Vincent as Artha Penn / Dragon Booster, Kathleen Barr as Moordryd Paynn, Matt Hill as Parmon Sean / Parm
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: ABC Family and Toon Disney.

A 16-year-old stable boy named Artha Penn lives in a world where humans and dragons coexist. When Artha Penn was selected to ride the legendary dragon Beaucephalis (Beau), he was thrust into an unbelievable adventure. His life was forever changed when Artha became the renowned hero, the Dragon Booster.

Artha’s mission is to prevent world war and bring dragons and humans together for all time. When nostalgia hits, you cannot help but binge-watch the three seasons of this show in one sitting. And holler: “Release the dragon!”

43. Bounty Hamster

• Creators: David Max Freedman, Alan Gilbey
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): Rob Rackstraw as Cassie (voice), Jimmy Hibbert as Marion (voice), Morwenna Banks as Madame Prudence (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: The show originally aired on ITV in the UK and Toon Disney in the United States.

This show centers on Cassie, a 13-year-old girl who travels across space with her father when his ship is attacked by pirates, and they kidnap her dad. After Cassie’s father pledges to return for her but doesn’t, Cassie is left on her own. To find him, she turns to the assistance of the “most dangerous bounty hunter in the galaxy,” who turns out to be, well, a not-so-threatening-looking talking blue hamster. This contrasting set of characters, let alone, is bound to take you on a fun galaxy ride.

44. The Emperor’s New School

• Creators: Mark Dindal, David Sacks
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): J.P. Manoux as Kuzco (voice), Patrick Warburton as Kronk (voice), Eartha Kitt as Yzma (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: Disney Channel.

The lighthearted silliness of the show was its core. It always had a giggle to offer to audiences, even if it wasn’t the most critically acclaimed cartoon. Like the movie, the show was also full of running gags and jokes where it poked fun at itself which made it a memorable 2000s kids show.

45. The Powerpuff Girls

• Creator: Craig McCracken
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): Cathy Cavadini as Blossom (voice), Tara Strong as Bubbles (voice), Elizabeth Daily as Buttercup (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
• Networks -The revival also aired on Cartoon Network.

The series centers around three kindergarten-aged girls with superpowers, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, who protect their city from various villains and monsters. The show is known for its blend of action, humor, and heartwarming moments. It explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and empowerment. The original series was highly acclaimed and gained a strong fanbase. The 2016 revival aimed to capture the spirit of the original while introducing a new generation to the Powerpuff Girls.

46. What’s New Scooby-Doo?

• Creators: Joe Ruby, Ken Spears
• Main Cast (Voice Actors): Frank Welker as Fred Jones / Scooby-Doo (voices), Casey Kasem as Shaggy Rogers (voice), Mindy Cohn as Velma Dinkley (voice)
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Networks: Kids’ WB and Cartoon Network.

The series is a modern revival of the classic “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” franchise. It follows the adventures of the Mystery Inc. gang as they solve mysteries involving supernatural creatures and spooky happenings.

The show retains the humor and formula of the original series while updating the animation style and incorporating more contemporary elements. “What’s New, Scooby-Doo?” is known for its catchy theme song and its efforts to maintain the charm of the original while appealing to a new generation of viewers.

47. The Popeye Show

• Creators: Elzie Crisler Segar (original comic strip creator), Max and Dave Fleischer (animated shorts)
• Main Characters: Popeye – The spinach-loving sailor who gains super strength from eating spinach; Olive Oyl – Popeye’s love interest.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Popeye the Sailor” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it consists of animated shorts from various decades.
• Networks: The animated shorts originally aired in theaters.

The “Popeye the Sailor” animated shorts are known for their distinctive animation style, humorous situations, and iconic catchphrases. Popeye’s consumption of spinach to gain super strength became a trademark of the character. The series has had a lasting impact on popular culture and is considered a classic in the world of animation.

48. Baby Looney Tunes

• Creators: Tom Ruegger
• Main Characters: Baby Bugs Bunny – A young version of Bugs Bunny; Baby Daffy Duck – A young version of Daffy Duck; Baby Tweety Bird – A young version of Tweety Bird; Baby Sylvester – A young version of Sylvester the cat, Baby Lola Bunny – A young version of Lola Bunny.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Baby Looney Tunes” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it was generally aimed at younger audiences.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Cartoon Network.

The series features the beloved Looney Tunes characters as babies, exploring their adventures and interactions in a daycare setting. Each character retains their distinct personalities, and the show focuses on their playful antics and learning experiences. 

49. Oswald

• Creator: Dan Yaccarino
• Main Characters: Oswald – A friendly blue octopus who lives in Big City; Weenie – Oswald’s pet hot dog, Henry – A penguin who is Oswald’s best friend; Daisy – A daisy who runs a flower shop, Johnny Snowman – A snowman who owns an ice cream stand.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Oswald” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as it’s a television series, but it was well-received for its gentle and heartwarming storytelling.
• Networks: The show originally aired on Nickelodeon.

The series centers around Oswald, a kind-hearted and optimistic octopus, and his friends as they go about their daily lives in Big City. The show focuses on themes of friendship, problem-solving, and community. “Oswald” is known for its soothing color palette, simple animation style, and its ability to engage young viewers with relatable and comforting stories.

50. Ben 10

• Creator: Created by the group “Man of Action,” which consists of Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle.
• Main Characters: Ben Tennyson – The main protagonist who can transform into various alien forms using the Omnitrix; Gwen Tennyson – Ben’s cousin who also possesses magical abilities., Max Tennyson – Ben and Gwen’s grandfather who is a former Plumber (an organization that deals with extraterrestrial threats).
• Rotten Tomatoes: Original Series: The original “Ben 10” series has a Rotten Tomatoes score of around 90% for its early seasons.
• Networks: Original Series: The show originally aired on Cartoon Network.

The series follows Ben Tennyson, a young boy who discovers a powerful alien device called the Omnitrix. The Omnitrix allows him to transform into various alien forms, each with unique abilities. Together with his cousin Gwen and their grandfather Max, Ben uses his newfound powers to fight against various villains and save the world from extraterrestrial threats.

CN In The 90s and 2000s

Inarguably, the 90s have seen the zenith of animated TV series made available to an extensive array of viewers. But the generations that came after, too, were not deprived of the cartoon experience.

It only got better! The 2000s brought about enhancements and varieties in terms of themes, characters, or even new ones through channels like Cartoon Network, which was forever willing to take every standard up a notch.

And even more, it produced legendary characters or trios like the Powerpuff Girls and shows that have remained hard to forget. The 2000s Cartoon Network legacy has given us memories to cherish for times to come.

Overall, the 2000s had an exciting list of animated movie releases. Moreover, cartoons can never grow out of a person’s watchlist.

What were Kids’ Shows Popular in the Early 2000s?

There were many shows for kids popular in the 2000s, and some of them have been mentioned in this list.

What Shows were on PBS in the Early 2000s?

Elliot Moose, Between the Lions, Caillou, and Corduroy are some of the sows that came on PBS in the early 2000s.

What is the Weirdest Kid Show?

The weirdest kid shows are the Ren & Stimpy Show, Teletubbies, Lidsville, and The Bugaloos.