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 the shows their eyes twinkled at as kids. So is the case with the 2000s cartoons.
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.
Here is our list of some of the top cartoons from the 2000s ranked according to IMDb ratings:
Best 2000s Cartoon Shows
16. 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 best Disney channel animation parodies of the fiction genre. Even though the main character was a princess, Dave’s character was one of the most admirable ones in the cartoon to influence children; talk about physique, charisma, or his 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.
15. 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 to have 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 towards Kim’s adventures is Ron, her incompetent accomplice.
The cartoon show had some really great encounters which mostly consisted 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 very critically intense, and yet warm.
14. The Fairly OddParents
- 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 interesting 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.
The show delivered great humor, an excellent bunch of supporting casts with some really heart-warming life lessons at the end. Overall, The Fairly OddParents was pretty great to watch until the show’s charm lasted. Yet, if you’re looking to relive some of the redundant, yet nostalgic days of watching cartoons on TV, this might just interest you.
13. 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 super-villain 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 along with an elf-like character, which is 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 has produced a sequel series with live-action recently.
12. 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. In fact, 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 content of the show despite its comparison with the 90’s show.
11. 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 was an iconic series elevating ‘stupid’ humor better than any of its contemporaries. It was one of the TV screenings which enthralled its audience with brilliance combined with slapstick comedy which was hilarious even for a cartoon. With 11 years of laughter, the content of the show 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.
10. 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 popular 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.
9. 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 with 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 characters of genius yet savage Mandy, and idiotic and sensitive Billy. This series proclaimed Cartoon Network’s thirst to venture into dark art.
8. 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. It was crafted for a young crowd, yet with a mature structure. 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.
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.
7. 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, and yet it was the platypus segment of the episodes that stole the attention.
The wise part about the series that it ended on a solid note once it realized that it was beginning to drag.
6. 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 Spider-Man collection on screen. This is because the series adapted the exhaustive character masterfully with a touch of the classic.
5. 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 which carved a position in pop-culture is Spongebob Squarepants. The content of the series is such that one may find its relevance today in the form of memes or through the Broadway musical. The show was the creative genius of Stephen Hillenburg made as a modern version of Pre Wee’s Playhouse where absurdity met surrealism. With its crazy energy, the show has entertained its audiences (both adults and kids of all ages) as an American series that has run the longest and is still very popular.
4. 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 hyped 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 the planet comprising of equally stupid mankind, all the more reason why it might look relevant today as compared to 2001. Although it lasted for only 27 episodes, it won the creation of a comic and movie revival. The show was claimed questionable for children because of its absurd animation, mild violence, and satirical comedy. It may hence interest you now.
3. 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 between stability and contemplation, before finally serving the audiences with mind-boggling action one could afford to find on TV and more.
2. 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 long 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 important and admirable. Even super-villains, foreign to the audience, joined in and made cordial familiarity.
1. 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 powers to bend things. The storytelling was commendable as they carried the episodes until the very end, yet creating enough plot for the next while keeping the viewers on edge.
There are also other tiny stories in the show concerning the personal relations of characters 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 up.
Inarguably, the 90s have seen the zenith of animated TV series made available to a large 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 which 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 interesting list of animated movie releases. Moreover, cartoons can never grow out of a person’s watchlist.
