Although Nicktoons continue to be a staple across Nickelodeon programming today, the 90s are often looked at as when Nicktoons were at their peak in both popularity and quality.

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From talking babies to a slice of life cartoon about a young boy in Bluffington, everyone had a Nicktoon that they loved and related to above the rest. According to IMDB ratings, these 10 Nicktoons continue to stand the test of time and remain popular with audiences of all ages.

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The Wild Thornberrys (1998-2004) – 6.6

Combining coming-of-age comedy with action-adventure elements, The Wild Thornberrys follows the Thornberry family, an average family that just so happens to travel the world filming nature documentaries. The younger daughter Eliza has the secret ability to talk to animals, given to her after rescuing a warthog that was actually a shaman in disguise.
While this sounds high concept for a Nicktoon, the show blends heart and humor well and uses both the family’s dynamic and Eliza’s abilities equally as sources of conflict throughout the series.

Rocket Power (1999-2004) – 6.8

Rocket Power centers around a group of four young friends who are extreme sports enthusiasts in the fictional town of Ocean Shores, CA.  The show follows the day-to-day adventures they get into while, like many other Nicktoons, also focusing on the challenges of growing up.
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What made Rocket Power popular with audiences was the strong group dynamic between main characters Otto, Reggie, Twister, and Sam “the Squid”. Common issues like jealousy and selfishness often came up as episodes focused on character and storytelling, using the extreme sports background as a way to help set the show apart from other Nicktoons.

The Angry Beavers (1997-2001) – 7.2

Following two beaver brothers, Norbert and Daggett on their misadventures as they leave their parents’ home and move into their own bachelor pad. The show often pushed the envelope of Nickelodeon’s preferred style and content, with the creators clashing with network executives throughout the show’s run, which was a hit with audiences.
With writers incorporating studio notes and criticisms into the stories of multiple episodes, there is plenty of inside jokes and references for viewers to discover when rewatching the series.

Oh Yeah! Cartoons (1998-2002) – 7.4

One of the most ambitious Nicktoons ever, Oh Yeah! Cartoons was an anthology series comprised of seven-minute animated shorts from several dozen different creators. The show was a launchpad for multiple creatives and even featured the first appearances of future Nicktoons The Fairly OddParents, ChalkZone, and My Life as a Teenage Robot.
With 96 seven-minute episodes, it remains the biggest TV animation development program ever and a perfect opportunity for viewers to enjoy a wide variety of animation styles from dozens of unique voices.

Doug (1991-1994) – 7.4

One of the three original Nicktoons, Doug follows Doug Funnie as his family moves into a new town, Bluffington. A coming-of-age story, Doug often faced common issues like bullies, being too scared to watch a scary movie, and not knowing what to say when around his crush, Patti Mayonaise.
Combining relatable issues with the show’s imaginative fantasy sequences, Doug stands apart from the other Nicktoons because it’s a mostly autobiographical story from creator Jim Jenkins. Jenkins’ insistence that each episode’s script includes a moral to it has also helped the show continue to resonate with new audiences.

The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991-1996) – 7.5

Another of the original three Nicktoons, The Ren & Stimpy Show has some great episodes that make it not only a cult-classic show, but an influence on animation that continues to be seen in shows today. Pushing the envelope when it was first released, the adventures of Ren, a sociopathic Chihuahua, and Stimpy, a dim-witted cat often courted controversy with episodes featuring dark humor, #sexual innuendos, shock value, and adult humor.
This focus on adult humor has helped the show remain popular with audiences that are older now and can’t believe their parents allowed them to watch the show when they were kids.

Rugrats (1991-2006) – 7.5

The last of the original three Nicktoons, Rugrats introduced the world to Tommy, Chuckie, and twins Phil and Lil, the four main babies, and Tommy’s toddler cousin Angelica, the show’s primary antagonist. Each episode follows the babies’ day-to-day lives while also showing heightened, adventure-filled versions of the events through the lens of their imaginations.
The show instantly became a hit with children and their parents and maintained popularity for over a decade through re-runs, spin-offs, and a few theatrical releases. Rugrats is also highly regarded for its’ holiday specials, with episodes devoted to Kwanza, Passover, and Chanukah receiving widespread acclaim. In 2021, Rugrats was rebooted on Paramount Plus with new adventures for audiences to discover the iconic babies.

Hey Arnold! (1996-2004) – 7.7

Hey Arnold! follows fourth-grader Arnold Shortman as he navigates growing up and daily life while also being faced with many extreme, larger-than-life adventures. Living in a boarding house with his grandparents, the show features a large ensemble of side and supporting characters who would often find themselves in the center of an episode throughout the show’s run.
Part of Hey Arnold’s success stems from the decision to cast children to voice the main characters instead of adults, giving the show an even more realistic feel. Another key to the show’s long-term success is its’ heart, with episodes like “Arnold’s Christmas” and “Helga On The Couch” covering very serious topics in a realistic way, giving the show another layer to explore its’ characters and giving audiences plenty of reasons to rewatch the series again and again.

KaBlam! (1996-2000) – 7.9

Another anthology series, KaBlam! was a showcase for all sorts of styles in animation and led to the creation of many well-known shows-within-the-show including Action League Now and Sniz & Fondue. Essentially produced as the cartoon version of an indie movie, the show offered a platform for larger audiences to discover different styles of animation.
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The variety and innovation helped make KaBlam! as critically well-received as it was popular throughout its four seasons. With select episodes available to stream, rewatching the series is a refreshing reminder of just how many unique voices were given a platform thanks to Nicktoons.

Rocko’s Modern Life (1993-1996) – 7.9

Anthropomorphic animals are not a new concept for cartoons but like Ren & Stimpy, Rocko’s Modern Life focused more on adult-themed humor like double entendre, innuendos, and social commentary on serious issues including racism and tolerance. Following Rocko, an Australian immigrant wallaby, the show’s unique, surreal style often found Rocko in all sorts of adventures and misunderstandings alongside his friends Heffer Wolfe, an eccentric, dim-witted steer, and Filburt, a neurotic turtle. Placing Rocko and his friends in cringe-worthy situations, the show often received praise for raising the quality of animated storytelling, something that is still clear to audiences just discovering the show now on streaming.
It’s easy to see why Nicktoons from the ’90s are regarded as some of the best animated series’ ever: there’s something for everyone to enjoy. That they continue to find new audiences all these years later on streaming services and re-runs is just another testament to the quality of classic Nicktoons.
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