Animationhas been a feature of the small screen for as long as television has existed. From the hand-drawn, black-and-white cartoons that first appeared on British and American networks in the 1930s, to the futuristic computer-generated 3D series of today’s streaming age, animated graphics have always been an integral part of TV’s visual language.
It’s impossible to condense all the greatest cartoons ever made into one single list of 30. Whether it’s thebest anime seriesor thebest adult animated sitcoms, some all-time greats have necessarily been missed out here.
Nevertheless, these 30 shows are still representative of the sheer scope and diversity of animation as a small-screen art form. TV just wouldn’t be the same without them.
Arguably the greatest animated TV show fronted by a Marvel Comics character, this relatively recent addition to theSpider-Manfranchise was somehow even better than the classic 1990s series. It was a scandal whenThe Spectacular Spider-Manwas canceledin 2009, but it will always be remembered as one of the best versions of the characters.
30Hey Arnold!
1996–2004
A very different type of kids cartoon aimed primarily at the pre-teen and teenage age groups,Hey Arnold!depicts a darker, more realistic version of childhood in a big U.S. city than most live-action television shows. Its season 1 Christmas special remains one of the most profoundlydevastating holiday episodes in TV history.
29DuckTales
1987–1990
The best iteration of Disney’s Duckverse ever made,DuckTaleswas the perfectSaturday morning cartoon for kids in the 1980s. The infectious energy of the mischievous young trio of Huey, Dewey, and Louie is hilariously contrasted with the Charles Dickens-inspired curmudgeon Scrooge McDuck. Donald makes his fair share of cameos, too.
28Mickey Mouse
1936–Present
Mickey Mouseshorts are essential viewingfor any fans of TV animation. It was this character who almost single-handedly popularized sound cartoons – in which the audio is entirely synchronized with the picture – beginning with his 1928 short “Steamboat Willie”.
From that crucial moment on, animation turned into a multi-sensory experience, in which jokes or emotive moments could be seen and heard at the same time.Mickey’s shorts first appeared on the small screen via the BBC in 1936, and they’ve been there ever since.
27Robot Chicken
2005-2025
Another generationally significant example of animated satire, this claymation sketch-comedy series sends up pretty much everything else that’s on the small screen (and elsewhere in pop culture), from reality shows to gummy bears.Robot Chickenmay have limited its release formatto one-off specials, but it’s still as sharp as it ever was.
26Naruto
2002–2017
Based on Masashi Kishimoto’s seminal manga series of the same name, this spellbinding anime show takes the mystique and mercurial appeal of ninja warriors to the next level.Naruto’s most powerful charactersare among the best fighters in the entire anime medium, but what really makes the series special is the writing.
25Rugrats
1991–2004
A masterclass in animating for kids by the studio Klasky Csupo, this hilarious and heartwarming story of babies and toddlers exploring the world around them is so engaging that it’s difficult to wean kids off when they get older. ARugratslive-action moviecould never be as vivid as the picture in the franchise’s pioneering original TV show.
24Batman: The Animated Series
1992–1995
Batman: The Animated Serieschanged superhero adaptations foreverby demonstrating that a cartoon animation of the world’s darkest superhero could be just as creative and compelling as a live-action adaptation. Everything about this show is on the money, from its storylines to its artwork and soundtrack. Batman has never been drawn better.
23Pingu
1980–1986, 1990–2000, 2003–2006
A brilliantly inventive way of telling a story to infant children without words,Pingusoon became a global hit beyond its target demographic. Its captivating stop-motion animation, clever visual comedy, unusual Antarctic setting, and curious non-human language have turned this creation of German animator Otmar Gutmann into an international institution of kids’ TV.
22Rick And Morty
2013–Present
One of the darkly comic shows on this list is also among the deepest meditations on humanity’s place in the universe ever rendered on the small screen.Ricky and Mortyis still going strong after eight seasonsdespite major behind-the-scenes changes. The series was built on solid foundations, with its existential concerns just as important as its macabre sense of humor.
