5 Best Cartoon Network Series Of The 90s

Whether you’re a 90s kid or not, it’s hard not to love cartoons born from the era. Thanks to networks like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, a flood of animated treasures made their debut prior to the new millennia, and many of the shows remain evergreen today.

Here at ComicBook.com, we took it upon ourselves to do the hard task of narrowing down five of Cartoon Network’s best series from the 90s. So, go buy from Fruit By The Foot and slip on your old Jellies. It’s time we dove into the nostalgic world of Cartoon Network’s finest shows.

Ed, Edd n Eddy

Barely making the cut, this Cartoon Network series very nearly missed the 1990s. Ed, Edd n Eddy made its debut in January 1999 on Cartoon Network after cartoonist Danny Antonucci was dared to create a children’s show.

The creator then opted to make a deal with Cartoon Network to air the show after Nickelodeon demanded more creative control. The series became a quick hit with fans as Ed, Edd n Eddy sold itself to every outside and underdog. The animated show told the story of three very different friends who lived in the same neighborhood and shared similar names. The episodic series followed the boys as they came up with various schemes to leach money or jawbreakers off their friends, and the trio often wound up in hilarious awkward situations thanks to their hair-brained schemes.

Johnny Bravo

There are few people in this world as cool as Johnny Bravo, the and blonde-haired greaser would be happy to hear it. In 1995, the pilot for Johnny Bravo aired on Cartoon Network and introduced audiences to the macho lead. The show quickly found itself saddled with a full show order as audiences fell for its slapstick humor and well-hidden adult humor. Styled after Elvis and Grease rejects, Johnny walked onto TVs with coifed hair and a love for women. The episodic series often followed Johnny as he got rejected by possible suitors in hilarious ways, and the letdowns were often tied into overt pop culture references.

Courage the Cowardly Dog

Courage the Cowardly Dog might sound innocent enough, but the classic series is not one kids should watch before bedtime. Having debuted in 1996, the horror comedy left audiences unsettled thanks to its strange imagery and terrifying creatures. When the full show premiered in 1999, Cartoon Network was inundated with new audiences who were intrigued by the show’s dark tone. On the surface, Courage the Cowardly Dog tells the story of a timid dog who lives with his owners Muriel and Bagge on a remote farm. The family is often approached by terrifying monsters and supernatural beasts which Courage ends up fighting to save his loved ones.

Dexter’s Laboratory

If your name happens to be Dee Dee, then you are no doubt familiar with Dexter’s Laboratory – even if you’re meant to keep out of it. The animated series premiered on Cartoon Network in 1996 and told the story of a young, mad scientist named Dexter. The inventor is the proprietor of a secret lab under his parent’s home where he engages in inventor duels with his neighbor Mandark. However, Dexter constantly finds his sanctuary threatened by his tutu-loving older sister Dee Dee.

The Powerpuff Girls

There’s no denying the popularity of The Powerpuff Girls. Cartoon Network brought the animated series to life back in 1998 after a slew of shorts tested well with audiences. The action-packed superhero series tells the story of three young girls who were created when a science experiment went wrong. Some sugar and spice led to Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup being born when Professor Utonium spilled some Chemical X into a mixture. Gifted with powers, the girls become the defenders of Townsville when outlandish villains like Mojo Jojo make their dastardly plans known.