Animation productions played a key role in the history of cinema itself, and today, animated series have titles that have become true classics of the genre.
We selected some of the best and most revered cartoons ever made. From old series like The Flintstones to more recent productions like Adventure Time and Steven Universe.
Best Cartoons Ever Streamed
Batman: The Animated Series (1992 – 1995)
Winner of 4 Emmys, and considered the Oscar of North American television, Batman: The Animated Series was the first story to take place in the DC Animated Universe, which has several other productions today. The stories and the images were revolutionary for the time, and the production became one of the most critically acclaimed.
Adventure Time (2010 – 2018)
Created by Pendleton Ward, Adventure Time is one of the most surreal cartoons ever. It features the story of Finn, a human, and Jake, a dog, his best friend and foster brother. They live in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world, interacting with various hybrid creatures, animals, and other fantastic beings. Adventure Time became a huge phenomenon worldwide for sensitively addressing some issues still taboo in cartoons aimed at children.
Samurai Jack (2001 – 2004)
Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Samurai Jack was a Cartoon Network cartoon that told the story of a feudal samurai trapped in a dystopian future. Jack tries in all episodes to defeat the great villain Abu and return to his time, but he always misses the opportunity. The series ended without a conclusion. However, it has gone down as one of the highest-ranked US animated stories ever made.
Avatar: A Lenda de Aang (2005 – 2008)
In the dystopian universe of Avatar, hybrid humans and animals inhabit a world divided by four nations and, in parallel, a spiritual world. This critically acclaimed animated series received positive reviews upon release and has become one of the most recent classics in animation history. In 2012, the story received a continuation series called The Legend of Korra, which the public received very well.
Tom and Jerry (1940 – 1967)
Tom and Jerry has an essential place in the history of world animation, and the characters are still present in new stories and films. This classic cartoon marked the generation of the 1980s and 1990s by telling the story of a rival cat and mouse who come up with devious plans to annoy each other.
Justice League (2001 – 2004)
From the animators of Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League successfully adapted the Justice League of America comics for television. The series follows stories of DC Comics’ most celebrated characters, such as Batman, Superman, Flash, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman.
The Flintstones (1960 – 1966)
The story of the Flintstones takes place in 1,040,000 BC, where we follow two prehistoric families with routines similar to those of modern life. The contrast presented in this premise resulted in one of the most successful series ever made. The Flintstones featured numerous spin-off series, television specials, and a classic live-action film, making it one of the most classic cartoons ever.
South Park (1997 – present)
The animated series South Park is aimed at adults and has been running since 1997. It presents stories full of socio-cultural criticism in an acidic and sometimes controversial way. Touching on subjects such as politics, economics, and social issues, the series has won 5 Emmy Awards, in addition to the prestigious Peabody Award, designed to recognize media excellence.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (1969 – 1971)
Scooby Doo tells the story of a group of friends and a dog named Scooby who investigates supernatural cases in each episode. The franchise, initially produced by the Hanna-Barbera studio, is the second cartoon with the highest number of seasons ever made in the United States. The characters Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, Velma, and Daphne have appeared in numerous media, including games, movies, live-action productions and more.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 – 1996)
The characters Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Leonardo from the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise were created by artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Initially, the comics were more violent and mature.
However, with the success of the animated series, new editions were released for a younger audience. In the late 80s and early 90s, the cartoon was one of the most celebrated worldwide and today has a highly successful revival still on the air.
Daria (1997 – 2002)
This original MTV cartoon left a mark on the 2000s generation for its satirical themes, acidic humor and original script. The series features the protagonist Daria, who is usually stressed, dealing with worries in the suburban town where she lives. With a lot of sarcasm, Daria became one of the best-built female cartoon characters and is now considered a solid feminist symbol of the 2000s.
The Simpsons (1989 – present)
The Simpsons is undoubtedly the most classic cult animated series in history that is still being broadcast. It presents the story of a middle-class family in the United States that deals with various everyday situations in Springfield. Since its launch,
The Simpsons has become a huge pop culture phenomenon and has hosted the biggest names in the entertainment industry as guests.
Steven Universe (2013 – 2019)
Steven Universe was one of the most revolutionary cartoons ever created in recent times. The series tells the story of Steven, a boy who has a precious stone in his belly button that gives him superhuman abilities.
He lives with other fantastic characters, the Cristal Gems, who fight against evil forces that plague the city of Beach City. The series addressed issues such as consent, identity, and s**ual orientation in a light and creative way, being highly awarded throughout its exhibition.
SpongeBob SquarePants (1999–present)
“SpongeBob SquarePants” is an animated and iconic animated series that follows the undersea adventures of SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends in the fictional town of Bikini Bottom.
With its quirky humor, endearing characters, and vibrant setting, the series has won a fan base of all ages since its debut in 1999, conveying messages of friendship, optimism, and resilience.
BoJack Horseman (2014 – 2020)
“BoJack Horseman” is an adult animated series known for its unique and dark approach to issues such as fame, depression, addiction, and relationships while taking place in a world where humans coexist with anthropomorphic animals.
The series follows the misadventures of BoJack Horseman, a former TV star trying to find his place in life while dealing with his troubled past and his insecurities.
The Powerpuff Girls (1998 – 2005)
“The Powerpuff Girls” is an animation that follows the adventures of three young heroines, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, who were created in a laboratory from a mixture of sugar, spice, and everything good, plus an accidental ingredient: the Element X. Together, they protect the city of Townsville from villains and menaces, combining their distinct personalities and unique superpowers.
Courage the Cowardly Dog (1997 – 2002)
“Courage, the Cowardly Dog” is a cartoon series that follows the adventures of Courage, a pink dog of an unknown breed, who lives on an isolated farm with his elderly owners, Muriel and Eustace Bagge.
The series is known for its unique blend of comedy, horror, and thriller elements, as Courage faces supernatural and frightening situations to protect his family.
Naruto (2002 – 2007)
Based on the manga of the same name, Naruto tells the story of a fearless boy and his journey to become a great ninja. Without a doubt, one of the most popular anime of all time that was a huge success around the planet and could not be left out of this list.
With over 200 episodes, the anime has a highly successful sequel, Naruto Shippuden, and several series based on the same universe.
Rick and Morty (2013 -)
Inspired by the Back to the Future movie franchise, Rick and Morty is an adult cartoon that premiered on Cartoon Network’s night show in 2013. It follows the crazy adventures of a scientist and his grandson through interdimensional travel and exploring their relationships. Family and other topics. Since its launch, the series has become a huge cultural phenomenon and has fans worldwide.
Sailor Moon (1992 – 1993)
Sailor Moon follows the story of Usagi Tsukino, a romantic girl who discovers that she is the reincarnation of a warrior who fights for justice and love. It is considered the most influential anime of the Shoujo subgenre and had a great worldwide impact when released in the early 90s.
Animaniacs (1993 – 1995)
Animaniacs features the three Warner brothers as they interact with characters from Hollywood past and present. They live in a water tower at Warner Bros Studios and the stories make several references to the popular culture of the time, in addition to presenting educational sketches that marked a generation.
Dexter’s Laboratory (1996 – 2003)
Dexter’s Laboratory was successful in when shown on Cartoon Network, especially between the late ’90s and early 2000s. The series tells the story of a young genius scientist who has a huge laboratory inside his home. In addition to his archenemy, Mandark, Dexter has to deal with his sister Dee Dee’s troubles.
Pokémon (1997 – 2002)
The Pokémon franchise remains a huge commercial success in its most varied mediums, but when the anime was first released in the late 1990s, it became an absolute rage around the world. The story of Ash Ketchum and his journey to become a great Pokémon master had movies related to the story, in addition to several seasons with new characters.
The Fairly OddParents (2001 – 2017)
The Fairly Odd Parents tells the story of Timmy, a 10-year-old boy who receives the help of two magical characters who grant him the most varied wishes. When released, it was one of the most successful cartoons ever produced by Nickelodeon and remains in the minds of the 2000s generation of kids.
Teen Titans (2003 – 2006)
Based on the teenage stories of classic characters from the DC Comics universe, Teen Titans has become one of the most celebrated children’s cartoons in recent years. In Brazil, the series was broadcast by SBT and Cartoon Network, also becoming a great worldwide phenomenon.
Gravity Falls: A Summer of Mysteries (2012 – 2016)
Gravity Falls tells a story full of mysteries and paranormal activities very entertainingly. It follows the journey of twin brothers Dipper Pines and Mabel, who begin running The Mystery Shack with their great-uncle Stanford when they visit the town that bears the series’ name.
Dragon Ball Z (1989 – 1996)
Dragon Ball Z was one of the most successful anime in the West, receiving great popularity in Brazil. In the story, the protagonist Son Goku, who had already been introduced in the Dragon Ball series, is now grown up and must fight to protect the planet from alien beings.
