Rate These Cartoons And We'll Guess Who's A 90s Kid
- by Ariel_S
- – on
- in Movies and TV
90s kids unite! Despite the contention about what truly makes for a “90s Kid,” we believe that it’s easier to find out than we might have previously thought. Some of us might have seen the memes going around online that talk about honorary 90s kid status (and the refusal to acknowledge that status) depending on the birth year of the kid in question. We’re here to provide a different standard, though. We believe that it’s not so much about the years, but rather what’s remembered about them. Somebody’s birth year might dictate a whole lot about what they can do, but it doesn’t necessarily denote what cartoons they would have watched, or what video games they would have played!
Some households were a little behind the times during those late-90s years, which means some of us were still stuck playing on the Gameboy well into the early 2000s. If this sounds familiar, then it’s time to take the ultimate quiz. Who is a true 90s kid, and who was more on that early-2000s cusp? We’ve figured out an almost foolproof way to test it, and now we’re sharing that quiz with you. Rate these cartoons and we’ll reveal who was a true 90s kid, who was kind of close, and who missed the fanny pack-clad boat.
The Powerpuff Girls
Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are alive and well, saving the people of Townsville forever. At least, that’s what they’re doing in our hearts. While the original Powerpuff Girls might have ended a long time ago, this is one of the most interesting series to rewatch. There’s a lot of interesting commentary wrapped up in those little superheros, and the girl power is definitely still relevant. Is this the kind of cartoon that gets 90s kids excited, though? There’s only one way to find out!
Doug
This was a show that many of us remember, and might even still reference today. The easiest Halloween costume to copy, Doug has stayed fairly relevant throughout the inevitable aging that impacts cartoons. It’s something about the timelessness of his 6th grade feelings that gets us every time. He’s a smart kid, just trying to navigate life; isn’t that a feeling we can all relate to, regardless of our 90s kid status or not? Growing up wasn’t as hard when Doug was around.
Fairly Oddparents
This iconic piece of media will forever be one of our favorite cartoons, even if its 90s status is definitely in question. The humor and structure was very reminiscent 90s cartoons, though the art and concept always felt much more modern to us. For those that might not remember, IMDb reminds us that this was a cartoon about a kid who’s being cared for by his Fairy Godparents. We believe that the show’s “Oddparents” moniker certainly fits the dynamic better, though!
Rugrats
Who doesn’t love the Rugrats? A show that was built for pure and innocent enjoyment, this cartoon turned into a true cultural phenomenon. Shirts, toys, personality quizzes; the spin-offs from this show feel endless. Honestly, we’re not quite sure why. Maybe it’s the adorable innocence of the babies, or the fact that we all could relate to trying to figure out the world while being constantly misunderstood. Regardless, this is one that we’ll certainly show our children when the time comes.
Invader Zim
Another one of our personal favorites, Invader Zim is a show that we still like to watch the reruns of. For anyone feeling a little lost in space, Invader Zim is a great way to come back down to earth. Reminding us what it feels like to feel out of place while almost fitting in, the themes in this cartoon were very poignant. IMDb gives this cartoon an eight and a half star rating, but we personally give it a ten out of ten.
Dexter's Laboratory
However we want to pronounce it, Dexter’s likely going to complain. This short-tempered little scientist truly had his work cut out for him when his sister came to play. Possibly the best cartoon representation of a brother/sister relationship that we’ve seen, this was a cartoon that had us in stitches every single time it came on. Plus, who didn’t want a secret lab like Dexter’s? We admit that we’re still checking bookcases for secret doors to this very day.
Arthur
A modern day meme treasure trove, Arthur has found a resurgence in the online world. Packed full of hilarious facial expressions and some excellent animal-interaction moments, Arthur was the innocent cartoon we all loved as kids. We have a lot to thank this show for. Namely, for teaching us how to properly spell “Aardvark”. C’mon, who doesn’t sing the song in their head when they have to spell out that word? Arthur will be around for a long time yet, even if there’s not much in the way of new episodes.
Samurai Jack
This cartoon was one that was more niche, but certainly garnered a strong following. A unique art style, some folks might have been put off due to its lack of outlining and blocky, chunky style. We truly believe it was ushering in a new wave of cartoons. While the subject matter was pretty standard cartoon stuff (time travel and sword battles? What a surprise!) it was done well, and was written with a precision that always had us tuning in next time.
Jimmy Neutron
That DQ hairdo always got us excited when it popped up on the screen. What remarkable adventures was this boy genius going to go on next? Another cartoon that was ahead of its time style-wise, but still hitting on those classic smart-kids-save-the-world tropes, looking back on the art style makes us shudder just a little bit. We’ve come so far in the world of 3D animation now that this chunky, plasticine style isn’t as awe-inspiring as it used to be.
Codename: Kids Next Door
This show was truly the flipside of all those Samurai Jack and Jimmy Neutron cartoons. The art style was a definitely classic, featuring oversized heads and tiny bodies outlined and colored with bold, strong designs. This made Codename: KND a fun, vibrant show to watch. IMDb says it only ran for 7 years, but in the world of cartoons that’s a pretty solid number. After all, we know we had short attention spans as children. 7 years is a long time to hold that kind of everywhere-all-at-once attention!
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog wasn’t just a video game character. Some of us will remember his fast-paced cartoon that always had us bouncing out of our chairs by the end of the episode. While our parents might not have loved the Sonic-inspired races around the house, it was always our favorite part of the week. We loved the bright blue little animal dude, and wouldn’t change a thing about growing up alongside him. Not to mention the fact that the games also hold up just as well nowadays as they did back then!
Courage the Cowardly Dog
We’ve all heard of people adopting animals, but what about animals adopting humans? That was more or less the premise of Courage the Cowardly Dog. This little pink pup would spend countless episodes keeping his owners happy and safe, despite the fact that they never seemed to know that he was theirs! It was a little bit heartbreaking but also a whole lot of fun. Plus, it taught us an important lesson: No matter how worried we are, things are never as bad as they seem. We can overcome anything.
ReBoot
Another ahead-of-its-time animation style, we’re not sure exactly who came up with the concept. The turn of the century was full of questions and concerns about the impending computer take over. While we all know now that computers are a huge benefit to our lives, back then they were still a little too new for us to be comfortable with them. ReBoot played off of those concerns, and did it remarkably well. A cult classic even today, those that remember ReBoot will likely remember it fondly.
Pinky and the Brain
Another personal favorite of ours, it wouldn’t be a list about childhood cartoons if it didn’t have Pinky and the Brain on it. These two little lab rats were always plotting the next step in their world domination schemes, but somehow they were always foiled. A unique concept with a strong fanbase, many of us will still watch this show now as adults. It was funny when we were kids, and still holds up as being really quite clever now.
Duck Dodgers
Looney Tunes is truly one of the most iconic cartoon groups to ever be put on television. These wild and wacky characters were all cut from the same cloth, which is the quintessential animated world of “if we can imagine it, we can do it.” That’s really how Duck Dodgers came about. Daffy Duck dreamed up an alter ego, and eventually it was turned into a whole new show! IMDb says that it was only around for 2 years, but boy, what a great 2 years it was.
Earthworm Jim
Another incredibly niche show, this is a cartoon that was hit and miss for some people. Earthworm Jim, as IMDb states, was about a cartoon worm who accidentally crawled into a super suit. That was the day his life changed, as he took on super powers and was tasked with protecting the world. A beautiful story that only got two seasons’ worth of content, Earthworm Jim proves that even the smallest amongst us can have a huge impact and save the world.
Teen Titans
While this cartoon did recently get a live action remake, the interest in the cartoon version hasn’t disappeared quite yet. One of the quintessential cartoons from our childhood, Teen Titans was another one of those kids-with-superpowers-saving-the-world kind of shows. It was done in such a way that many of us felt connected to these characters, despite their superhero histories and personas. Keeping kids entertained for ages now, Teen Titans is a hard cartoon to skip past when it pops up on the TV.
Rocko's Modern Life
There was something about the 90s that meant every other cartoon on the air featured animal protagonists. That’s not a bad thing! In fact, we suspect it had something to do with the popularity of shows like Looney Tunes. Needless to say, Rocko’s Modern Life was a show that might have only been seen by a few people taking this quiz. All about a wallaby who moves across the world, Rocko is stuck trying to adjust while having countless misadventures and hilarious moments. (IMDb)
The Venture Bros.
Superheros seemed to be the other popular subject matter of the 90s, with many shows popping up that featured spies, superheros, or other kinds of world-saving professions. One profession that was included in that? Mad scientists. The Venture Bros. actually fits into the latter category of content, as it revolved around a scientist and his bodyguard, as well as the two sons. Creative, hilarious, and full of moments that still make us shake our head and say, “What?” The Venture Bros. is a series still going strong.
Danny Phantom
Anyone else remember Danny Phantom? This show was definitely built for those of us in the eight to ten year old range, and rewatching it doesn’t capture the same kind of magic. Kids who loved all things Halloween tended to be drawn to this show, as it followed the ghostly story of one kid who isn’t exactly all there-- Corporeally, we mean. Creative, wild, and with just a hint of Halloween, this was a TV show that filled us with glee from the inside out.
Daria
The dry humor and cynical wit of Daria will match perfectly with a millennial audience. While it might not be as kid-friendly as some of these other cartoons, Daria will have struck a chord with the older 90s kids amongst us. The cynicism that the writers brought to this boss lady was enough to have us looking up to her as young teens. We love the writing of this show, and wish more than anything that they’d consider doing a remake for today’s teens.
Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends
This adorable show came out when we were a little bit older, but we have no shyness in admitting that we watched it on repeat for a while. Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends made us feel better about our imaginary friends; both the ones that stuck around as well as the ones that are no doubt hanging out with Blue and the other friends. Funky, creative, and totally original, we loved everything about this show. It wasn’t the most popular one, though, and we understand of it gets rated accordingly.
Darkwing Duck
The precursor in a way to Duck Dodgers, Darkwing Duck was also a story about a cartoon duck who had an alter ego. Only around for a season or two, Darkwing Duck was a superhero on a mission to protect his city (and the world) from crime. More on the detective side of things, we’re not surprised that this show had a fairly limited run. We are surprised, however, that it hasn’t been remade yet! These kinds of niche shows are just perfect for a remount. With the popularity of detective stories today, we think this show would do well.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
For those that haven’t heard, Netflix revealed that they were going to be putting Avatar: The Last Airbender onto their streaming platform soon. This could be the perfect opportunity for kids both young and grown to revisit one of their favorite series. Avatar might not have been exclusive to the 90s, but it came out at the right age for a lot of 90s kids to really understand the deeper themes hidden in it. It’s an impactful show, and we’re happy that it’s getting another release.
Hey Arnold!
The football-headed kid is back. Though, did he ever really leave? We have very clear memories of Hey Arnold! and we’ll still sit down and rewatch an episode or two on Saturday mornings. The art of cartoons hasn’t been lost, but it’s certainly not like this show anymore. Hey Arnold! was a great mix of everyday elements and pointed social commentary, which was really innovative at the time. We’re not surprised that people are still such big fans of this show; we are, too!
Phineas and Ferb
Our theory about Phineas and Ferb is that it’s going to become the next Arthur in terms of meme-ability. Not only are these two main characters quirky enough to live in both a fantasy world as well as everyday life, but their reactions are priceless to watch. They’re truly a team, and we’ll be right there by their sides as they continue to grow and go through life. It’s a great partnership for them to have, and we’re happy to have seen it for all these years.
The Boondocks
Building on that theme of social commentary inherent in so many cartoons from the late 90s/early 2000s, The Boondocks told the story of two kids that move from the city to the suburbs. They have to deal with the rest of what life throws at them, and they’re not exactly happy about a lot of the results. Based on a drawn comic series, this was a show that really worked well as an animated story (IMDb). The art style was unique as well, though looking back on it we’re definitely getting some Archer vibes.
Robot Chicken
Less of a cartoon and more of a variety show, Robot Chicken followed in nobody’s footsteps. There wasn’t a show like this on TV before they came along, and we have to admit that that might not have been a bad thing. Robot Chicken is still getting mixed reviews, though its longevity speaks to the general appreciation for their unique humor and form. No linear plot and featuring everything from action figure puppetry to cartoon sketches and overlays, this was one weird (but hilarious) concept.
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
Who doesn’t love Scooby-Doo? We don’t know anyone who doesn’t have at least a little bit of experience watching this wacky pup on the TV. The cartoon series eventually inspired a few different spin-offs, including live action movies and countless 20-something hipsters painting their vans to look like the Mystery Machine. While Scooby might have been hard to understand, his intelligence and bravery shone loud and clear. The humans on his team were always getting in and out of sticky situations, but mostly they kept solving mysteries: the perfect premise for a long running cartoon.
Archer
Here’s a bit of a surprising one! Archer is a popular cartoon today, and first came out back in 2009 (IMDb). Why is it on a list about 90s cartoons? Because 90s kids are the ones who are watching it! Archer is not a children’s cartoon by any means. The themes are very adult, and Sterling Archer himself isn’t exactly polite or G-rated enough to be put on a children’s show. Millennials and other 90s kids tended to jump on the Archer bandwagon, and we totally understand why.
The Ren and Stimpy Show
Another cartoon that wasn’t necessarily built for kids, many of us still watched it anyone. Maybe our parents thought that a show about two misshapen little animals couldn’t have been that bad. Maybe it was just a different time, and we’re all a little more careful about what we share with our kids, now. Regardless, Ren and Stimpy had a niche following which is alive and well today. We still run into other Ren and Stimpy fans, and for good reason. It’s wickedly hilarious!
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
A unique take on the superhero theme, Space Ghost Coast to Coast wasn’t only a catchy title. It was a catchy show as well, though it was definitely one created for older kids. The premise is surprisingly unique: a superhero doesn’t fight bad guys anymore. Instead, he hosts his own talk show (IMDb). Sure, there’s a little more to it then that. But just the premise inspires a variety of hilarious and quirky scenarios that definitely makes for a great TV show.
Spider-Man
Who doesn’t love friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? The animated series existed alongside shows like Superman and Batman, and everyone knows just popular those two still are. Spider-Man touches on an important part of who we are as people. Not only is he just trying to come to terms with himself, but he’s also stuck trying to save the world. It’s a lot of responsibility, and it was important to see someone balance it all when we were growing up (even if that someone is part radioactive spider).
The Animaniacs
This is a show that we personally never watched, but we know many people who did. Potentially bolstering the success of Looney Tunes (as well as garnering a huge following of its own), the misadventures of these three cool cats got us every time. Not to mention their friends! This is a show that was perfect for the wacky and wonderful world of cartoons. We’re actually a little surprised it doesn’t get more attention nowadays. This was a solidly written show!
SpongeBob SquarePants
Despite the fact that SpongeBob lost some of its charm as we got older, we still love this weird little sea sponge. Spongebob SquarePants was a television show that we couldn’t get enough of as kids, and helped spark some incredible imaginary adventures. A show with no limits, the humor was naturally kind of all over the place. Experimentation is the key to success, though, and this long-running cartoon had tons of that. So, does liking SpongeBob impact our 90s kid status? There’s only one way to find out…
