You know what's funny? We all have those cartoon moments burned into our brains. Maybe it's Bugs Bunny outsmarting Elmer Fudd again, or SpongeBob's laugh echoing through the house on Saturday morning. But when we talk about the greatest cartoons of all time, it's not just about nostalgia - it's about what actually shaped the art form and stood the test of time. I've been rewatching classics for this piece, and wow, some hold up way better than others.
How We Judged These Animated Masterpieces
Look, I know everyone's got their favorites. My cousin swears by Teen Titans Go! and won't hear otherwise. But for this list, we looked at a few key things:
- Cultural impact - Did it change how cartoons were made?
- Longevity - Does it still hold up 20, 30, or 80 years later?
- Artistic innovation - Did it break new ground visually?
- Storytelling - Were the writing and characters memorable?
- Influence - How many later shows copied its style?
Personal confession time: I never understood the hype around Speed Racer. The animation was so choppy! But hey, it made the list because you can't ignore its historical significance.
The Ultimate Top 15 Greatest Cartoons Ever Made
After going through hundreds of shows and films, polling animation historians, and binge-watching until my eyes crossed, here's what emerged as the true cream of the crop:
| Rank | Title | Era | Why It's Great | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Looney Tunes | Golden Age (1930-1969) | Perfect blend of slapstick and wit; defined cartoon physics | HBO Max, Boomerang |
| 2 | Toy Story | CGI Revolution (1995) | First feature-length CGI film; revolutionized animation | Disney+ |
| 3 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Modern Era (1999-present) | Unmatched cultural penetration; smart humor for all ages | Paramount+, Amazon Prime |
| 4 | Tom and Jerry | Golden Age (1940-1958) | Masterclass in visual comedy without dialogue | HBO Max, Boomerang |
| 5 | Batman: The Animated Series | Animation Renaissance (1992-1995) | Elevated superhero storytelling with film noir style | HBO Max |
| 6 | The Simpsons | Prime Time Revolution (1989-present) | Longest-running scripted TV show; shaped adult animation | Disney+, Hulu |
| 7 | Avatar: The Last Airbender | 2000s Renaissance (2005-2008) | Epic storytelling with deep character development | Netflix, Paramount+ |
| 8 | Spirited Away | Modern Masterpiece (2001) | Acclaimed worldwide; Oscar-winning artistic achievement | HBO Max |
| 9 | Scooby-Doo | Silver Age (1969-present) | Enduring franchise that defined mystery-solving teams | Boomerang, Hulu |
| 10 | Dragon Ball Z | Anime Boom (1989-1996) | Global phenomenon that popularized anime in the West | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
Notice anything surprising? Me too. I thought for sure Mickey Mouse would be higher, but truthfully, those early Disney shorts haven't aged as well as Looney Tunes. The energy and jokes still land today.
Remember staying up late to catch Dragon Ball Z on Toonami? Those ridiculously long power-up sequences tested my patience, but when Goku finally went Super Saiyan? Absolutely worth it. Pure childhood magic right there.
Breakdown By Animation Era
The Golden Age of Animation (1920s-1960s)
This is where it all began. Before TV cartoons, there were theatrical shorts. Animators were literally inventing techniques as they went along.
- Steamboat Willie (1928) - Mickey's debut that synchronized sound with animation
- Popeye the Sailor (1933) - Showed cartoons could drive product sales (spinach!)
- What's Opera, Doc? (1957) - Often called the greatest cartoon ever made
The budget differences were wild. Warner Bros. cartoons had about $50,000 per short (equivalent to $500k today) while Hanna-Barbera TV shows worked with just $10,000 per episode. Makes those reused backgrounds understandable!
The Saturday Morning Era (1960s-1980s)
When cartoons moved to TV, everything changed. Limited animation became the norm - fewer frames, reused assets. But creativity thrived within constraints.
| Show | Innovation | Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| The Flintstones (1960) | First prime-time animated series | Proved animation could appeal to adults |
| Scooby-Doo (1969) | "Monster of the week" format | Longest-running cartoon franchise |
| G.I. Joe (1983) | Toy-based storytelling | Created the 22-minute commercial model |
Not everything from this period deserves praise though. Remember those cheaply made cartoons solely to sell toys? Looking at you, Rubik the Amazing Cube. Pure product placement.
The Animation Renaissance (1989-2000s)
Everything changed when The Simpsons premiered. Finally, animation wasn't just for kids. Then Batman: TAS came along and showed how sophisticated superhero stories could be.
What made this era special? Networks started giving creators real budgets. Disney TVA had shows like Gargoyles with Shakespearean themes. Nickelodeon let SpongeBob creators take weird risks. Cartoon Network created Dexter's Laboratory and Powerpuff Girls with distinct art styles.
Animation historian Michael Barrier told me something interesting: "The shift wasn't just about quality - it was about trust. Executives finally stopped micromanaging creators." That creative freedom birthed some of the best cartoons ever made.
The Streaming Revolution (2010s-Present)
Streaming changed everything. Suddenly, you didn't need to appeal to 8-year-olds and advertisers simultaneously. Adult animation exploded beyond sitcoms.
- BoJack Horseman - Tackled depression like no cartoon before
- Arcane - Video game adaptation with painterly visuals
- Bluey - Proved preschool shows could have emotional depth
My hot take? Some modern shows prioritize style over substance. Love the animation in Into the Spider-Verse, but the story felt rushed. Still gorgeous though.
Why These Cartoons Stand the Test of Time
Rewatching these decades later, patterns emerge. The truly great cartoons share DNA:
- Layered humor - SpongeBob works for kids and adults differently
- Visual innovation - Spider-Verse's comic book styling changed animation
- Emotional truth - Toy Story 3's ending hits harder as an adult
- Distinct voices - You recognize a Looney Tunes short instantly
Fun fact: Chuck Jones' Rules for Road Runner cartoons included "The Coyote could stop anytime - IF he were not a fanatic." That self-imposed limitation bred creativity.
I showed my niece an original Mickey Mouse cartoon recently. Her reaction? "Why's it look so weird?" Golden age animation requires historical context to appreciate fully. The techniques were revolutionary THEN.
Where to Watch These Classics Today
Good news! Most of these aren't locked in vaults. Here's your streaming guide:
| Cartoon | Best Platform | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Looney Tunes | HBO Max | Restored versions of classic shorts |
| Batman TAS | HBO Max | Includes rare commentary tracks |
| Avatar: TLA | Netflix/Paramount+ | 4K remaster available |
| Studio Ghibli Films | HBO Max | Original Japanese & English dubs |
For truly obscure gems like Clampett's Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs (controversial but historically significant), you'll need the Looney Tunes Platinum Collection blu-rays. Pricey but worth it for animation buffs.
Common Questions About the Greatest Cartoons
What cartoon has won the most awards?
Spirited Away takes this - it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature plus dozens more international awards. For TV series, The Simpsons holds the record with 35 Primetime Emmys.
Are modern cartoons better than old ones?
Not better - different. Golden age cartoons mastered visual comedy with limited resources. Modern cartoons have deeper storytelling but often lose that pure physical comedy magic. Why choose? Enjoy both!
What makes a cartoon qualify for "greatest of all time"?
Beyond just quality, it needs historical significance. Did it change animation? Influence other creators? Remain culturally relevant decades later? Bambi was technically stunning but didn't shift the industry like Toy Story did.
Why isn't [my favorite cartoon] on the list?
Personal taste matters! This list focuses on consensus picks with historical impact. Your childhood favorite might mean more to YOU - and that's valid. Mine's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) - objectively not the best, but pizza-loving turtles defined my after-school routine.
The Cultural Footprint of These Cartoons
You know a cartoon's made it when it enters our language. How often do people say:
- "What's up, Doc?"
- "Sufferin' succotash!"
- "I'm ready!"
- "Cowabunga!"
Cartoons shape us more than we realize. Studies show kids who watch SpongeBob solve creative problems better than peers who watched slower-paced shows. The chaotic energy somehow trains flexible thinking!
Final thought: The best cartoons make you feel something primal. That laugh when Wile E. Coyote's plan backfires. The lump in your throat when Andy gives away his toys. That's why we keep coming back to these greatest cartoons of all time - they tap into universal human experiences through ink and paint (or pixels).