The Top 32 Greatest Animated TV Shows Ever Made

Animation has 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 the best anime series or the best 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.

32 The Spectacular Spider-Man

2008–2009

Arguably the greatest animated TV show fronted by a Marvel Comics character, this relatively recent addition to the Spider-Man franchise was somehow even better than the classic 1990s series. It was a scandal when The Spectacular Spider-Man was canceled in 2009, but it will always be remembered as one of the best versions of the characters.

31 Hey 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 profoundly devastating holiday episodes in TV history.

30 Beavis and Butt-Head

1993–1997, 2011, 2022–2023, 2025–Present

Moronic, apathetic, and often downright sadistic, for older viewers Beavis and Butt-Head represented everything that was wrong with the MTV generation. To adolescent audiences, though, they were countercultural heroes who burst the bubble of TV censorship. While Mike Judge's later sitcom King of the Hill is more refined, the best episodes of Beavis and Butt-Head are still his comedic peak.

29 DuckTales

1987–1990

The best iteration of Disney’s Duckverse ever made, DuckTales was the perfect Saturday 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.

28 Robot 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 Chicken may have limited its release format to one-off specials, but it’s still as sharp as it ever was.

27 Naruto

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 characters are among the best fighters in the entire anime medium, but what really makes the series special is the writing.

26 Rugrats

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 it when they get older. A Rugrats live-action movie could never be as vivid as the picture in the franchise’s pioneering original TV show.

25 Batman: The Animated Series

1992–1995

Batman: The Animated Series changed superhero adaptations forever by 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.

24 Pingu

1980–1986, 1990–2000, 2003–2006

A brilliantly inventive way of telling a story to infant children without words, Pingu soon 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.

23 Rick And Morty

2013–Present

The most darkly comic show on this list is also among the deepest meditations on humanity’s place in the universe ever rendered on the small screen. Ricky and Morty is still going strong after eight seasons despite 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.