When we were kids, we didn’t just love Saturday mornings because we could sleep in and we didn’t have to go to school. We loved Saturday mornings because of the cartoons. These was nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a bowl of Lucky Charms and a cozy blanket and watching all our favorite characters get up to no good. You probably could have sat there all day if you parents didn’t make you go have a bath and get started on your homework.
Now that you’re an adult, you have probably discovered some of the more grownup cartoons like Family Guy and South Park. However, it’s still worth going back to some of those out Saturday morning cartoons you loved so much. Not only will they give you all of the nostalgic feels, you might just pick up some new humor that you didn’t quite appreciate when you were younger. Here are 18 awesome cartoons you can still watch as an adult. It’s up to you if you want to watch them while wearing your PJs and munching on Lucky Charms.
1. The Pink Panther Show
Forget about that questionable The Pink Panther movie. The cartoon is the one we loved to watch then and it’s something you’ll still enjoy now. The show had appeal when were were young because he was a pink panther. Plus, we got to see The Inspector at the same time. The show is just as entertaining as an adult thanks to both characters’ high jinks. Oh, and that theme song never gets old.
2. Hey Arnold!
Hands up if you wanted to be part of the gang in Hey Arnold!? You probably thought that they were some of the coolest fourth graders around. After all, how many fourth graders did you know that had the cool hand shake or hair that could rival Arnold‘s or Gerald‘s? Even if you’re a long way from nine years old, you will probably still appreciate all of the characters living in the city and trying to solve their problems.
You might also find you have a new appreciation for Helga G. Pataki and Phoebe Heyerdahl‘s geek-chic style. Plus, you might as well get familiar with the series again because there’s a Hey Arnold! movie coming out.
3. The Flintstones
The Flintstones is about as classic as classic TV can get. It premiered in 1960 and it was as good then as it was when you watched it when you were a kid. You know what? It’s just as good now and it will likely be just as amazing in 50 years. It’s all thanks to the relatable family dynamic.
As a kid, you probably loved the idea of living in the Stone Age and having a pet like Dino. Oh, and Bam-Bam Rubble was hilarious. As an adult, you will love the show for the same reasons as a kid. Plus, you’ll probably enjoy Fred and Barney‘s relationship more. You’ll also probably find yourself appreciating Wilma and Betty‘s clothes a little more. And don’t be surprised if you want to start wearing a (fake) bone in your topknot à la Pebbles.
4. The Jetsons
The Jetsons may have been set in the future while The Flintstones was set way back in the past, but they both make for good TV watching at any time, at any age. As a kid, The Jetsons held such promise because they showed what a magical world the future could look like. In 2062, we could be driving flying cars and we could have robots as our maids. Despite all that, we would still have the same family struggles and laughs. With less than 50 years to go until it actually hits The Jetsons‘ time, you will enjoy seeing what parts of the show have come true, what ones could actually become a reality, and what ones aren’t likely.
5. Animaniacs
We’re Animaniacs! First of all, the show had us at that theme song. It was nigh impossible to watch it without singing along at the top of our lungs. It didn’t matter how many times our parents told us to be quiet. The other amazing part of the show was that we never really knew what we were going to get. We could get more songs, some hilarious mini skirts, some new catchphrases, or references to older jokes. The anything-can-happen feel will still intrigue you as an adult, but you’ll definitely appreciate some of the mature humor you missed before. Bet you didn’t notice the “Goodfeathers”/The Godfather segment from when you were younger, did you?
6. Looney Tunes
Where do we even begin with Looney Tunes? There were soooooo many amazing sketches and characters including Bugs Bunny, the Tasmanian Devil, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, Sylvester, Elmer Fudd, Pepé Le Pew, Wile E. Coyote the Road Runner, the list goes on. As an adult, you will appreciate the fact you’re watching TV gold. The short films started being produced way back in 1930. You’ll probably enjoy some of the skits as much as Saturday Night Live ones and you’ll be filled with some major nostalgia.
7. Powerpuff Girls
Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles were the superheroes that helped show us how awesome it was to be a girl. They demonstarted that you could wear fun outfits, have cute hair, and be called on by the mayor to fight the evil powers that threaten the town. The Powerpuff Girls‘ girl power attitude will definitely still resonate with you today. What’s even better is that the show got a reboot in 2016 and we have a fourth Powerpuff Girl, Bliss, the first girl of color with amazing turquoise hair and a purple dress.
8. The Simpsons
The Simpsons was probably the most adult cartoon you watched when you were a kid. And chances are you didn’t realize quite how adult it was until you watched it when you were older. If you haven’t watched it in a few years, turn it on. Now. With 29 seasons, the show is the longest-running scripted primetime TV series in the US. And the jokes don’t stop. It makes pop culture references that you’ll understand better now. Plus, you’ll appreciate Homer’s family struggles more now that you’re adulting.
9. Scooby-Doo!
When you were younger, you probably wished you could be a teenager and go around solving mysteries in a van that looked like the Mystery Machine with a cool group of friends and a hilarious dog. You may or may not feel the same way as an adult, but you will still appreciate Scooby-Doo!. If you’re a dog lover, it’s impossible not to love the title character. You’ll also have a greater appreciation for the 1960s/1970s vibe. Plus, you’ll still get a kick out of trying to solve the mysteries before the rest of the gang, just like you did when you were a kid.
10. Rugrats
Let’s here it for Rugrats and one of the coolest cast of cartoon babies and toddlers around. You might remember very little about being that young, but the show will still appeal to you now. There’s a reason why it frequently appears on the top cartoon lists. You will still laugh at how you can be entertained by the day-to-day lives of toddlers and what goes on in their imaginations. And you might just find that you have a new understanding of Didi and Stu Pickles after all these years.
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Yeah, you are probably all about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action movie, but you cannot watch it and ignore the cartoon. Those lean, mean, green fighting machines provided hours of entertainment when we were younger. We loved all their cool skills, bandanas and the fact that they loved pizza as much as we do. When you watch it now, you’ll probably still debate about who the best Ninja Turtle is and whether you could eat as much pizza as they can.
12. Daria
Daria was the cartoon that you probably started watching when you were ready for more “adult” cartoons. You probably thought Daria Morgendorffer and Jane Lane were the coolest. Don’t lie: You wanted to be exactly like them when you were a teenager, right? You might not have turned out to be quite as non-smiling, non-committal and non-emotional as Daria, but we promise you will still enjoy the show. You’ll realize even more what a great source of fashion inspo it is.
13. Arthur
You might not have known exactly what type of animal Arthur was, but you probably loved him anyway, along with Buster Baxter, Muffy Crosswire,Francine Alice Frensky, Binky Barnes and even Mr. Ratburn. The show always seemed to highlight exactly what was going on in our lives whether it was our disdain for homework or sibling problems. It’s worth re-watching now as you’ve probably seen all of the very adult Arthur memes circulating on Tumblr and are confused about what exactly went down on the show. Spoiler alert: There’s no way it’s as dirty as the memes appear, but you’ll still enjoy it.
14. Adventure Time
You might have watched Adventure Time when it first came out, or you might be new to the party. If you’re a newbie, welcome. The series follows Finn and Jake, Finn’s brother/dog with magical powers. If the fact that the dog can change size and shape whenever it wants doesn’t excite you, maybe the fact the characters live in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo will. Plus, they are involved with some interesting characters including a vampire queen, ice king and someone named Princess Bubblegum.
15. Batman and Robin
Yeah, there are a lot of Batman TV series and movies with many of them being very good. You’ve probably watched The Dark Knight so many times that you can recite it off by heart. Therefore, bring it back to the series that probably started it all for you, Batman and Robin. It’s nowhere near as dark as a lot of the movies, but it has Batman, Robin, a killer song and all the action. You know what? You’ll still enjoy it.
16. Pinky and the Brain
A show about two “genetically enhanced” lab rats trying to take over the world? That was the stuff that Saturday morning cartoons were made out of. It proves as enjoyable now thanks to all of their new schemes that never quite seem to get off the ground. Pinky is just as cute as you remember him while the Brain is the same crazy egomaniac that you loved to see at work as a kid.
17. SpongeBob SquarePants
You might never have thought that a show about a sea sponge who lives in a submerged pineapple in the ocean would work, but it was exactly the sort of out there concept that you fell in love with as a kid. It helped that said sponge was named SpongeBob Squarepants and he looked hilariously similar to the yellow sponge that your parents had by the kitchen sink. And you probably thought Patrick was the best pink sea star you’ve ever seen. As an adult, SpongeBob is just as delightful. However, you might find yourself identifying more with Patrick’s naivety or Squidward’s attitude.
18. Peanuts
The world just wouldn’t be the same without Peanuts. The comics were amazing and now we can continue enjoying all the lovable characters with the cartoon. You probably grew up watching it and never stopped. If you only go back to the show to watch the nostalgic episodes over the holidays, start watching the entire series again. You won’t regret it. Everyone can use more Snoopy and Charlie Brown in their lives. Fact.