Awesome Cartoons Only 2000s Kids Will Remember

Cartoons have been popular since the beginning of television, with shows from the 1980s and 1990s remaining beloved classics. More recently, cartoons from the 2000s are also gaining recognition as classics, and are even inspiring new shows. While not every cartoon from that decade was a hit, certain ones have truly stood out and made a lasting impression on viewers.

Unfortunately, many beloved cartoons from the 2000s haven’t been officially released in their entirety. This means fans often rely on memories, short clips, or the occasional complete episode to revisit and share these shows. These cartoons were notable for capturing the decade’s trends, including the growing popularity of anime and the continued appeal of the bold, retro animation style from the late 1990s.

Dexter’s Laboratory Had Unmatched Cartoon Humor

Dexter’s Laboratory is consistently ranked among the best cartoons, and for good reason. The show brilliantly played with the ‘boy genius’ idea, fully embracing Dexter’s incredible intelligence while still remembering he was a child. Dexter was far smarter than his family and peers, and his secret lab was filled with amazing technology that appealed to everyone, even those who weren’t interested in science. Despite his brilliance, things often went wrong for Dexter, which made the show consistently funny.

Dexter frequently had to put up with his mischievous older sister, Dee, but the rest of his family was equally funny. His parents, in particular, were often the focus of hilarious jokes and situations. Dexter’s Lab was a fantastic cartoon because it appealed to both kids and adults.

Recess Turned School Into A Timeless Experience

For many kids, recess is a key part of growing up, and the TV show Recess captured that experience perfectly. The series focused on a group of fourth-grade friends who didn’t quite fit in, and it surprisingly tackled complex issues by exploring the social dynamics of the schoolyard in each episode. With six main characters, each with their own unique personality and style, the show offered something for every viewer and remains popular today.

The cartoon Recess cleverly reimagined the school playground as a world of exciting conflicts – kids fought for independence, defended their spaces, and learned about taking responsibility. The show featured classic schoolyard characters like bullies and tattletales, and teachers who sometimes got in the way. Ultimately, Recess was a really fun show to watch. It was surprisingly empowering for anyone who felt like an outsider, and many adults who watched it as children still have a special connection to their favorite characters.

Courage the Cowardly Dog Did Cartoon Horror Perfectly

Courage the Cowardly Dog is a unique cartoon known for its distinctive visuals. It combined early computer animation with live-action clips to create a spooky and strange mood, balancing humor and gentle scares. The show was initially praised for bringing horror elements to family-friendly animation. Though its exaggerated comedy and frightening scenes weren’t for everyone, those who continued watching became dedicated fans, giving the series a strong cult following.

Fans particularly loved how Courage the Cowardly Dog drew on classic horror themes and the sweet connection between Courage and Muriel. Their loving relationship provided a comforting contrast to the show’s often unsettling and darkly funny moments. The most satisfying part was seeing Courage conquer his fears and save the day – and usually his home – by the end of each episode.

Invader ZIM Built Up a Passionate Cult Following

Despite running for only 27 episodes – with six delayed for years – Invader Zim maintained a strong following. This led to a comic book series in 2015 and a movie revival, Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus, in 2019. The show quickly became a pop culture staple, particularly thanks to its merchandise, which became incredibly popular online in the early days of the internet and remains a beloved part of retro-internet culture.

The cartoon Invader Zim, about an alien trying to take over Earth while pretending to be a normal kid in school, feels surprisingly relevant even now, more than 20 years after it first aired. Its mix of silly humor and slightly cynical worldview makes it both engaging and a little strange for younger audiences, while older viewers will find it genuinely funny. Zim and his goofy robot companion, Gir, are instantly recognizable characters thanks to the show’s lasting popularity.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Remains Iconic

Unlike many American cartoons that focused on self-contained episodes, Avatar: The Last Airbender was groundbreaking for its complex, ongoing storyline – a style more commonly seen in anime. The show’s visual style also clearly drew inspiration from anime, while still maintaining its own distinct look.

With its richly imagined worlds, fascinating backstory, mature themes, and exciting moments, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a show everyone should see – even if you don’t usually watch cartoons or anime. It’s also notable for its respectful portrayal of Asian cultures. The sequel, The Legend of Korra, didn’t reach the same level of popularity, but it was more successful than the live-action Avatar adaptations. These adaptations, while not as well-received, demonstrate just how impactful the original Avatar series has been.

Kim Possible Is An Iconic Female-Led Action Cartoon

Among Disney Channel’s offerings, Kim Possible is often considered a standout show. While many of the channel’s live-action comedies haven’t aged well, and some of its cartoons were quickly forgotten, Kim Possible remains surprisingly enjoyable. Its relatable storylines and exciting adventures still resonate with fans today.

The show Kim Possible was a clever, thrilling, and notably feminist cartoon that helped break down old stereotypes. It proved girls would enjoy action shows and boys would watch shows starring female heroes. It also demonstrated how passionate fans could save a show they loved. After three seasons, Disney planned to end Kim Possible, but overwhelming fan support convinced them to create one final season.

Ben 10 Is A Unique Superhero Show

When Ben 10 first came out in 2005, it quickly became a huge hit thanks to its exciting opening theme and fresh approach to superhero stories. The show centers on Ben Tennyson, a brave and energetic 10-year-old who finds a special watch that lets him transform into different aliens. At the time, most superhero cartoons were based on DC or Marvel characters, so Ben 10‘s combination of alien adventures and a relatable story about Ben growing up felt like something new and exciting.

Ben is helped on his adventures by his resourceful and caring grandfather, Max Tennyson, and his headstrong but kind and smart cousin, Gwen Tennyson, who later discovers she has supernatural powers and joins Ben more fully. The show originally ran for four seasons and was rebooted in 2016, continuing until 2021. The original Ben 10 series has won several Emmy Awards and remains popular with viewers.

Codename: Kids Next Door Was A Witty Parody On Spy Media

Codename: Kids Next Door was a truly original cartoon from the 2000s. It featured a team of child superheroes who operated out of a huge treehouse. They fought off silly villains like teachers who assigned too much homework, elderly people obsessed with vegetables, and pirates who stole candy. These kid operatives worked hard to protect children everywhere, and each hero was known by a number that served as their code name.

Codename: Kids Next Door was a hit for six years, quickly gaining popularity with its first season. The show resonated with kids in the 2000s because it humorously portrayed everyday responsibilities. It also stood out for its creative world-building and diverse characters, taking the kids’ homemade spy gadgets and teamwork to wonderfully silly extremes.

The Fairly OddParents Is A Pop Culture Icon for Cartoon Fans

When The Fairly OddParents first started, each episode was fresh, witty, and found creative ways to tell funny stories. The show remained consistently good through the animated movie Channel Chasers— which was a peak for the series and could have served as a perfect ending. However, after that, the show’s ratings on IMDb began to decline, often falling below 6.0, and even 4.0. Despite this later drop in quality, the first four seasons were so well-made that The Fairly OddParents is still fondly remembered by many fans.

The Fairly OddParents was a long-running show, lasting 15 years and 10 seasons, and eventually becoming a full-fledged franchise. However, many fans feel the show declined in quality over time, losing the magic that made the early seasons so popular. For most people who grew up watching in the 2000s, and for dedicated fans, the first four seasons represent the best of The Fairly OddParents.

The Powerpuff Girls Had Incredible Writing For A Kids’ Show

With its blend of action, lovable characters, and empowering female leads, The Powerpuff Girls has become a classic cartoon. The story begins with Professor Utonium accidentally creating these super-powered sisters – the cheerful Bubbles, the brave Blossom, and the feisty Buttercup – while trying to make the perfect little girls. Together, they defend their city, Townsville, from villains like Mojo Jojo, HIM, and Princess Morbucks.

The original Powerpuff Girls series was surprisingly good, with episodes that were often heartwarming and taught valuable life lessons, even though it was aimed at kids. While the show has been reimagined in different forms – like anime, movies, and video games – many fans still prefer the original cartoon from the 2000s, feeling it was the best version of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup’s adventures.

2026-02-21 02:41