The ‘90s were something of a golden age when it came to cartoons. Pop culture got its biggest boost yet, and animated content wasn’t left behind. Plots were getting smarter, characters were getting more complex, theme songs were getting catchier, and of course, art styles were getting better.
The ‘90s seemed to be a period of artistic experimentation, with plenty of cartoons trying to break the mold of what animation was supposed to look like. This resulted in some cartoons with a shockingly dark and mature look, and others that pushed the limits of imagination. There were many great-looking cartoons, and a few led the pack.
10 Sonic The Hedgehog
Referred to by fans as “Sonic SatAM,” 1993’s Sonic The Hedgehog animated series was not the only ‘90s show to star the blue blur. But any ‘90s kid will affirm that it was the best without a doubt. The show was loved for its memorable characters, mature plot, subtle environmental messages, and incredible art style.
Sonic and Tails were of course brought to life wonderfully, but the show featured a number of original characters who looked like they would have been right at home in the games. Perhaps the art style’s most impressive feat was that it took the normally comical Dr. Robotnik and turned him into one of the scariest villains to ever grace a kids’ show.
9 Darkwing Duck
Disney ruled the airwaves in the ‘80s with shows like DuckTales, and they had no intention of slowing down in the ‘90s. In 1991, it debuted one of its most beloved TV series— Darkwing Duck. The show featured a similar art style to the famous DuckTales, but the passage of time allowed it to take it even further.
Superheroes had always been popular, and Darkwing Duck took the genre and painted it in Disney’s signature style. The characters ranged from noble heroes, suave secret agents, and cartoonishly over-the-top villains. They were all familiar enough to those who loved superheroes, but all had unique enough designs that they were memorable in their own right.
8 The Simpsons
While its first episode debuted on December 17, 1989, The Simpsons’ second episode aired in January 1990. The show is fondly remembered as a symbol of ‘90s entertainment, regardless of its premiere date. The first “adult-oriented” cartoon many kids watched, The Simpsons is loved for its comedy, heart, and iconic art style.
The yellow characters that populated the town of Springfield are instantly recognizable even to those who didn’t watch the show. Even Springfield was so iconic that any Simpsons fan could easily identify a picture of any Springfieldian building or street corner with no characters. The show expertly blended zany antics with grounded lessons, and the art style matched that tone perfectly.
7 Dexter’s Laboratory
Created by legendary animator Genndy Tartakovsky, Dexter’s Laboratory has been a beloved classic since its 1996 debut. While the show is loved for its comedy and characters, the art style really helps it stand out more than anything. From the pint-sized Dexter to the impossibly thin Dee Dee, Dexter’s Lab’s fantastically designed characters are a huge part of its unique identity.
And being a show all about mad science, Dexter’s Lab needed an art style that could take the audience to some truly bizarre places. Tartakovsky’s eclectic style was more than equal to the task, with all of Dexter’s wildest inventions and zaniest plots brought to vivid life.
6 Rugrats
Nickelodeon was the king of children’s entertainment in the ‘90s, and 1991’s Rugrats was a big part of the reason why. Following the adventures of four babies in a suburban home, Rugrats boasted an unmistakable art style. From Chucky’s bright red hair and purple glasses, to Tommy’s bald head and sky-blue shirt, each character had an iconic style all their own.
A show about babies has to be full of imagination and wonder, and the art style kept pace perfectly. Even the most mundane household items were drawn in a wonderfully eclectic style to expertly convey how an infant might perceive them. Rugrats’ art style took a deceptively simple premise and elevated it into a ‘90s pop-culture icon.
5 The Ren & Stimpy Show
Another Nickelodeon classic, The Ren & Stimpy Show aired in 1991 and has been a pop-culture mainstay ever since. Starring Ren the chihuahua and Stimpy the cat, Ren & Stimpy is fondly remembered for its art style. Pushing the envelope of what cartoons were capable of, the show had bizarrely designed characters regularly defying the laws of physics.
Even when the show got into pretty gross territory, kids and adults alike ate it up. Ren and Stimpy’s wild and wacky adventures pushed the limits of kids’ imaginations, and they tuned in every week to see what hijinks they would get up to next. The influences of Ren & Stimpy’s art style can still be felt to this day.
4 Spongebob Squarepants
Disney has Mickey Mouse, Warner Bros. has Bugs Bunny, and Nickelodeon has Spongebob Squarepants. Debuting in 1999, the yellow sponge and his undersea world has become synonymous with Nickelodeon over the years. The show seems to embody everything great about Nickelodeon, especially its art style.
From its iconic character designs, to its unmistakable locales, to its brilliant visual gags, every frame of Spongebob Squarepants is practically dripping with fun. The show’s art style is so iconic that even buildings like Patrick’s rock can be successfully marketed as merchandise. It’s little wonder that the show’s popularity has continued to persist.
3 Animaniacs
1993’s Animaniacs is one of the most fondly remembered ‘90s cartoons of all time. Its memorable characters and kid-friendly satire would have been enough to immortalize it, but its also brilliantly animated. The show had two spinoff series, and both of them wisely used Animaniacs’ beloved art style.
The style perfectly captured the unique designs of the Warner siblings as well as their zany antics. Even the cartoon caricatures of real-life people looked realistic enough to be recognizable, but exaggerated enough to fit into the world of the show. Satire and slapstick is a hard line to walk, but Animaniacs’ art style pulled it off flawlessly.
2 Gargoyles
When discussing Disney’s TV shows, very few shows are spoken of with more reverence than 1994’s Gargoyles. With its dark, brooding atmosphere and emphasis on action, many newcomers are shocked the show came out of Disney. Among the many reasons to love the show is its exceptional visual identity.
The titular Gargoyles were animated excellently, appearing intimidating in one scene and comical the next. They also battled everything from human criminals, to Arthurian monsters, to mad scientists and their armies of robots. The art style never once makes these disparate foes feel out of place and kept the show cohesive.
1 Batman: The Animated Series
Many ‘90s kids will say that 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series is not just the best cartoon of the ‘90s, but of all time. There are many reasons for this opinion, and the art style is chief among them. In a time when a lot of superhero shows all had a similar look, Batman tried something different to wonderful effect.
While the character designs were largely grounded, they allowed for some exaggerated facial expressions. This allowed for some awesome showings from iconic villains like the Joker or Scarecrow. Add in a fantastically designed Gotham City and bat-vehicles and its no wonder many fans consider the show to be the best Batman adaptation outside of comics.