17 Forgotten 90s Animated Series Worth Streaming Today

The 1990s saw a creative boom in Western animation, moving beyond just simple commercials or kids’ shows. Studios started trying out longer, connected stories and tackling more complex topics that could appeal to everyone. While many of these groundbreaking shows didn’t become huge hits right away, they’re now appreciated for their distinctive art styles and thoughtful storytelling, setting them apart from more well-known cartoons of the time.

‘The Pirates of Dark Water’ (1991–1993)

I’ve been following Prince Ren’s incredible journey, and it’s been a real thrill! He’s trying to save this amazing alien world called Mer from being destroyed by this creepy, spreading darkness. To do it, he needs to find thirteen special treasures, and he’s gathered a really interesting group of people to help him. The show looks fantastic – the world they’ve built is so unique, filled with all sorts of creatures and cultures. It’s incredibly frustrating though, because the show was cancelled before Ren could find all the treasures, so the story just… ends without a proper conclusion. It’s a shame, because it had so much potential!

‘Exosquad’ (1993–1994)

The story centers around Lieutenant J.T. Marsh and his team of pilots who fight in giant robots to defend humanity. It delves into difficult topics like prejudice and the realities of war, focusing on the conflict between humans and the Neosapiens – a race created through genetic engineering. What sets this show apart is its complex, ongoing storyline where characters face lasting repercussions and loyalties constantly change. It’s a significant American animated series that draws inspiration from Japanese robot stories.

‘SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron’ (1993–1995)

Demoted fighter pilots Chance Furlong and Jake Clawson run a salvage yard, but secretly build a high-tech jet to defend Megakat City as masked heroes. By night, they fight giant monsters and supervillains in thrilling aerial battles, all set to a powerful rock soundtrack. The show is still popular today for its gritty atmosphere and unique, detailed mechanical designs, which made it stand out from other cartoons featuring animal characters.

‘The Maxx’ (1995)

This show, originally a comic book series, aired on MTV as part of its unique animation programming. It jumps between the harsh realities of everyday life and a strange, dreamlike world called the Outback. The main character is a protector who guards a social worker named Julie Winters, all while struggling with his own inner demons. The animation style is unusual, blending classic hand-drawn animation with real-life footage and 3D graphics to create a visually captivating and surreal experience.

‘Gargoyles’ (1994–1997)

As a lifelong movie and TV fan, I’m always on the lookout for something unique, and ‘Gargoyles’ really delivered! It’s about this incredible family of ancient warriors – they’re gargoyles, who turn to stone by day and protect New York City at night. Led by their leader, Goliath, they wake up after a thousand years of sleep and have to figure out how to live in the modern world. What I really loved was how the show wove in elements of Shakespeare and Scottish legends – it wasn’t just action, it was genuinely clever storytelling. Critics really praised it for being well-written and for having villains who weren’t just evil, but complex characters with their own motivations.

‘Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist’ (1995–2002)

Okay, so this show is really unique. It’s about a therapist, and all her patients are famous comedians – and get this, they’re voiced by the actual comedians themselves! Visually, it’s…different. They use this animation style where everything kind of vibrates, which is surprisingly effective at giving it a sense of energy. What I really loved though, was how natural the conversations felt. It doesn’t feel like they’re just setting up jokes; it feels like real people talking. It perfectly captures that dry, understated humor that was so popular in the ’90s, focusing on just everyday life and all the little things. It’s not about big dramatic moments, it’s about the mundane, and that’s where the funny is.

‘The Tick’ (1994–1996)

The City is protected by a seemingly unbeatable superhero who wears a bright blue suit, aided by his companion, Arthur. The show playfully pokes fun at comic books with over-the-top villains and completely illogical scenarios. Patrick Warburton voices the main character, delivering lines filled with strange and overblown dramatic language. It’s become popular with a dedicated fanbase thanks to its bizarre, unconventional humor and willingness to subvert typical superhero conventions.

‘Duckman’ (1994–1997)

Jason Alexander stars as a flawed and troubled private detective haunted by his past and living with his late wife’s twin sister. The show features a distinctive, scratchy animation style created by Klasky Csupo, perfectly complementing its dark and realistic stories. Episodes typically focus on the detective struggling to manage his struggling career and complicated family. It’s geared towards adults, with a sarcastic sense of humor and plenty of pop culture nods.

‘ReBoot’ (1994–2001)

This Canadian show was the first TV series to be entirely created using computer animation. The story unfolds within a computer system called Mainframe, where small characters called Sprites fight against dangerous viruses. Bob, along with his friends Dot and Enzo, constantly work to defend their world from the evil Megabyte and Hexadecimal every time someone starts a game. As the show continued, the animation became more advanced thanks to improvements in computer technology.

‘Mighty Max’ (1993–1994)

A young boy named Max finds a magical hat that lets him instantly travel anywhere in the world to fight evil. He’s joined by Virgil, a clever lemur, and Norman, a strong Viking warrior, as they work to defeat the villainous Skullmaster. The show is known for its surprisingly mature and often tragic storylines, where characters can unexpectedly die, and the danger always feels real. It’s unusual because it focused on building a rich story and consistent world, rather than just selling toys.

‘Freakazoid!’ (1995–1997)

Dexter Douglas is your average teenager, until a computer glitch sends him inside the internet, turning him into a wacky superhero! This fast-paced comedy, with a little help from executive producer Steven Spielberg, is full of silly physical humor and frequently jokes about itself and other superhero shows. It often throws the storyline aside for random, funny bits. In fact, its quick, self-aware style of comedy feels surprisingly similar to the kind of humor you see online today.

‘The Critic’ (1994–1995)

Jon Lovitz provides the voice for Jay Sherman, a film critic living in New York City and dealing with his unusual, well-off family. The show is a comedy that spoofs popular movies using short clips reviewed by Jay on his TV program. It’s funny because it combines smart jokes with slapstick and sharply criticizes the world of entertainment. Despite only lasting a few seasons and moving between different channels, the show has remained popular with its fans.

‘Mission Hill’ (1999–2002)

Andy French, a carefree guy in his twenties, shares a loft with his roommates and his more serious younger brother, Kevin. The show perfectly captures the vibe of the late 90s with its alternative rock music and bright, colorful visuals. Episodes center around the challenges of being young and figuring things out – like dealing with unfulfilling jobs and messy relationships. Though it was initially cancelled, the series gained a new following thanks to reruns on Adult Swim.

‘Cybersix’ (1999)

A genetically engineered woman breaks free from the scientist who created her and adopts a double life: she works as a male high school teacher and fights crime as a superhero. She faces off against creatures sent by the villainous Von Reichter while also searching for a special fluid that keeps her alive. The show is a collaboration between Japanese and Canadian artists, resulting in a dark, stylish look and fast-paced action. Its sad, reflective mood and electronic music make it stand out from other superhero series.

‘Earthworm Jim’ (1995–1996)

When a powerful suit lands on Earth, it transforms a regular earthworm into a super-strong hero ready to fight strange villains from across the galaxy. The show takes the wacky, unpredictable humor of the original video game and adds a new character, Peter Puppy, as the hero’s sidekick. Voice actor Dan Castellaneta brings a wild, energetic performance to the main character, perfectly capturing the show’s over-the-top and silly storylines. Expect plenty of illogical situations and physics-defying moments – it’s all done for laughs!

Tell us which of these nostalgic series you plan to binge-watch first in the comments.

2025-11-25 06:21