All Cartoon Name List: While it’s impossible to list every cartoon ever made (there are thousands spanning decades!), I’ve compiled a diverse selection of 50+ beloved animated series and shorts from highly regarded “top cartoons” lists across sources like IMDb, IGN, Ranker, and more. These are drawn from critical acclaim, fan votes, and cultural impact. I’ve grouped them loosely by era for easier navigation, with approximate premiere years where available. This focuses on TV series and notable shorts—perfect for nostalgia trips or discovering classics.
If you want lists by genre (e.g., kids’ cartoons, adult animation), decade, or streaming availability, just let me know!
Classic Cartoons (All Cartoon Name List Pre-1980s)
These timeless gems laid the foundation for animation.
| # | Cartoon Name | Premiere Year | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Looney Tunes | 1930 | Warner Bros. staples like Bugs Bunny |
| 2 | Tom and Jerry | 1940 | MGM’s chaotic cat-and-mouse chase |
| 3 | Woody Woodpecker | 1940 | Walter Lantz’s manic bird antics |
| 4 | Peanuts | 1965 | Charles Schulz’s heartfelt specials |
| 5 | The Flintstones | 1960 | Hanna-Barbera’s Stone Age family |
| 6 | The Jetsons | 1962 | Futuristic family fun |
| 7 | Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! | 1969 | Mystery-solving gang’s debut |
| 8 | Josie and the Pussycats | 1970 | Rockin’ girl band adventures |
| 9 | Top Cat | 1961 | Alley cat hustlers |
| 10 | Mickey Mouse and Friends | 1928 | Disney’s original mouse magic |
1980s Boom: Saturday Morning Staples
The golden age of action and adventure cartoons.
| # | Cartoon Name | Premiere Year | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | The Smurfs | 1981 | Tiny blue creatures’ village life |
| 12 | M.A.S.K. | 1985 | Masked heroes vs. villains |
| 13 | Voltron | 1984 | Giant robot defenders |
| 14 | G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero | 1983 | Toy-line action heroes |
| 15 | Star Trek: The Animated Series | 1973 | Boldly going in animation |
| 16 | Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers | 1989 | Chipmunk detectives |
| 17 | Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids | 1972 | Educational street smarts |
1990s Renaissance: Edgy and Epic
Innovation exploded with deeper stories and humor.
| # | Cartoon Name | Premiere Year | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Batman: The Animated Series | 1992 | Dark Knight’s noir masterpiece |
| 19 | Animaniacs | 1993 | Warner siblings’ zany sketches |
| 20 | Pinky and the Brain | 1995 | Lab mice world domination |
| 21 | Freakazoid! | 1995 | Superhero parody madness |
| 22 | Darkwing Duck | 1991 | Cape-clad crimefighter |
| 23 | Rugrats | 1991 | Baby adventures decoded |
| 24 | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | 2010 | Modern twist on mysteries (late ’90s vibe) |
| 25 | The Powerpuff Girls | 1998 | Sugar, spice, and superhero fights |
2000s and Beyond: Modern Masterpieces
From anime influences to adult satire.
| # | Cartoon Name | Premiere Year | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Samurai Jack | 2001 | Epic time-travel warrior |
| 27 | Justice League | 2001 | DC heroes unite |
| 28 | The Boondocks | 2005 | Satirical Black family tales |
| 29 | Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law | 2000 | Cartoon lawyer parodies |
| 30 | Fullmetal Alchemist | 2003 | Alchemy brothers’ quest |
| 31 | Afro Samurai | 2007 | Vengeful ronin saga |
| 32 | Total Drama | 2007 | Reality TV parody with teens |
| 33 | SpongeBob SquarePants | 1999 | Bikini Bottom absurdity |
| 34 | The Simpsons | 1989 | Dysfunctional family satire |
| 35 | Futurama | 1999 | Sci-fi delivery boy antics |
| 36 | Family Guy | 1999 | Cutaway gag comedy |
| 37 | South Park | 1997 | Crude town troublemakers |
| 38 | King of the Hill | 1997 | Texas suburbia slice-of-life |
| 39 | Bob’s Burgers | 2011 | Burger joint family hijinks |
| 40 | Rick and Morty | 2013 | Multiverse mad science |
| 41 | Gravity Falls | 2012 | Twin mystery solvers |
| 42 | Adventure Time | 2010 | Post-apocalyptic candy adventures |
| 43 | Avatar: The Last Airbender | 2005 | Elemental bending epic |
| 44 | Clerks: The Animated Series | 2000 | Quick-stop comedy extension |
| 45 | Spawn | 1997 | Hellspawn anti-hero |
| 46 | The Oblongs | 2001 | Mutated family oddities |
Bonus Iconic Shorts & Movies (Influential Non-Series)
These shaped the medium and often aired as TV packages.
| # | Name | Year | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | What’s Opera, Doc? | 1957 | Looney Tunes Wagner parody (#1 short ever) |
| 48 | Toy Story | 1995 | Pixar’s groundbreaking feature |
| 49 | Shrek | 2001 | Ogre fairy tale subversion |
| 50 | Spirited Away | 2001 | Miyazaki’s dreamlike journey |
| 51 | The Lion King | 1994 | Disney’s savanna saga |