The 140 Essential Animated TV Shows

Synopsis: Little blue people live in harmony and battle scheming Gargamel.

Starring: Don Messick, Frank Welker, Michael Bell, Paul Winchell

Synopsis: The Justice League of America battles crime.

Starring: Danny Dark, Olan Soule, Casey Kasem, Shannon Farnon

Synopsis: Leading the Teen Titans to protect Earth is Robin, formerly Batman's sidekick. He has no special powers, just a utility belt and his mind to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hynden Walch, Scott Menville, Greg Cipes, Khary Payton

Synopsis: This revamped incarnation of the "My Little Pony" franchise not only appeals to the little girls that the toy line is primarily marketed to, but... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain

Synopsis: "Dragon Ball Z" follows the adventures of Goku who, along with the Z Warriors, defends the Earth against evil. The action adventures are entertaining and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sean Schemmel, Christopher Sabat, Kyle Hebert, Ian James Corlett

Synopsis: The first weekly TV series from Lucasfilm Animation chronicles the adventures of Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi and other popular characters from the "Star Wars"... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, Tom Kane, James Arnold Taylor

Synopsis: Twins Dipper and Mabel Pines are sent to spend the summer with their great-uncle, Grunkle Stan, in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Ore. Grunkle... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Alex Hirsch, Linda Cardellini

Synopsis: When he holds up the magical Sword of Power and utters the words "By the power of Grayskull," Prince Adam transforms into Eternia's greatest champion,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Erwin, Alan Oppenheimer, Lou Scheimer, Linda Gary

Synopsis: The flying squirrel and moose find themselves thrust into harrowing situations in which they end up on a collision course with notorious spies Boris Badenov... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tara Strong, Brad Norman, Ben Diskin, Rachel Butera

Synopsis: Manhattan gargoyles come to life at night to fight crime.

Starring: Keith David, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Jeff Bennett, Ed Asner

Synopsis: Brendon Small is a young kid who loves to make movies with his family's video camera. At the same time, he must put up with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paula Poundstone, Brendon Small, H. Jon Benjamin, Melissa Bardin Galsky

Synopsis: Teenager Peter Parker tries to juggle his two new worlds -- he must learn how to use his new powers and responsibilities as Spider-Man while... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Josh Keaton, Lacey Chabert, Joshua LeBar, Grey DeLisle

Synopsis: Actor Seth Green ("Family Guy") and Matthew Senreich created the off-the-wall comedy hit, which is a series of pop-culture parodies using stop-motion animation of toys,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Seth Green, Dan Milano, Breckin Meyer

Synopsis: This animated talk show is hosted by not-so-superhero Space Ghost and set in deep space. The show is often disrupted by "bandleader" Zorak and director-producer... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Lowe, C. Martin Croker

Synopsis: A high-school student discovers a supernatural notebook that grants its user the ability to kill.

Starring: Kappei Yamaguchi, Mamoru Miyano, Shido Nakamura, Aya Hirano

Synopsis: A new Dark Knight protects the Gotham of the future.

Starring: Will Friedle, Kevin Conroy, Cree Summer, Lauren Tom

Synopsis: Sleep tight, America! Your fate lies safely in the hands of Dexter, a child genius who whips up dazzling, world-saving inventions in his secret laboratory.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christine Cavanaugh, Jeff Bennett, Kath Soucie, Frank Welker

Synopsis: In this reboot of the 1980s series, a magic sword transforms an orphan girl into warrior She-Ra, who unites a rebellion to fight against evil.

Starring: Aimee Carrero, Karen Fukuhara, Amanda Michalka, Marcus Scribner

Synopsis: "ThunderCats" follows the adventures of a group of catlike humanoid aliens from the planet Thundera. When the dying planet meets its end, the group, known... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Peter Newman, Gerrianne Raphael, Robert McFadden, Larry Kenney

Synopsis: "Indigo League" is where it all began as the first season of the long-running "Pokémon" animated series. Young Ash Ketchum is just beginning his Pokémon... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sarah Natochenny, Ikue Ōtani, Haven Paschall, Michael Liscio Jr.

Synopsis: A master thief who uses her skills for good, Carmen Sandiego travels the world foiling V.I.L.E.'s evil plans -- with help from her savvy sidekicks. View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Finn Wolfhard, Abby Trott, Michael Hawley

Synopsis: Jedi knights battle Darth Sidious.

Starring: Mat Lucas, James Arnold Taylor, Tom Kane, Grey DeLisle

Synopsis: Phineas Flynn and his stepbrother, Ferb Fletcher, are determined to make every day of their summer vacation fun. They try building a full-scale roller coaster,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Vincent Martella, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ashley Tisdale, Caroline Rhea

Synopsis: This animated entry in the "Star Wars" franchise fills the gap between the events of "Episode III" and "Episode IV." Imperial forces occupy a remote... View Full Synopsis

Starring: David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Steve Blum

Synopsis: "Meet George Jetson." Just those words will prompt viewers of a certain age to join in singing the show's catchy theme song. This popular primetime... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George O'Hanlon, Penny Singleton, Janet Waldo, Daws Butler

Synopsis: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and other superheroes join forces to battle crime and otherworldly threats, keeping a watchful eye on Earth from their... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kevin Conroy, George Newbern, Susan Eisenberg, Michael Rosenbaum

Synopsis: "Rugrats" reveals the world from a baby's point of view. Everything looks bigger, more mysterious and uncontrollable. Angelica, the oldest, likes to terrorize her cousin,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: E.G. Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Kath Soucie, Cheryl Chase

Synopsis: Mutant heroes live in New York sewers and train in martial arts to protect the city from crime.

Starring: Rob Paulsen, Cam Clarke, Barry Gordon, Townsend Coleman

Synopsis: The lives of teenage heroes as members of a covert operation team: Young Justice.

Starring: Jesse McCartney, Jason Spisak, Khary Payton, Danica McKellar

Synopsis: The Crystal Gems are a team of magical beings who are the self-appointed guardians of the universe. Half-human, half-Gem hero Steven is the "little brother"... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Zach Callison, Estelle, Michaela Dietz, Deedee Magno

Synopsis: Even for a cartoon character, going through puberty isn't easy for a young person. Andrew is learning that first hand as he experiences the nightmare... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas

Synopsis: Superman battles evil while trying to conceal his alter ego, Clark Kent.

Starring: Tim Daly, Dana Delany, Clancy Brown, David Kaufman

Synopsis: Professor Charles Xavier and his band of courageous mutants strike back against corrupt and bigoted government agencies as well as mutant extremist Magneto in this... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cal Dodd, Cedric Smith, Norm Spencer, Lenore Zann

Synopsis: Scrooge McDuck's globetrotting quests to gain more wealth.

Starring: Alan Young, Russi Taylor, Chuck McCann, Terence McGovern

Synopsis: In this reboot of the classic Cartoon Network series, the Powerpuff Girls return to protect Townsville from villains who want to take over the metropolis.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Amanda Leighton, Natalie Palamides, Kristen Li, Tom Kenny

Synopsis: After being sent into the future by evil wizard Aku, young samurai Jack makes a quest to return to the past and undo the destruction... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Phil LaMarr

Synopsis: The odd buddies have many strange adventures.

Starring: Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen

Synopsis: Bob Belcher is a third-generation restaurateur who runs Bob's Burgers with his loving wife and their three children. Bob believes his burgers speak for themselves... View Full Synopsis

Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts

Synopsis: People dressed in tights and capes set out to save the world.

Starring: Townsend Coleman, Rob Paulsen, Cam Clarke, Jess Harnell

Synopsis: Beavis and Butt-head are, as one of the early preshow disclaimers read, "dumb, crude, ugly, thoughtless, sexist, self-destructive fools. But for some reason the (boys)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mike Judge

Synopsis: Blending wit, slapstick and pop culture references, the variety show "Animaniacs" features a large cast of characters, whose predominant personalities are the Warner brothers, Yakko... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rob Paulsen, Tress MacNeille, Jess Harnell

Synopsis: The adventures of a group of bounty hunters who travel around the solar system chasing criminals, unraveling their dark and mysterious pasts throughout their journey.

Starring: Steve Blum, John Billingslea, Wendee Lee, Alex Hassell

Synopsis: The "Peanuts" comic strip was a staple of daily life for many Americans for nearly 50 years until original production ended in 2000. Now, the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Aiden Lewandowski, Emma Yarovinsky, Jude Perry, Caleel Harris

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Finn battles evil in the Land of Ooo; assisted by his magical dog, Jake, Finn roams the Land of Ooo righting wrongs and battling... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hynden Walch, Tom Kenny

Synopsis: Brainy, sardonic Daria Morgendorffer tries to fly under the radar at Lawndale High School, and she's doing a pretty good job of it: Her self-esteem... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tracy Grandstaff, Wendy Hoopes, Julian Rebolledo, Johh Lynn

Synopsis: A humanoid horse, BoJack Horseman -- lost in a sea of self-loathing and booze -- decides it's time for a comeback. Once the star of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul

Synopsis: The suave, confident and devastatingly handsome Sterling Archer may be the world's greatest spy, but he still has issues with his friends and colleagues who... View Full Synopsis

Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell, Judy Greer

Synopsis: When violent monsters descend upon Earth to destroy humanity, a reluctant young man joins a small squad of pilots under the command of his cold... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi, Yuriko Yamaguchi

Synopsis: After having been missing for nearly 20 years, Rick Sanchez suddenly arrives at daughter Beth's doorstep to move in with her and her family. Although... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden, Sarah Chalke, Spencer Grammer

Synopsis: "King of the Hill" depicts the life and times of Hank Hill, his family and their neighbors in the fictional suburb of Arlen, Texas, the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Johnny Hardwick

Synopsis: The world is divided into four nations -- the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation and and the Air Nomads -- each represented... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Zachery Tyler, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dee Bradley Baker

Synopsis: Ren, a psychotic Chihuahua, and Stimpson J. Cat, a dimwitted Manx cat who goes by the nickname Stimpy, have a host of unusual adventures.

Starring: John Kricfalusi, Billy West

Synopsis: This animated series features the adventures of the Griffin family. Endearingly ignorant Peter and his stay-at-home wife, Lois, reside in Quahog, R.I., and have three... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis

Synopsis: The Flintstones were the modern Stone Age family. Residing in Bedrock, Fred Flintstone worked an unsatisfying quarry job, but returned home to lovely wife Wilma... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Alan Reed, Jean Vander Pyl, Mel Blanc, Bea Benaderet

Synopsis: A square yellow sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants lives in a pineapple with his pet snail, Gary, in the city of Bikini Bottom on the floor... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown

Synopsis: The animated series is not for children. In fact, its goal seems to be to offend as many as possible as it presents the adventures... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone

Synopsis: Accidentally frozen, pizza-deliverer Fry wakes up 1,000 years in the future. He is taken in by his sole descendant, an elderly and addled scientist who... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille

Synopsis: Gotham City's Caped Crusader, Bruce Wayne, is sometimes moody; Robin's alter ego, Dick Grayson is mature.

Starring: Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings, Loren Lester

Synopsis: This long-running animated comedy focuses on the eponymous family in the town of Springfield in an unnamed U.S. state. The head of the Simpson family,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith