90s Shows With Better Animation Than Cartoons Today

Sep 29, 2023

'90s cartoons like The Powerpuff Girls and Catdog had impressive visuals that would give animated shows today a run for their money.

Entertainment has always been one of the most unpredictable industries, with animation being no exception. Thanks to the rise of technology during the 1990s, independent studios and artists were given space and time to explore their style. Accessible technology allowed artists to stretch their creative limits and abilities. As a result, they expanded the playing field by creating animation no one saw before.

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Several impressive animated works were created during the '90s and with that some of the best animation in cartoon history was born. Though the advancements in computer software have allowed for visual effects like CGI, there are still many animated works that couldn't compete with cartoons from the '90s. From unique art styles to creative use of 2D animation, there are plenty of '90s cartoons that are far superior to any animated series airing today.

Recess is a Disney series that centers around a group of six elementary school students during school recess and the shenanigans they get themselves into. Produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, and created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere, Recess ran for a successful six seasons, even getting multiple spin-off films.

There's something extraordinary about Recess' art style. The show looks and feels like a Sunday newspaper strip came to life, with every character designed uniquely to their personality. While Recess has excellent writing that keeps audiences engaged, the show's art makes it near impossible for viewers to take their eyes off the screen.

Created by Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis Lynn, Daria is an adult-animated sitcom that features a cynical high-school student, Daria, as she goes through life. A recurring character in Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head, Daria's character gained enough popularity to earn her spin-off.

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Daria's art style and the titular character's design were inspired by Beavis and Butt-Head's, though changed to fit the show's style. Daria's use of thick lines, block colors, and simple drawings is a bold choice rarely seen in animation, but it suits the story and dry humor incredibly well.

A fan-favorite monster show, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters centers around three monsters, Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm, who learn to scare humans at a school for monsters. Klasky Csupo created Aaahh!!! Real Monsters for Nickelodeon, one of the most nostalgic '90s Nick shows.

Each monster is wildly original and filled with incredible detail that requires the utmost attention from the show's animators. Csupo is known for their one-of-a-kind designs, and the show's gritty, intentionally ugly and lumpy art style not only suited the theme, but helped to make the monsters look unappealing in the best way possible.

CatDog is an adventure comedy series that stars a set of conjoined brothers, a cat and a dog, and their daily misadventures. Created for Nickelodeon by Peter Hannan, CatDog became an immediate hit, even receiving nominations for the Annie Awards and Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards.

2D animation is one of the most common styles of the medium, but CatDog's ability to merge two characters into one while navigating their world is a true testament to the show's artistic vision. Incorporating squash and stretch animation is a staple of many '90s animated series, and CatDog uses the principle to its advantage.

Known by fans as one of the funniest shows on Nickelodeon, The Angry Beavers dominated the '90s. Created by Mitch Schauer, The Angry Beavers centers around two beaver brothers, Norbert and Daggett, who get into wacky scenarios daily. The show had a successful four-season run, though audiences feel it deserved more seasons.

While The Angry Beavers is best known for being hilarious, Norbert and Daggett's character design offers a fun and playful take on the animal, using the animation medium to express the character's feelings through their fur. Schauer, who began his career as an assistant storyboard artist on other Nick shows, combined his experience with inspiration to create the beloved show known today.

One of the most defining Cartoon Network shows, The Powerpuff Girls features a group of crime-fighting sisters, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, battling evil in Townsville. The series was created by Craig McCracken and based on his CalArts short film, Whoopass Stew!, after gaining positive attention.

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There are few animated series as universally recognizable as The Powerpuff Girls, and the show's distinctive style of using different sized shapes to create adorable characters battling evil villains makes its art style stand out. A unique superhero show, The Powerpuff Girls moves away from traditional superhero art, opting for a cuter look.

Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, Dexter's Laboratory helped define Cartoon Network's style. Dexter's Laboratory stars a boy genius, Dexter, and the misadventures he gets himself into. The series quickly became adored for its originality, humor, and surprisingly complex storylines. Adults and kids alike not only found themselves more than entertained but praised its art style.

Made famous in the 1950s and used by Dexter's Laboratory, and The Powerpuff Girls, the UPA animation style made the show a staple. Old Disney artists helped to form UPA and their signature style, and while other styles began gaining popularity, Tartakovsky's decision to incorporate UPA helped Dexter's Laboratory stand out.

Based on the Archie Comics series "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," Sabrina: The Animated Series centers around the titular character as she navigates the world living as a secret twelve-year-old witch. While Sabrina Spellman has her share of adaptations, Sabrina: The Animated Series brings the vibrant comic book's art to life.

The actual art style of the show differs immensely from Archie Comics' design, opting for a more traditional animation look. With its target audience as mainly teen girls, Sabrina: The Animated Series' design takes inspiration from Barbie and Polly Pocket, focusing on bright colors and simple lines. Audiences rarely get to see shows as visually appealing as this one.

Rocko's Modern Life is a family comedy that stars an anthropomorphic Australian wallaby, Rocko, as he hangs out with his friends and adjusts to life in America. The show is best known for its adult humor, satirical commentary, and zany visuals. Though often compared to Ren & Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life stands out because of its surrealistic style.

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Critics have praised Rocko's Modern Life's art, comparing it to the works of Salvador Dalí thanks to its funky lines, angled characters, and colorful colors. Animation is already a complex and time-consuming medium, but creating and maintaining such a defining look requires precision.

Based on the video game series of the same name, Earthworm Jim follows the titular character's adventures as he battles the forces of evil. Players who fell in love with the art in Earthworm Jim's video game were eager to see it come to life again, and found themselves to be pleasantly surprised.

Earthworm Jim's character design, and many of the show's best cartoon villains are responsible for some of the best art in the series. With Earthworm Jim transcending across several mediums, games, graphic novels, and television, retaining the character's styles in the show is difficult to translate, proving the art's strength.

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