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- The Transformers. September 17, 1984. 7,101 votes. Inspired by Japanese toyline Microman, Hasbro's second attempt at a product-based television show (after G.I.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. December 28, 1987. 7,184 votes. One of the most popular animated series in television history, the series launched the merch boom of the Ninja Turtles in the late 80s.
- ThunderCats. January 23, 1985. 7,130 votes. After the ThunderCats flee their dying home planet, they reach Third Earth and establish a lair. When the Mutants follow them there, they must fight them off to ensure their survival as well as the safety of Third Earth.
- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. September 5, 1983. 7,334 votes. Prince Adam, through the Sword of Power, transforms into He-Man and is endowed with magical powers.
Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, Phil and Lil and Susie find themselves in a slew of adventures - both real and imaginary. Baldly go where no baby's every gone before as the Rugrats turn the ordinary into the extraordinary every day. Stars: Elizabeth Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Nancy Cartwright, Kath Soucie. Votes: 38,455.
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When an unusually intelligent dinosaur unexpectedly hatches from a fossilized egg in 1980s California, a friendly group of human teenagers adopts him and teaches him how to hide from prying eyes and master skateboarding. Stars: Pat Fraley, Rob Paulsen, Kath Soucie, June Foray. Votes: 2,585.
- Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies. Released: 1984. The Muppets are one of the most beloved groups of characters in entertainment history. And whether we’re talking about the cartoon or the many great movies the Muppets appeared in, creator Jim Henson blended sharp comedy writing with an unforgettable cast of characters.
- Inspector Gadget. Released: 1983. For those of you too young to remember, Inspector Gadget was a trench-coat-clad policeman who was half-man, half-cyborg.
- The Care Bears. Released: 1985. What little girl wasn’t in love with these happy, kind and furry characters? Before hitting the Saturday-morning cartoon circuit, The Care Bears started off as characters found on greeting cards.
- G.I. Joe. Released: 1984. Joe is one of several cartoons from the ’80s on our list that was inspired by a beloved toy. First released in the 1960s, the toy line, which featured small plastic soldiers representing the major branches of the military, was turned into one of the most popular ’80s cartoon shows, running until 1986.
- Superfriends. This cartoon series was about a team of superheroes. It first aired in the 1970s but entered the 1980s. The adventures of these superheroes were presented in seven-minute episodes aired during the Saturday morning cartoon lineup on ABC.
- Voltron. The first Japanese entry on my list, this cartoon series, was an adaptation of a 1984 anime series. Its premise isn’t simple. The story was based on five pilots who commanded five robot lions to form Voltron, the ultimate robot.
- Inspector Gadget – 80s Cartoons. First episode: December 4, 1982. Final episode: February 1, 1986. Networks: Nickelodeon, CBS, Fox Kids, Jetix, Freeform, Vietnam Television, RAI, France 3, ITV.
- Heathcliff & The Catillac Cats. “Heathcliff & The Catillac Cats” stands out as one of the memorable cartoons in the 80s. Produced by DIC Audiovisuel, this children’s animated series first graced the screens on September 3, 1984.
16. DuckTales (1987–1990) TV-G | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure. 8. Rate. Huey, Dewey, and Louie are in for an epic surprise when they meet their wealthy but reclusive uncle, Scrooge McDuck. The family embark on globe-trotting adventures and treasure hunts, uncover family secrets, and face dangerous enemies.
Okay, so maybe some millennials will argue for the superiority of contemporary cartoons like Adventure Time, Regular Show, Gravity Falls, Phineas and Ferb and Steven Universe, but to our Generation X/Y eyes, the following shows prove the 80s was the greatest time for small screen animated entertainment. 20.
