8. The Wild Thornberrys (1998)
After the blazing success ofThe Rugratsin the 1990s, the same team came together to create a new show for a new decade. That show came to be known asThe Wild Thornberrys.
Using a similar animation style,The Wild Thornberrysfeatured the adventures of a family who traveled around the world in tow by their zoologist father, Nigel Thornberry.
This show became a fast hit with young audiences, who loved the concept and the characters. Kids worldwide looked forward to watching the youngest daughter, Eliza, use her ability to speak to animals.
It was a solid watch for any afternoon after coming home from school. Not only that, it also featured an oddly strong vocal cast with Lacey Chabert, Tim Curry, and Flea all contributing to the family.
Related:The Best 90s Nickelodeon Cartoons (Nicktoons), Ranked
7. Fillmore! (2002)
Fillmore!was the early 2000s entry for a kids' detective series. It had everything a kid could want after coming home from school: epic adventures, action-packed scenes, and a protagonist who often blurred the lines between black-and-white right and wrong.
Watching the titular child detective take on his cases with his trusted sidekick Ingrid Third made for a fantastic afternoon.Fillmore!had a compelling animation style and featured the kinds of fun antics that one wished they could have in their own lives.
An entire generation of children grew up withFillmore!, so it’s strange that Disney still hasn’t put it up on Disney+ for streaming.
6. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Most adults sat in and watched this one with their kids.Star Wars: The Clone Warstold the tale of Obi-Wan and Anakin’s struggle through the clone wars, as well as the state of the Jedi throughout the galaxy as they struggled to free it from oppression.
For fans of theStar Warsfilms, this show had everything they ever wanted and more. Children in particular were deeply entertained by the lightsaber battles and duels within this animated series.
Today,Star Wars: The Clone Warsis considered a masterpiece of animation for the era and one of the best kids' TV shows of all time. Not a bad feat for a spin-off from the worstStar Warsmovie.
Related:The coolest Star Wars characters, ranked
5. Kim Possible (2002)
There was something special about Kim Possible and her sidekick, Ron Stoppable. They were the ultimate TV duo at times, with Ron providing endless streams of comedy while Kim dealt with some of the biggest villains in the world—all without missing school.
The strength of the show rested in the vocal talents of its performers and the fun characters that dominated the series.
For example, Dr. Drakken became an instant hit with children of the era as John DiMaggio (who also played Bender onFuturama) infused the character with his odd charm and oft-beleaguered attitude, resulting in one of the best kids' TV show villains ever.
The entire series diffused the afternoon gloom with sheer entertainment whenever it came on, which anybody could enjoy.
4. Duck Dodgers (2003)
As a spin-off of a classicLooney Tunespremise,Duck Dodgerssaw Daffy Duck reprise his role as the space hero in a whole series of his own.
For children, few things in life are as engrossing asThe Looney Tunes. Seeing one of the most beloved characters head out with his eager young space cadet (Porky Pig) into fun-fueled adventures was everything they could’ve wanted.
Daffy remained as hilarious as ever with Porky by his side to aid him in his constant mishaps. To this day, adults who watched the series back then still remember how intensely brilliant it was.
Related:The best Looney Tunes characters, ranked
3. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999)
Who knew the life and times of an anthropomorphic sponge could become such a cultural phenomenon?
The adventures of SpongeBob SquarePants captured an oddly universal sense of humor that made it one of those rare shows that both children and parents could enjoy together in laughter.
SpongeBob SquarePantscame across as innocent yet had the allure of subtle adult jokes built into it, making the series one that demanded the attention of all audiences at home.
More than 20 years after it first aired, the gang of SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Sandy, and the rest of their friends are still remembered as classic characters of animated television.
Related:The best cartoon TV characters of all time
2. Futurama (1999)
WhenFuturamafirst came out, it instantly drew parallels with its sister showThe Simpsons. It was a bit of an unfair comparison, given thatThe Simpsonshad dominated television for over a decade by then.
However,Futuramawas a different beast. The style was more engaging for younger audiences, with characters that were more overtly mad. That aspect made it a must-watch for kids of the era.
While Fry, Leela, Amy, Zoidberg, Hermes, and The Professor were all instantly likable characters, it was the robot Bender who quickly became the standout of the show, stealing every scene with his dark humor and borderline evil antics.
These characters have endured, as the series is considered a modern classic and still on the air decades later.
1. Justice League (2001)
After the roaring success ofBatman: The Animated Series(and, to a lesser extent,Superman: The Animated Series), Warner Brothers decided to produce a show based around the ultimate hero team.
That team was known as The Justice League, and the resultingJustice Leagueseries remains the pinnacle of animated TV of the 2000s.
The depth of emotion captured in the weekly adventures of our favorite heroes won over the hearts of anybody who watched, including adults. At its core, it was a show about Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the whole team fighting evil on our screens.
Nothing was more entertaining than the most iconic heroes of all time lighting up the after-school routines of children, andJustice Leaguedelivered that in spades.
Related:The best animated TV show intros and openings
