Before it was home to dozens of originals, Cartoon Network started in 1992 as a 24-hour channel of classic cartoons. Then, in the mid 90s, it began making its own shows, and the "Cartoon Cartoons" brand gave us some of the sharpest, funniest animation of the decade.
Quick answer
The best 90s Cartoon Network shows are Dexter's Laboratory (1996), Johnny Bravo (1997), Cow and Chicken (1997), The Powerpuff Girls (1998), Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999) and Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999), plus Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1994) and the Toonami anime block (1997).
| Show | Premiered | What it was about |
|---|---|---|
| Space Ghost Coast to Coast | 1994 | A superhero hosting a surreal talk show |
| What a Cartoon! | 1995 | Short-film showcase that launched several series |
| Dexter's Laboratory | 1996 | A boy genius and his secret lab (and his sister) |
| Johnny Bravo | 1997 | A muscle-bound guy who never gets the girl |
| Cow and Chicken | 1997 | A cow and a chicken who are siblings |
| I Am Weasel | 1997 | Spun off into its own show in 1999 |
| The Powerpuff Girls | 1998 | Three superpowered kindergartners |
| Ed, Edd n Eddy | 1999 | Three friends scheming for jawbreakers |
| Courage the Cowardly Dog | 1999 | A scared dog protecting his owners |
| Mike, Lu & Og | 1999 | An exchange student on a tiny island |
The Cartoon Cartoons
Cartoon Network's originals were creator-driven, with distinct art styles and a sense of humor that worked for kids and adults. Many started as shorts in What a Cartoon!, and the best became full series.
1 Dexter's Laboratory
The first full Cartoon Cartoon series (1996).
2 Johnny Bravo
Big hair, big muscles, no luck.
3 Cow and Chicken
Surreal sibling comedy.
4 The Powerpuff Girls
Sugar, spice and everything nice, plus Chemical X.
5 Ed, Edd n Eddy
Hand-drawn wobbling lines and endless scams.
6 Courage the Cowardly Dog
Spooky and funny, from 1999.
Toonami: anime arrives
Launched in 1997, the Toonami block aired action cartoons and anime in the afternoons. It helped turn shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z into hits with American kids, paving the way for Pokémon.
Classic cartoons on the channel
Classic theatrical shorts
Decades-old studio cartoons.
Hanna-Barbera classics
Prehistoric families and space families.
Superhero reruns
Older action cartoons.
Late-night blocks
For older viewers later on.
Fun fact: Cartoon Network's early schedule was built almost entirely from an existing cartoon library, which is why many 90s kids discovered decades-old cartoons there.
From classic library to original powerhouse
When Cartoon Network launched in 1992, its schedule was built almost entirely from older cartoons, many of them decades old. For many kids, it was the first time they saw classic theatrical shorts and earlier TV cartoons. But the channel's leadership wanted original shows, and they found a creative way to develop them.
The shorts showcase
In 1995, the network launched a showcase of short cartoons from different creators. Viewers watched the shorts, and the most promising ones became full series. This approach gave young animators a chance to pitch distinctive ideas and led directly to some of the channel's biggest hits, including a show about a boy genius with a secret lab and a series about three superpowered sisters.
A distinct style
Cartoon Network's originals stood out for their bold, graphic art styles and their humor, which often worked on two levels: slapstick for kids and wit for adults. Many shows had a retro influence, borrowing design ideas from mid-century animation, which gave the channel a recognizable look.
Toonami and the anime wave
The channel's action block, launched in 1997, helped bring anime to a wide American audience. It aired action shows in the afternoon with a stylish host and promos, and it became a gateway for many kids into Japanese animation.
The legacy of 90s Cartoon Network
Many of the creators behind Cartoon Network's 90s originals went on to shape animation for decades. The channel's creator-first approach inspired other networks and studios, and many later hit cartoons were made by people who started on these shows.
The shows themselves remain popular. Several have been revived, rebooted or turned into movies, and the originals are still widely watched on streaming. Merchandise featuring classic characters continues to sell, and fans of all ages share memes and clips online.
For 90s kids, the channel represented something new: a place where cartoons were not only for very young children but could be clever, strange and funny for everyone.
Related reading: Go deeper with Powerpuff Girls characters and Dexter's Laboratory characters, or see all 90s cartoon characters.
Conclusion
Cartoon Network's 90s originals still hold up. For more, see the full list of 90s cartoons, 90s Nickelodeon shows and 90s Saturday morning cartoons.
Frequently asked questions
When did Cartoon Network start?
Cartoon Network launched in the US on October 1, 1992, initially showing classic cartoons from its library before adding original shows.
What were the first Cartoon Cartoons?
The first Cartoon Cartoons grew out of the "What a Cartoon!" showcase (1995). Dexter's Laboratory became the first full series in 1996, followed by Johnny Bravo and Cow and Chicken in 1997.
When did The Powerpuff Girls premiere?
The Powerpuff Girls premiered as a series on Cartoon Network in November 1998.
What was Toonami?
Toonami was Cartoon Network's action and anime block, launched in 1997, which introduced many US viewers to shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z.
What 90s Cartoon Network shows had reboots?
Several 90s Cartoon Network shows have had reboots, revivals or spin-off movies, including The Powerpuff Girls.
Sources and further reading
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.