80s Cartoons Overload: 100+ Classics, Favs & Deep Cuts

These shows didn't just rule the airwaves in the 80s they defined the decade and shaped animated television for years to come. These top picks are truly unforgettable.  

Transformers (1984)

Giant robots that disguised themselves as cars, planes, and trucks waged war between Autobots and Decepticons.
⭐ Best Transformation Sequence (the shift from everyday vehicles into towering robots was jaw-dropping every time.)

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1983)

An elite squad of soldiers fought Cobra Commander and his endless plots, blending action with a “lesson learned” at the end.
⭐ Best Cartoon Catchphrase: “Knowing is half the battle.”

Thundercats (1985)

Cat-like warriors from the planet Thundera fought evil forces like Mumm-Ra, mixing sci-fi tech with sword-and-sorcery.
⭐ Best Cartoon Battle Cry: “Thundercats, Hoooo!”

DuckTales (1987)

Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie globe-trotted in search of treasure and adventure, setting a new standard for TV animation.
📺 Its pilot mini-series cost a then-record $20 million to produce.
⭐ Biggest Game-Changer for Disney TV Animation.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983)

Prince Adam wielded the Sword of Power to become He-Man, defender of Eternia against Skeletor and his goons.
⭐ Most Iconic Villain Laugh - Skeletor’s cackle practically outshone the hero.

She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985)

He-Man’s sister Adora lifted the Sword of Protection to become She-Ra, leading the Rebellion against the Evil Horde.
⭐ Most Iconic 80s Heroine.

Care Bears (1985)

Lovable, pastel-colored bears lived in the Kingdom of Caring, using the “Care Bear Stare” to defeat villains with kindness.
⭐ Sweetest Cartoon Attack Move: A rainbow-powered hug-beam that somehow worked every time.

The Smurfs (1981)

A colony of tiny blue forest dwellers outwitted the evil wizard Gargamel and his cat Azrael week after week.
📺 At its peak, it was the highest-rated Saturday morning cartoon and even won Daytime Emmys.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

Four pizza-loving turtles trained by Splinter to battle Shredder, Krang, and the Foot Clan.
⭐ Biggest Breakout Cartoon of the Late 80s.
📺 Launched in 1987 as a syndicated miniseries before exploding into a full series and toy juggernaut.

These were the shows you didn’t just watch, you acted out on the living room floor. Toy lines and cartoons fueled each other, creating whole universes kids could literally hold in their hands.

My Little Pony (1984)

Colorful ponies teaching lessons on friendship and magic.

Pound Puppies (1986)

Stray dogs looking for homes, with the tie-in plush toys you could “adopt.”

The Wuzzles (1985)

Hybrid animals like a bumble-lion and a moose-bear. It was short-lived, but unforgettable.

Popples (1986)

Plush toys that popped out of pouches, translated into a cheerful cartoon.

Rainbow Brite (1984)

A girl and her sprite friends used color to fight off gloom and darkness.
⭐ Most Colorful World-Building.

Rambo: The Force of Freedom (1986)

A surprisingly kid-friendly take on the R-rated movie hero.

Ring Raiders (1989)

Finger-mounted fighter jets that launched into animated battles.

M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) (1985)

Special agents with transforming vehicles fought against VENOM. A slick combo of Transformers and G.I. Joe. 

⭐ Best Blend of Cars + Combat.

Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors (1985)

A boy and his crew piloted weaponized vehicles against monstrous plant villains called Monster Minds.

Inhumanoids (1986)

Scientists battled terrifying underground monsters in one of the darkest cartoons of the decade. 

⭐ Scariest 80s Cartoon.

Robotix (1985)

A toy-based series about warring factions of giant transforming robots.

Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines (1985)

Monster trucks came to life to stop villains in a series of animated shorts.

Jem (1985)

A record executive by day, rock star by night, Jem battled rival band The Misfits with the help of holograms. 

⭐ Best Cartoon Soundtrack.

The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin (1986)

Based on the talking toy bear, this was an epic serialized fantasy quest.
⭐ Most Unexpectedly Epic Fantasy Plot.

Sectaurs (1985)

Warriors with insect-like traits who rode giant bug companions into battle.
⭐ Creepiest Toy Tie-In.

Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light (1987)

Knights in a post-technological world wielded hologram-powered armor.
⭐ Best Use of Holograms.

Wildfire (1986)

A magical horse transports a young girl to another world to fight evil.

Biskitts (1983)

Tiny dog knights protected their kingdom from bumbling villains.

From space adventures to laser-loaded heroes, this was the decade of big stakes and bigger action.

Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984)

Five space pilots controlled robotic lions that combined to form one mega-robot.
⭐ Best Robot Team-Up.

Thundarr the Barbarian (1980)

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a barbarian with a sun-sword battled mutants and sorcery.
📺 Co-created by comic legend Jack Kirby.
⭐ Best Post-Apocalyptic Cartoon Hero.

Bravestarr (1987)

A Native American lawman protected the planet New Texas with animal-inspired powers.
⭐ Best Cartoon Space Western.

Blackstar (1981)

A stranded astronaut wielded a Star Sword in a fantasy world reminiscent of He-Man.

Space Stars (1981)

A Hanna-Barbera mash-up block featuring Space Ghost, the Herculoids, and other cosmic heroes.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981)

Spidey teamed up with Iceman and Firestar while running into the rest of Marvel’s roster.

Spider-Man (1981)

A solo animated Spidey series that aired alongside Amazing Friends.

The Incredible Hulk (1982)

Dr. Banner’s alter ego smashed through villains and storylines filled with pathos.

Superman (1988)

A straightforward revival of the Man of Steel for Saturday mornings.

X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men (1989)

A one-shot pilot that nearly launched the team years before the famous 90s series.
⭐ Biggest “What Could Have Been” Cartoon.

SilverHawks (1986)

Heroes with metallic bodies battled space crime under the watch of Commander Stargazer.
⭐ Best Cartoon Sibling to Thundercats.

TigerSharks (1987)

Underwater heroes with animal powers, part of The Comic Strip anthology series.

The Centurions (1986)

Soldiers fused with modular exo-suits to instantly gain high-tech weapon systems.
⭐ Coolest Tech Suits.

Bionic Six (1987)

A family of superheroes enhanced with bionic powers fought the villainous Dr. Scarab.
⭐ Best Cartoon Super-Family.

Pole Position (1984)

A family of stunt drivers turned government agents, with plenty of car chases.
⭐ Best Show Intro Montage

COPS (1988)

Futuristic law enforcement used high-tech gear to battle criminals in Empire City.

Robotech (1985)

An anime import that brought serialized space opera storytelling to American kids.
📺 Adapted from three different Japanese series.
⭐ Most Influential Anime Import.

Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs (1987)

A Western-themed space adventure repackaged from Japanese anime.

Star Blazers (syndicated early 80s)

A Japanese import (Space Battleship Yamato) that felt more cinematic than most cartoons of its era.
⭐ Most Cinematic Cartoon Experience.

Inspector Gadget (1983)

A bumbling cyborg detective and his niece Penny foiled Dr.Claw week after week.
📺 One of the first cartoons syndicated globally.

Superfriends (1980–1985)

The Justice League lineup of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and friends battling DC villains.
📺 Classic Hanna-Barbera formula, but essential superhero comfort food.

Spiral Zone (1987)

A dark dystopian series where much of the world was enslaved by an evil overlord.

The New Adventures of Jonny Quest (1986)

A revival of the 60s classic, with updated villains and sci-fi plots.

Defenders of the Earth (1986)

Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician joined forces against Ming the Merciless.

📺 One of the few team-ups to unite comic-strip legends on TV.

Battle of the Planets (1978, reruns into early 80s)

U.S. adaptation of the anime Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, with teen heroes in bird-like costumes. ⭐ Best Anime Bird Suits.

Captain Harlock and the Queen of a Thousand Years (1985)

A U.S.-edited fusion of Captain Harlock and Queen Millennia, bringing space opera anime to kids’ TV.

Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1979–81, into 80s)

A stretchy DC superhero in goofy serialized adventures.

The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (1986)

A space-western blending cowboys, tech, and alien threats.

Dragon’s Lair (1984)

Dirk the Daring leapt from Don Bluth’s arcade hit into a Saturday morning adventure.

The Legend of Zelda (1989)

A short-lived series spun out of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! with Link and Zelda battling Ganon.

The Mighty Orbots (1984)

A Japanese-American giant robot team with flashy, anime-inspired style.

Lazer Tag Academy (1986)

Based on the toyline, where teens battled villains across time.

G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra (1984)

A five-part mini-series sequel to the original, often listed separately from the main run.

Not every 80s cartoon was about laser guns or mutant heroes. Some shows leaned into storybooks, fairy tales, and mystical worlds, the kind where enchanted hair, glowing gems, or even Greek epics set in space felt totally normal for Saturday morning. 

Lady LovelyLocks and the Pixietails (1987) 

 A magical-haired princess defended her kingdom with the help of sprite-like Pixietails.

MoonDreamers (1986) 

Dolls turned cartoon about cosmic dream-makers protecting children’s dreams from Queen Scowlene.

Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics (1987) 

Japanese-produced adaptations of classic fairy tales, aired on U.S. TV.

CBS Storybreak (1985) 

Adapted children’s books into one-shot animated episodes.

The Adventures of Raggedy Ann & Andy (1988) 

The rag dolls embarked on whimsical adventures in magical lands.

Long Ago and Far Away (1989) 

PBS anthology series adapting folktales and myths from around the world.

Galtar and the Golden Lance (1985) 

A fantasy warrior wielded a powerful golden weapon in a very He-Man-like adventure.

Ulysses 31 (1981) 

A French-Japanese reimagining of Homer’s Odyssey set in space.

When in doubt, the networks animated celebrities, sitcoms, or live-action hits. Some of these worked surprisingly well, others were… let’s just say experimental.

The Real Ghostbusters (1986)

The animated continuation of the blockbuster movie, with new ghosts and fun new gadgets!
⭐ Best Movie-to-TV Spin-Off.

Ghostbusters (Filmation) (1986)

A different “Ghostbusters” altogether, featuring two bumbling detectives and their gorilla sidekick, Tracy.
⭐ Weirdest Alternate Ghostbusters.

Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters (1988)

A spin-off segment from The Real Ghostbusters, spotlighting Slimer’s mischief.

ALF: The Animated Series (1987)

A prequel set on ALF’s home planet of Melmac, showing his life before crash-landing on Earth.

ALF Tales (1988)

The Melmac gang retold fairy tales in bizarre, ALF-ified ways.

Hulk Hogan’s Rock ’n’ Wrestling (1985)

Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and Junkyard Dog were turned into cartoon caricatures (voiced by actors, not themselves).

Mister T (1983)

Mr. T trained a gymnastics team and solved mysteries on the side.
⭐ Best Cartoon Role Model (every episode ended with him giving kids advice.)

Teen Wolf (1986)

Picked up after Michael J. Fox’s movie, with Scott Howard balancing high school and werewolf life.

It’s Punky Brewster (1985)

Punky and her dog Glomer (a magical leprechaun-like sidekick) learned lessons and got into scrapes.

The Dukes (1983)

The Duke boys and Daisy raced Boss Hogg around the globe in a very loose tie-in to the live-action show.

Laverne & Shirley in the Army (1981)

Sitcom icons Laverne and Shirley joined the army… and were somehow paired with a talking pig.

Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos (1986)

Chuck Norris and his teen sidekicks battled ninjas, robots, and supervillains.
⭐ Shortest-Lived Celebrity Cartoon (only 5 episodes aired.)

Camp Candy (1989)

John Candy voiced himself as a lovable summer camp counselor.

Hammerman (1989)

Rapper MC Hammer donned magic shoes to fight crime with dance moves.
⭐ Most 90s-Ready 80s Cartoon.

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985, reruns in the 80s)

A group of neighborhood kids learned lessons through Fat Albert’s humor and heart.
📺 Though it started in the 70s, it ran well into the 80s and was still a Saturday morning staple.

Lassie’s Rescue Rangers (70s but reran into 80s)

Lassie led a family of park rangers.

The Gary Coleman Show (1982)

Coleman voiced an angel named Andy LeBeau, helping kids solve problems on Earth.

New Kids on the Block (1989)

The boy band got their own cartoon, mixing music, hijinks, and teen drama.

The Jackson 5ive (1971, reruns in the 80s)

Animated adventures of the Motown group, rerun in syndication during the early 80s.

The Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour (1982)

A bizarre mashup block that turned sitcom stars into animated hijinks.

Police Academy: The Animated Series (1988)

A slapstick adaptation of the film series with cadets in cartoon antics.

Scooby and the gang has thrived for decades by reinventing themselves, again and again... and again. But who doesn't love to solve a mystery along with the gang?

Check out all of the theme songs Scooby has had over the years, from 1969 - 2017!

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969, reruns in the 80s)

The original Mystery Inc. adventures were still airing on Saturday mornings, cementing Scooby’s place as a multi-decade icon.

The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985)

Scooby, Shaggy, and Daphne teamed up with new characters, including Vincent Van Ghoul, voiced by Vincent Price.
⭐ Best Celebrity Cameo: Vincent Price playing himself.

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988)

A reimagined “kid version” of Scooby and the gang, leaning into zany, slapstick humor.

The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show (1983)

Brought Daphne back to the group while Scrappy continued to divide audiences.

The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour (1982)

A hybrid block pairing Scooby segments with The Puppy’s Further Adventures.

Though The Flintstones first aired in the 1960s, the stone-age sitcom was still a Saturday morning fixture in the 80s. Kids grew up watching the original series in reruns while a wave of spin-offs kept Bedrock alive for a new generation.

The Flintstones (1960, reruns in the 80s)

Fred, Barney, Wilma, and Betty remained TV regulars thanks to constant reruns. For many kids, this was their first introduction to classic Hanna-Barbera.

The Flintstone Comedy Show (1980–1982)

An anthology format featuring short segments, from Fred and Barney misadventures to oddballs like The Frankenstones and Captain Caveman.

The Flintstone Funnies (1982–1984)

A repackaged Saturday block, airing earlier shorts and sketches under a new name to keep younger audiences hooked.

The Flintstone Kids (1986–1988)

A prequel series showing Fred, Barney, Wilma, and Betty as children in Bedrock Elementary.
📺 The most notable 80s Flintstones entry, complete with spin-off shorts like Captain Caveman and Son.

Jim Henson’s Muppets dominated TV and movies in the 80s, and it didn’t take long for them to make the leap into Saturday morning cartoons. Some shows became classics, others were short-lived curiosities but they all carried that unmistakable Muppet spirit.

Muppet Babies (1984–1991)

Baby versions of Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, and the gang turned their nursery into endless adventures powered by imagination.
⭐ Most Imaginative 80s Cartoon.
📺 Won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and ran for eight seasons, one of the most successful 80s cartoons overall.

Jim Henson’s Little Muppet Monsters (1985)

A spin-off that mixed live-action puppet segments with animated shorts like Pigs in Space: The Animated Series.
📺 Only three episodes aired before it was pulled, making it one of the shortest-lived Muppet projects.

The Muppet Show: Animated Shorts & Specials (80s)

While not a full weekly cartoon, animated Muppet content occasionally appeared in specials or as part of compilation shows, keeping Henson’s creations in the mix beyond Muppet Babies.

Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series (1987)

An animated version of Jim Henson’s underground world of Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs.

Dinosaurs never really went out of style, but the 80s made them a full-on trend. From friendly, guitar-playing dinos to armored T-Rexes strapped with laser cannons, prehistoric creatures stomped through every corner of kids’ TV.

Denver, the Last Dinosaur (1988)

A friendly dinosaur thawed into the modern day, spreading lessons about friendship and music.

Dino-Riders (1988)

Heroes and villains strapped futuristic weapons to dinosaurs in an all-time toyline classic.

Dinosaucers (1987)

Dinosaurs from outer space crash-landed on Earth, splitting into good and evil factions.

Dink, the Little Dinosaur (1989)

A small dinosaur learned life lessons in a gentle prehistoric setting.

The Land Before Time (1988, animated specials/TV beginnings)

While best known as a movie, the early franchise aired animated shorts that paved the way for its 90s cartoon.

Honestly, what is an era of cartoons without a few... interesting creative choices. Some of these ideas were inspired genius. Others… you wonder how they got greenlit. Either way, they made the Saturday morning lineup way more interesting.

Rubik, the Amazing Cube (1983)

A magical talking Rubik’s Cube solved mysteries with kids.
⭐ Most Bizarre Cartoon Premise (and proof the toy craze sometimes went a little too far.)

The California Raisins Show (1989) 

Claymation raisins sang Motown hits and headlined quirky adventures.

Turbo Teen (1984)

A teenager transformed into a sports car whenever he got overheated.
⭐ Most Unsettling Cartoon Transformation (Imagine turning into a Camaro during gym class.)

Rude Dog & the Dweebs (1989)

Based on a clothing line’s mascot, featuring a too-cool dog and his misfit pals.
⭐ Most Corporate Cartoon Mascot.

Beverly Hills Teens (1987)

High schoolers with yachts, private jets, and Beverly Hills mansions lived out soap opera antics.
⭐ Most Outrageous Wealth Fantasy.

Maxie’s World (1987)

A Barbie-inspired teen juggled fashion, high school, and a video advice line.

Goldie Gold and Action Jack (1981)

A rich teen heiress and her reporter friend solved crimes around the globe.

Trollkins (1981)

Trolls in souped-up vehicles living in a tree-top town, like The Smurfs crossed with Dukes of Hazzard.

The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley (1988)

Martin Short’s SNL character got the full cartoon treatment, complete with his “I must say!” catchphrase.
⭐ Most Interesting SNL Spin-Off?

Galaxy High (1986)

Two Earth teens attended an intergalactic high school filled with quirky alien classmates.

Kidd Video (1984)

A live-action band was zapped into a cartoon world, battling the Master Blaster while real MTV music videos played in episodes.
⭐ Most MTV-Inspired Cartoon.

Foofur (1986)

A big blue dog and his stray buddies squatted in an abandoned house, outsmarting their human landlord.

Maple Town (1987)

An imported Japanese cartoon featuring animal families in a gentle, small-town setting.

Josie and the Pussycats (1970–71, reruns in the 80s)

A groovy girl band solved mysteries and foiled villains between gigs — later even blasting off into space in spin-offs.
📺 Still a staple of 80s rerun blocks, especially paired with Scooby-Doo.

The Pink Panther Show (1969, reran heavily in the 80s)

The smooth, silent pink cat starred in slapstick shorts, alongside characters like The Inspector.
⭐ Coolest Cartoon Mascot (he barely spoke, but his theme music said it all.)

Hong Kong Phooey (1974, reruns in the 80s)

A clumsy janitor transformed into a kung-fu-fighting dog, though his sidekick cat Spot usually saved the day.
⭐ Best Cartoon Martial Arts Dog (mainly because he was the only one.)

Shirt Tales (1982)

Hallmark greeting card animals fought crime by night.

Monchhichis (1983)

Toyline-inspired monkey-like creatures in a magical forest.

Pandamonium (1982)

Three pandas battled villains with the help of a magic pyramid.

The Drak Pack (1980)

Teen descendants of Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man fought evil to redeem their family names.

From tough alley cats to swamp-dwelling bears and underwater snorkel creatures, the 80s gave us plenty of animal pals (and troublemakers) to follow.

The Littles (1983)

Tiny, mouse-sized humans lived secretly in the walls of regular homes.

Snorks (1984)

Colorful underwater cousins to the Smurfs who breathed through snorkel-like tubes.

Kissyfur (1986)

A circus bear cub and his father started a new life in the swamp.

The Berenstain Bears (1985)

Adapted from the popular book series, with lessons on family and community.

Heathcliff (1980)

A street-smart orange alley cat caused chaos around the neighborhood.
⭐ Toughest Alley Cat Cartoon.

Garfield and Friends (1988)

The lazy orange cat tormented Jon and Odie, with “U.S. Acres” shorts added to the mix.
⭐ Best Cartoon Sarcasm (and laziest cartoon character of all time.)

The Get Along Gang (1984)

A group of animal pals taught teamwork and kindness from their clubhouse in a caboose.

Meatballs & Spaghetti (1982)

A dog and cat joined a rock band that went on tour.

The World of David the Gnome (1987)

A gentle Spanish import following a wise gnome and his fox Swift.

⭐ Most Wholesome Cartoon of the 80s.

Noozles (1988)

A girl’s koala doll comes to life when she kisses its nose, leading to magical adventures.

Adventures of the Little Koala (1987)

Another gentle koala series imported from Japan, with softer slice-of-life stories.

Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats (1984)

A side segment paired with Heathcliff, starring Riff-Raff and his gang of streetwise cats.

Fluppy Dogs (1986)

A Disney special-turned-pilot about magical, dimension-hopping dogs.

Paw Paws (1985)

Tiny tribal bears used totems and magic to defend their village.

Sylvanian Families (1987)

Based on the toyline of woodland animal figurines, showing the lives of gentle animal families.

The Glo Friends (1986)

Glow-in-the-dark insect toys brought to life, often paired with My Little Pony episodes.

Some of the most beloved cartoons of the 80s came straight from the newspaper or children’s books, bringing familiar characters to life in animation.

The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (1983)

Animated versions of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts strips, as wholesome as it gets.

The Berenstain Bears (1985)

Adapted from the popular book series, with lessons on family and community.

Mother Goose and Grimm (1987)

Based on the comic strip, following a snarky dog and his oddball household.

Paddington Bear (1980)

Based on the British book series, Paddington brought his polite, marmalade-loving charm to animated form.

Before the Disney Afternoon of the 90s, the company dipped its toes into Saturday morning animation in the mid-80s. The result? Some of the most polished and memorable 80s cartoons around.

Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985)

Medieval bears bounced on “Gummi Berry Juice” while protecting their forest from ogres and humans.

📺 First Original Disney TV Cartoon.

The Wuzzles (1985)

Hybrid animals (like Bumblelion and Eleroo) lived in a colorful mash-up world.
⭐ Shortest-Lived Disney 80s Cartoon (only 13 episodes, but fondly remembered.)

Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers (1989)

The chipmunk duo reimagined as detectives, joined by Gadget, Monterey Jack, and Zipper to solve mysteries and fight crime.
⭐ Best Cartoon Reinvention of Classic Characters.
📺 Later, a cornerstone of the 90s Disney Afternoon block.

When Pac-Man fever hit and arcades ruled the malls, cartoons jumped on the joystick too. These shows brought 8-bit heroes to Saturday mornings, sometimes with hilarious results.

Some 80s cartoons were groundbreaking, some were gloriously bizarre, and some only lasted long enough to be remembered by the few kids who caught them. But together, they made Saturday mornings the golden era of animation. Whether you were watching Autobots roll out, Care Bears beam rainbows, or Turbo Teen turn into a car, the magic of 80s cartoons was impossible to ignore.