A new ranking highlights the top 20 American animated series from the 1990s, celebrating the decade's golden age of cel animation. The list crowns The Simpsons as number one, with Batman: The Animated Series at number two. It spotlights classics like Daria, Æon Flux, and Rugrats for their innovation and cultural impact.
The 1990s marked a peak for cel animation before CGI's rise, producing timeless American TV cartoons. A recent ranking of the 20 best focuses on shows that premiered or thrived in that decade, excluding later bloomers like SpongeBob SquarePants despite their '90s starts. Each entry praises unique styles, from Rocko's Modern Life's satirical take on urban absurdities to Rugrats' dual-layered toddler and parent worlds created by Klasky Csupo. Dexter's Laboratory, Genndy Tartakovsky's debut, revived golden-age slapstick with mini-mad scientist Dexter battling sister Dee Dee. Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist introduced Squigglevision and Retroscripting on Comedy Central, blending stand-up confessions with improvised sitcom scenarios. Space Ghost Coast to Coast repurposed 1960s cels into absurd talk-show comedy, launching Cartoon Network originals. Downtown captured New York twentysomething life with authentic improv, while The Powerpuff Girls dazzled with superhero satire in its 1998-1999 episodes. The Tick parodied superhero tropes, and Animaniacs revived Looney Tunes anarchy with executive producer Steven Spielberg. Beavis and Butt-Head embodied slacker chaos, The Critic skewered Hollywood via Jon Lovitz, and King of the Hill offered grounded Texas family tales. Todd McFarlane's Spawn pushed adult animation boundaries on HBO, Hey Arnold! explored urban kid life, and The Ren & Stimpy Show liberated ugly, experimental comedy. Gargoyles delivered serialized urban fantasy, Æon Flux twisted sci-fi philosophy, and Daria became MTV's sharp teen voice. Batman: The Animated Series set dramatic benchmarks with Kevin Conroy's Batman, but The Simpsons defined the era's satire as the top pick.
