The Best Cartoons of the 80's

“I pity the fool who doesn’t love the '80s!” – Mr. T
“Knowing is half the battle.” – G.I. Joe
“Cowabunga, dude!” – Michelangelo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

If you grew up in the 1980s, your Saturday mornings were probably sacred. You’d grab a bowl of cereal (my favorite was Frosted Flakes), park yourself in front of the TV, and disappear into worlds filled with transforming robots, talking animals, magical kingdoms, and masked heroes. The 1980s were a golden age of animated television, filled with unforgettable characters and theme songs that are still stuck in our heads decades later.

Let’s take a tubular trip down memory lane as we count down the 20 Best Cartoons of the 1980s, in glorious reverse order. See if your favorites made the list!

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20. The Snorks (1984–1989)

A group of small, colorful underwater creatures with snorkel tubes on their heads go on wild adventures beneath the sea. Think The Smurfs, but aquatic!

19. M.A.S.K. (1985–1986)

The Mobile Armored Strike Kommand battles the evil organization VENOM using vehicles that transform into combat machines. Spy gear and fast-paced action? Totally radical!

18. The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988–1991)

Beloved childhood characters like Pooh, Tigger, and Piglet bring classic charm and gentle life lessons in a beautifully animated update.

17. The Real Ghostbusters (1986–1991)

Based on the hit movie, this cartoon follows the original Ghostbusters (with some changes) as they trap ghouls, ghosts, and monsters. Slimer steals the show!

16. Heathcliff (1984–1987)

This street-smart orange cat rules his neighborhood with mischief and cool attitude. It’s all about tuna, tough talk, and alleyway antics.

15. Dungeons & Dragons (1983–1985)

A group of kids are transported to a fantasy world where they must defeat evil forces and find their way home. Epic quests and dark themes gave this show serious depth.

14. Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (1989–1990)

Chip and Dale start a detective agency with Gadget, Monterey Jack, and Zipper. Clever mysteries and great animation made this Disney classic unforgettable.

13. Inspector Gadget (1983–1986)

A bumbling cyborg detective with endless gadgets somehow manages to foil the evil Dr. Claw—thanks mostly to his niece Penny and her dog Brain.

12. Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–1982)

In a post-apocalyptic future, Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and the Wookiee-like Ookla battle wizards and monsters with the help of a magical Sunsword. Pure '80s fantasy gold!

11. Care Bears (1985–1988)

Living in the magical land of Care-a-Lot, these colorful bears teach love, kindness, and caring through their magical belly badges.

10. DuckTales (1987–1990)

Scrooge McDuck and his grandnephews—Huey, Dewey, and Louie—embark on treasure-hunting adventures across the globe. Woo-oo!

9. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983–1985)

Prince Adam transforms into He-Man to battle the evil Skeletor. Swords, sorcery, and muscle-bound action—this was a staple of '80s childhood.

8. Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984–1985)

Five lion-shaped robots combine to form Voltron and defend the universe from evil. It was one of the first major anime-style shows to hit big in the U.S.

7. Garfield and Friends (1988–1994)

Lazy, sarcastic, and obsessed with lasagna, Garfield’s antics—alongside Odie and Jon—made every episode laugh-out-loud funny.

6. My Little Pony (1986–1987)

Magical ponies with distinct personalities live in Ponyland and go on adventures while spreading friendship and joy. Toys and TV merged brilliantly.

5. Gummi Bears (1985–1991)

Disney’s medieval fantasy series featured bouncing bears with magic “Gummiberry Juice” who protected their secrets from evil humans. Seriously underrated!

4. Transformers (1984–1987)

Autobots vs. Decepticons—robots that transform into vehicles in an epic battle for Earth. “More than meets the eye,” indeed.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987–1996)

Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael battle Shredder and eat lots of pizza in this martial arts, sewer-dwelling sensation.

2. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1983–1986)

Elite soldiers battle Cobra in explosive action-packed missions. Every episode came with a moral lesson because… “Knowing is half the battle!”

1. The Smurfs (1981–1989)

These little blue forest dwellers charmed a generation with their unique personalities and Smurfy adventures. One of the longest-running and most beloved cartoons of the decade.

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“By the power of Grayskull, I have the power!” – He-Man
“Heroes in a half shell—Turtle Power!” – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme
“We've got the power to save the day!” – Care Bears

The '80s gave us a treasure trove of animated gems that still sparkle today. Whether you were into action, fantasy, or fuzzy talking animals, there was something for everyone in that era of big hair and even bigger imagination.

Did we miss your favorite cartoon? Think something should've been higher on the list?
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