25 Awesome Cartoons Only 2000s Kids Will Remember

From the rising influence of anime to the birth of internet animation, these shows exemplify the best in kids’ cartoons at the turn of the century

They might not get the same attention as the ’80s and ’90s cartoons or the ones of today, but several cartoons from the ’00s are worth remembering. Some of these shows’ genius are so evident even adult fans celebrate them. Others are not as celebrated and fall into utter obscurity.

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Some of the greatest ’00s shows have no official releases available, meaning viewers have only their memories to lean on if they want to relive the experience. The ones that do have official releases are well worth supporting. Covering a range of the decade’s popular trends — from the rising influence of anime to the continuing popularity of the late ’90s retro “thick line” style to the birth of internet animation — the greatest shows always stand out.

Updated on November 11, 2022 by Alexandra Locke: 2000s cartoons are quickly resurfacing and gaining new fans decades after being off-air. With such a boost in popularity, many are wondering what other great 2000s shows kids loved at the time. This list has been updated to add even more cartoons that 2000s kids adored.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)

3 Seasons, 61 Episodes

Even if one did not grow up in the 2000s, many are familiar with Avatar: The Last Airbender. Anyone from the age of six to 96 can find something to enjoy about this series. While plenty of American cartoons took visual inspiration from anime in the past, Avatar was the first to match the anime style of complex serialized storytelling.

Great characters, detailed fantasy worldbuilding, serious themes, and deep respect for the Asian cultures that inspired it made Avatar a must-watch. New and old fans can even watch it now on Netflix.

Samurai Jack (2001-2017)

5 Seasons, 62 Episodes

If Avatar: The Last Airbender was the height of American TV cartoon storytelling in the 2000s, Samurai Jack was the height of American TV cartoon artistry. The plots were simple and archetypal, but the animation, sound design, and directing were consistently mind-blowing.

All of Genndy Tartakovsky’s many cinematic influences — from Akira Kurosawa and Sergio Leone to Akira and Blade Runner — combined to make Samurai Jack something special. It trusted young viewers with stillness and contemplation before rewarding them with thrilling action on TV. A recent fifth season, aimed at adults who grew up with the original, gave the series a darker but satisfying conclusion.

Invader ZIM (2001-2006)

2 Seasons, 27 Episodes

It only lasted for 27 episodes (six of which did not air on TV until years later), but Invader ZIM’s cult following kept it in the public eye long enough to inspire a comic and a movie revival. The show held up amazingly well and proved worth the hype.

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This cartoon about an alien trying to conquer a planet of humans feels even more satirically relevant today than in 2001. The twisted animation, casual violence, and comic misanthropy make it questionable for young kids, but hilarious for older viewers.

Justice League Unlimited (2004-2006)

3 Seasons, 39 Episodes

Bruce Timm’s cartoons have generally been recognized as the best DC superhero adaptations around. Some even hold them to be better than most live-action versions. His innovative ’90s Batman: The Animated Series received most of the acclaim, but Justice League Unlimited showcased Timm’s talents on the grandest scale.

The show used and nailed almost every DC hero in history, telling great stories in a range of tones. It even contained the only Alan Moore-approved adaptation.

Danny Phantom (2003-2007)

3 Seasons, 49 Episodes

Danny Phantom was about a 14-year-old boy named Danny Fenton who was accidentally turned into a half-ghost. Though he struggled with his powers initially, Danny used his ghostly abilities for good (while trying to avoid his ghost-hunting family).

Danny Phantom resonated with fans for its unique premise and wacky teen drama. The show was full of puns and jokes, but it also let heavier moments shine through. Danny Phantom is a great show for teens who are also trying to figure out where they belong.

The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius (2002-2006)

3 Seasons, 59 Episodes

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius followed the titular boy genius on many zany adventures. With the help of his friends, Sean and Carl, and his trusty robo-dog, Goddard, Jimmy set out to discover new things and try out new inventions.

This show was great fun for the whole family. The hilarious adventures of Jimmy and his friends were endearing in a way, as Jimmy never gave up. There was always a solution to every problem in the show, and Jimmy vowed to find them all.

Teen Titans (2003-2006)

5 Seasons, 65 Episodes

Teen Titans was one show 2000s kids just will not stop raving about — and for good reasons. The show focused on teenage DC heroes, led by Robin, as they fought against villains, demons, and so much more. Currently, there are five seasons, with rumors of a sixth to come.

Whether it comes back or not, there was good reason Teen Titans stayed strong in the memories of younger millennials. It was one of the better American responses to the anime boom, with tons of action, humor, and heart. Of course, the J-pop opening theme by PUFFY (AmiYumi) was also a solid tune.

Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends (2004-2009)

6 Seasons, 79 Episodes

The Powerpuff Girls remains Craig McCracken’s greatest success, but his second show, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, managed to do pretty well for itself. From the title alone, one could tell there was something special about the show. A comedy about abandoned imaginary friends living together was an irresistible premise.

Foster’s was one of the first TV cartoons animated in Flash. The design work on this show was gorgeous. Blooregard Q. Kazoo was striking evidence of how great animators could take the simplest design and imbue it with a vibrant, hilarious personality.

Megas XLR (2004-2005)

2 Seasons, 26 Episodes

Perhaps the most cult-like Cartoon Network show, Megas XLR, was only on the channel from 2004 to early 2005. Yet, those who watched it remembered it. At a time when almost every action cartoon was trying to adapt the anime style, MEGAS XLR stood out — having a clear love and knowledge of anime, but filtering it all through a very American sensibility.

MEGAS XLR is just the show for viewers looking for a strange, fun time. While that is not a demographic big enough to make the show a hit, this cartoon has the sort of absurdity where those who get it love it.

6Teen (2004-2010)

4 Seasons, 93 Episodes

6Teen was the story of six 16-year-olds who wandered the mall after school. Although some of them had on-and-off jobs throughout the series, the show mostly focused on friends hanging out and just being teenagers.

Though it was animated, 6Teen had a more mature vibe than other animated properties. The show’s demographic was high schoolers, so it did not shy away from topics like crushes or kissing. This show was a lot of fun at the time of its release for depicting teenagers doing things actual teenagers would do.

Kim Possible (2002-2007)

4 Seasons, 87 Episodes

There is no contest: Kim Possible was the best show on Disney Channel in the 2000s. Disney’s live-action sitcoms did not hold up outside a nostalgia trip, and many cartoons were pretty forgettable. Kim Possible, however, held up surprisingly well for its relatable problems and escapist action.

Witty, exciting, and proudly feminist, Kim Possible took a sledgehammer to the outdated notions that girls would not watch action shows and that boys would not watch shows with female leads. It was also an early example of fandom’s power to save their favorite cartoons: the show was set to be canceled after the third season, but fans’ demand inspired Disney to renew the show for another year.

My Life As A Teenage Robot (2003-2009)

3 Seasons, 40 Episodes

Nickelodeon’s successful, risk-taking kids’ animation dominated in the ’90s. Yet, for the most part, the 2000s Nicktoons did not have the same staying power. This was the decade where SpongeBob SquarePants, the network’s last great hit of the ’90s, became so dominant that other cartoons, good or bad, were mostly ignored.

My Life as a Teenage Robot was one of the best Nicktoons forgotten during the era of the sponge. XJ-9, or “Jenny” — a super-robot trying to live a normal life between fighting villains — made for a strong protagonist, and the show’s retro-futuristic art style was always cool.

Braceface (2001-2006)

3 Seasons, 79 Episodes

Braceface was a 2000s show starring Alicia Silverstone as a high school girl with braces named Sharon Spitz. Sharon and her friends were mostly regular teenagers who learned how to handle awkward high school situations.

While a lot of the show does not hold up as well today, tweens and teens of the 2000s loved it for its fun take on tricky high school experiences like dating and puberty. Most people may not know about it today, but it was must-watch television in the 2000s.

Ben 10 (2005-2008)

4 Seasons, 52 Episodes

Prolific voice actress Tara Strong dominated the Western cartoon world with her versatile range and lengthy portfolio. She was the voice behind multiple main characters such as Raven from Teen Titans, Timmy Turner from Fairly OddParents, and even Bo from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. In addition to these great characters, Strong lent her voice to a mischievous 10-year-old boy with a mysterious alien “watch.” His story instantly became a fan-favorite show.

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When Ben 10 aired in 2005, it took the cartoon world by storm with its thrilling theme song and unique take on the superhero genre. DC and Marvel-based cartoons dominated the cartoon space, so it was a welcome refresher. The original series lasted four seasons and spanned into a five-part franchise, including a 2016 reboot. Ben 10 received lots of love from 2000s cartoon fans, winning multiple Emmy Awards.

Teacher’s Pet (2000-2005)

2 Seasons, 29 Episodes

Teacher’s Pet might be the strangest Disney cartoon ever made. In an attempt to fuse the edutainment requirements of the One Saturday Morning block with the surrealist sensibilities of artist Gary Baseman, the show’s forgotten status might be a product of people believing it to be some strange fever dream rather than an actual show.

Led by an impressive all-star voice cast, Teacher’s Pet features the likes of Nathan Lane (the voice of Timon from Disney’s The Lion King), Wallace Shawn, and Jerry Stiller. For viewers wanting a mix of highbrow and lowbrow, of strange and sophisticated jokes elevating a standard school cartoon, Teacher’s Pet is worth remembering.

Jackie Chan Adventures (2000-2005)

5 Seasons, 95 Episodes

Jackie Chan Adventures is a fictional tale of the life of Jackie Chan. The show focused on talismans that gave people powers based on the Chinese Zodiac. It had a unique animation style and great characters that kept fans engaged throughout its run.

The show also has many fantastical elements and fast-paced action. Though the premise of Jackie Chan as an archeologist and secret agent was strange, it worked in the eyes of 2000s kids. Jackie Chan Adventures ran for a total of five seasons, consisting of nearly 100 episodes.

Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)

3 Seasons, 25 Episodes

Star Wars: Clone Wars is a 2003-2005 miniseries from Genndy Tartakovsky that was released in three seasons. The first season was pretty much pure Jedi action in the Samurai Jack style, while the second had a bit more character development for Anakin Skywalker.

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Technically, Star Wars: Clone Wars is no longer part of the Star Wars canon in the Disney era. However, it can be watched on Disney+. This miniseries still stands as one of the best things to emerge out of the Prequel Trilogy.

Whatever Happened To… Robot Jones? (2002-2004)

2 Seasons, 13 Episodes

This show’s title was seemingly a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whatever Happened To… Robot Jones? fell off the face of the earth despite being a fun cartoon with a groovy Schoolhouse Rock-inspired style. It was a 2000s kids’ show that even ’70s kids could dig.

The first season was especially funny, with Robot Jones being voiced by an actual computer. Someone, it seems, was not a fan of the robot voice and not only recast Season 2, but re-dubbed Season 1 with a human kid playing the titular role, which killed its charm.

The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy (2001-2007)

6 Seasons, 77 Episodes

One of the darkest and strangest Cartoon Network shows centered around an angry girl and a dimwitted boy who tricked the Grim Reaper into being their best friend. The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy started as a segment on the Grim and Evil show, but as the Evil Con Carne shorts were not as good, it made sense to give Billy & Mandy its own series.

Horror fans had a lot to enjoy in this cartoon. Everything from Greek mythology and the Cthulhu mythos to Suspiria and Dune was fair game for this show’s irreverent parody. This hyperactive, sometimes mean-spirited show was not for everyone, but those who enjoyed it were treated to six seasons of hilarity.

Codename: Kids Next Door (2002-2008)

6 Seasons, 78 Episodes

Codename: Kids Next Door is a child’s dream come true: an organization of children who fight against adult tyranny. Criminals such as homework-wielding teachers and vegetable-loving senior citizens never went unpunished, as operatives worked tirelessly to defend kids worldwide.

Codename: Kids Next Door lasted for only six years, but it gained almost overnight attention from viewers. The concept was both original and hilariously relatable to 2000s kids. Additionally, the world-building and diverse character list were phenomenal.