1. "SpongeBob SquarePants"
Why you loved it as a kid: A whole city underwater? With fire? And lakes? You were TOTALLY into that! Between sporadic incidents and talking fish, the residents of Bikini Bottom did enough random activities to hold your wavering attention. Plus, the antics in Bikini Bottom were completely relatable to your kid self! Trying to get out of going to the doctors, going on adventures with friends, loving visiting Grandma … the reasons are endless.
Why you’ll love it now: There are quite a few adult jokes in this series! Things that blew over your head in fourth grade will make you gasp and laugh as an adult. Cynical, cranky, stuck-in-a-rut Squidward is now the character you relate most to. SpongeBob’s job as a fry cook doesn’t seem so cool anymore, but the way he turns a bad situation into a good one no matter the circumstances is extremely cool! Not to mention the fact that the show constantly breaks the fourth wall and mentions its 11-minute run time.
Specs: Running since 1999, "SpongeBob SquarePants" is in its ninth season.
2. "Dexter’s Laboratory"
Why you loved it as a kid: Dexter was just like you! Well, besides having a secret lab no one knows about - except his annoying older sister, which you TOTALLY related to. He was uncool at school but went on some very neat adventures. He even ended up saving the day several times! Who cares that the dilemmas he faced were typically because of something he and his sister caused? Dexter and Dee Dee weren’t perfect and that was precisely why you loved them.
Why you’ll love it now: Dexter is the original Stewie Griffin. His lab, intelligence, and humor are what will entice you now! Some of the banter with his sister may seem trivial, but it will remind you fondly of the days when you and your siblings had nothing more to worry about than eating your vegetables and doing your chores. Oh, and keeping your science lab a secret.
Specs: On-air from 1996-2003.
3. "Courage the Cowardly Dog"
Why you loved it as a kid: To be honest, if you were really young when you first watched Courage you were probably so scared that you had to sleep with all the lights on. But for those who were a little older (You know, big kids, like in at least fifth grade) or who could handle the darkness of the series, this was the show you consistently made time to watch. Between the ridiculous fantastical elements and the scary humor, Courage was one little pup you loved to root for.
Why you’ll love it now: To be honest, if you watch it now you still might need to sleep with all the lights on. But the way Courage cares for his humans is actually quite inspiring. Have you ever seen such unconditional love?! Eustace is always mean to your canine hero, but Courage never fails to rescue him, no matter the cost! Dark humor is abundant and the metaphor for adulthood is as well. Who else can relate to a scrappy little dude from a tiny town called Nowhere? Talk about making your own adventure!
Specs: On-air from 1999-2002. Can you believe this show only had four seasons?!
4. "Invader Zim"
Why you loved it as a kid: An alien. With a pet robot. Who dresses as a taco-loving dog. And they attend school. And are supposed to take over the earth. Between the big eyed characters and the distaste for public school, you couldn’t get enough of this show. Besides, your budding middle school “emo” phase required that you have at least a basic knowledge of the show, so you watched one episode. Then another … and soon you were sad that it ended after two seasons.
Why you’ll love it now: Another dark humor show for kids is just what your burnt-out adolescent self needs. There’s an advanced alien race trying to take over earth with a taco-obsessed alien/dog. The art style is amazing and more detailed than you remember, and Zim’s relationship with the real public school children will make you feel infinitely better about your current relationships with friends, family, and significant others.
Specs: On-air from 2001-2004.
5. "The Fairly Odd Parents"
Why you loved it as a kid: The whole Timmy v. Vicky scenario was super intense! You had a babysitter! Then you soon became one yourself! This show was a perfect example of what not to do. Not seeing the faces of Timmy’s parents for the first few seasons also made you greatly appreciate your own parents and all their flaws, because at least they never slept with a carton of eggnog in their arms.
Why you’ll love it now: *SPOILER ALERT* Cosmo and Wanda had a baby! The episode where Poof enters the series is worth watching by itself - have you ever witnessed a green-haired fairy give birth while a race of dark anti-fairies plots to steal the child? If you answered “Yes” then I want what you’re having. For the rest of us, this show has only gotten cuter and more fairy-tastic as it has aged. Doug Dimmadome reminds you of your landlord, Jorgan reminds you of your strict professors and Cosmo reminds you of the drunk girl at parties.
Specs: Running Since 2001, "The Fairly Odd Parents" is in its tenth season.
6. Aaahh!!! "Real Monsters"
Why you loved it as a kid: Being a kid is hard no matter your species. Monster friends learning how to scare humans completely translated to you learning geography. Ickis trying to live up to the legend of his father, Krumm the strangely loveable oddball and Oblina who was the Hermione of the trio. You laughed at the grossness and smiled at the friendships. What else did you need?
Why you’ll love it now: Google “Gromble/Cross-dresser” and your forward-thinking self will love what comes up. This show is creepy, cute, and current in 2016, despite its mid-nineties run time.
Specs: On-air from 1994-1997.
7. "The Powerpuff Girls"
Why you loved it as a kid: Every child who identified as a girl could also identify as one of the Powerpuffs! Whether you saw yourself as the intelligent leader Blossom, the butt-kicking rebel Buttercup, or the sweet and caring Bubbles, you knew this show was made about YOU. These girls took down the bad guys and still made it to school on time. Besides, who didn’t have a pre-teen crush on Professor Utonium?
Why you’ll love it now: These girls kick ASS. ‘nuff said. If that isn’t perchance enough for you then you will love the bright display of colors, the goofy bad guys, and the feminism ideals.
Specs: On-air from 1998-2005. (That being said, the show is currently enjoying a 2016 reboot with a mostly new cast. Props to Tom Kenny, but does anyone else miss Tara Strong?!)
8. "The Proud Family"
Why you loved it as a kid: Who didn’t relate to Penny’s tribulations with the Gross Sisters? Not to mention the huge emphasis on family - Suga Mama was just crazier than your own Grandma and the way "The Proud Family" accepted Dijonay, Sticky, Zoey, and LaCienega made you want to bring your friends home for dinner every night. The hip-hop music and rousing shouts of “Party over HERE!” made for great catchphrases to try out at school the next day.
Why you’ll love it now: This show has simple animation and some stereotypical characters, but as a white girl from a small mid-Michigan farm town, this was the only example of color I had in my life. While I now realize its imperfections, I can still appreciate the introduction of variety into my childhood. Pay more attention to Trudy and Oscar, who deliver some of the best one-liners and give a hilarious example of an eccentric yet functional family unit. Also the dogs’ expressions are completely on point in any given situation and will have you giggling like you were 10 again.
Specs: On-air from 2001-2005.
9. "The Ren & Stimpy Show"
Why you loved it as a kid: Dogs and cats together made you laugh harder than anything you had ever seen, and this show was no exception. The gross humor was hardly age-appropriate, but disguised as a children’s cartoon you eagerly soaked it up. It was gross, it was crude, and it was sometimes downright offensive, which was why you never turned away.
Why you’ll love it now: The show aired on Nickelodeon, but it was made of an Adult Swim caliber. Each episode references raunchiness, debauchery, and general inappropriate and disgusting shenanigans.
Specs: On-air from 1991-1996. (Seasons one & two were made by a different team than seasons three - five: pick your favorite.)
10. BONUS: "Adventure Time"
If you enjoy cartoons you will love this whimsical series. The land of Ooo delivers physical impossibilities, mental improbabilities, and characters that you will fall in love with. Whether it’s the shape-shifting dog Jake, the perpetually cheery human Finn, the hopeless Ice King or any of the other eclectic inhabitants, you will find many reasons to keep watching. On a side note, this series has some simple yet great video game counterparts that will only enhance your knowledge of the workings of Ooo. Just stay on Princess Bubblegum’s good side!
Specs: Running Since 2010, "Adventure Time" is in its seventh season.
