Ahhhh...finals week is finally over! No more attending lectures, no more note taking, and best of all, no cramming for exams. Now we have a few months where you can turn off your brain and go back to a simpler time. Here are some classic cartoons you can binge watch after finals week and bask in nostalgia because you deserve it.
1. Bugs Bunny, Warner Brothers Studios
When cartoons are in a short format, you want something that your brain won't grow tired of after 30 minutes and make you regret turning on the TV. I have watched Bugs Bunny cartoons with my dad for an hour and a half straight and always find myself laughing at the adorably violent slapstick humor that holds up well in 2018. Eating carrots while watching is optional, just make sure you chew vewy, vewy quietly.
2. The Simpsons, FOX
This TV show has been going on strong for 30 years, so the nostalgia will hit you like a wave with the pop culture references and celebrity cameos. The best seasons to watch are the first ten, which is when the show's writing was at its peak and was giving birth to iconic catchphrases such as "D'oh!" and "Eat my shorts!"
And as an added bonus, you can still find the original episodes of the Simpsons from their stint on the Tracy Ullman show on YouTube. Come back to Springfield USA and grab a Duff at Moe's Tavern!
3. Batman: The Animated Series, Warner Brothers Studios
This series was the best incarnation of Batman, hands down. It was able to balance the campy aspects of 1960's Batman with the grit and gravitas of the game-changing Frank Miller comics. It had action and crime fighting to entertain you as a kid, and you pick up on the emotional messages about coping with loss and psychological motivations as an adult. Plus, it feels good to watch the Dark Knight save the day in Gotham.
4. Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, Cartoon Network
Just the title of this cartoon indicates it's perfect for escapism. Fosters was such an underrated cartoon because it taught the importance of being loyal to your old friends while embracing a community of new friends you would never have known otherwise.
The way all of the imaginary friends were drawn made you want to cuddle them, from the pie baker Eduardo to the wonky-eyed Wilt. As long as you come back every day after school, the imaginary friends will always be there.
5. Spongebob Squarepants, Nickelodeon
The memes are strong with this one. Spongebob has been everywhere on the internet recently, but no one seems to be tired of it. Spongebob was adorably dumb humor and everyone who grew up with the show can quote most of the episodes. Our yellow sponge's joy and optimism in a pineapple under the sea in the face of life's foibles takes us back to our giggling childhood.
BONUS ROUND: Internet Edition!
If you grew up in the 90's or the 00's, chances are you may have heard of Icebox.com or homestarrunner.com. Icebox's best cartoon by far was Queer Duck, about Queer Duck and his friends Bipolar Bear, Oscar Wildcat, and Openly Gator who live life to the fullest in spite of homophobes like Dr. Laura, and all to a theme song written by RuPaul.
Homestarruner.com focused on the adventures of Homestar Michael J. Runner and his more popular nemesis Strong Bad with the segment "sbmails" and other memorable series such as "Teen Girl Squad," the Halloween Specials, and their "Decemberween" specials. You can find all of these cartoons on their YouTube channels and relive the joy (and awkwardness) of 00's animation in one click!
Get binging and have fun!
