Some of the fondest memories for children of the 2000s were being able to sit in front of the rabbit-eared TV set on the weekends and watch some cartoons. At that time, Cartoon Network was one of the top channels for animated series.
Who could forget watching Ben 10 or Duck Dodgers after coming home from school? As adults, viewers still can’t help but remember the catchy theme songs and hilarious characters from these hit shows. Cartoon Network was the basis for many childhoods, and fans on IMDb continue to rank the best Cartoon Network shows from the 2000s that are worth revisiting today.
From Dexter’s Laboratory to Ed, Edd, n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog to Samurai Jack, Cartoon Network had it all, and it’s time to recount every must-see cartoon series that aired on Cartoon Network in the 2000s.
Batman: The Brave And The Bold (2008–2011) 7.3
• Available to stream on HBO Max
There’s likely a renewed interest in everything that has to do with the iconic superhero after the recent release of the 2022 film The Batman. Before the gritty live-action movies, there was Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which was one of the best animated series about Batman. It was based on the eponymous DC comics series and often featured the titular hero teaming up with minor characters as they collaborate to stop minor villains.
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It introduced fans to baddies like Equinox and Starro as well as to heroes such as Blue Beetle and Plastic Man. The episodes often revolved around street-level crimes and generally had a light-hearted tone all throughout. There was nonstop action that would keep kids entertained, though, which may still be enjoyable for adults looking for a nostalgic viewing experience.
Ben 10: Alien Force (2008–2010) 7.3
Set five years after the original Ben 10 series, Alien Force follows Ben Tennyson’s experiences as a teenager, who once again decides to use the Omnitrix. With his grandpa’s mysterious disappearance and villains re-appearing around the world, he boldly takes on the responsibility to protect his family and community once again.
The show definitely has darker storylines and more mature characterizations compared to its predecessor, which was apt for the teens who were its target audience. With a whole new set of accessible alien forms through the Omnitrix, it improves upon the original in wildly entertaining ways.
Chowder (2007–2010) 7.4
• Available to stream on Hulu
Chowder isn’t about the popular soup. But it does involve an aspiring young cook named Chowder. Chowder is an interesting character that’s a mix between a cat, bear, and rabbit. Despite wanting to be a chef, he gets involved in comical scenarios due to his impulse control issues.
He would often eat customers’ meals due to being always hungry. That’s not all. He has a unique skill. Chowder can regurgitate items and his stomach is basically its own storage unit. The show does have its fair share of comical and not-so-appropriate jokes, which means fans who are now older can appreciate it even more.
Ben 10 (2005–2008) 7.4
Ben 10 is still highly popular to this day, but it originally aired in 2005. The show was an immediate hit that not only succeeded in ratings but made a fortune in toy sales. The show revolves around a young boy named Ben, and he was actually voiced by veteran voice actor, Tara Strong.
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Ben comes to be the owner of an alien watch called the “Omnitrix.” The watch allows him to choose between different alien characters and can transform into them. Ben resonated with a lot of viewers who were watching Cartoon Network in the 2000s as he was still a kid himself but understood the responsibility of protecting people from evil foes from beyond Earth.
Time Squad (2001–2003) 7.5
Those who remember Time Squad will likely never forget the smartest Cartoon Network characters introduced on the show. From the lovable Otto Osworth to the excitable Larry 3000, these time travelers were tasked with maintaining the flow of time and ensuring that the future remains a flawless utopia.
The early 2000s Cartoon Network show served almost like an after-school history class in the best way possible, as the team of travelers would meet figures like Abraham Lincoln and Sigmund Freud on their adventures. They had to correct history’s course by guiding these significant people down the right paths, and that’s no simple task.
Xiaolin Showdown (2003–2006) 7.5
• Unavailable for streaming
In a world where martial arts and magic have become the norm, it’s up to a group of Xiaolin warriors to make sure that evil forces don’t steal the mystical artifacts known as the Shen Gon Wu, which can change everything in a good or terrible way depending on who wields them.
Xiaolin Showdown shows the struggles of brave characters like Omi and Kimiko Tohomiko, as they travel the world to look for powerful artifacts and take on formidable enemies along the way. The series also raises some surprisingly mature questions about morality, with some of its heroes being tempted to use the artifacts for their own benefit.
Ed, Edd, n Eddy (1999 - 2008) 7.5
A show about three boys trying to make the most of their summer vacation, Cartoon Network’s Ed, Edd, n Eddy transformed its relatable premise into something beyond surreal. Often focusing on the extreme lengths to which the boys would go in order to earn pocket change to spend at the candy store, Ed, Edd, n Eddy feels as if it were derived directly from the overactive imaginations of its young audience.
Without a doubt one of the best Cartoon Network shows of the 2000s, Ed, Edd, n Eddy enjoyed quite a long run and culminated in the beloved 2009 movie Ed, Edd, n Eddy’s Big Picture Show.
Total Drama (2007–2014) 7.5
• Available to stream on Netflix
With several spin-offs and a revival in progress, it’s not too far-fetched to say that Total Drama continues to be one of Cartoon Network’s best shows from the early 2000s. The Survivor-like show is essentially a satirical depiction of reality TV, with each season revolving around a group of teenagers who join a competition and try to avoid elimination.
It’s certainly a show with more mature themes, as the competitors (much like on regular reality TV shows) develop relationships, fight, and backstab each other to stay in the game.
Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends (2004–2009) 7.6
Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends will jog some memories. The show’s concept was different, but it made sense to younger audiences. In this show, imaginary friends are physically real. They coexist with humans. A young boy named Mac is pressured by his mother to leave behind his imaginary friend Bloo.
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It’s hard to do when he’s physically real. They discover a foster home for abandoned imaginary friends. As long as Mac visits Bloo at the home, he is safe from being adopted. The show explores their wacky and fun adventures alongside other characters at the home.
The Grim Adventures Of Billy And Mandy (2001–2007) 7.7
There are so many early 2000s Cartoon Network shows to choose from, but The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy was extra special for some. Much like other shows on the network, this series had a very unique storyline. Looking back at the show, it’s darker than fans would have realized.
Grim is forced into servitude after he loses a limbo match to save Billy’s pet. Grim is permanently stuck being friends with a dim-witted and cheerful Billy and his best friend Mandy, a cynical and egoistic girl. Viewers may not have realized Grim’s constant desire to kill the two children at the beginning of the show.
Duck Dodgers (2003–2005) 7.8
• Available to stream on Boomerang
Fans of Looney Tunes cartoons and characters may remember some of their wacky appearances in Duck Dodgers. The animated series is a sci-fi adaptation of a short 1953 theatrical cartoon of the same name. Featuring Daffy Duck as the eponymous protagonist, the show starts off with a humorous origin story, as Duck Dodgers finds himself in the far future after being accidentally frozen for over three centuries.
He meets iconic characters in space like K’chutha Sa’am (Yosemite Sam), Witch Hazel (Leezah the Wicked), and Wile E. Coyote (as a parody of the alien from Predator). The countless references to franchises like Star Trek and even Bond films make the short-lived series even better to watch as an adult today.
Dexter’s Laboratory (1996 - 2003) 7.9
• Available to stream on HBO Max
The animated adventures of a boy genius who built an impossibly large laboratory in his bedroom, Dexter’s Laboratory certainly deserves to be recognized as one of the best aspects of Cartoon Network’s turn-of-the-century lineup. Though it technically debuted in 1996, Dexter’s Laboratory remained an important pillar of the network’s early-2000s programming.
While the central premise alone was more than engaging, Dexter’s Laboratory also featured a series of superhero spoofs that paid homage to well-known Marvel and DC heroes.
The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack (2008–2010) 7.9
The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack is a criminally underrated animated series from the 2000s that follows the adventures of the naive boy, Flapjack, and his group of friends, Bubbie and Captain K’nuckles. They spend most of their time on Stormalong Harbor and dream of the fabled Candied Island.
Flapjack is definitely not a series for everyone, but those who fall in love with its rowdy characters will enjoy listening to their long-winded (often nonsensical) conversations about candy. Bubbie is an especially lovable character, as the whale is usually the only one who calls out the two leads for their wild antics, as she’s a maternal figure who deeply cares about Flapjack.
Teen Titans (2003–2006) 7.9
Before fans were old enough to really grasp the adult-themed superhero movies, they watched Teen Titans. The show became one of the network’s most acclaimed and beloved series. The Teen Titan team consisted of five members, each with their own skills.
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In this show, Robin got the spotlight as an intelligent and cunning leader. Fans also meet Starfire, a bubbly alien princess, and Cyborg, a half-human/half-robot with super strength and tech knowledge. Completing the group was Beast Boy, a joker with animal shapeshifting abilities, and Raven, who uses dark energy and has psionic abilities.
Courage The Cowardly Dog (1999 - 2002) 8.3
Cartoon Network’s turn-of-the-century lineup featured some pretty experimental works; from the surreal sci-fi of Dexter’s Laboratory to the unmitigated absurdity of Ed, Edd, n Eddy, it’s strange to think that shows as wacky as these went on to become some of Cartoon Network’s most well-remembered.
That said, Courage the Cowardly Dog was easily Cartoon Networks’ weirdest show during that period. A horror-inspired series that followed the exploits of a scaredy-cat dog and his forever-unfortunate family, the show certainly caused more than a few sleepless nights with its spoofs of The Exorcist and Night of the Living Dead.
Megas XLR (2004–2005) 8.4
Viewers may have not realized it at that time, but Megas XLR was a smart parody of some of the best mecha anime from the 2000s. The old Cartoon Network show is centered on two main characters, Coop the mechanic and his best friend Jamie, as they find and revamp a mecha robot called Megas.
They end up being responsible for defending the earth against the Glorft, an evil alien race set on destroying the world. There’s time travel, an annoyed pilot from the future, and a lot of vehicle modifications that more mature audiences can appreciate.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020) 8.4
• Available to stream on Disney+
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a long-running series that kicked off back in 2008. Set during the three years between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the first few seasons of the show focused on the battles between the Republic and the Separatists, with characters like Count Dooku and General Grievous working to strengthen the antagonists’ forces.
Latter seasons highlight individual storylines for fan-favorites like Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, adding further depth to their characterization as fans eagerly waited for the release of new feature films.
Regular Show (2009 - 2017) 8.5
• Available to stream on Hulu and HBO Max
Debuted in 2009, Regular Show began as an unassuming series concerning the lives of two buddies who love to slack off and do the bare minimum to keep their groundskeeper jobs. Yet, with uplifting themes of loyalty and friendship, the show had quite a bit of heart, and, combined with hearty amounts of humor, it went on to be recognized as one of Cartoon Network’s premier series during the 2010s.
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Ridiculous enough to appeal to children and yet working in enough dry wit to humor adults, Regular Show had something for everyone, and it served as an excellent capstone for Cartoon Network’s 2000s lineup.
Samurai Jack (2001–2017) 8.5
Samurai Jack was highly popular back when it first aired in 2001. It has now become a cult classic and even had a revival series that aired in 2017. The title character, Jack, is a Japanese samurai and prince who almost manages to defeat an evil demon named Aku with his magical katana.
He is sent to a dystopian future to only find that Aku has taken over the world and has become a tyrannical leader. Audiences follow Jack’s adventure to try and return to his time and defeat Aku before it’s too late.
Justice League (2001 - 2004) 8.6
An early-2000s superhero staple, the Justice League animated series can be credited with turning plenty of younger audience members onto the comic book world, and it could well be linked to the massive Marvel and DC cinematic universes that dominate box offices today.
Though it certainly had a child-friendly flair, Justice League could be surprisingly intense and strangely dark at times. Still, it served as the perfect starting point for burgeoning DC fans and did a great job of introducing the intricate lore surrounding characters like Superman, Batman, and the Green Lantern Corps.
NEXT: 10 Best Samurai Jack Episodes, Ranked According To IMDb
