Come on—let’s be honest—if you grew up in the 1980s, Saturday mornings were hallowed. You’d bound out of bed, fill a mountain of sugared cereal, and plop yourself in front of the TV like it was your nine-to-five. These were not cartoons—they were happenings. They defined childhoods, created playground arguments, and provided theme songs that are still stuck in our heads. Whether you were a fan of magical ponies or mutant turtles, the ’80s delivered animated gold every week. So grab your go-to snack and get comfortable as we take a look back at the 15 greatest cartoons of the most excellent decade ever.
15. My Little Pony (1986)
Before internet fandoms overwhelmed the scene and “brony” entered the lexicon, My Little Pony was stealing hearts already with its pastel-cuteness and clean-fun adventures. It was all a child could ask for—talking ponies, magic, and moral lessons in sparkly form. The memorable theme song was almost impossible to get out of your head, and some serious future legends provided the voice work, including Nancy Cartwright (yes, the voice of Bart Simpson). Ponyland wasn’t merely a toy shelf standard back then—it was an entire universe.
14. Heathcliff (1984)
Before Garfield ruled the lazy-cat universe, there was Heathcliff, the first orange mischievous one with street smarts. He was boisterous, volatile, and always getting into something, whether it was outwitting neighborhood dogs or organizing the Catillac Cats for a rooftop jam session. Mel Blanc—voice legend behind Bugs Bunny—provided Heathcliff with his iconic voice, and amazingly, the show even managed to fit in pet care advice. That’s multitasking, ’80s style.
13. Dungeons & Dragons (1983–1985)
A theme park ride becomes an epic quest in a fantasy world? Sign us up. Dungeons & Dragons started with a straightforward premise and ran with it, mixing monsters, magic, and moral choices in ways that still work today. It was developed from a tabletop game, but the show held up with clever writing and down-to-earth characters. And if you’ve watched Stranger Things, you know its legacy lives on.
12. Jem and the Holograms (1985–1988)
“Truly outrageous” wasn’t a slogan—it was the attitude. Jem and the Holograms was glam rock combined with superhero soap, secret identities, sparkly clothes, and pop tunes written into each episode. It wasn’t afraid of hard issues, either—things like jealousy, addiction, and family issues all got play. And though Barbie dominated the dolls, Jem gave her a run for her money.
11. Garfield and Friends (1988–1994)
Garfield wasn’t here for your enthusiasm. He was here for lasagna and napping. And we adored him for it. With his witty one-liners, deadpan delivery (provided by Lorenzo Music), and contempt for Mondays, Garfield and Friends was absolute comfort TV. And to top it off, the U.S. Acres segments were a bizarrely enjoyable extra, with a menagerie of barnyard animals that did voice work like a show within a show.
10. Inspector Gadget (1983–1986)
Half man, half machine, all anarchy. Inspector Gadget was a walking Swiss Army knife who had no idea how anything functioned. Fortunately, his niece Penny and dog Brain always came to the rescue. Don Adams (yep, from Get Smart) brought Gadget to life with impeccable comedic timing, and each episode was the same—and yet, it never wore thin. The theme song alone is worth a medal.
9. She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985–1987)
He-Man’s twin sister didn’t merely stand her ground—she led the pack. She-Ra provided girls with a heroine who wasn’t merely tough, but intelligent and empathetic as well. With epic fights, awesome abilities, and more mature themes about justice and leadership, the show created a legacy that continues to be paid homage to in current reboots. For many fans, She-Ra was more than a cartoon—she was a role model.
8. The Real Ghostbusters (1986–1991)
It doesn’t always pay to take a hit film and turn it into a cartoon, but The Real Ghostbusters succeeded. With hip animation, clever dialogue, and lots of ghosts to bust, it took the essence (pun intended) of the film and made its way. Slimer became a sidekick-turned-mascot, and for some reason, the show was able to be both scary and funny, frequently within the same episode.
7. The Smurfs (1981–1989)
They were small, they were blue, and they lived in mushroom homes. What more could you ask for? The Smurfs provided plain, lovely storytelling about teamwork and village, with just a smidge of trouble from Gargamel and his cat Azrael to keep it interesting. It was a worldwide phenomenon, and whether you loved Papa Smurf, Brainy, or Smurfette, there was a little blue friend for everyone.
6. ThunderCats (1985–1989)
“ThunderCats, ho!” That’s a war cry that still rings in our minds. This action-packed series tracked feline heroes on post-apocalyptic Third Earth. Fantasy, science fiction, sword battles, and morality lessons all combined into one, ThunderCats was an action/heart storm turned to perfection. Lion-O’s transformation from kid to leader provided it with a heartstrong core, and that theme song? Total banger.
5. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1983–1986)
G.I. Joe wasn’t so much about action figures—about honor, courage, and thwarting Cobra’s absurd (but lethal) schemes. Yes, it was flashy and melodramatic, but it also had heart. And don’t even get us started on “Knowing is half the battle” PSAs. Classic. Each episode was a mini-action film, with an ensemble cast making it impossible to have just one favorite.
4. DuckTales (1987–1990)
Whether they were chasing treasure or battling Beagle Boys, the gang from DuckTales made every day feel like an adventure. Uncle Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Launchpad McQuack took us all over the world—and sometimes into other dimensions. It was fun, clever, and just the right amount of chaotic. And let’s be honest: you’re humming the theme song right now, aren’t you?
3. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983–1985)
Sword aloft, lightning bolt, boom—Prince Adam is transformed into He-Man. This series was the epitome of epic. With wild bad guys (Skeletor remains one of the greatest), odd creatures, and castle politics, it was like a fantasy book brought to life. And to top it off, every episode ended with a lesson, so it was as educational as it was amazing.
2. Transformers (1984–1987)
Robots that turn into cars, planes, and even boom boxes? Sign us up. Transformers was groundbreaking, with animation that made the toys feel real and stories that gave them depth. Optimus Prime wasn’t just a leader—he was the leader. And when things got serious (we’re looking at you, Transformers: The Movie), it didn’t shy away from real stakes. This wasn’t just a toy commercial—it was a full-blown saga.
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987–1996)
Turtle power! Four sewer-dwelling ninjas who loved pizza and had a talent for butt-kicking became the iconic cartoon of the late ’80s. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had everything: action, comedy, unforgettable bad guys (Shredder, Bebop, Rocksteady), and a theme song that made you want to leap off the couch and show off your nunchucks. It became a cultural phenomenon, but the original cartoon remains pure Saturday morning magic.