The Best Old Nickelodeon Shows & Cartoons

The stage at a Nickelodeon awards show

Years Aired: 2004-2007

Starring: Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, Daniel Curtis Lee

Where would we be without the phrase “Coconut Head?" Thanks to Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, we’ll never have to find out. This show was tailor-made for Nickelodeon's target demographic: kids who grew up watching Nick cartoons but were ready to change the channel after reaching a certain age. Survival Guide was a kind of roadmap for middle school - we can’t prove that it was actually helpful, but the show delivered consistent entertainment during its three years on air.

Years Aired: 2004-2007

Starring: Drake Bell, Josh Peck

After starring on The Amanda Show, Josh Peck and Drake Bell transitioned to their own scripted comedy. The aptly named Drake & Josh followed their entertaining stepbrother-hood through the gauntlet of teen drama, family comedy, and evil-little-sister antics. Drake was a dashing but dimwitted womanizer, Josh was a bookworm with limited social skills, and their conflicting personalities combined for an all-too-short coming of age series that left fans begging for more. Those fans may get their wish – a reunion was rumored as recently as last year.

Years Aired: 2010-2013

Starring: Victoria Justice, Ariana Grande, Matt Bennett, Elizabeth Gillies, Avan Jogia

Victorious introduced the world to Ariana Grande, and for that we will always be grateful. It also delivered a cast of whacky, eccentric characters and original music that went objectively hard. Victoria Justice made for a charming leading lady and it was always fun to watch her posse of talented, yet dysfunctional, friends fall into and work their way out of outlandish predicaments. There was never a lack of entertainment during this show’s three-year run.

Years Aired: 2005-2008

Starring: Jamie Lynn Spears, Sean Flynn, Matthew Underwood, Erin Sanders 

Before you dreamed of going to college, you dreamed of going to Pacific Coast Academy (played by Malibu’s Pepperdine University IRL), the California boarding school where Zoey Brooks and her brother Dustin lived their seemingly perfect lives. Zoey’s gaggle of unconventional friends were always entertaining, and the series' dramatic final storyline following Jamie Lynn Spear’s pregnancy was pop-culture napalm in 2008, but what makes us miss this show the most are the fantastical products that populated its universe. Watching someone crack a bottle of Blix or pull up on a Jet X scooter was pure, mid-2000s euphoria.

Years Aired: 2007-2012

Starring: Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress, Jerry Trainor

From devious little sister to well-adjusted web show host, Miranda Cosgrove is the template for successful Nickelodeon child stars. iCarly is both one of Nickelodeon’s most popular-ever programs and an important artifact of 2007 randomcore culture; spaghetti tacos and ‘Random Dancing’ barely scratch the surface of this show’s legacy. Suddenly, living in a sprawling loft with your law-school-dropout-turned-abstract-artist brother became every kid’s dream. It’s still our dream to host an insanely popular web show with our best friends – for now, the memories of Gibby and the rest of the iCarly gang will have to hold us over.

Years Aired: 1999-2002

Starring: Amanda Bynes, Nancy Sullivan, Drake Bell, Josh Peck

Don’t claim to be a true Nickelodeon fan if you’ve never visited AmandaPlease.com! The Amanda Show is a prime example of Nick’s strategy for keeping viewers entertained: take the star from your most popular program and give them a 30-minute block to work their magic.

It’s no secret that Amanda Bynes has had a rough time over the years, but she was a perfect fit for this format. The show’s collection of quirky recurring characters (like obsessed fan Penelope Taynt), on-point spoofs (Moody’s Point, anyone?) and outlandish monologues made it the pure, silly face of comedy meant solely for kids. It only aired for three seasons, but it had no shortage of iconic moments. “Case dismissed, bring in the dancin’ lobstahs!”

Years Aired: 1994-2000; 2002-2005; 2019-present (revival)

Starring: Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Amanda Bynes 

Before Kenan Thompson became SNL’s longest-serving cast member, he was the star of All That, Nickelodeon’s hilarious sketch show featuring some of the channel's best and most timeless work. This program was expertly written and featured top-notch characters performing absurd situational comedy. Cast members like Lori Beth Denberg and Kel Mitchell were consistently hilarious, and the sketches were substantial enough that one, Good Burger, was even developed into a full-length feature film. All That introduced the country to a diverse cast of brilliant young comedians. 

Years Aired: 1994-1995

Starring: Arthur Reggie III, Ralph Woolfolk IV, Jimmy Lee Newman, Jr., Aisling Sistrunk, Karen E. Fraction, Jim R. Coleman

Although it was short-lived, My Brother and Me left a lasting impression on viewers. The show, which followed the Parker family as it navigated life in Charlotte, North Carolina, was the first on Nickelodeon to feature a predominantly Black cast. It was packed with memorable catchphrases ("Don't hold your breath!"), life lessons, and guest appearances (including NBA stars Kendall Gill and Dennis Scott). Unfortunately, the show's creators, including Illunga Adell (pictured), couldn't agree on a shared vision with its producers. We'll never know what happened to Alfie, Dee Dee, and the gang, but My Brother and Me's legacy will live on: in 1996 and 1997, it was nominated for the NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Youth or Children's Series/Special). 

Years Aired: 1993-1996

Starring: Carlos Alazraqui, Tom Kenny, Mr. Lawrence, Charlie Adler

Don’t lie – we know you read 'Rocko’s Modern Life' just like it's sung in the show’s insufferably catchy theme song. Rocko (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui), is an Australian wallaby with a pet dog, a steady job as a telephone operator, and a best friend, Heffer Wolfe (voiced by Tom Kenny of SpongeBob fame). The show got new life in the form of Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling, a web television special that aired more than 20 years after the original series wrapped up.

Years Aired: 1991-2004

Starring: E.G. Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Nancy Cartwright, Kath Soucie

Who would’ve thought a show about confused and neurotic toddlers would become one of Nickelodeon’s longest-running cartoons? The Rugrats empire includes 13 seasons of quality animated TV, three feature films, a spinoff series, and two direct-to-video specials. Shout out to Tommy, Chucky and the gang for their longevity and endless relatability. 

Years Aired: 2002-2006

Starring: Debi Derryberry, Rob Paulsen, Jeffrey Garcia

Characterized by his swirly-cone hairstyle and catchphrase ("Brain Blast!"), Jimmy Neutron was an 11-year-old suburban boy genius with a love for science experiments and his robotic dog, Goddard. Alongside his best friends, Carl and Sheen, Jimmy embarked on grand scientific adventures and waged war on his arch nemesis, Cindy, while also managing to hide his exploits from his dazed and confused parents. Jimmy Neutron was an honor roll hero who proved that smart kids could be cool and inspiring. 

Years Aired: 2001-2017

Starring: Tara Strong, Daran Norris, Susanne Blakeslee

The theme song says it all: Timmy Turner is “an average kid that no one understands.” Average, that is, except for his two pet fish/fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda. Brought to life by legendary voice actor Tara Strong (pictured), Timmy splits his time between wreaking havoc in fictional Dimmsdale, California, and wreaking havoc in the Fairy World (also fictional). This show is packed with lessons about finding happiness with what you have and where not to bury your deceased gerbil if you want to avoid reincarnations. 

Years Aired: 2001-2006

Starring: Richard Steven Horvitz, Andy Berman

Those of us on the slightly weird side have a special affection for Invader Zim. The titular character was an extraterrestrial from the planet Irk whose only mission was to destroy Earth. Fortunately - or unfortunately, depending on whose side you're on - Zim could never seem to get it right. 

Nickelodeon had to pull Invader Zim during its second season after criticism from parents about the show's depictions of violence. It also failed to attract viewers and cost too much to create. However, it gained a cult following among oddball fans. In 2019, Zim returned in the television movie Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus. 

Years Aired: 1998-2004

Starring: Lacey Chabert, Tom Kane, Flea, Danielle Harris

Who didn't envy Eliza Thornberry's secret ability to communicate with animals? The Wild Thornberrys brought a taste of adventure to our dull, predictable childhoods. Eliza and her family - sister Debbie, intrepid parents Marianne and Sir Nigel, adopted feral brother Donnie (pictured), and talking chimp Darwin - traveled to one exotic location after another in search of material for their wildlife documentary series. In real-world 2020, the Thornberrys would be a family of obnoxious Instagram influencers; when they left us in 2004, they were purehearted nature-lovers sharing wholesome stories from the animated wilderness.

Years Aired: 1991-1995

Starring: John Kricfalusi, Billy West

The Ren & Stimpy Show was the quintessential alternative cartoon. The humor was adult; the animation and voices were strange and anxiety-inducing; the themes ranged from neurotic to shocking; the episode "Man's Best Friend" is famously controversial. Shows like Ren & Stimpy prove that Nickelodeon wasn't afraid to push the envelope and try new things. Its impact was so profound that it's hard to believe it only lasted three seasons. 

Years Aired: 1998-2005

Starring: Jim Cummings, Tom Kenny

The best thing about animated shows is that they're not beholden to reality, or even common sense. CatDog, starring Jim Cummings as Cat and Tom Kenny as Dog (pictured), fails to answer any of the many questions you probably have about its main character(s). These questions might include: How can a cat and a dog be conjoined brothers when they're two entirely different species? How do they go to the bathroom? Why is it necessary to tell this story?

Luckily CatDog is filled with enough wacky hijinks and memorable side characters (Winslow, the mouse; the Greasers, a gang of neighborhood bullies; Rancid Rabbit) to distract you from the heroes' biological impossibility. Put your brain on hold, sit back, and enjoy. 

Years Aired: 2000-2006

Starring: Melissa Disney, Kenny Blank, Jeannie Elias

As Told by Ginger, one of those rare animated programs that shows its characters aging and maturing over time, is full of life lessons for young teens. Set in the fictional town of Sheltered Shrubs, Connecticut, which was based on the hometown of series creator Emily Kapnek (pictured), the show follows Ginger Foutley as she navigates the familiar, awkward challenges of budding adulthood. Who can forget the episode where she develops a crush on her best friend, Darren, after his embarrassing, full-face braces are finally removed? Ginger is a great program to revisit if you're feeling nostalgic for middle school's unique traumas. 

Years Aired: 1997-2001

Starring: Richard Steven Horvitz, Nick Bakay

The Angry Beavers have a right to be angry: the show kicks off with brothers Daggett and Norbert being forced out of the family dam after the birth of their younger sisters. They settle in the fictional town of Wayouttatown, Oregon, where manic Dag (Horvitz) and laid-back Norb (Bakay, pictured) must adjust to life with a new cast of woodland buddies.

The Angry Beavers made its American debut back in 1997 before finding wide popularity in Canada (of course) where it aired from 2009 to 2017. Fun fact: Ed Asner, Dick Clark, and Craig Ferguson all voiced incidental characters on the series.

Years Aired: 1999-2004

Starring: Joseph Ashton, Shayna Fox, Ray Bumatai

Rocket Power was a show for kids who lived on the edge. From the powerhouse production company Klasky Csupo (which also developed Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys, and whose founders are pictured above), Rocket Power follows Otto, Reggie, Squid, and Twister as they push the limits in their fictional hometown of Ocean Shores, California. Otto is the main character, but his older sister, Reggie, is in many ways the star of the show: she's an empowered female character with a gift for athletics who produces a zine on the side. The quintessential modern woman. 

Years Aired: 1999-present

Starring: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass

SpongeBob SquarePants is nothing short of a pop culture (and social media) juggernaut. Created by the late marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob was introduced to the world following the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards. The character never looked back; SpongeBob is now the fifth-longest-running American animated series and has been developed into comic books, feature films, theme park rides, video games, theater productions, and more. It's hard to remember a time when we didn't know who lives in a pineapple under the sea...

Years Aired: 1996-2004

Starring: Lane Toran, Phillip Van Dyke, Spencer Klein

Arnold, the football-headed fourth grader with the glass-ceilinged bedroom and the posse of downtown friends, is probably the coolest character on this list. His big-city life - relaxing hangs with best friend Gerald, daydreams of Lila and Ruth, feuds with secret admirer Helga, unhinged life lessons from Grandma and Grandpa - is still worthy of envy. 

Created by Craig Bartlett (pictured alongside his lead character), Hey Arnold! began as a series of three claymation shorts in the late 1980s before growing into the 100-episode behemoth it eventually became. 

Years Aired: 1991-1994; 1996-1999 (on Disney)

Starring: Billy West, Tom McHugh, Fred Newman

Is it just us, or did Doug's titular character (voiced by Billy West, pictured) seem chronically depressed? He was always moping around with his best friend Skeeter and dog Porkchop, writing in his journal (not his diary) about his unrequited crush on Patti Mayonnaise, and arguing with his over-dramatic, beatnik sister, Judy.  To top it all off, he coped with his social anxiety and mistreatment by Roger, the Macklemore-esque school bully, by wearing his underwear over his pants, tying a belt to his head and calling himself "Quailman." 

Despite his idiosyncracies, Doug Funnie is an iconic Nickelodeon character. His anxieties were our anxieties; when it felt like the world couldn't understand our problems, Doug was there to remind us we weren't alone.