18 Forgotten Cartoons Every 80s and 90s Kid Loved Back in the Day

18 Forgotten Cartoons Every 80s and 90s Kid Loved Back in the Day

Remember Saturday mornings when you’d wake up early, grab a bowl of sugary cereal, and plop down in front of the TV? The 80s and 90s were the golden age of cartoons, with hundreds of animated shows competing for our attention. While some like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and He-Man became lasting icons, many incredible cartoons have faded from our collective memory. Let’s revisit these animated gems that once captured our imaginations but have since slipped into obscurity.

1. Mighty Max

This pint-sized hero with his magical cap transported kids to extraordinary adventures across time and space. Based on a popular toy line, Mighty Max followed a young boy who discovered a portal-creating baseball cap that made him the ‘Mighty One’ destined to battle villains.

The show stood out with its surprisingly dark themes and genuine danger – Max could actually get hurt! Voice acting from Rob Paulsen and Tim Curry elevated this beyond typical toy-based cartoons.

The series ran for just two seasons from 1993 to 1994, but left viewers with a shockingly mature time-loop ending that still has fans talking decades later.

2. The Pirates of Dark Water

Sailing the alien seas of Mer, this fantasy adventure series captivated viewers with its unique world-building and ongoing quest. Prince Ren and his crew searched for thirteen treasures to stop the mysterious Dark Water from consuming their planet.

What made this show special was its serialized storytelling – rare for kids’ cartoons of that era. The animation quality was outstanding, featuring detailed backgrounds and fluid character movements that put other shows to shame.

Sadly, Hanna-Barbera canceled the series in 1993 after only 21 episodes, leaving Ren’s quest forever unfinished and fans wondering what might have been.

3. Galaxy High School

Two Earth teens attending an intergalactic high school? This premise launched viewers into a colorful cosmos of teenage alien drama. Doyle and Aimee, former jock and cheerleader, navigated their fish-out-of-water situation among extraterrestrial classmates.

Created by visionary filmmaker Chris Columbus (who later directed Home Alone and Harry Potter films), the show packed incredible creativity into its alien designs and school situations. Each episode featured bizarre sports, strange classes, and interplanetary misunderstandings.

Despite its short run in 1986, Galaxy High tackled themes of prejudice and acceptance as the human students learned to fit in – all wrapped in neon colors and synth music.

4. Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors

Racing across the galaxy in plant-based vehicles sounds bizarre, but this sci-fi epic made it work! Jayce searched for his father while battling the evil Monster Minds – plant-machine hybrids led by the sinister Saw Boss. The show’s standout feature was its incredible vehicle designs.

The Lightning League drove organic-looking cars with unique abilities, while the Monster Minds transformed from plant pods into terrifying machine-plant hybrids.

The theme song by Shuki Levy remains one of the catchiest cartoon openings ever. Like many 80s cartoons, it existed primarily to sell toys, but the storytelling transcended this purpose with genuine character development and an unresolved quest.

5. Widget the World Watcher

Purple, shape-shifting, and passionate about environmentalism – Widget was an alien hero ahead of his time. This little purple alien could transform into anything needed to solve environmental problems, teaching kids about conservation before it was mainstream.

The show never shied away from tackling serious issues like deforestation, pollution, and endangered species. Widget and his friends Mega Brain, Half-Pint, and Kristine battled the evil Dr. Dante who always had some scheme that harmed the environment.

Airing from 1990-1991, the series combined entertainment with education in a way that didn’t feel preachy, making environmental awareness fun for a generation of young viewers.

6. Dino-Riders

Humans and talking dinosaurs teamed up to battle evil aliens in this action-packed series that perfectly captured the imagination of dinosaur-obsessed kids. The peaceful Valorians used telepathic amplifiers to communicate with dinosaurs, while the evil Rulons used brain boxes to control them.

The toys were the real stars – detailed dinosaur figures with removable armor and weapons that could actually fire projectiles. Tyco created some of the most impressive dinosaur toys of the era, with the T-Rex and Brontosaurus playsets becoming legendary among collectors.

Despite lasting only 14 episodes in 1988, Dino-Riders left an indelible mark on kids who couldn’t resist the combination of futuristic warfare and prehistoric beasts.

7. Ulysses 31

Greek mythology got a futuristic makeover in this French-Japanese space opera that reimagined Homer’s Odyssey in the 31st century. Ulysses piloted the spaceship Odyssey, seeking a way back to Earth after angering the Olympian gods.

The distinctive art style combined anime influences with European design sensibilities, creating a unique visual identity. The haunting theme song and dramatic storylines dealt with fate, sacrifice, and perseverance against cosmic forces.

Children who watched this series in the early 80s were treated to surprisingly complex narratives and genuine character development. Gods appeared as advanced aliens, mythological monsters became space creatures, and ancient tales transformed into sci-fi adventures.

8. Denver, the Last Dinosaur

A skateboarding, guitar-playing dinosaur who hatched from a prehistoric egg in modern times – what’s not to love? Denver befriended a group of California teens who kept him secret from adults, especially the greedy concert promoter Morton Fizzback.

The catchy theme song proclaimed Denver was “our friend and a whole lot more,” which generations of kids can still sing verbatim. Each episode balanced fun adventures with messages about friendship, environmental conservation, and standing up for what’s right. The show ran from 1988 to 1990, bringing dinosaur fun to weekday afternoons.

Unlike more battle-focused cartoons of the era, Denver emphasized positive relationships and laid-back California culture.

9. The Dreamstone

British animation at its finest, this fantasy series pitted the peaceful Land of Dreams against the nightmare-spreading Urpneys. The evil Zordrak sent his reluctant minions Sgt. Blob, Frizz, and Nug to steal the Dreamstone from the Dream Maker. The show flipped traditional hero/villain dynamics by focusing heavily on the bumbling villains, making them sympathetic and funny.

Poor Frizz and Nug were constantly forced into dangerous missions they wanted no part of, creating comedy gold. Gorgeous animation, a sweeping musical score, and imaginative worldbuilding made this series special.

Running from 1990 to 1995 with 52 episodes, it remains a beloved classic in the UK while being largely forgotten elsewhere.

10. Spiral Zone

Post-apocalyptic themes weren’t common in 80s kids’ cartoons, making this dark series stand out from its more colorful contemporaries. A scientist created zones of mind control covering half the Earth, turning people into mindless “Zoners” with yellow-marked skin.

An elite team wore special suits to fight inside these zones, battling to free humanity. The animation had a realistic style unusual for its time, with muted colors and designs based on actual military equipment.

Spiral Zone only lasted one season in 1987, but its mature tone and genuine sense of danger created a lasting impression. The show never talked down to kids, presenting a world where the heroes couldn’t always save everyone.

11. Bucky O’Hare and the Toad Wars

In this comic-turned-cartoon, green rabbit captain Bucky O’Hare led a fight against the evil Toad Empire across the aniverse. His ship, the Righteous Indignation, was crewed by a four-armed duck, a feline co-pilot, a robotic ally, and a human kid pulled from Earth by accident.

The show balanced humor with surprisingly complex themes of imperialism, resistance, and diversity. Larry Hama’s original comic book provided rich source material that didn’t shy away from realistic military tactics and genuine stakes.

Despite lasting only 13 episodes in 1991, Bucky developed a cult following. The memorable character designs, quotable dialogue (“Let’s croak some toads!”), and fantastic theme song cemented its place in animation history.

12. The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers

Blending space western and cyberpunk, this animated series followed a team of enhanced humans defending settlers on the edge of the galaxy. Each of the four Rangers had a unique implant that unlocked special powers when activated by their badges.

The animation blended traditional techniques with early CGI elements, creating a distinctive visual style. Character designs featured realistic proportions and detailed costumes that avoided the exaggerated look common in 80s cartoons.

Adults appreciated the complex plots involving corporate intrigue and frontier politics, while kids loved the action sequences and cool gadgets. Running from 1986 to 1989, Galaxy Rangers was years ahead of its time with serialized storytelling and mature themes.

13. Inhumanoids

Beneath the Earth’s surface, ancient terrors stirred in this dark sci-fi series. The Inhumanoids threatened humanity, but Earth Corps—scientists in exo-suits—teamed up with the Mutores, a group of good-hearted monsters, to fight back.

The show pushed boundaries with genuinely frightening villains. D’Compose could turn people into undead servants, Tendril was a plant monster who crushed victims in his tentacles, and Metlar ruled from a magma kingdom at Earth’s core.

Part of the “Super Sunday” programming block, Inhumanoids ran from 1986 to 1987. The toyline featured some of the largest action figures of the era, with Metlar standing an impressive 14 inches tall – towering over other toys just as the monsters towered over humans.

14. C.O.P.S.

Fighting crime in a future time, these cyber-police battled Big Boss and his gang in Empire City in the year 2020. Each C.O.P.S. officer had a specialized role and high-tech equipment, like Bulletproof with his armored torso or Highway with his transforming vehicle.

With a tone that echoed classic police shows, this series focused on grounded crime—think heists and protection rackets—offering a refreshing break from the usual world domination themes of 80s cartoons.

The toy line was known for detailed accessories and the signature “cap-firing” backpacks that made a satisfying noise when activated.

15. The New Archies

Archie Andrews and the Riverdale gang got reimagined as younger teens in this 80s update of the classic comics. The series followed junior high versions of Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie through typical adolescent adventures with a contemporary twist.

The show introduced Eugene, a nerdy character who didn’t appear in the original comics, and Amani, an African-American girl who helped update the previously all-white cast. Even Jughead’s dog Hotdog got a makeover as a hip-hop loving pooch with sunglasses.

Airing from 1987 to 1988, the series included music videos in each episode where the gang performed as “The Archies” band. The character designs featured modernized 80s fashion that looks delightfully dated today.

16. Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light

Set in a world where science failed and magic rose again, this series followed knights of Prysmos who wielded magical staffs and transformed into their animal totems. The toys brought it all to life with holographic stickers showing their powers.

The Spectral Knights led by Leoric fought against the Darkling Lords commanded by the evil Darkstorm. Both groups rode vehicles that transformed into mechanical beasts when powered by magic. Lasting only 13 episodes in 1987, Visionaries featured surprisingly complex worldbuilding and moral themes.

The holographic elements made the toy line stand out on shelves, though the expense of producing these special stickers contributed to the short life of both show and toys.

17. Skeleton Warriors

Baron Dark and his army of living skeletons battled the Legion of Light in this darker animated series that pushed the boundaries of children’s programming. The conflict centered around the Lightstar Crystal, which when broken, gave Baron Dark the power to transform people into skeleton warriors.

The animation featured a unique art style with dramatic lighting effects and fluid movement during battle scenes. Character designs were detailed and menacing, especially the skeleton warriors with their glowing eyes and bony grins.

Airing from 1994 to 1995, the show came late in the golden age of action cartoons. The toys featured glow-in-the-dark skeleton parts and light-up features that perfectly captured the eerie essence of the show.

18. David the Gnome

This gentle Spanish-produced series followed a 400-year-old gnome doctor who traveled through forests on his fox friend Swift to heal woodland creatures. Based on the books by Dutch author Wil Huygen, the show presented a fully realized world of tiny gnomes living in harmony with nature.

David and his wife Lisa taught kids about respecting the environment long before eco-themes became common in children’s programming. Each episode contained educational elements about animals and plants, woven naturally into heartwarming stories.

The series ended with one of the most poignant finales in children’s television – David and Lisa, having reached the 400-year gnome lifespan, transformed into trees together in a beautiful yet tear-jerking conclusion.