📺Best 2000s Cartoons Ranked
The 2000s delivered sharp writing, bold worlds, and unforgettable characters that shaped a generation. These series turned Saturday mornings and after-school slots into cultural events still debated today. Vote for your favorites below.
What counts: Best means cultural impact, storytelling depth, rewatch value, and fan legacy. Figures are approximate.
Avatar: The Last Airbender▲ Rising
A sweeping fantasy that fused martial-arts choreography with moral complexity across three seasons. Its 2005 premiere reset expectations for serialized kids animation and still tops fan rankings. The series finale remains the gold standard for payoff.
Years: Episodes: 61Rating: 9.3/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 8 rankingsAvatar: The Last Airbender
19Kim Possible▲ Rising
Smart, athletic teen spy who normalized competence and humor without romance overload. Launched in 2002 and ran through high-school years with escalating global stakes. Catchphrases and gadget gags still echo in pop culture.
Years: Episodes: 87Rating: 7.8/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsKim Possible
19The Fairly OddParents▲ Rising
Turned wish-fulfillment into chaotic comedy gold from 2001 onward. Timmy's fairy godparents delivered escalating absurdity that peaked in the early seasons. Its rapid-fire gags influenced a decade of Nicktoons.
Years: Episodes: 172Rating: 7.2/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Fairly OddParents
19Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends▲ Rising
A boarding house for discarded imaginary friends offered heartfelt stories alongside slapstick from 2004. Mac and Bloo's dynamic anchored a world that felt both whimsical and grounded.
Years: Episodes: 79Rating: 7.6/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsFoster's Home for Imaginary Friends
9Blended superhero action with teen drama and surprising emotional stakes. The 2003 show carved its own tone between camp and darkness, especially in the Trigon arc. Its legacy lives on in memes and the later spin-off.
Years: Episodes: 65Rating: 8.1/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 3 rankingsTeen Titans
7Code Lyoko▲ Rising
Live-action/CGI hybrid about kids fighting a digital virus debuted in 2003 and mixed mystery with virtual-reality action. Its French origins brought a distinct serialized feel rare on U.S. airwaves.
Years: Episodes: 97Rating: 7.3/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRCode Lyoko
6Ghost-powered teen heroics with a perfect mix of action and identity angst. Debuted in 2004 and built a dedicated fandom around its halfa lore and villain roster. The series ended too soon but left a lasting cult following.
Years: Episodes: 53Rating: 7.8/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsDanny Phantom
5The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
Darkly comic reaper-and-kids premise launched in 2001 and leaned into grotesque humor. Its irreverent tone and celebrity voice cameos carved a unique niche on Cartoon Network.
Years: Episodes: 78Rating: 7.7/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
5Transforming alien hero concept exploded in 2005 and spawned a multimedia franchise. The original series balanced toyetic gimmicks with surprisingly clever problem-solving episodes.
Years: Episodes: 49Rating: 7.5/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsBen 10
4Superhero teen with electric powers tackled real-world issues from 2000 onward. Its grounded approach and diverse cast stood out on Kids' WB.
Years: Episodes: 52Rating: 7.4/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRStatic Shock
3Family sitcom energy with sharp teen perspective launched on Disney in 2001. Its cultural references and multi-generational humor made it a standout.
Years: Episodes: 52Rating: 6.6/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Proud Family
3Day-long invention marathons paired with secret-agent platypus plots created dual-track comedy brilliance from 2007. The show's musical numbers and meta gags raised the bar for long-form kids animation.
Years: Episodes: 222Rating: 8.1/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPhineas and Ferb
2Sharp social satire through Huey and Riley's eyes launched in 2005 and pushed Cartoon Network's adult block boundaries. Its comic-strip roots translated into biting cultural commentary.
Years: Episodes: 55Rating: 8.3/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Boondocks
1The 2002 series expanded the hit movie with inventive gadget plots and suburban sci-fi. Its clever inventions and friend-group dynamics kept the franchise alive for years.
Years: Episodes: 60Rating: 6.7/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRJimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
1What's New, Scooby-Doo?▼ Falling
Revamped mystery-solving formula in 2002 with updated animation and pop-culture guest stars. The series refreshed the franchise while keeping the core gang dynamic intact.
Years: Episodes: 42Rating: 7.3/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRWhat's New, Scooby-Doo?
-1Martial-arts star's animated alter ego mixed relic-hunting action with family comedy starting in 2000. Its talisman arcs and Uncle's catchphrases became instant classics.
Years: Episodes: 95Rating: 7.5/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRJackie Chan Adventures
-2Surreal food-world antics from 2007 embraced pure visual absurdity and fourth-wall breaks. Its rapid style shifts and meta humor stood out even among Cartoon Network's experimental slate.
Years: Episodes: 49Rating: 7.5/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingschowder
-4The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack▲ Rising
Whimsical sea-adventure weirdness from 2008 influenced a wave of experimental Cartoon Network shows. Its candy-island setting and mentor dynamic created a distinctive tone.
Years: Episodes: 46Rating: 7.8/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack
-4Robot teen balancing hero duties and high-school life debuted in 2003 with stylish design. Its blend of action and slice-of-life gave Nickelodeon a fresh voice.
Years: Episodes: 40Rating: 7.1/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRin 2 rankingsMy Life as a Teenage Robot
-5Xiaolin Showdown▼ Falling
Martial-arts monks collecting magical artifacts delivered fast tournament energy starting in 2003. Its over-the-top Shen Gong Wu battles and rival dynamics made it a cult favorite.
Years: Episodes: 52Rating: 7.4/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRXiaolin Showdown
-6American Dragon: Jake Long▼ Falling
Shape-shifting teen dragon protecting magical creatures launched in 2005 with hip-hop flair. Its urban fantasy setting and family secret premise gave Disney a solid mid-2000s entry.
Years: Episodes: 52Rating: 6.8/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRAmerican Dragon: Jake Long
-8Total Drama Island▼ Falling
Reality-show parody with cartoon contestants began in 2007 and became a surprise global hit. Its competitive elimination format and snarky narration kept viewers hooked season after season.
Years: Episodes: 113Rating: 7.4/10Network: Genre:
added by IJRTotal Drama Island
-12El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera
Superhero family legacy story with lucha flair hit Nickelodeon in 2007. Its vibrant art and moral-choice themes stood out in the late-2000s lineup.
Years: Episodes: 26Rating: 6.9/10Network: Genre:
added by IJREl Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera
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