📺Best Cartoon Network Shows of All Time

Steven Universe▲ Rising

Steven Universe built an entire mythology around found family, trauma, and queer-coded acceptance that grew more ambitious each season. Its 2013 debut started light but delivered the landmark "Change Your Mind" special that redefined representation on CN. The show lands here for turning personal growth into high-stakes epic storytelling.

Premiere Year: 2013Seasons: 5Episodes: 160IMDb Rating: 8.2/10Influence: 9.2/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsSteven Universe

Adventure Time▲ Rising

Adventure Time evolved from a short into a decade-long epic that mixed surreal comedy with emotional depth and lore-building. Its 2010 premiere launched a universe where Finn and Jake explored identity, loss, and friendship in ways few kids' shows dared. The series earns its top spot by proving animation could carry complex arcs without losing whimsy.

Premiere Year: 2010Seasons: 10Episodes: 283IMDb Rating: 8.9/10Influence: 9.5/10

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The Amazing World of Gumball▲ Rising

Gumball pushed the medium by mixing 2D, 3D, and live-action styles in a chaotic suburban satire that ran from 2011 onward. Its rapid-fire pop-culture references and meta episodes made it one of CN's most inventive comedies. The series ranks high for never repeating its visual tricks while staying consistently funny.

Premiere Year: 2011Seasons: 6Episodes: 240IMDb Rating: 8.1/10Influence: 8/10

added by IJRThe Amazing World of Gumball

Over the Garden Wall

Over the Garden Wall delivered a ten-episode autumnal masterpiece in 2014 that felt like a lost folklore classic. Its tight narrative about two brothers lost in a mysterious wood balanced whimsy with genuine dread. The miniseries earns its place through flawless atmosphere and emotional resonance few full series achieve.

Premiere Year: 2014Seasons: 1Episodes: 10IMDb Rating: 8.8/10Influence: 8.7/10

added by IJROver the Garden Wall

Samurai Jack▲ Rising

Samurai Jack began in 2001 with stark minimalist animation and a silent protagonist on an endless quest that redefined action on the network. Its 2017 revival delivered a cathartic finale after years of buildup. The series claims this spot by proving a simple premise could sustain mythic scope across nearly two decades.

Premiere Year: 2001Seasons: 5Episodes: 62IMDb Rating: 8.5/10Influence: 9/10

added by IJRSamurai Jack

Regular Show▲ Rising

Regular Show took mundane jobs and turned them into escalating surreal battles that peaked in its early seasons. The 2010 premiere gave Mordecai and Rigby a perfect mix of 80s references and heartfelt friendship moments. It earns this ranking by delivering consistent comedic timing few CN shows matched.

Premiere Year: 2010Seasons: 8Episodes: 261IMDb Rating: 8.5/10Influence: 8.3/10

added by IJRRegular Show

Ed, Edd n Eddy▲ Rising

Ed, Edd n Eddy ran from 1999 to 2009 with a scrappy cul-de-sac scam economy that captured childhood mischief better than almost any other series. Its hand-drawn style and escalating schemes gave it a unique rhythm. The show secures its ranking through pure comedic consistency and nostalgic authenticity.

Premiere Year: 1999Seasons: 6Episodes: 131IMDb Rating: 7.4/10Influence: 8.1/10

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Chowder▲ Rising

Chowder arrived in 2007 with a young apprentice chef in a food-themed world that leaned into pure visual absurdity and meta gags. Its bright, rubbery animation and fourth-wall breaks felt fresh. The show claims this place for maximizing comedic energy in every frame.

Premiere Year: 2007Seasons: 3Episodes: 49IMDb Rating: 7.3/10Influence: 7.2/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingschowder

Codename: Kids Next Door

Kids Next Door ran from 2002 to 2008 with a global kid army fighting adult tyranny through inventive gadgetry and missions. Its expansive lore and crossover potential made the universe feel huge. It ranks here for delivering consistent high-concept episodes with heart.

Premiere Year: 2002Seasons: 6Episodes: 81IMDb Rating: 7.2/10Influence: 7.6/10

added by IJRCodename: Kids Next Door

Dexter's Laboratory

Dexter's Laboratory launched CN's original era in 1996 with a boy genius whose inventions constantly backfired in hilarious ways. Its short, punchy segments and rival sibling dynamic became a template for later shows. The series ranks here as the blueprint that proved original CN animation could be both smart and silly.

Premiere Year: 1996Seasons: 4Episodes: 78IMDb Rating: 7.9/10Influence: 8.8/10

added by IJRin 3 rankingsDexter's Laboratory

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy

Billy & Mandy started in 2001 by pitting two kids against the Grim Reaper in a deal that produced some of CN's darkest comedy. Its grotesque humor and pop-culture parodies carved a unique niche. It ranks here for pushing the boundaries of what "kids" animation could depict.

Premiere Year: 2001Seasons: 6Episodes: 84IMDb Rating: 7.7/10Influence: 7.5/10

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The Powerpuff Girls▲ Rising

The Powerpuff Girls debuted in 1998 and turned three super-powered kindergarteners into action stars while satirizing both superhero tropes and 90s girl-power culture. Its kinetic fight scenes and sharp writing made it an instant phenomenon. It earns this position as the show that first proved CN originals could dominate pop culture.

Premiere Year: 1998Seasons: 6Episodes: 78IMDb Rating: 7.3/10Influence: 9.1/10

added by IJRin 5 rankingsThe Powerpuff Girls

Courage the Cowardly Dog▲ Rising

Courage the Cowardly Dog used 1999's premiere to deliver surreal horror-comedy where a pink dog faced nightmares to protect his owners. Its unsettling atmosphere and creative monster designs stood out even among CN's weirdest offerings. It belongs here for successfully mixing genuine scares with heart.

Premiere Year: 1999Seasons: 4Episodes: 52IMDb Rating: 8.3/10Influence: 8.4/10

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Teen Titans▲ Rising

Teen Titans began in 2003 with a team of young heroes balancing epic battles against Slade with light teen drama and comedy. Its 2003-2006 run mixed anime influences with Western animation in a way that felt fresh. It secures its place through iconic character moments and enduring fan devotion.

Premiere Year: 2003Seasons: 5Episodes: 65IMDb Rating: 7.9/10Influence: 8.6/10

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We Bare Bears

We Bare Bears started in 2015 following three bear brothers trying to fit into human society with wholesome slice-of-life stories. Its gentle humor and social media-era relatability gave it broad appeal. The series earns its place through warm character work and modern sensibility.

Premiere Year: 2015Seasons: 4Episodes: 120IMDb Rating: 7.9/10Influence: 7.3/10

added by IJRWe Bare Bears

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

Foster's Home opened in 2004 and gave abandoned imaginary friends a boarding house full of chaotic personality clashes led by Mac and Bloo. Its ensemble cast and rapid-fire humor made every room feel alive. The series earns its spot by building a warm, endlessly quotable world.

Premiere Year: 2004Seasons: 6Episodes: 79IMDb Rating: 7.6/10Influence: 7.8/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsFoster's Home for Imaginary Friends

Clarence

Clarence began in 2014 following an optimistic, weird kid and his friends navigating everyday suburban life with pure-hearted absurdity. Its loose, slice-of-life approach felt like a throwback to earlier CN sincerity. It earns its ranking through consistent charm and unique protagonist energy.

Premiere Year: 2014Seasons: 3Episodes: 130IMDb Rating: 6.7/10Influence: 6.5/10

added by IJRClarence

Summer Camp Island

Summer Camp Island premiered in 2018 with a magical island where campers faced whimsical yet poignant supernatural challenges. Its dreamy tone and focus on feelings gave it a distinct identity. The show ranks here for carving out a gentle, artistic corner of the CN lineup.

Premiere Year: 2018Seasons: 5Episodes: 80IMDb Rating: 7.4/10Influence: 6.8/10

added by IJRSummer Camp Island

Johnny Bravo

Johnny Bravo debuted in 1997 as a vain, Elvis-inspired strongman whose failed attempts at romance became CN's first breakout comedy. Its quick-cut gags and celebrity parodies set an early template. The show earns this spot as the original voice of CN's irreverent humor era.

Premiere Year: 1997Seasons: 4Episodes: 67IMDb Rating: 7.1/10Influence: 7.7/10

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Craig of the Creek

Craig of the Creek launched in 2018 and turned a suburban creek into a sprawling kid-run kingdom full of imagination and low-stakes adventure. Its diverse cast and gentle exploration of friendship stood out in later CN programming. It ranks here for refreshing sincerity and community focus.

Premiere Year: 2018Seasons: 5Episodes: 120IMDb Rating: 7.8/10Influence: 7.1/10

added by IJRCraig of the Creek

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack▼ Falling

Flapjack launched in 2008 with a wide-eyed boy and his grumpy captain searching for a mythical candy island in a sea of grotesque characters. Its nautical weirdness and expressive animation influenced many later CN series. It earns its ranking through distinctive tone and lasting cult status.

Premiere Year: 2008Seasons: 3Episodes: 46IMDb Rating: 7.8/10Influence: 7.9/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsThe Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack

Apple & Onion▼ Falling

Apple & Onion arrived in 2018 following two food friends navigating big-city life with surreal logic and gentle humor. Its minimalist style and oddball scenarios provided a quirky counterpoint to flashier CN fare. It earns this spot for consistent small-scale charm.

Premiere Year: 2018Seasons: 2Episodes: 60IMDb Rating: 6.5/10Influence: 6.2/10

added by IJRApple & Onion

Ben 10▼ Falling

Ben 10 premiered in 2005 and turned a watch that let a kid turn into aliens into a massive action franchise with escalating stakes. Its toyetic premise delivered satisfying power fantasy while building a shared universe. The series ranks here as CN's most successful launchpad for multiple continuations.

Premiere Year: 2005Seasons: 4Episodes: 49IMDb Rating: 7.2/10Influence: 8.5/10

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Uncle Grandpa▼ Falling

Uncle Grandpa ran from 2014 to 2017 as a magical relative who appeared to help kids with wildly chaotic, fourth-wall-breaking solutions. Its absurd escalation and meme-ready moments made it a divisive but memorable experiment. The series lands here for pushing CN's weirdness to its limit.

Premiere Year: 2014Seasons: 5Episodes: 100IMDb Rating: 5.7/10Influence: 6/10

added by IJRUncle Grandpa

Infinity Train▼ Falling

Infinity Train debuted in 2019 with a mysterious train whose cars held emotional puzzles that characters had to solve to grow. Its anthology structure and mature themes pushed CN's boundaries before moving to HBO Max. The series claims this spot for ambitious storytelling in a compact format.

Premiere Year: 2019Seasons: 4Episodes: 40IMDb Rating: 8.4/10Influence: 7.4/10

added by IJRInfinity Train