Steve Megatron’s Top 25 Animated Series
The list you are about to see are what I consider to be the Top 25 Animated Series at this point. I do enjoy what I’ve watched and own 90% of them. Many still hold up well and others may not so much but you have to admit the greatness that is involved with each being here. Are these the all being Top 25? Probably not but nonetheless I think they deserve to be in a Top 100 if we were to tackle a re-do of the original from 2011.
#25
X-Men (1992–1997)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 23 min
Released: 31 Oct 1992
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Mark Edward Edens, Sidney Iwanter, Eric Lewald
Actors: Cedric Smith, Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann
Plot: Follows a team of mutant superheroes called the X-Men, who fight against bigotry and hatred for being different while striving for justice and human acceptance in the Marvel comic book universe.
#24
The Critic (1994–2001)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Runtime: 522 min
Released: 26 Jan 1994
Rated: TV-14
Director: N/A
Writer: Al Jean, Mike Reiss
Actors: Jon Lovitz, Nick Jameson, Maurice LaMarche
Plot: Jay Sherman is a New York film critic who has to review films he doesn't like for a living.
#23
Freakazoid! (1995–1997)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 30 min
Released: 09 Sep 1995
Rated: TV-G
Director: N/A
Writer: Paul Dini, Tom Ruegger, Bruce Timm
Actors: Paul Rugg, Joe Leahy, Tress MacNeille
Plot: Washington, D.C. has a new defender: Freakazoid. The comedy and insanity never stop when he's around, and he's only one of the weird heroes of the series. It's better than a nice tub of good things.
#22
G.I. Joe (1990–1992)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Animation, Action
Runtime: 50S min
Released: 25 Sep 1990
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Actors: Don Brown, Garry Chalk, Christopher Collins
Plot: The elite military team continues their ongoing battle against the evil Cobra Commander and his allies.
#21
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987–1996)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 23 min
Released: 14 Dec 1987
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: David Wise, Fred Wolf, John Schulte
Actors: Cam Clarke, Barry Gordon, Rob Paulsen
Plot: Four mutated turtles (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo), fight crime and eat pizza, whilst battling the evil Shredder and his foot robot ninjas as well as aliens, mad scientists, comedic gangsters and other weird muta...
#20
Animaniacs (1993–1998)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Animation, Short, Adventure
Runtime: N/A
Released: 13 Sep 1993
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Tom Ruegger
Actors: Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille
Plot: The zany adventures of a trio of 1930s animated characters in the modern world.
#19
Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994–1998)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 43S min
Released: 19 Nov 1994
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
Actors: Christopher Daniel Barnes, Sara Ballantine, Edward Asner
Plot: A young man with spider-like abilities fights crime as a superhero in New York City while trying to have a normal personal life.
#18
ReBoot (1994–2001)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 56S min
Released: 10 Sep 1994
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Gavin Blair, John Grace, Philip Mitchell
Actors: Michael Donovan, Kathleen Barr, Garry Chalk
Plot: In the inner computer world of Mainframe, a guardian program sprite and his friends defend the system from threats from viruses and the User.
#17
Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993–1995)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 22 min
Released: 11 Sep 1993
Rated: TV-PG
Director: N/A
Writer: Christian Tremblay, Yvon Tremblay
Actors: Barry Gordon, Charlie Adler, Gary Owens
Plot: In a world of anthropomorphic felines, two demoted fighter pilots battle evil as high flying masked vigilantes.
#16
Darkwing Duck (1991–1992)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 30 min
Released: 06 Sep 1991
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Actors: Jim Cummings, Terence McGovern, Christine Cavanaugh
Plot: A bumbling superhero battles crime with the help of his daughter and pilot sidekick.
#15
Pinky and the Brain (1995–1998)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Runtime: N/A
Released: 09 Sep 1995
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Actors: Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen, Tress MacNeille
Plot: Pinky and the Brain are genetically enhanced laboratory mice who live in Acme Labs. The Brain is self-centered and scheming; Pinky is good-natured but feeble-minded. In each episode, the Brain devises a new plan to take over the w...
#14
Futurama (1999–)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Runtime: 22 min
Released: 28 Mar 1999
Rated: TV-14
Director: N/A
Writer: David X. Cohen, Matt Groening
Actors: Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal
Plot: Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy, is accidentally frozen in 1999 and thawed out on New Year's Eve 2999.
#13
G.I. Joe (1985–1986)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 1 min
Released: 16 Sep 1985
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Actors: Jackson Beck, Christopher Collins, Michael Bell
Plot: An elite special missions force fights against the terrorist forces of Cobra.
#12
Samurai Jack (2001–2017)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 1 min
Released: 10 Aug 2001
Rated: TV-MA
Director: N/A
Writer: Genndy Tartakovsky
Actors: Phil LaMarr, Mako, Kevin Michael Richardson
Plot: A samurai, sent through time, fights to return home and save the world.
#11
Dragon Ball Z (1996–2003)
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 17S min
Released: 13 Sep 1996
Rated: TV-PG
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Actors: Doc Harris, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil
Plot: With the help of the powerful Dragonballs, a team of fighters led by the saiyan warrior Goku defend the planet earth from extraterrestrial enemies.
#10
Gargoyles (1994–1997)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 30 min
Released: 24 Oct 1994
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Greg Weisman
Actors: Keith David, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Jeff Bennett
Plot: A clan of heroic night creatures pledge to protect modern New York City as they did in Scotland one thousand years earlier.
#09
Mighty Max (1993–1995)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 30 min
Released: 01 Sep 1993
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Mark Zaslove, Rob Hudnut
Actors: Rob Paulsen, Tony Jay, Richard Moll
Plot: Max, a twelve-year-old boy, finds a magical cap that can teleport him across dimensions.
#08
Beast Machines: Transformers (1999–2001)
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 30 min
Released: 18 Sep 1999
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Actors: Garry Chalk, Scott McNeil, Venus Terzo
Plot: The Maximals awaken on their home planet of Cybertron and are chased by mindless Vehicons created by Megatron. The Maximals must free the planet from Megatron and restore it to its real way of living.
#07
Transformers Prime (2010–2013)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 1 min
Released: 26 Nov 2010
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline, Alex Kurtzman
Actors: Peter Cullen, Sumalee Montano, Jeffrey Combs
Plot: In this new set of adventures the Autobots live on Earth and maintain their secret identity. They are joined by 3 teens as they battle the Decepticons.
#06
Batman Beyond (1999–2001)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 23 min
Released: 10 Jan 1999
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: Alan Burnett, Bob Kane, Gerry Conway
Actors: Will Friedle, Kevin Conroy, Lauren Tom
Plot: Fuelled by remorse and vengeance, a high schooler named Terry McGinnis revives the role of Batman. Under supervision of an elderly Bruce Wayne, he fights crime in a harsh, futuristic Gotham.
#05
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012–2017)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 1 min
Released: 28 Sep 2012
Rated: TV-Y7-FV
Director: N/A
Writer: Ciro Nieli, Joshua Sternin, Jennifer Ventimilia
Actors: Sean Astin, Rob Paulsen, Greg Cipes
Plot: Four ninja turtles, mutated by a mysterious alien substance, must rise up out of the sewers and defend New York City against evil forces from both the past and present.
#04
Justice League (2001–2004)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 5 min
Released: 17 Nov 2001
Rated: TV-PG
Director: N/A
Writer: Bob Kane, William Moulton Marston, Joe Shuster
Actors: Carl Lumbly, Phil LaMarr, Michael Rosenbaum
Plot: Seven of the most formidable heroes form arguably the most powerful team ever.
#03
Star Wars: Rebels (2014–2018)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 22 min
Released: 26 Sep 2014
Rated: TV-Y7-FV
Director: N/A
Writer: Simon Kinberg, Carrie Beck, Dave Filoni
Actors: Dave Filoni, Taylor Gray, Freddie Prinze Jr.
Plot: The crew of the spaceship Ghost defends those who cannot fight for themselves against the Empire, providing the spark for a rebellion.
#02
Beast Wars: Transformers (1996–1999)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 58S min
Released: 16 Sep 1996
Rated: TV-Y7
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Actors: Scott McNeil, Garry Chalk, Ian James Corlett
Plot: The Transformers' war continues in an older time, through a new generation. On pliocenic Earth, the heroic Maximals and the evil Predacons battle for survival against each other and against a violent planet.
#01
Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Runtime: 23 min
Released: 05 Sep 1992
Rated: TV-PG
Director: N/A
Writer: Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Eric Radomski
Actors: Kevin Conroy, Loren Lester, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Plot: Billionaire Bruce Wayne secretly operates as Batman, a vigilante who battles a rouges' gallery of criminals and supervillains in Gotham City with the aid of various sidekicks and allies.
So what are you’re Top 25 if you had to make a list? Also would you like a re-visit to the original Top 100 Animated Series Countdown in the future with the new toons that are available? Sound off below!
There are 7 comments
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lol I was expecting #1-2 to be flipped, and surprised where most of these fell honestly. Thought some would be higher than others Great list though.
Yeah the original Top 100 was a surprise for sure. But I think it’d be much different now with the inclusion of various new shows and anime and things to that nature. It could be interesting. I just really enjoy (and own) all of these so I ranked them according to that. I know I left some out but hey that’d spoil my personal Top 100.
Maybe I will publish my original Top 100 document (if I can find it).
Pretty agreeable list, I stumbled across this as I’m looking for some animated shows that maybe I haven’t watched yet. I really wish a new Top 100 would be created on this site. The first on is the authority on great animated shows in my opinion. I find myself going to it when I don’t know what to watch.
Wow thanks, yeah we have three Top 100s Animated Series, Animated Films, and TV. Plus the Top 50 Videogame Franchises just wrapped up. a NEW Top 100 is coming later this year. Stay Tooned!! Thanks for being a fan!!
Thanks man, definitely appreciate that! Yeah there are ideas to revisit it in the next year or so with all the new toons out. I may do a personal Top 100 list for fun and see where I’d rank these in that depending on what shows I choose.
I know it’s been some time but we are finally updating this list next year!!!
I’m pretty excited for the new Top 100 Animated Series Countdown. Likely the final Animated Series one we do but we’ll see how long we are at this lol. Never would have seen revisiting this list after 15 years either.