The ’90s may be credited as the decade where animation really took off but, let’s be serious. The ’80s walked very fast so the ’90s could run. From He-Man to Ducktales to Transformers, to the Thundercats and G.I. Joe, the cartoons of the ‘80s changed everything. It was the decade when studios first began to realize that animation could be treated as more than just an afterthought for a brand and several foundational shows helped pave the way for the cartoon explosion in the ’90s. Various animated shows that are still running today, owe something to the cartoons of the 1980s. They laid the groundwork to what our kids watch now.
The Real Ghostbusters (1986)
The famous animated series that was spun off from the 1984 movie, was wild and beloved. This was by far one of my favorite shows as a kid. I am still a diehard Ghostbusters fan. You can watch Slimer and the rest of the gang in The Real Ghostbusters for free on Crackle.
Thunder Cats (1985)
ThunderCats might not be as brilliant as you remember it. But if you want to see just how those awesome catchphrases (Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats…Ho) are holding up, then check out ThunderCats streaming on Hulu.
DuckTales (1987)
Although the contemporary reboot of DuckTales is excellent, the original show is still near and dear to our hearts. Along with the new show, DuckTales is streaming on Disney+.
Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985)
Rember that killer theme song? As a kid, I always wanted some of that special juice they drank to bounce around on. The Adventures of the Gummi Bears is streaming on Disney+.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1985)
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is, in some ways, the most important ‘80s cartoon of them all. Most of the show is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. But some episodes are also on YouTube for free, on this He-Man channel.
Voltron (1985)
Like many great ‘80s shows, Voltron has had many incarnations since the beginning. But, the 1984 show still comes out as a top show to watch. Most of the classic show is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Transformers (1984)
The robots in disguise, the Transformers, have inspired a dubious avalanche of spin-offs and live-action films. But other than the excellent 1986 animated feature film, the best version of Transformers is still the original series. Watch it free on Tubi.
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is on Disney+
G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero might be more famous for the toys, but the show is still solid. You can stream it on Tubi.
Inspector Gadget (1983)
The classic Inspector Gadget is currently streaming on Paramount+.
