41 Cartoons That'll Unlock Memories For Anyone Who Grew Up In The 2000s

    Throwback to me crying as a kid because I missed an episode of Winx Club.

    Isha Bassi
    by Isha Bassi

    Junior Staff Writer, Australia

    When it comes to cartoons, personally, I think the 2000s was the golden era. From Avatar: The Last Airbender to American Dragon: Jake Long, Kim Possible, The Fairly Oddparents and Totally Spies, we were spoilt for choice when it came time to watch something on television.

    Disney

    But because there were so many good options (and so much time to watch TV back then — man, I miss being a kid), there are probably a bunch of cartoons you watched, but have now forgotten about. So, sit tight and strap yourselves in because we're about to take a walk down memory lane to revisit some early '00s cartoons that'll make you feel nostalgic AF.

    The Pokémon Company International

    1. My Life As A Teenage Robot

    Jenny with Brad and Tuck in My life as a teenage robot
    Nickelodeon

    Why it was so good: Because it was so damn relatable! Even though Jenny was a robot, she was a teenager who went through the same awkward situations you did.

    2. Dragon Booster

    Mechanical dragon in Dragon Booster
    CBC

    Why it was so good: Because it had dragons, duh. And not your usual fire-breathing, flying types either, but ones that were able to use "mag-energy" and wear high-tech gear. They really need to reboot this series.

    3. Tracey McBean

    Tracey and Shamus in Tracey McBean
    ABC

    Why it was so good: Because watching Tracey invent all those different contraptions to use against the dim-witted McConnolly brothers was badass.

    4. Cyberchase

    Matt, Jackie, and Inez solving a problem on Cyberchase
    PBS

    Why it was so good: Because it actually surprised you that a show based on solving math problems could be so entertaining.

    5. Bounty Hamster

    Marion and Cassie in Bounty Hamster
    ITV1

    Why it was so good: Because there was no better action-fighting duo than Marion and Cassie.

    6. Corneil & Bernie

    Corneil and Bernie going for a walk
    CBBC

    Why it was so good: Because the distinctive personalities of an intelligent, talking dog and his dog sitter, never failed to make you laugh.

    7. Code Lyoko

    Main characters of Code Lyoko
    France 3

    Why it was so good: Because even though the dubbing wasn't great, the chemistry between Ulrich and Yumi was pure fire. 🔥

    8. Winx Club

    Fairies of winx club
    RAI 2/4Kids

    Why it was so good: Because it fulfilled all your fantasy dreams including ending up with an ultra-cute boyfriend who was a Specialist. The Netflix reboot has NOTHING on the original cartoon.

    9. Class of 3000

    Kids of Class of 3000
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Because of all the dope André 3000 songs!!!

    10. Teamo Supremo

    Captain Crandall, Skate Lad, and Rope Girl in Teamo Supremo
    ABC

    Why it was so good: Because even though you laughed at how ridiculous the opening was, it was still something decent to watch on a Saturday morning.

    11. Angela Anaconda

    Angela in Angela Anaconda
    Teletoon

    Why it was so good: Because it had one of the catchiest and most annoying theme songs ever. Oh and watching Angela's rivalries with her faux French classmate, Nanette Manoir, was the best.

    12. Martin Morning

    Martin as a Dragon in Martin Morning
    France 3

    Why it was so good: Because you never knew just what Martin would wake up as each episode. I mean you would try predict it, but he literally turned into a snowman one time and who would have guessed that?!

    13. Totally Spies

    Sam, Alex, and Clover in Totally Spies
    Teletoon

    Why it was so good: Because they were the freshest spies with some of the best gadgets you've ever seen.

    14. Little Robots

    The robots in Little Robots
    BBC

    Why it was so good: Because it was your jam! You were singing that theme song at school, in the shower, while you were watching the show... 24/7 really.

    15. Tutenstein

    Tut and Cleo in Tutenstein
    Discovery Kids

    Why it was so good: Because Cleo's clapbacks to when Tutenstein was being a jerk were fabulous. Plus, you got to learn about Ancient Egypt while watching a cartoon. Win-win.

    16. Angelina Ballerina

    William and Angelina dancing in Angelina Ballerina
    CITV

    Why it was so good: Because everything about this cartoon was beautiful. From the animation to the dancing, you loved Angelina with all your heart and soul.

    17. ChalkZone

    Rudy, Snap, and Penny in ChalkZone
    Nickelodeon

    Why it was so good: Because everything about ChalkZone was so creative. It made you want to whip out your Crayola crayons and start drawing with Rudy.

    18. Sitting Ducks

    Bill and Aldo on sitting ducks
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Because it taught you the true value of friendship and having each other's backs no matter the situation.

    19. George Shrinks

    George in George Shrinks
    PBS

    Why it was so good: Because it showed you that there's a silver lining to every situation including being shrunken down to the size of an insect.

    20. Braceface

    Sharon, Maria, and Connor in Braceface
    Teletoon

    Why it was so good: Because it made you appreciate the fact that you either didn't have braces, or that your braces weren't attracted to metallic objects.

    21. Fillmore!

    Fillmore and Ingrid in Fillmore
    Disney Channel

    Why it was so good: Because it was the only version of a crime show that you were actually allowed to watch.

    22. Codename: Kids Next Door

    The Kids Next Door crew
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Because it made you want to start up your own secret agency equipped with 2x4 technology.

    23. Yakkity Yak

    Yakkity Yak and Theo the pineapple in Yakkity Yak
    Nickelodeon

    Why it was so good: Because it was literally a show about a talking yak with a fucking pineapple for a friend.

    24. As Told By Ginger

    Nickelodeon

    Why it was so good: Because not only did the characters change clothes and have different outfits, but the entire series taught you SO many important life lessons.

    25. Jackie Chan Adventures

    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Because it featured everyone's favourite action film star in cartoon form, fighting off the baddies in search of talismans.

    26. Teen Titans

    Robin and Cyborg in Teen Titans
    Kids' WB

    Why it was so good: Because Teen Titans was the bomb! Everything about it was incredible except its sequel Teen Titans Go!.

    27. Yu-Gi-Oh!

    4Kids

    Why it was so good: Because it made waking up early on Saturday mornings worth it. It's time to d-d-d-d-d-d-DUEL!

    28. Ozzy & Drix

    Osmosis Jones and Drix in Ozzy and Drix
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Because Osmosis Jones was the shit! And Ozzy & Drix was even better than the movie.

    29. Atomic Betty

    Atomic Betty with robots in Atomic Betty
    Teletoon

    Why it was so good: Because Betty was goals! She loved school, sung in a band, was a Galactic Guardian, AND always managed to return home before anyone noticed her absence.

    30. Danny Phantom

    Danny and Sam in Danny Phantom
    Nickelodeon

    Why it was so good: Because you probably had a huge crush on Danny Phantom and wanted to join him in saving the world.

    31. The Weekenders

    Thee weekenders watching the sunset
    ABC

    Why it was so good: Because it featured a group of teens from different backgrounds who not only changed outfits every episode, but made the most of their weekends together.

    32. Invader Zim

    Dib and Zim in Invader Zim
    Nickelodeon

    Why it was so good: Because neither Zim nor Dib were very good at their jobs resulting in some hilarious situations. For example, that time both of them got turned into BOLOGNA MEAT.

    33. Hamtaro

    Hamtaro eating a cracker
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Because nothing was better than watching a couple of adorably-animated, talking hamsters that made you smile.

    34. Girlstuff/Boystuff

    Girlstuff/Boystuff kids at the mall
    YTV

    Why it was so good: Because something about watching these ~hip~ teenagers made you feel ~cool~.

    35. The Koala Brothers

    Frank and Buster in their plane
    ABC Kids

    Why it was so good: Because it not only had a really catchy theme song, but all the Australian-themed characters were adorable!! Plus, there was always a happy resolution at the end of every episode.

    36. The Powerpuff Girls

    Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup in the Powerpuff Girls
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: It's The Powerpuff Girls, duh. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup were six-year-old feminist icons.

    37. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

    Blue and Mac in Foster's home for imaginary friends
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Foster's was the sweetest cartoon all about friendship and its different forms, and every episode felt like your TV was giving you a hug. It was hopeful, melancholic, and had beautiful animation.

    38. Kim Possible

    Kim in Kim Possibly
    Disney

    Why it was so good: Kim was a badass and every little girl's hero. She tackled villains and high school with attitude, plus she and Ron were adorable.

    39. Samurai Jack

    Samurai jack using his sword
    Cartoon Network

    Why it was so good: Samurai Jack might have been a little intense from some of us growing up, but this action series was gorgeously animated and got better with each season.

    40. All Grown Up!

    Chucky and Tommy in All grown up
    Nickelodeon

    Why it was so good: The sequel to Rugrats featured all of the characters we knew and loved as pre-teens (or already teenagers, in Angelica and Susie's case), and kept the spirit of the original while giving it an update. Chucky remained adorable, Angelica remained annoying, and Dil and Tommy got hair!

    41. The Proud Family

    Proud Family portrait
    Disney

    Why it was so good: Iconic theme song aside, this show was as funny as any live-action sitcom of the time. Suga Mama alone is enough reason to watch, but Penny was the definition of a relatable teen.

    What were some of your favourite early '00s cartoons? Let us known in the comments!