Here Are The 14 Best Cartoons Before 1986 Ranked From "Pretty Great" To "Truly Fantastic"

Here's a list of OG cartoons that put computer animation to shame!

14. She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985–1987)

Filmation Associates

Probably more powerful than her twin brother He-Man, She-Ra was created for a young, female audience, which worked — but she was a runaway success with all audiences, too.

13. Mr. T (1983–1985)

NBC

I pity the fools who weren't able to watch this, especially when your parents were watching the A-Team and you weren't allowed. It was even better to watch while eating Mr. T. cereal!

12. Challenge of the GoBots (1984–1985)

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Created by Tonka to do battle with the more successful Transformers, GoBots was able to stand on its own as something you would watch but secretly hope you didn't receive for your birthday.

11. Care Bears (1985)

DIC Enterprises/LBS Communications

They were so nice! Everyone got along, and nobody was threatening one another. Even if you were poor and your aunt made you a knock-off bear, you still secretly loved it.

10. Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985–1991)

Disney

Before DuckTales, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, or Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, Disney created these bears, bouncing here and there and everywhere.

9. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981–1983)

NBC

Before Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland confused everyone, this short-lived show proved the power of so-so animation and great teamwork.

8. The Smurfs (1981–1989)

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Strange, yes essential viewing. Great names like Clumsy, Vanity, Hefty, Greedy, Grouchy, and everyone's least favorite, Brainy, the Smurfs are certainly one of the best Belgian imports ever.

7. Thundercats (1985–1989)

Warner Bros. Television Distribution

Not to be confused with the amazing musician, Thundercats certainly changed the anthropomorphic hero landscape. With characters like Cheetara and Panthro, who could resist? Thundercats, ThunderCATS, THUNDERCATS HO!

6. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983–1985)

Filmation Associates

Someone once said that if He-Man were real he'd weigh 700 pounds! That's what I call having the power. Uncle Skeletor was just as great, with his dastardly deeds and annoying voice. What started as a toy line became an unforgettable cartoon.

5. Dungeons & Dragons (1983–1985)

Marvel Productions/D&D Entertainment

This should be higher on the list, but the show was cancelled before the first season was over! Truly ahead of its time, Dungeons & Dragons was the one cartoon on this list worth a reboot.

4. M.A.S.K. (1985–1986)

LBS Communications

Often forgotten, except by those who were lucky enough to have the toys, M.A.S.K. will never be duplicated. Mobile Armored Strike Kommand was a French import! Mon Dieu!

3. G.I. Joe (1983–1986)

Toei Animation

Yes, the movies are abysmal. Yes, the USS Flagg might be the best toy that came out of your childhood. These real American heroes fought with lasers, maybe even more than Stormtroopers.

2. Transformers (1984–1987)

Toei Animation[

Before Michael Bay and Rodimus Prime nuked the franchise, the original Transformers animated series was the talk of the schoolyard. You weren't cool unless you had a Soundwave toy with at least three cassette tapes!

1. Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984–1985)

Toei Animation / NBCUniversal

Lions, robots, and... mice? Oh, My! Five intrepid space pilots fly giant robot lions that together for the heroic Voltron! Originally a Japanese cartoon called Beast King GoLion, Voltron ranks as the number 1 all-time cartoon before 1986 in my opinion!