Hollywood is currently on the verge of mining every pocket of our '80s and '90s childhoods to find that which was once popular and make it so again. [Editor's note: Need proof? Just pay a visit to Netflix and look up She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Voltron Legendary Defender, Stretch Armstrong and the Flex FightersCarmen SandiegoMy Little Pony, etc., etc...]

There's lots of revenue to be made from our collective Nostalgia porn, both on the big and small screens. With reboots of ‘90s classics like Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs in the works, and Disney’s DuckTales already on the air, it’s safe to assume that nearly every animated show our Saturday-morning and/or after-school selves loved will get the reboot treatment sooner or later. Here are 11 90s cartoons, both classics and deep cuts, that are worthy of a revisit.

In the meantime, be sure to bookmark these other nostalgia-fueled cartoon write-ups:

Without further adieu, here’s our list of series we’d pay folding money to see dusted off for Netflix:

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures (1990 – 1991)

 

bill-and-ted-cartoon-reboot

What better way to celebrate this classic on its 30th anniversary than with a reboot of his scary-underrated animated series? (Other than releasing that long-in-the-works third live-action movie, we mean.)

This very entertaining series originally aired on CBS, and it featured Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves voicing the animated versions of Bill and Ted, respectively, as the duo embarked on more time-traveling trips throughout history with a touch of Wyld Stallions-y rock ‘n roll. It was popcorn entertainment, sure, end educational. The perfect Trojan Horse to smuggle in a few Happy Meal and toy ads, too. With Netflix’s recent success on a Magic School Bus reboot, and Bill & Ted fandom at an all-time high, bringing back the show’s unique edu-tainment approach could draw in both new and old fans alike. Coincide the launch with the upcoming release of that third movie we mentioned, Bill & Ted Face the Music, and Netflix will mint that new subscriber money.

Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars (1991 – 1992)

bucky-ohare-cartoon-reboot

In the early ‘90s, the cool kids played with BattleToads. But the cooler kids? They played with and watched Bucky O’Hare.

Based on the Continuity Comic of the same name. this short-lived animated series was sort of a Guardians of the Galaxy by way of Buck Rogers. Just swap out Star-Lord for a green, space-bound rabbit. Bucky and his intrepid crew belong the S.P.A.C.E. organization, which stands for Sentient Protoplasm Against Colonial Encroachment. Their job? Battle it out with KOMPLEX, the ultra Big Bad and leader of the Toad Empire. Lots of fun animated space battles ensued. This property is just on the fringe of “remember when” and total obscurity. Why wouldn’t Netflix, or any other streaming giant, want the chance to potentially launch a Guardians-sized success on an animated series budget?

Pirates of Dark Water (1991 – 1993)

the-pirates-of-dark-water-slice

If any series could do for Netflix what Game of Thrones did for HBO, it is Pirates of Dark Water.

This darker-than-usual Saturday morning cartoon fair ran on ABC from ’91 to 93, after first premiering as a five-part mini entitled Dark Water on FOX Kids. The action-packed tale centered on Ren, a young Prince, struggling to stop a substance known as Dark Water from destroying his world, called Mer. (Remember that oil slick from Creepshow 2? Dark Water was kinda like that.) To stop the gooey stuff, he and his ragtag crew had to sail Mer in search of the Thirteen Treasures of Rule. Notable for its impressive (at the time) cell animation and deep mythology, Dark Water’s serialized-ish storytelling was ahead of its time for the genre – and would make for perfect binge-watching in either animated or live-action form. While rumors of some form of reboot have percolated over the years, fans remain unsatisfied due to none of them coming to fruition. The show ended abruptly, with only eight of the treasures found. We deserve some closure, and the show deserves a second wind.

Captain Planet (1990 - 1996)

captain-planet-slice-01

23 years and 113 episodes ago, we just now realized that, yup, that was Tom Cruise originally considered to voice Captain Planet.

This landmark (and, now, nostalgia-rich) animated series was able to pull in that level of marquee talent – which also included stars like Whoopi Goldberg and Meg Ryan – thanks to co-creator Ted Turner, who helped spearhead the environmentally-conscious series for TBS. Every episode, the five Planeteers would combine their rings and summon the blue-mulleted titular hero for a variety of “save the environment” adventures. Given that the world has been suffering a very bad global fever for the last few years, and fewer ears listening to the climate change crisis around us, a new Captain Planet series would be very effective in helping more people listen.

James Bond Jr. (1991 – 1992)

james-bond-jr-cartoon

Even though it only lasted a year on CBS, you’d think this short-lived series was a bigger deal, considering that it spawned a Nintendo game (!), a comic series by Marvel, and a Hasbro toy line.

The title is a bit misleading: 007 wasn’t the titular character’s father, he was his uncle. But that didn’t stop JBJ from pulling an Alias and battling SPECTRE’s goons in between classes at an elite prep school. Since the super spy is bigger now than he’s ever been, thanks to Daniel Craig’s run of Bond movies, it makes sense to have a companion series furthering the brand – but without diluting it. Give it a tone similar to Netflix’s Trollhunters, with a more grounded and reality-adjacent hero battling the mid-level threats his Uncle is too busy for, and maybe also add a cameo or two from Uncle “You Only Live Twice,” as well. Just omit the hip-hop OddJob (see above).

The New Adventures of Jonny Quest (1996 – 1997)

jonny-quest-reboot

Selfishly, we just want to hear this show’s badass, Hans Zimmer-y take on the classic Jonny Quest theme again without having to go to YouTube to listen to it.

Cartoon Network rebooted the classic ‘60s Hanna-Barbara adventure series, updating it with the aforementioned cool AF theme along with better action and higher stakes. (The problematic naming of Hadji was still sadly in place, however). With Robert Rodriguez’ movie adaptation seemingly on hold (this property’s leap the big screen has been stalled for years by Development Hell), it might be time to put Jonny Quest back where he came from – on the small screen. Keeping the show’s retro-future intact, but dropped into a 2019 aesthetic, could bring a distinct visual style to the proceedings. The original had such an earnest approach to its B-movie sci-fi adventures; that tone could be seen as refreshing given the dark and gritty approach most current shows take. And who can’t identify with a teen protagonist living a life our teen selves imagined whenever we watched James Bond or Indiana Jones?

Bobby's World (1990 – 1998)

bobbys-world-slice

Before he hosted the hit NBC game show, Deal or No Deal, Howie Mandel lent his considerable comedic voice talents to this staple FOX Kids series.

Few things spark the nostalgic warm and fuzzies as flash backs to Saturday mornings spent inside Bobby’s inventive and engaging imagination. Every week, we follow Bobby Generic (and occasionally drop in on his dad, Howard) as Bobby takes us to “Bobbyland.” Most episodes were bookended with short live-action segments which often featured Mendel either talking to an animated Bobby or another real kid/viewer. A reboot should bring those bookends back with it, along with the show’s effortless inability to make one smile long after the credits roll.

The Critic (1994 – 2001)

the-critic-slice

“It stinks!” This prime-time ABC animated series, created by writers Al Jean and Mike Reiss (The Simpsons), came at that weird time in the ‘90s where every network wanted their adult-skewering animated series in the hopes of finding their own Simpsons-level success (RIP, Capitol Critters and, sigh, Fish Police.)

The most successful of which was The Critic, despite its limited run. Fans border on obsessive with this series and the off-and-on rumors of its return in some form. Given the current Twitter hellscape at the intersection of fandom and movie criticism, audiences could use a strong dose of Jay Sherman (Jon Lovitz) and his satirical and snarky critiques.

Duckman (1994 – 1997)

duckman-slice

Even for the ‘90s, this show was a lot.

Based on the one-shot Dark Horse comic, this USA animated series aired late on Saturday nights from 1994 to 1997. Jason Alexander voiced the titular private duck detective, who balanced his case load with his eccentric family using a strong dose of sarcasm. Armed with two Care Bear-inspired office assistants, and a perpetually comatose (and fart-happy) mother-in-law (told you it was a lot), Duckman was sort of a trial run for the sardonic humor of such hit shows as Bojack Horseman. A reboot would fit right at home amongst shows like Bojack, and it could finally resolve that super awkward cliffhanger that ended the series.

Gargoyles (1994 – 1997)

gargoyles-reboot

Yes, we know if this all-timer animated series were ever to get rebooted, it would be on Disney+. Until that streaming service launches, accept our pie-in-the-sky pitch for a gritty Netflix reboot of this underrated fan favorite.

Disney Animation’s answer to Warner Bros. and FOX’s Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles was full of really dark tones and (shockingly) heavy Shakespearean themes. That’s more than anyone was expecting for a show whose heroes are nocturnal statues that come alive at night to protect New York City. The end result was a bold, sophisticated melodrama that no Disney cartoon has replicated before or since. In addition to an impressive, screen-accurate toy line, the series also spawned a fiercely loyal fanbase – one that deserves new adventures in this world. (And please bring back the voices of Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame.)

Cadillacs & Dinosaurs (1993 – 1994)

cadillacs-and-dinosaurs-cartoons

If there is a better or more ‘90s animated series intro, we don’t wanna know about it.

In a savage land full of T-Rexes and six-cylinder engines, one man stands alone: Jack. He’s this show’s version of an Ash Williams anti-hero, defending what’s left of humanity with the help of his two friends and their, um, cars. In a world overrun with Jurassic Park exhibits. Listen, dinosaurs haven’t gotten out of style since Spielberg’s JP put them back on the map. This concept is just crazy enough of a deep cut to grab a small band of nostalgic fans to tune in for a CG-animated resurrection. Inject this series with the caliber of talent Hulu and Marvel are giving the recently-announced MODOK show, and you could have a big cult-hit on your hands that could easily fill up Ballroom 20 come SDCC time.

cadillacs-and-dinosaurs-cartoons
Image via Kitchen Sink Press