Top 33+ Children’s TV Shows That Were Popular in the 90s

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

As someone who grew up in the 1990s, I remember lying on the living room floor and watching many of these shows on our bulbous CRT television. While some of these shows were definitely not ones I was supposed to be watching, all of them are quintessential parts of a 90s TV show lineup. These are some of the best that are definitely nostalgia-worthy—made more evident by the number of shows that got spin-offs or remakes.

#1: Rugrats

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

If you’re going to say that any of these shows are still super iconic today, Rugrats might come out on top. Not only did this 1991-2004 series get multiple movies, a sequel, and a spin-off series, but it remains one of the longest-running animated series of all time. I loved watching Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil and all their pals running around in the big world around them. Who could resist a show about the world from a baby’s point of view?

#3: Doug

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

What made Doug (1991-1999) particularly unique was that the show took place from the point of view of Doug’s journal. Another Nickelodeon show (which later became a Disney show when Nick didn’t renew it), Doug was another coming of age show that gave real lessons on how to deal with bullies but also how to embrace your imagination. After all, Doug imagined himself a superhero named Quailman who saves the day. Though Porkchop, the dog, has always been my favorite character.

#4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

The series that introduced Will Smith as a bonafide actor is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. From 1990 to 1996, we watched Will, as a streetwise person, become endeared to his wealthy family in the ritzy neighborhood of Bel-Air. A remake of this series was even released in 2022 called Bel-Air. One element of this show that made it even more iconic was the opening song, which I (and likely many other 90s kids) still have memorized in its entirety.

#6: Full House

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

The show that epitomized family sitcoms in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Full House was frequently playing at my childhood home. Centering the blended Tanner family with widowed Danny, his three daughters, Uncle Jesse and Uncle Joey, Full House was a feel good family series. Whether the Tanners were off to Disney World or learning life lessons at home, you bet we were tuning in. This nostalgic show also received a sequel series, Fuller House, which ran from 2016 to 2020.

#7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

There have been a lot of Power Rangers stories through the years, but one stands out for ’90s kids because it was the first one. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers only ran for three seasons from 1993 to 1995, yet it remains an important part of the franchise. It was all about the Power Rangers, a group of costumed, teen crime fighters who wore suits with each having a distinct color. I still rarely remember the character’s actual names, I just knew my favorite was the Pink Ranger.

#9: Saved by the Bell

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

A quintessential high school sitcom, Saved by the Bell, in its original format, ran from 1989 to 1993. Although it was, at times, a comedy, Saved by the Bell definitely had its after-school special kinds of episodes dealing with drugs, homelessness, and other tough topics. We got to know Zack, Lisa, Screech, Jessie, Slater, and Kelly in their high school years and even see them on new adventures in two different movies. It also received a new series called Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which ran longer than the original series and was revived in 2021.

#10: Goosebumps

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Based on R.L. Stine’s creeptastic books of the same name, Goosebumps was a kid’s horror series that ran from 1995 to 1998. Each episode encompassed a different terrifying story in which the cast of kids would be trapped in a spooky scenario. The best episode is probably “The Haunted Mask,” which was both really scary for a kid and also a well-made episode. Even if you weren’t a huge fan of this series, you’d remember it for its unique position as kids’ horror.

#12: The Amanda Show

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

After her successful run on All That, Amanda Bynes got her own sketch comedy show. The Amanda Show followed a similar format but was far less successful and was canceled after just three seasons (1999 – 2002). Despite that, The Amanda Show is still a highly quotable series that many of my Millennial friends and I talk about from time to time. Since my name is also Amanda, that made the show doubly interesting to me.

#13: Pokémon

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

As far as nostalgia goes, little gets more nostalgia for 90s kids, quite like Pokémon. So much so that Pokémon the series never even ended. It started in 1997 and is still going to this day. Although the show no longer stars Ash Ketchum, Brock, and Misty going on adventures to catch Pokémon, it is still the brightly colored story we remember so fondly. Though if you were to ask a 90s kid, we probably don’t know many Pokémon beyond the original 151 — as of now there are over 1,025.

#15: X-Men: The Animated Series

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Like with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, X-Men: The Animated Series is just a drop in the bucket for the X-Men universe. Even so, the Fox Kids Network show (1992-1997) introduced a lot of kids to the world of Professor Charles Xavier and his mutant pupils. Although it was about superheroes living their lives, it also discussed heavier topics in ways that its young viewers could understand. A revival of the original show, fittingly entitled X-Men ’97, was released in 2024.

#16: Clarissa Explains It All

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Yet another coming-of-age, teenage-life-is-awkward series was Clarissa Explains It All. What made this Nickelodeon series (1991-1994) different, though, was that Clarissa constantly broke the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience about what was going on or how she was feeling. Not only was that format unique for this kind of teen show, but Clarissa also became the first Nick show that starred a girl as opposed to the other shows that all had male leads.

#18: Recess

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Any 90s kids who watched Toon Disney or the Disney Channel have to remember Recess. Running from 1997 to 2001, this show about a group of fourth-grade friends at Third Street Elementary School was the staple of Disney’s One Saturday Morning. Even years after it stopped airing, the reruns on Disney Channel and the four subsequent movies were welcome bites of nostalgia. As an adult, it’s fascinating how the show still holds up today, especially when it comes to the kids’ interrogating social norms.

#19: Gargoyles

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

With so many iconic TV shows hailing from the 90s, it’s easy to forget about Gargoyles (1994-1997). It only aired for a few years and is rarely talked about today. Still, you can’t deny how cool the story was, even if it wasn’t always appreciated. It’s all about actual gargoyles who come to life at night and protect New York City. This show has a huge following, and every so often, it gets mentioned again. There was supposed to be a film version and a potential revival, but neither have made it off the ground so far.

#21: Johnny Bravo

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

“Whoa, mama!” That’s right, we’re talking about Johnny Bravo. The obvious Elvis wannabe who spends every episode trying to get women to date him was somehow a central character in a show a lot of us loved. Despite all of his ridiculousness, Johnny Bravo ran from 1997 to 2004. He almost made it to the big screen with his own film but had to settle for video game appearances when that didn’t work out. 

#22: Beavis and Butt-Head

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Definitely the least kid-friendly show on our list, that didn’t stop 90’s kids from checking out Beavis and Butt-Head. The long-running animated series was rated TV-14 for its crude humor and bad language, so many of us probably weren’t supposed to watch it. Still, there was something about those two weirdo slackers that kept viewers enthralled. So much so that the show ran from 1993 to 2011, was revived from 2022 to 2023, and is being brought back (again) in 2025. “We are all Cornholio,” indeed.

#24: Daria

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Having seen a lot more Daria than Beavis and Butt-Head, it’s always hard to believe that this series is a spin-off of the other. Starring the titular Daria, this animated show was also a high school-based one, but it had a lot more sarcasm and cynicism mixed in. Daria quickly became a go-to icon for anything contemptuous. Even though it was only released from 1997 to 2002, it will forever be a better show in my eyes than Beavis.

#25: Kenan & Kel

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Released after their success on All That, Kenan & Kel  (1996 – 2000)was a fun buddy comedy show about the two titular characters, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, being best friends and getting into trouble. Although their hijinks rarely end the way they intend, things always work out in the end. Kel’s obsession with orange soda was a pinnacle part of at least 99% of episodes. Although the film Good Burger came out in 1997 and stars Thompson and Mitchell while they were still making Kenan & Kel, it isn’t related to the tv series.

#27: Tiny Toon Adventures

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

The predecessor to Animaniacs, Tiny Toon Adventures (1990-1992) was one of my all-time favorite shows as a kid. Inspired by the Looney Tunes, this series was about a group of young kids who mirrored characters like Bugs or Daffy. These kiddos, from Babe and Buster Bunny to Dizzy Devil and Plucky Duck, were all in school (Acme Looniversity) to learn to be comedic stars like their heroes, the Looney Tunes characters, who are also the teachers at their school. This show also received a revival that began in 2021 and is still airing. 

#28: The Powerpuff Girls

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

While there weren’t many shows representing women and girls in powerful, crime-fighting positions, you always knew you could count on the Powerpuff Girls to bring the heat. The show aired between 1998-2004 and was jam-packed with adventure and saving the world. If you were a young girl at the time, we bet your favorite color was based on your favorite Powerpuff.

#30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

If you were a kid in the late ’90s, chances are you have sat through your fair share of Are You Afraid of the Dark episodes. While it might not be considered scary by today’s standards, once upon a time, this creepy story-telling show was all you needed for a scary sleepover. A group of teenagers meeting in the woods to tell creepy stories is pretty terrifying at any age…

#31: Batman: The Animated Series

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

Created in 1992, Batman: The Animated Series was a big hit when it was first released. At the time, the show was wildly popular among people of all ages, not just children but also senior executives at Warner Bros., who decided to pump the brakes on the how and focus more on youth-centric programs. It might have made sense at the time of its cancellation, but this show is still watched.

#33: Sailor Moon

#1: Rugrats, #3: Doug, #4: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, #6: Full House, #7: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, #9: Saved by the Bell, #10: Goosebumps, #12: The Amanda Show, #13: Pokémon, #15: X-Men: The Animated Series, #16: Clarissa Explains It All, #18: Recess, #19: Gargoyles, #21: Johnny Bravo, #22: Beavis and Butt-Head, #24: Daria, #25: Kenan & Kel, #27: Tiny Toon Adventures, #28: The Powerpuff Girls, #30: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, #31: Batman: The Animated Series, #33: Sailor Moon

The hit Japanese manga series has gripped audiences since its creation in 1992. Following the adventures of a schoolgirl named Usagi Tsukino, who one day transforms into Sailor Moon, a girl with special powers destined to save planet Earth. It might sound far-fetched, but that’s exactly why this TV show was so popular throughout the 90s.

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