The ’90s was a golden era foranimated comedy showsthat brought endless laughter and entertainment to both children and adults. From dysfunctional families to talking animals and wacky adventures, the ’90s had it all. These shows were filled with humor that still holds up today, making them classics in the animation world. With their imaginative storytelling and colorful characters, they created a new standard for humor and storytelling. They tackled taboo subjects and pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable for a mainstream audience, simultaneously making them both shocking and hilarious.
With their ability to make us laugh, these shows brought joy and levity to our lives, and they continue to do so to this day. So, if you’re looking for a trip down memory lane or want to discover some classic animated comedy shows, look no further than the funniest ’90s animated comedy shows.
Beavis and Butt-Headis a cult classic animated show centered around two teenage boys, Beavis and Butt-Head, who spend their days watching music videos and causing chaos in their town. The show’s humor comes from the characters’ hilarious and often ridiculous commentary on the music videos they watch and their frequent misadventures and antics. Beavis and Butt-Head’s behavior and outrageous stunts often land them in bizarre situations that are sure to elicit laughs.
The comedy’s ability to make audiences laugh at the absurdity of teenage life and its clever satire of pop culture has made it a fan favorite for decades. However, its humor is often controversial, as it features crude language and sexual innuendo. But this irreverence has made it a cult classic and has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on popular culture.
9Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999 - 2008)
Created by Danny Antonucci,Ed, Edd n Eddyis aclassic cartoonknown for its absurd and slapstick humor. The show follows the day-to-day life of three best friends, all named Ed, who live in a suburban blind alley and frequently scheme to make money to purchase jawbreakers. The characters are all loveable and outrageous, from the trio of Eds to the vibrant neighborhood youngsters who frequently fall for the Eds’ absurd schemes.
The humor inEd, Edd, n Eddyis brought out by the series’ witty comedy and silly jokes, whacky cartoon violence, and satirical commentary on the idiosyncrasies of suburban life. It’s also driven by its unique animation style, characterized by exaggerated facial expressions and body movements. Overall,Ed, Edd n Eddyis a lovable cartoon with an approval rating of 7.5/10 on IMDb.
8The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991 - 1996)
The Ren & Stimpy Showis a popular animated television series known for its absurd and often crude humor and ability to make audiences laugh and cringe simultaneously. The show follows the adventures of a highly-strung chihuahua named Ren and his dimwitted feline friend Stimpy, constantly getting into bizarre and surreal situations, often resulting in hilarious outcomes.
Some of the show’s most iconic moments are its gross-out gags, including Stimpy’sinfamous Happy Happy Joy Joy song, which manages to be both catchy and ridiculous. The series’ off-beat humor and visual gags are a hallmark of its style, and it remains a beloved cult classic that continues to entertain and amuse viewers today.
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7Pinky and the Brain (1995 - 1998)
Pinky and the Brainis a hilarious animated television show that captivates audiences of all ages with its witty humor and memorable characters. The show follows the misadventures of two genetically enhanced laboratory mice: the megalomaniacal Brain, who is always scheming to take over the world, and his bumbling sidekick Pinky, who provides a comedic foil to Brain’s grandiose plans.
The humor in the show is both clever and silly, with Brain’s megalomaniacal plans often being foiled by Pinky’s dim-witted antics. Pinky’s clueless demeanor and wacky antics add to the series’ comedic appeal, making the duo one of the most memorable pairs in cartoon history. The show’s writing is sharp and witty, and the characters’ over-the-top personalities and silly voices add to the comedy’s craziness. Generally, the series’ unique blend of slapstick humor, witty banter, and satirical commentary on pop culture and politics makes it a timeless classic that will entertain audiences of all ages.
6Dexter’s Laboratory (1996 - 2003)
Created by Genndy Tartakovsky,Dexter’s Laboratoryis a classic animated show well-known for its imaginative humor and lighthearted nature. The show follows the adventures of Dexter, a boy genius with a secret laboratory hidden in his room. Dexter’s eccentric personality, scientific demeanor, and constant bickering with his dim-witted sister Dee Dee create many comedic moments throughout the series.
Whether Dexter is inventing new machines or trying to keep his sister out of his lab, the show always makes viewers laugh. The comedy’s visual gags and slapstick humor are a big part of its appeal, with many of its most memorable moments being its over-the-top action sequences.Dexter’s Laboratoryis one of the most hilarious animated series of the 90s. Its mix of science fiction and comedy and its quirky characters make it a beloved classic that continues to be popular with viewers of all ages.
5Rocko’s Modern Life (1993–1996)
Rocko’s Modern Lifeis a classic cartoon about the absurdity of everyday life, exploring everything from office politics to the fast food industry. The show follows the misadventures of Rocko, a wallaby, and his friends in the fictional town of O-Town as he finishes his transition to American life. The series is full of absurd and satirical humor brought out by its commentary on American culture and its surreal and outrageous scenarios.
The show’s humor is also rooted in its clever writing and unique animation style, which features bright colors and exaggerated character designs. The character Wacky often gets into hilarious and often surreal situations that will undoubtedly bring out the laughs to its audience.
4Animaniacs (1993 - 1998)
Animaniacsis a popular animated comedy-musical television series renowned for its witty and lighthearted humor and ability to entertain adults and children. It features a large cast of zany cartoon characters who often find themselves in surreal and ridiculous situations. Their antics are sure to elicit laughs from viewers of all ages. The show’s humor is oftenself-referential, with the characters frequently breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly. The musical segments also stand out, with catchy tunes and witty lyrics that parody popular songs and genres.
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3Family guy (1999 - Present)
Family Guyis an animated series renowned for its outrageous humor and irreverent style. The Griffin family, a dysfunctional and eccentric bunch of characters that frequently find themselves inabsurd and ridiculous situations, is the subject of the television show, which follows their daily life. The comedy’s humor is characterized by its unanticipated delivery of jokes, its use of cutaway gags, and its willingness to poke fun at anything and everything.
Family Guyis a series that constantly pushes the boundaries of what is considered appropriate and acceptable by satirizing popular culture and aiming at politics and social concerns. The show boasts an approval rating of 8.2 on IMDb, but while most people love it, some state that the jokes are somewhat offensive. Regardless, there’s no denying the genius humor ofFamily Guy.
2Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999 - 2002)
Created by John R. Dilworth,Courage the CowardlyDogis an animated comedy horror television show known for its unique and surreal brand of humor. The show follows the off-beat adventures of Courage, a timid and cowardly dog, and his elderly owners, Muriel and Eustace Bagge, as they navigate a world of supernatural monsters, paranormal events, and eerie phenomena that appear around their land. It often takes a lighthearted but eerie look at the horror genre, blending humor and scares in an entertaining and unsettling way. The lovable and eccentric characters, from the shy and brave Courage to the grumpy and self-centered Eustace, add to the show’s charm.
Courage the Cowardly Dog’s distinct animation style, which combines conventional and digital animation techniques, contributes to its humor. However, it’s the show’s general absurd and unsettling scenarios and clever and unpredictable punchlines that really make it stand out.
1SpongeBob SquarePants (1999 - Present)
SpongeBob SquarePantsis a beloved and popular animated comedy known for its silly and whimsical humor. The show follows the misadventures of SpongeBob, a cheery and optimistic sea sponge who resides in a pineapple under the sea, and his eclectic group of underwater friends. Clever wordplay, puns, and visual gags often drive the humor inSpongeBob SquarePants. It’s even difficult to avoid the show because of its quirky humor, witty plotline, and colorful and endearing characters, which make it irresistible.
The series also has a knack for poking fun at popular culture and finding absurdity in everyday situations. Additionally, its humor is buoyed by memorable musical numbers that are often irreverent and catchy, making it one of the catchiest theme tunes of shows airing on Nickelodeon.SpongeBob SquarePantsis a cartoon built on a foundation of humor, and its creators' wit and whimsy have endeared it to fans for over two decades.
