The 90s was a golden era for entertaining cartoons, bringing us some of the most unforgettable characters in animation history. We’ve all been there: waking up early on Saturdays with a bowl of cereal to catch our favorite show. From heroic adventurers to hilarious troublemakers, each character left a lasting impact with their unique personalities and stories. So, let’s celebrate the best cartoon characters from the 90s!
30 Famous Cartoon Characters In The 90s
1. Tom & Jerry
Few rivalries are as iconic as Tom & Jerry’s endless cat-and-mouse chase! This classic duo from the golden age of animation defined slapstick comedy for generations.
With Jerry’s clever tricks and Tom’s over-the-top schemes, their chaotic yet hilarious battles kept 90s kids glued to the screen. Even without dialogue, their expressive antics spoke volumes, making them a timeless cartoon favorite.
2. Susie Carmichael
Smart, kind, and confident, Susie Carmichael from Rugrats was everything kids aspired to be. She stood up to Angelica’s bossy ways and was always ready to help her baby friends.
Thanks to a strong family background and a natural talent for singing, Susie brought warmth and wisdom to the show. This black 90s cartoon character was a trailblazer, proving that kindness and courage make a true leader—even in diapers!
3. Stewie Griffin
An evil genius trapped in a baby’s body, Family Guy’s Stewie Griffin is both hilarious and terrifying. With his British accent, elaborate schemes, and obsession with world domination, he stole the show every time.
Whether inventing gadgets or throwing sarcastic insults at Brian, Stewie’s intellect and wit made him a standout 90s character who pushed the boundaries of animated humor.
4. Arnold Shortman
The heart and soul of Hey Arnold!, Arnold Shortman was the cool, level-headed kid everyone wished they knew. Growing up in a quirky boarding house, he tackled urban adventures with wisdom beyond his years.
From helping his friends to dealing with bullies, Arnold’s moral compass never wavered. With his football-shaped head and calm demeanor, he showed us that kindness always wins.
5. Dexter
Science was never this fun until Dexter’s Laboratory hit our screens! This boy genius, with his thick accent and secret lab, was always cooking up wild experiments—until Dee Dee wrecked them.
Dexter’s stubborn, determined nature made him relatable, while his over-the-top inventions fueled every kid’s imagination. Whether battling Mandark or perfecting his latest gadget, Dexter proved that nerds truly rule the world!
6. Homer Simpson
D’oh! There’s no 90s cartoon dad quite like The Simpsons’ Homer Simpson. Whether he was chasing donuts, getting into ridiculous antics, or showing rare moments of fatherly wisdom, Homer was as lovable as he was clueless.
With his over-the-top personality and hilarious one-liners, he gave us endless laughs while somehow keeping the Simpson family together—mostly. He’s the ultimate TV dad of the era!
7. Johnny Bravo
With a pompadour, sunglasses, and Elvis-inspired voice, Johnny Bravo was 90s animation’s ultimate wannabe ladies’ man. His overconfidence and exaggerated muscles made his attempts at romance hilariously disastrous.
Despite his goofiness, Johnny had a charm that made Johnny Bravo a standout show. Whether flexing in the mirror or dodging an angry date, he was proof that not all heroes are smooth talkers!
8. Beetlejuice
Spooky, kooky, and downright mischievous, Beetlejuice brought a supernatural twist to 90s cartoons. Inspired by the Tim Burton film, the animated version was wacky and full of ghoulish humor.
With his striped suit and love for pranks, Beetlejuice turned the afterlife into a playground of chaos. His adventures with Lydia Deetz gave us creepy laughs and a love for all things weird and wonderful.
9. Scrooge McDuck
The richest duck in animation, DuckTales’ Scrooge McDuck was more than just his mountains of gold. With his top hat and cane, he went on daring treasure hunts, teaching his nephews life lessons along the way.
Starting out with a grumpy, money-loving nature, Scrooge had a heart of gold when it mattered. He proved that adventure and family are worth more than any fortune.
10. Sailor Moon
Fighting evil by moonlight and winning hearts by daylight, Sailor Moon became the face of magical girl anime. Serena (Usagi) wasn’t your typical hero—she was clumsy, loved snacks, and sometimes doubted herself.
But when duty called, she transformed into the fearless Sailor Moon, leading the Sailor Scouts in epic battles. With dazzling attacks and messages of love and friendship, she defined 90s girl power!
11. SpongeBob SquarePants
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants! This eternally optimistic fry cook brought endless laughs with his goofy giggle, jellyfishing adventures, and love for the Krusty Krab.
Whether annoying Squidward, karate-chopping with Sandy, or flipping Krabby Patties, SpongeBob’s boundless energy made him an unforgettable 90s icon. He proved that being weird and joyful is totally okay—maybe even absorbingly cool!
12. Daria Morgendorffer
Sarcastic, witty, and unapologetically cynical, Daria Morgendorffer was the voice of every 90s kid who felt like an outsider. Stuck in a world of superficial high school drama, she navigated life with dry humor, sharp intelligence, and an eye-roll for every situation.
Daria proved that being different—and embracing it—was its own kind of superpower. This also makes her an outstanding icon among 90s cartoon characters with glasses.
13. Anastasia
Anastasia wasn’t your typical princess or an ordinary female 90s cartoon character—she was a lost royal rediscovering her past while dodging the villainous Rasputin. This 1997 animated film blended history, adventure, and romance, giving 90s kids a heroine with heart.
With her fiery personality and stunning Once Upon a December moment, Anastasia proved that finding your place in the world is the greatest adventure of all.
14. The Powerpuff Girls
Sugar, spice, and everything nice—these three little superheroes packed a serious punch! The Powerpuff Girls—Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup—protected Townsville from villains like Mojo Jojo and Him while still making it home for bedtime.
Their bold animation style, exciting action, and quirky humor made them a defining part of our 90s childhoods. They weren’t just cute; they were powerful!
15. Tommy Pickles
Leader of the Rugrats crew, Tommy Pickles, was the adventurous, diaper-wearing hero of every 90s kid. Armed with a trusty screwdriver and boundless curiosity, he turned everyday moments into grand adventures.
Whether facing off against Angelica or leading his baby friends into the unknown, Tommy’s courage and kindness made him the heart of the show—and a childhood icon.
16. The Joker
Mark Hamill’s Joker in Batman: The Animated Series was pure nightmare fuel. This sinister, laughing madman brought chaos to Gotham with a perfect mix of humor and menace.
His eerie design, chilling voice, and unpredictable schemes made him one of the greatest animated villains of all time. Whether cracking a joke or plotting destruction, the Joker was always the wild card.
17. Buster Bunny
From Tiny Toon Adventures, Buster Bunny was the wisecracking, carrot-chomping leader of the next generation of Looney Tunes.
With his blue fur, quick wit, and love for mischief, he brought classic slapstick humor to a new era. From pulling pranks to dodging Elmyra, Buster was the cool, fun-loving bunny every 90s kid wanted as a best friend.
18. Cat and Dog
Forget all the dog and cat fights! They are now united in one body! CatDog was one of the weirdest yet most lovable and entertaining cartoons of the 90s.
Cat was sophisticated and cautious; Dog was wild and carefree—together, they were a recipe for hilarious chaos. CatDog showed us that opposites can coexist—even if they’re literally stuck together.
19. Jack Skellington
The Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, became a gothic icon thanks to The Nightmare Before Christmas. His curiosity about Christmas led to spooky yet heartfelt adventures, making him one of the most unique animated characters ever.
With his hauntingly elegant design and Danny Elfman’s unforgettable songs, Jack showed us that even skeletons can dream of something more.
20. Max Goof
Being Goofy’s son wasn’t easy, but Max Goof made it work in A Goofy Movie! A 90s teen full of charm, insecurities, and love for Powerline, Max was relatable to kids figuring themselves out.
His journey to bond with his dad—and impress Roxanne—gave us heartwarming laughs. Cool yet awkward, Max proved that being yourself is the real way to stand out.
21. Doug Funnie
Every 90s kid related to Doug Funnie, the daydreaming, journal-writing, kindhearted middle schooler from Bluffington. Whether crushing on Patti Mayonnaise, dodging bully Roger Klotz, or imagining himself as Quailman, Doug’s everyday adventures felt real.
With his khaki shorts and endless imagination, he reminded us that even the most normal kid could be the hero of their own story.
22. Belle Princess
Smart, kind, and adventurous, Belle from Beauty and the Beast proved that brains and bravery are just as important as beauty. Unlike other princesses, she didn’t dream of castles—she wanted adventure in the great wide somewhere.
Known for her love of books and compassion for the Beast, she became a role model for dreamers and bookworms everywhere.
23. Eric Cartman
Foul-mouthed, selfish, and absolutely hilarious, South Park’s Eric Cartman became one of the most outrageous and popular cartoon characters of the 90s. His sharp tongue and ruthless schemes made him South Park’s most chaotic character.
No prank was too cruel, no insult too savage—he thrived on pushing every boundary. His signature beanie and unforgettable one-liners cemented his place as one of TV’s most brilliantly awful personalities. Love him or hate him, he was impossible to ignore.
24. Lola Bunny
Sassy, skilled, and stylish, Space Jam’s Lola Bunny redefined cool in the 90s. With her smooth basketball moves and fierce independence, she proved she was more than just Bugs Bunny’s love interest.
Lola’s confident attitude and sporty charm made her an instant fan favorite, showing that girls could be just as fast, strong, and funny as boys.
25. Spider-Man
90s kids grew up watching Spider-Man: The Animated Series, where Peter Parker swung through New York, battling villains and balancing life’s struggles. With a sharp wit, iconic red-and-blue suit, and web-slinging action, Spider-Man was the ultimate hero.
His relatable problems and heroic heart reminded us that “with great power comes great responsibility”—a lesson that stuck with fans for life.
26. Ms. Frizzle
Seatbelts, everyone! Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus made science the coolest subject ever. With her wacky outfits and fearless attitude, she took her students on wild field trips—inside the human body, to outer space, and even back in time!
She made learning an adventure, proving that curiosity and a little magic (or a lot) could take you anywhere.
27. Pikachu
The face of Pokémon, Pikachu was the adorable yet powerful electric mouse that captured hearts worldwide. Whether shocking Team Rocket, battling alongside Ash, or just being undeniably cute, Pikachu became an icon of 90s pop culture.
With those big ears and bright red cheeks, this little Pokémon proved that sometimes, the smallest heroes make the biggest impact.
28. Courage
Terrified yet brave, Courage the Cowardly Dog was the pink pup who saved his owners from terrifying monsters, aliens, and supernatural horrors.
Despite his constant fear, he never gave up on protecting Muriel and Eustace. With its eerie animation and bizarre humor, Courage the Cowardly Dog made us laugh, scream, and root for the unlikeliest hero of all, as well as an iconic 90s cartoon dog character.
29. Leonardo
The fearless leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Leonardo wielded twin katanas and a strong sense of duty. Always focused on protecting his brothers and following Master Splinter’s teachings, Leo was the disciplined heart of the team.
The way he fought Shredder and navigated sibling rivalries showed that true leadership means putting others before yourself. Cowabunga!
30. Cow
Sweet, naïve, and endlessly lovable, Cow from Cow and Chicken was the heart of this bizarre 90s cartoon. Despite her size, she was innocent and full of childlike wonder, always ready to help (even as the superheroine Supercow!).
Her goofy voice and wild antics balanced her brother Chicken’s sarcasm, making Cow and Chicken a hilariously weird classic.
They’ll Live On!
These popular cartoon characters of the 90s weren’t just fun to watch—they became a part of our lives. They made us laugh, taught us lessons, and sparked our imaginations in ways we’ll never forget. No matter how much time passes, these animated legends will always hold a special place in our hearts, and the magic of 90s cartoons lives on!
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