Top 10 Greatest Animated Shows In HUGE Franchises

#10: “The Real Ghostbusters” (1986-91)

Although “Ghostbusters” is a franchise that many consider sacred, there are really only two entities that unify every member of the fandom: the 1984 blockbuster film, of course, and “The Real Ghostbusters” animated series. While the film could go further with its adult humor, the freedom of animation opened the show up to stories that might’ve been considered too ambitious for live-action at the time. Even now, some of these ideas would likely be deemed too expensive for live-action. In animation, there are no limitations to the variety of ghosts to bust. Where most of the films that followed relied more on nostalgia and established formulas, “The Real Ghostbusters” evolved the premise, suggesting that maybe animation is where the franchise should be focused moving forward.

#9: “Mickey Mouse” (2013-19)

Mickey has been a bankable face for nearly a century, so much so that Disney’s done everything to reinforce those copyright guardrails. While the Steamboat Willie version is in the public domain, Disney can still capitalize on later incarnations. This one harkened back to Mickey’s more mischievous early days before becoming a safe corporate mascot. At the same time, Paul Rudish put a fresh, even twisted spin on the character, feeling closer to “Ren & Stimpy” or “The Powerpuff Girls.” Rudish actually worked on the latter, so that’s not surprising. What is surprising is that Disney allowed Rudish to give Mickey an edge again. It paid off with a brand that lasted nearly a decade between the original shorts and “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse.”

#8: “Muppet Babies” (1984-91)

The Muppets became an enduring franchise thanks in part to Jim Henson’s puppetry. The idea of removing that element from a “Muppet” show might not have sounded promising. Setting the entire series in a nursery also seemed to restrict the possibilities. When using your imagination, though, you can go anywhere. “Muppet Babies” would take viewers to an assortment of inventive locales, often incorporating footage from movies like “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones.” Where some argue that screens impede our imagination, “Muppet Babies” understood that movies and television can be a source of inspiration, expanding our creativity rather than limiting it. It did so with the traditional Muppet humor and timeless characters, making a show about babies that all ages could enjoy.

#7: “Garfield and Friends” (1988-94)

While Garfield has been a household name for decades, people forget he was a merchandising giant in the 80s. Jim Davis’ creation culminated in the animated series “Garfield and Friends,” the latter referring to the “U.S. Acres” segment. Although head writer Mark Evanier maintained the spirit of Davis’ characters, he incorporated a more satirical side to the show. This allowed Garfield to venture beyond domestic issues, getting into more far-out scenarios that could still be resolved in seven minutes. The show also had a self-awareness to it. Not only would Garfield break the fourth wall, but he’d even call out the show’s animation errors and push back against network interference. It was an animated kids' show that prioritized clever writing, foreshadowing more to come.

#6: “The Spectacular Spider-Man” (2008-09)

Of all the Spidey-centric shows, “The Spectacular Spider-Man” is arguably the best… and the most prematurely cancelled. While it’s unlikely the show’s cliffhanger ending will ever be resolved, it’s still impressive just how much character development Greg Weisman and Victor Cook packed into just 26 episodes. Beyond the comics, the show may have our favorite version of the “Alien Costume Saga,” among other well-known Spider-Man story arcs. The show also knew how to honor the source material while spinning its own web, giving us a Flash Thompson who isn’t one-dimensional, a more sympathetic Eddie Brock, and a Norman Osborn who keeps us guessing. We also feel for Peter as he tries to navigate a normal teenage life, while balancing the responsibilities of being Spider-Man.

#5: “Tiny Toon Adventures” (1990-92)

The Looney Tunes were as marketable as ever in the 90s (and still could be if Warner Bros. remembered what they have). While Bugs and company would appear in “Tiny Toon Adventures” as mentors, creator Tom Ruegger shined the spotlight on a new generation. Although cut from the same cloth as their predecessors, this new class stood on their own with standouts including Babs Bunny, Montana Max, and, of course, Baby Plucky. It laid the groundwork for the mix of slapstick and satire that’d be further refined in Ruegger’s subsequent shows. What distinguished “Tiny Toons” from other shows in the Rueggerverse, as fans call it, was the adventure angle, which was taken to the next level in the straight-to-video feature, “How I Spent My Vacation.”

#4: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012-17)

The idea may’ve essentially started as a joke, but the “Ninja Turtles” franchise has spanned generations. Although your favorite incarnation is likely the one you grew up with, we think the 2012 series is objectively the GOAT. Why? Because it combined the best elements of every “Ninja Turtles” property, from the grit of the original comics, to the humor of the 1987 series, to the more character-focused stories of the 2003 show. Yet, this “Ninja Turtles” left its own signature through the animation, writing, and approach to classic storylines. You got the sense that the creatives involved were fans, leading to an onslaught of in-jokes and easter eggs. At the same time, they delivered a series that served as a great entry point for newcomers.

#3: “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-14; 2020)

The prequel trilogy has gotten a reappraisal, but let’s be honest. Part of that’s because “The Clone Wars” animated series compensated in areas where the movies left something to be desired. That said, showrunner Dave Filoni and his team gave us some of the best character development in the entire “Star Wars” saga, fleshing out Anakin Skywalker, Count Dooku, and Darth Maul. Even Jar Jar is… better. “The Clone Wars” also created new icons like Ahsoka Tano, who has her own involving character arc, while adding another layer of tragedy to Anakin’s. While Filoni’s focus has gravitated toward live-action “Star Wars” projects as of late, the influence of “Clone Wars” can still be found, remaining one of the most important pieces of “Star Wars” lore.

#2: “Arcane” (2021-24)

“League of Legends” has been one of the most popular MOBA games for over a decade, creating a world full of possibilities for the showrunners behind “Arcane” to build upon. Even the most diehard “LoL” fans were blown away by how this Emmy-winning series evolved the source material, from the worldbuilding, to the character development, to the sheer craftsmanship. This is one of the most gorgeously animated series we’ve ever seen, but “Arcane” isn’t style over substance. It’s an epic story of rebellion, classism, and family, as two sisters find themselves torn apart by tragedy. It’s the gold standard in this new era of video game adaptations. Whether or not you’ve played the game, “Arcane” will still have you enthralled from start to finish.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure” (2017-20)

If Only Disney’s Straight-to-Video Sequels Had This Kind of Effort

“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” (2010-19)

This Show Will Make a Brony Out of You

“Beast Wars: Transformers” (1996-99)

Still Better Than Any of the Live-Action “Transformers” Movies

“DreamWorks Dragons” (2012-18)

This Franchise Has No Misses, Does It?

“X-Men '97” (2024-)

“X-Men” Was Big in 1997, But It Was Huge in 2024

Joke #1: “Police Academy” (1988-89)

From R-rated comedy to syndicated kids' cartoon, what could go wrong? Alright, here’s the real #1.

#1: “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95)

Between Tim Burton’s “Batman” movie and comics like “The Dark Knight Returns,” animation was ready for a mature take on the Caped Crusader. While “Batman: The Animated Series” might’ve been aimed at a younger audience, older viewers got more out of the character-driven stories, gothic settings, and definitive versions of iconic characters. Even over three decades later, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are still the voices we associate the most with Batman and the Joker. When we think of Gotham City, we envision it drawn on black paper, just as it was in this series. From the style to the music, no show (or movie) got Batman like this creative team did. This is a franchise at its absolute peak.

What’s your favorite show that stemmed from a pre-existing franchise? Let us know in the comments.