Top 10 Most Underrated Nickelodeon Shows

#10: “The Brothers García” (2000-04)

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Live-action shows on kid’s networks in general tend to be remembered less fondly than cartoons, but this is one great sitcom. Recounted and narrated by an adult Larry García, the series followed the lives of the García brothers (and sister), as well as the rest of their family. “The Brothers García” is not only a funny show whose familial focus distinguishes it from most teen sitcoms, it also broke new ground at its time of broadcast. This was one of the first English-language TV comedies to have an all Latino cast and creators, making it an important piece of Nick history that shouldn’t be forgotten.

#9: “The Legend of Korra” (2012-14)

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A sequel series to the much beloved “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “The Legend of Korra” is often compared unfavorably to its predecessor, which is a shame, because it’s still quite good. Following an older teen Avatar, Korra, during her attempts to bring balance to the world amid a succession of enemies, the series may not have a strong narrative focus, but it does feature gorgeous animation and music, fantastic and creative fight scenes, memorable characters, and some impressive world building. The series also mines more adult subject matter than “Avatar,” and while that proved controversial, it is still novel to see on Nickelodeon.

From the same creators as “Rugrats,” “Rocket Power” may not be as well-known or creative as that show, but it’s still a solid cartoon. “Rocket Power” follows a group of four teenage friends who all share a passion for extreme sports and the occasional rebellious rule breaking. Chock full of surprisingly funny jokes and some wicked, if dated, slang, “Rocket Power” might be about and targeted towards kids from regions where beach culture is common, but whether you’re a grom or a shoobie, “Rocket Power” may still manage to hook you in all the same.

Some cartoons just fly under most people’s radar. One such case is “Catscratch.” The show follows a three cat brothers (who don’t look much like cats or brothers), who inherit a mansion and butler when their owner dies. Naturally, giving a trio of cats a ton of wealth and privilege goes about as well as you’d expect, and the brothers get into all manner of strange and mischievous antics. Silly, random, and occasionally sweet, “Catscratch” may not be the “cat’s meow,” but you shouldn’t be a scaredy cat about checking it out.

#6: “My Life as a Teenage Robot” (2003-09)

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Life as a teenager can be confusing enough for most of us, so we can only imagine how tough it would be for a robot. However, the creators of this show did more than imagine! “My Life as a Teenage Robot” follows XJ-9, or Jenny, the eponymous gynoid and her attempts to balance a normal human life along with saving the world. The series deftly mixes comedy, action, and teenage drama in a way few other shows can manage as well. We’re honestly baffled how it wasn’t more popular when it was on the air.

#5: “The Angry Beavers” (1997-2001)

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Odd couples make for great comedy, even when they’re cartoons and especially if they’re brothers! Daggett and Norbert are two beaver siblings who live together and who constantly get on each other’s nerves; spending whole episodes finding new and hilarious ways to have outlandish and/or petty arguments, fights, and spats. The duo also gets into plenty of bizarre adventures along the way and encounter some strange people/animals, but it’s the relationship between the irritable, immature Daggett and the arrogant, condescending Norbert that’s the main draw for this less well-known Nicktoon.

Before “Monsters, Inc.” came on the scene, there was “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters.” Like the aforementioned Pixar film, “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” follows the lives of monsters in their attempts to scare people, usually children. However, this show follows a trio of student monsters and their attempts to learn how to scare better. Although the art style and aesthetic may not be for everyone, since the show can get pretty gross and genuinely scary at times, that’s part of what makes it so underrated. It ain’t always pretty, but “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” has a charm that’s certainly unique.

An animated sitcom about the life of a shy wallaby and his interactions with his friends and neighbors, “Rocko’s Modern Life” may not be “modern” any longer, but it’s still a fantastic show. Filled with quirky characters, and a ton of adult humor and satire, this show’s humor is still funny, biting, and weird today. A lot of the staff who worked on the show went on to bring a little cartoon called “SpongeBob SquarePants” to life. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? Anyway, if you like that show (and we know you do), try checking out “Rocko’s Modern Life.”

#2: “The Secret World of Alex Mack” (1994-98)

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This sci-fi teen dramedy follows the title teenage girl after she is doused with a strange chemical, which gives her a variety of superpowers. The plot of the show focuses on Alex’s attempts to maintain a normal life at school and at home, while also evading the notice of the creators of the chemical that gave her these abilities. Mixing sci-fi concepts, teen drama, and comedy quite well, “The Secret World of Alex Mack” can sometimes feel like a forerunner to the modern superhero show. Plus, it also has some surprising cameos by actors before they were famous… Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Supah Ninjas” (2011-13) “As Told by Ginger” (2000-06) “KaBlam!” (1996-2000) “Invader Zim” (2001-06) “ChalkZone” (2002-08)

Just as its title suggests, “CatDog” follows a conjoined pair of twins who just happen to be a cat and a dog. This unlikely and just plain strange setup takes the odd couple concept to whole new level. The cartoon’s bizarre nature extends beyond its premise to include its many random plots, characters, and gross-out humor. Still, while it has been criticized for juvenile content, it’s still worth reexamining if you’ve written it off. Just as long as you don’t think too much about the two protagonists’ digestive system…