Top 20 Best Cartoons That Got Cancelled
#20: “Sonic the Hedgehog” (1993-94)
Not even this famed blue-blur can outrun low ratings. Despite solid critical reviews, the series struggled to pick up enough speed. After all, the Saturday morning time slot is a competitive one. Furthermore, the subdued color palette and heavy storylines weren’t necessarily seen as a good thing, though we’d beg to differ. And while they made changes to suit the network’s desire for something less heavy, the speedster was pulled off the racetrack after just two seasons. Sadly, this meant its cliffhanger ending was left unresolved. Fortunately, while Sonic and co. were literally underground in-universe, this mature take on the hedgehog has become anything but in recent years. He didn’t quite outrun cancellation, but Sonic did make a pitstop as a bonafide cult-hit.
#19: “Dave the Barbarian” (2004-05)
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Entrusting three kids with the keys to the kingdom doesn’t sound like a great idea, but somehow, this nation thrives under their unconventional rule. It helps that the delightfully off-beat humor plays into the absurdity of the situation, which is necessary when the primary antagonist is a talking pig. Yes, we’re serious, but it was great. Unfortunately, the only thing shorter than younger sister Fang’s temper was this show’s run on the Disney channel. As entertaining as its anachronistic hijinks were, the network inexplicably stopped making episodes. They never really commented on what most people came to see as an unofficial cancellation. Widespread appreciation for the show in the years since has proved that its only mistake was being ahead of its time.
#18: “Danny Phantom” (2004-07)
After three seasons and over fifty episodes, this titular hero and his show went ghost for the last time. Though its engaging mix of humor, action, and teen drama created a loyal fanbase, not even Danny could go intangible in the face of reported executive shuffling. A shake-up of the high-brass at Nickelodeon is allegedly why Danny and his ghoulish pals were sadly shooed away to the cemetery. Needless to say, people weren’t pleased, and given the show’s captivating nature, it’s easy to see why. To be fair, it did get a finale, but its lackluster and unsatisfying execution left many doing a ghostly wail for a revival. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time Danny’s survived certain death.
#17: “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show” (1983-85)
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Seeing Linus without his blanket seemed more likely than ever witnessing a “Peanuts” show underperform! Yet even though this breezy program shared a title with one of television's most recognizable canine companions, viewership was much lower than expected. It oozed classic “Peanuts” charm, and each episode was a true treat. But the brand’s widespread appeal somehow didn’t translate to strong ratings. After an unsuccessful migration to a different time slot and a short second season, the show was pulled from the airwaves altogether. From a business perspective, its performance shared a bit of a resemblance with Charlie Brown trying to punt a football. But it still captured the earnest spirit of the original comic in a way few ever have.
#16: “Recess” (1997-2001)
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This time, it was more than just kids who wanted to stay out on the schoolyard. After the success of T.J. and friends’ hopscotch to the big screen, Disney made the decision to order more episodes of this beloved series. And it seemed like a no-brainer. After all, the show was entertaining, clever, and an all-around blast. But strong viewership, positive reviews, and huge brand recognition weren’t enough to ultimately keep the bell from ringing. Parent company ABC reportedly wanted more “Recess,” but Disney refused. This might’ve been because the series had already hit the 65-episode threshold that typically marked the end for the studio’s programs. Nobody wanted to head back to class, but this dodgeball game still ended with “Recess” in the lead.
#15: “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” (2010-12)
Top 10 Cartoons That Were Cancelled For Ridiculous Reasons
The only thing strong enough to take down this superpowered team is themselves. After assembling onscreen for two seasons of morally complex themes, exciting action, and true to the comics storylines, the series was unceremoniously axed. Even worse, it was replaced by, well, the same thing. Its slot was taken by “Avengers Assemble,” which was playing off the success of the industry-defining 2012 live-action film. Not even Wasp’s sting could hurt as much as getting replaced in this way, though at least time has been kinder to the former series. To this day, “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” is well-regarded by fans and critics alike for proving why these heroes are truly ‘super.’
#14: “Green Lantern: The Animated Series” (2011-13)
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It’s impressive to make a movie so disliked it tanks its whole brand. At a time when the lantern’s light was at its dimmest, this novel CG series proved that Hal Jordan stories were still a worthwhile expedition. But while its ambitious and nuanced narrative earned it decent ratings, it wasn’t enough for the bottom line. Many animated programs rely on toy sales for funding. Since the 2011 film failed, the inundation of unbought “Green Lantern” action figures prevented this small-screen adventure from doing its own merchandising. That was an insurmountable black hole. At least that’s what the series’ star Josh Keaton thinks happened. It’s almost poetic that the brand’s saving grace was done in by the very thing it could’ve redeemed.
#13: “Wolverine and the X-Men” (2009)
Sharing source material with some of the most iconic superhero shows of all time, this iteration proved that the X-gene hadn’t finished evolving just yet. The skillfully plotted narrative, dynamic characters, and mature edge lended the series real enough stakes to do the comics’ iconic “Days of Future Past” storyline justice. It wasn’t an underrated gem, either, drawing in incredibly strong ratings and dedicated fans. Needless to say, each episode left us excited for the next one. But, apparently, its resounding success meant nothing when Disney bought Marvel. So while it didn’t last nearly long enough, “Wolverine and the X-Men” ended with a downright apocalyptic cliffhanger, teasing a second season that would never come.
#12: “Sym-Bionic Titan” (2010-11)
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Ilana, Lance, and Octus weren’t the only ones combining to make something greater. Part teen drama, part mecha anime, and part fish-out-of-water comedy, this inventive show combined its elements to make something truly special. And it didn’t even need a transformation sequence to do it! But “Sym-Bionic Titan” was shamefully taken offline for reasons that seemingly had nothing to do with its inarguable and well-deserved success. Competitive ratings and vocal fan-support apparently didn’t matter as much as its failure to secure a toy line, which reportedly led to “Sym-Bionic Titan” being dismantled. With ten completed scripts said to have been left unproduced, it’s a massive waste of potential that this robotic series was forced to power down.
#11: “The Spectacular Spider-Man” (2008-09)
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It’s a marvel, pun fully intended, that Peter Parker has managed to web up so many iconic stories over the years. It’s just a shame that not all of them are given satisfying conclusions. While a few, like the 1994 series, at least reached a natural endpoint, the same can’t be said for this beloved 2000s cartoon. “The Spectacular Spider-Man” lived up to its name with outstanding writing, deep themes, and complex characters, but legal issues prevented the show from continuing. Disney’s purchase of Marvel included the television rights to Spidey. So while there were a lot more of Peter’s high school years to explore, the Sony-owned series was tragically forced to sling its last web.
#10: “Clone High” (2002-03)
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A cheeky spin on the soapy teen drama formula, this delightfully weird comedy reimagined clones of famous historical figures like Joan of Arc and Abraham Lincoln as hormonal teenagers. Naturally, it faced some serious scrutiny for its questionable interpretation of revered cultural fixtures, with the Gandhi character specifically provoking a public outcry. The controversy criminally overshadowed some of the sharpest writing and humor of the time. The show’s thirteen episodes weren’t even initially allowed to finish airing in the United States. Thankfully, the power of the internet has given this gem the retroactive acclaim it deserves. The best thing about clones is you can always make more of them. And fan support spawned another lookalike in the form of a well-deserved HBO Max reboot.
#9: “Batman Beyond” (1999-2001)
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As the chronological end to the DC animated universe, this show deserved a proper farewell. It got one, just not until much later. Admittedly, the idea of a teenager replacing Bruce Wayne seemed like a batarang was veering heavily off course. But the series’ clever modernizations and respect for DC’s vast animated history proved Terry McGinnis was worthy of the cowl. While a fourth season first appeared to be a go, it ended up being scrapped. And much of the production staff moved onto its replacement, the “Justice League” series. The abrupt way in which “Beyond” came to an end remains hard to swallow. But at least “Justice League Unlimited” later dedicated an episode to giving Terry, and the DC universe, the epilogue they deserved.
#8: “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008-14; 2020)
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Over a hundred episodes is nothing to raise a lightsaber at, but it somehow still doesn’t feel like enough. After a somewhat rocky launch sequence, viewership and critical reviews for this seminal animated program went to a galaxy far, far away. Its legacy and impact on the brand’s modern prevalence can’t be overstated. That’s why it was a blaster to the gut when production was halted, potentially due to Lucasfilm being acquired by Disney. The unaired episodes were later released on Netflix, but fans understandably still wanted more. Well, ask and ye shall receive. The Force found balance when the “Clone Wars” revived it for a rightful, and iconic, sendoff on Disney+ in 2020.
#7: “Invader Zim” (2001-02; 2006)
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Taking over the world has never been this much fun. The utterly incompetent and oftentimes hilarious exploits of this wannabe invader didn’t quite cause a liftoff in viewership, but they did suceed in overtaking critics. The eclectic humor, darker plots, and offbeat art style made it a hard sell alongside the network's other offerings, and it didn’t make it through its second season despite some incredibly creative storytelling. But thankfully, Zim’s infiltration didn’t stop there. He’d continue to overtake Earth through the acclaimed release of his final episodes years later, and through a 2019 movie. At this point, “Invader Zim” has grown beyond a mere cult-hit, and is justly regarded as one of Nickelodeon’s all-time best series.
#6: “Teen Titans” (2003-06)
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The resounding feeling at the end of this iconic show’s final episode is that things change - but in this case, it wasn’t for the better. Its anime-inspired visuals, heartfelt character arcs, and serious overtones earned it a spot as one of the most legendary cartoons of its time, but that didn’t protect it from a questionably open-ended finale. It’s not unsatisfying so much as it’s disappointing given how much potential the Titans still had. There’s never been an official reason given for the cancellation. But the bottom line is that, even with a wrap-up film, this show is still waiting for the exclamation point at the end of its story. And no, “Teen Titans Go!” doesn’t count.
#5: “Gargoyles” (1994-97)
After two stellar seasons of elaborate storylines and sophisticated characters, these stone statues began to crumble. Despite a fresh, engaging concept and positive debut, the beloved series plateaued commercially and met a near-fatal end following the second season. But instead of letting these Gargoyles go back to sleep peacefully, ABC rebranded the show as “Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles” for a third go around. Its flight from syndication to broadcast reportedly came with a much tighter creative leash, and much of the original staff was replaced with new writers and animators. Rebranding alienated many of the fans they still had, and by the time these gargoyles were grounded for good, lots of folks had already moved on.
#4: “Young Justice” (2010-13; 2019-)
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Few shows balance compelling character work with world-ending stakes better than this DC offering. It makes sense, given the heightened drama of following a teenage superhero team. The series’ methodically paced storyline allowed each of its core characters to grow organically alongside a surprisingly deep overarching narrative. But not even these likable heroes could save the day when toy sales slumped. Yep, there’s definitely an echo in here. This is yet another action series that was cancelled on a cliffhanger because of merchandising, though, at least this one has a ‘super’ ending. Fan demand reassembled the team years later for another run, with much of the original creative group returning like no time had passed at all.
#3: “Samurai Jack” (2001-04; 2017)
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Even Aku isn’t so evil he’d end a show this influential. Jack’s poignant journey pushed the limits of what the medium could accomplish by telling its story through action and expressions instead of straight dialogue. It was deservedly lauded for its innovative storytelling, but during production of the fourth season, creatives weren’t given a firm answer about the fate of the series. So instead of rushing to an end, they wrote the final episode the same as any other. They didn’t know it would be the end of Jack’s story - at least for a while. Luckily, over a decade later, the titular protagonist finally returned to the small screen with an exceptional final season that was well worth the wait.
#2: “Futurama” (1999-2003; 2008-13)
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Fry, Leela, and Bender have made more interplanetary deliveries than we can count, but thankfully, their ship isn’t out of gas just yet. It takes a special kind of show to be cancelled and revived not just once, but twice. Inconsistent time slots on its original network, Fox, failed to generate audience interest, and another stint on Comedy Central eventually ran its course, too. Yet even through shuffling timeslots, air dates, and even networks, consistent fan passion has earned it yet another shot at life on Hulu. If it keeps up its track record of defying cancellation, it may still be on the air when Fry wakes up in the 31st century. We wouldn’t be mad at that!
#1: “Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-)
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Peter and the Griffin family may be iconic nowadays, but it didn’t start out that way. Irregular scheduling and stiff competition meant the vulgar sitcom struggled out of the gate, and its dining table only had enough seats for three seasons before it ended. Parent network Fox later realized their mistake when high rerun ratings and record-breaking DVD sales renewed interest in the series. They filled up the Griffin’s minivan for another season, and the rest is family history. Its enduring legacy as one of the most prolific adult animated programs ever continues to this day. Needless to say, we’ll never tire of the Griffin family and all their hilarious hijinks.
