Cartoons were a big part of my childhood. I remember watching them as I eat my cereal before I go to school as well as turning on the TV right after I got home to watch my favorite animated shows. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who enjoys watching cartoon shows. They're funny, entertaining, and some of them are also meaningful and educational. Even as an adult, I still frequently watch cartoons, whether it's my childhood favorite or a new, more mature animated show. It's always fun to watch a new show or view my childhood memories from a new perspective.

From "Tom & Jerry" to "BoJack Horseman", famous cartoons cover a lot of genres and themes, all the way from light-hearted and funny to dark and mature. And as a cartoon connoisseur, I enjoy watching most of them.

Tom & Jerry

No cartoon list is ever complete without mentioning this timeless classic. "Tom & Jerry" is so simple in its concept, yet the execution is always so brilliant in every episode. No one ever gets bored of watching this cat and mouse duo. They're always up to some new antics and tricks in a whole lot of interesting scenarios. It's no wonder that "Tom & Jerry" is one of the most remade cartoons of all time; the show has been around since the 1940s, can you believe that?

Personally, I prefer the older stuff, such as the Hanna-Barbera's, Gene Deitch's, and Chuck Jones' versions. That said, I also enjoy the newer Warner Bros' remake of this duo. "Tom & Jerry" movies are also worth watching if you're a big fan of this cat and mouse duo.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob Squarepants! Everyone loves the silly yellow sponge who lives in Bikin Bottom with all his friends. This show has a wacky sense of humor and interesting plots in each episode. First aired in 1999, even today "SpongeBob" is still at its peak of cultural relevance. SpongeBob memes, anyone?

Personally, I enjoy the earlier seasons of "SpongeBob". Not necessarily because their quality is better, but mostly because of nostalgia. On the other hand, the newer seasons have smoother animations and better graphics. I think most 80s and 90s babies would agree with me on this. After all, "SpongeBob" was the show we grew up with. Thus, watching its older episodes feels like we're revisiting the innocence and simplicity of our childhood.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

"Avatar: The Last Airbender" tells the story of four nations, each with benders, that can control an element, water, earth, air, and fire, as well as the avatar who can control all four. When it first aired on Nickelodeon, it was brushed off as another fantasy-adventure cartoon for kids. But with gorgeous aesthetics, rich characters, amazing plot, and wonderful world-building, this show began to show its true potential as it progressed.

This show is truly unique and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. As a child, I enjoyed this show because the idea of controlling the elements seemed cool, and the storyline was funny and interesting. When I grew up and revisited this show, I truly understood its darker themes such as racism, colonialism, social realism, tyranny, violence, and moral complexity. The show explores emotionally deep themes efficiently, setting it apart from all other cartoon shows.

Sailor Moon

With the power of the Moon! Unlike the other famous cartoons on this list, this show is an anime, an animated show that came from Japan. Originated as a "magic girl" shoujo manga, this show is considered a legend in its genre. Visually stunning and critically acclaimed, it's no wonder this show was a huge hit among young and teenage girls at its peak.

I remember feeling empowered when I first watched this show. "Sailor Moon" shows that girls can be strong warriors, unlike the Disney notion at the time that girls are just damsels in distress. The animation was pretty and unlike any other western animation at the time. Even now, this show can still cheer me up and make me feel like I could do anything

The Simpsons

With 31 seasons, "The Simpsons" is the longest-running cartoon show of all time. Everybody, young and old, knows and likely loves this show. With endearing characters and hilarious gags, "The Simpsons" is one of the most globally recognizable cartoon shows. It has everything for everyone, simple and light-hearted comedy for the youngsters as well as social satire and subtle adult jokes for the grown-ups.

This show has stood the test of time, making it one of the most memorable and lovable cartoons ever. As a child, I loved this show for its comical slapstick-style jokes. As an adult, I finally saw the show for what it really is and understood its subtle social criticism and adult themes. Also, let's admit it, we're all curious how the show managed to "predict" a lot of future phenomena (cue the conspiracy theory music).

BoJack Horseman

I discovered "BoJack Horseman" as an adult and I love it. It's truly one of the best drama slash comedy cartoon shows of all time. The show explores a world where humans and anthropomorphized animals live side by side. The characters are rich and layered; watching them develop as the show progresses is very rewarding.

I love the show because while it's incredibly hilarious and entertaining, it's also hauntingly real and serious at times. It explores various adult subjects that other shows hardly dares to approach, such as depression, mental health, failure, and substance abuse, making it one of the most relatable cartoon shows for adults.

Final Thoughts

Despite what some party-poopers might say, I wholeheartedly believe that cartoons are for everyone, from young kids to grown-ups. As mentioned in this list, a lot of cartoons may carry deep meanings and themes that can be used as a learning experience for everyone. Of course, that doesn't mean all cartoon shows have to be deep and gritty to be worthwhile. Let's not forget that at their core, cartoons are made for our enjoyment and entertainment.