These cleverly-written and creatively-animated classic Nicktoons may be hard to come by on Nickelodeon nowadays, but you can still get them all in Amazon’s Instant Video Store!
Like classic Warner Brothers cartoons of the past, most of these shows contain humor that’s aimed at the kids sprinkled liberally with jokes intended to go right over their heads and straight to their parents’ funny bones, but don’t worry, there’s nothing here that’s rated any higher than TV-7 (appropriate for kids aged 7 and over). Adults will also appreciate the unusual, retro, and beautiful artwork employed in shows like Courage the Cowardly Dog, Samaurai Jack, Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends and Dexter’s Laboratory.
Note that in general, “episodes” actually contain two or more individual cartoons. See full details on the linked product pages.
Rocko’s Modern Life (5/5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy, $4.99 – $11.19 per season to buy)
Before he gave voice to Spongebob, Tom Kenney was the voice of Heffer on this show. Also note: the theme song is performed by The B-52’s! From IMDB:
Rocko is a wallaby who has emmigrated to America from Australia. He lives in O Town and tries to get through life but, of course, comes across a multitude of dilemmas and misadventures he must get through. Other characters include Rocko’s best friend, Heffer, a steer who has been raised by wolves, Filbert, an easily upset turtle, and Ed Bighead who detests Rocko and hates having him for a next door neighbor. On this show, Rocko has such adventures as trying to adapt to a new vacuum cleaner, having Heffer move in temporarily after his parents kick him out, and going to a movie theater. – Written by Matt Yorston
Courage the Cowardly Dog (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy)
This is a very funny show that employs some sharp comedy writing and a very unusual style of animation that mixes photographic images with cartoon imagery. Tiny, pink Courage is forever having to save his beloved owner Muriel from all manner of supernatural, extraterrestrial, and criminal baddies as her clueless, complaining husband Eustace remains blissfully unaware of the imminent danger. From IMDB:
…a lady named Muriel found Courage and took him to her home in the middle of Nowhere, Kansas, with her mean, rude, and cranky husband, Eustace Bagge. Courage is always on the watch since creepy, scary, and paranormal events happen in Nowhere, but Courage is always ready to save Muriel and kick some villain, monster, alien, or zombie butts! GO COURAGE! – Written by CourageBagge
The Angry Beavers (5/5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy, $5.99 – $10.99 per season to buy)
From IMDB:
When their parents have another litter, the Norbert (the smart one) and Daggett (the stupid one) Beaver have to strike out on their own. Their new home on a lake in middle of the forest seems to be the scene of most every odd occurrence imaginable. The two beavers have to deal with wacko government scientists, 100-foot walking splinters, super-long teeth, a fish so big it can swallow a Swede, a giant cricket, the dreaded stinky toe, evil mind-controlling pond scum, a Swamp Witch, zombies, Mexican wrestlers, lying documentary-film makers, a stupidity potion, a big fat hairy naked Canadian, and a too-friendly robot, along with many other problems.
In the midst of all this, Norb and Dag satisfy their love of Grade-Z 50’s sci-fi, hot peppers, Yoo-hoo, and, of course, wood. – Written by Jonathan D. H. Parshall
Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends (4.75/5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy)
Ever wonder where all the imaginary friends go when kids outgrow them? This series is the answer to that question! This series was directed by the wonderful Craig McCracken.
Eight-year-old Mac has outgrown his imaginary friend, says his mother, so he takes his buddy Bloo (a walking, talking security blanket) to Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. Here all sorts of odd characters, given up by their creators, are welcome to stay until new kids come to adopt them. Mac strikes a deal with Madame Foster, the proprietor: as long as he comes to visit every day, Bloo will not be put up for adoption. – Written by Alan Back
As you can imagine, Mac and Bloo have all kinds of adventures—and get into all kinds of trouble—with the other imaginary friends.
Samaurai Jack (5/5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy, $19.99 – $20.99 per season to buy)
This show is mostly straight action-adventure, but there are plenty of humorous moments, too. It’s particularly worth paying attention to the beautiful artwork, by Genndy Tartakovsky. From IMDB:
In the distant past, a Japanese samurai embarks on a mission to defeat the evil shape-shifting wizard Aku. Before he can complete his task, though, he is catapulted thousands of years into the future.
He finds himself in a world where Aku now enjoys complete power over every living thing.
Dubbing himself “Jack,” he sets out on a new quest–to right the wrongs that have been done by his enemy and to find a way back to his own time so he can destroy the evil for good. – Written by Alan Back
Dexter’s Laboratory (4.75/5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy)
Another gem from Genndy Tartakovsky. From IMDB:
If you ever meet Dexter, you’d probably notice a few things about him: he speaks with an Eastern-European accent, wears a labcoat, and happens to be a boy-genius with an amazing laboratory in his bedroom! The show follows Dexter’s adventures, in and out of the lab, as he copes with his crazy parents (who are completely oblivous to their son’s high IQ and laboratory), fights with his sister DeeDee (who sees the lab as her own playground and never wants to leave), and battles his arch-nemesis Mandark (who also possess an impressive laboratory). – Written by Lex
Powerpuff Girls (5/5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy)
From IMDB:
The straight-laced Prof. Utonium’s attempt to create perfect little girls accidentally includes “Chemical X”, resulting in take-charge red-head Blossom, blonde sweety-pie Bubbles and ready-to-fight brunette Buttercup.
These flying, super-strong, karate-chopping girls with the occasional heat vision race into action to save the city of Townsville (and, we’re told, the world) from all sorts of crimes and creatures. – Written by Ray Schaff -2-
The Fairly Oddparents (4./5 stars, currently priced at $1.99 per episode to buy, $6.99 – $25.99 per season to buy; Season 1 & 2 currently available bundled together as “Season 1”, containing 20 episodes, for $12.99)
This show is probably best described by the lyrics of its theme song:
Timmy is an average kid, that no one understands. Mom & Dad & Vicky always giving him commands. The doom and gloom up in his room is broken instantly, By his magic little fish Who grant his every wish, ’cause in reality they are his Oddparents, Fairly Oddparents
From IMDB:
Timmy Turner is a 10-year-old boy who wishes for a perfect life. Unfortunately, he has parents who work full time and often neglect him in favor of their own desires, and while they are out, he has an evil babysitter, Icky-with-a-V, who revels in tormenting him. By his side are his constant companions, his fairy godparents Cosmo (the idiot) and Wanda (the perfect straight-woman). Hilarity ensues as Timmy wishes himself into–and out of–all sorts of magical situations! – Written by kathylynnonline