They might not get the same attention as the cartoons of the 1980s, 1990s, or today, but several cartoons from the 2000s have become classics in their own right. Some of these shows' geniuses are so evident, even adult fans celebrate them. Others are not as celebrated and fall into utter obscurity.

Some of the greatest '00s shows have no official releases available, meaning viewers have only their memories to lean on if they want to relive the experience. The ones that do have official releases are well worth supporting. Covering a range of the decade's popular trends — from the rising influence of anime to the continuing popularity of the late '90s retro "thick line" style to the birth of internet animation — the greatest shows always stand out.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on March 8, 2024: This list has been updated with new info and to conform to current CBR guidelines.

30 Dave The Barbarian Often Broke The Fourth Wall

This Disney Channel cartoon revolved around Dave, an extraordinary young barbarian in the Middle Ages. Dave was left with his fashion-obsessed sister, Candy, and younger sister, Fang, to defend the kingdom of Udrogoth while their parents, the King and Queen, were away fighting evil. Their Medieval adventures were short-lived but fun.

Dave the Barbarian also had a Narrator who often broke the fourth wall while telling the story. What stood out in Dave the Barbarian was that young Dave liked the finer and more emotional things in life rather than the pursuit of new lands and conquests. Along with hilarious villains, comic plotlines, and surreal circumstances, the short-lived cartoon became a cult hit.

29 American Dragon: Jake Long Tasks Its Transforming, Fire-Breathing, Protagonist With Saving Mystical Creatures

American Dragon: Jake Long is centered on a Chinese-American boy named Jake who discovered that he had the ability to transform into a dragon. Obviously, this wasn't the ideal development in an adolescent's life, but Jake carried his supernatural abilities with aplomb. He protected other mystical beings from dragon slayers while also caring for his family and friends.

Riveting action, family drama, gutwrenching love, and deep feelings — American Dragon: Jake Long had it all. This Disney cartoon was made for children but would appease even adults who watch it. With only two seasons, this animated show was one of the best.

28 The Emperor's New School Is A Fun Prequel That Doesn't Throw Off The Groove Of The Original Film

The Emperor's New School was the TV spinoff of the Disney movie The Emperor's New Groove. Kuzco, the conceited young royal, was the subject yet again, but this time in a corrective school where he would learn empathy and humanity so that he could be Emperor. Kuzco's eclectic personality and his nemesis Yzma's antics kept this cartoon fresh and funny.

The lighthearted silliness of the show was its core. It always had a giggle to offer to audiences, even if it wasn't the most critically acclaimed cartoon. Like the movie, the show was also full of running gags and jokes where it poked fun at itself, which made it a memorable 2000s kids' show.

27 The Legend Of Tarzan Was An Animated Sequel To The Legendary Film

The Legend of Tarzan continued from where the 1999 feature film left off and became a cartoon from the 2000s that fans remember fondly. Vibrant animation, strong writing, and character relationships made this a great drama-comedy cartoon for those who wanted to pivot from pure comedy cartoon shows. Tarzan is one of the most iconic Disney characters, and seeing him on the small screen was a treat for fans of early 2000s cartoons.

Charming and sweet, The Legend of Tarzan was sadly cut short in the second season, which ran for only three episodes. Still, it was one of the most beloved 2000s cartoons that left a mark on audiences. Tarzan was lovable, Jane was warm, and their story with the funny wild animals will forever remain a classic.

26 Dora The Explorer Was Like An Educational Video Game Come To Life

Dora the Explorer might not be the most story-heavy 2000s kids show, but it holds a special place in the hearts of all those who watched it when they were young. Dora, the little Latina girl who took children on adventures with her, has become an icon in the pop culture landscape for better or for worse. Everything from her purple backpack to her little friends is a pleasant blast from the past today.

It would be a drag for the 2000s generation to watch it as adults, but it does arouse warm, fuzzy feelings of childhood. It had a soothing, computer-game-like feeling. Dora became a childhood companion who was beloved by many. Dora the Explorer is not just one of the great early 2000s cartoons, but also one of the most influential cartoons ever made.

25 Avatar: The Last Airbender Is One Of The Most Beloved And Referenced 2000s Cartoons

Even if a viewer didn't grow up in the 2000s, many are probably familiar with Avatar: The Last Airbender. Anyone from the age of 6 to 96 can find something to enjoy about this series. While plenty of American cartoons took visual inspiration from anime in the past, Avatar was the first to match the anime style of complex serialized storytelling.

Great characters, detailed fantasy worlds, serious themes, plenty of hype moments, and deep respect for the Asian cultures that inspired it made Avatar a must-watch. A sequel series titled The Legend of Korra is also available to watch on Netflix, which quickly proved to be a worthy successor. More recently, Netflix's new live-action series adapted the first season of the original show and has already been confirmed for a second and third season.

24 Samurai Jack Grew Up With Its Fans For Its 2017 Concluding Season

If Avatar: The Last Airbender was the height of American TV cartoon storytelling in the 2000s, Samurai Jack was the height of American TV cartoon artistry. The plots were simple and archetypal, but the animation, sound design, and directing were consistently mind-blowing.

All of Genndy Tartakovsky's many cinematic influences — from Akira Kurosawa and Sergio Leone to Akira and Blade Runner — combined to make Samurai Jack something special. It trusted young viewers with stillness and contemplation before rewarding them with thrilling action on TV, proving that hard work beat natural talent. A recent fifth season, aimed at adults who grew up with the original, gave the series a darker but satisfying conclusion.

23 Invader ZIM Built Up A Passionate Cult Following Despite Its Early Cancellation

It only lasted for 27 episodes (six of which did not air on TV until years later), but Invader ZIM's cult following kept it in the public eye long enough to inspire a comic and a movie revival. The show held up amazingly well and proved worth the hype.

This cartoon about an alien trying to conquer a planet of humans feels even more satirically relevant today than in 2001. The twisted animation, casual violence, and comic misanthropy make it questionable for young kids but hilarious for older viewers. Invader ZIM has since continued in comic form, showing that there's still life, and a market, for this classic.

22 Justice League Unlimited Perfectly Captures What Makes DC Superheroes So Iconic

Bruce Timm's cartoons have generally been recognized as the best DC superhero adaptations around. Some even hold them to be better than most live-action versions. His innovative '90s Batman: The Animated Series received most of the acclaim, but Justice League Unlimited showcased Timm's talents on the grandest scale.

Justice League Unlimited used and nailed almost every DC hero in history, telling great stories in a range of tones. It even contained the only Alan Moore-approved adaptation in "For the Man Who Has Everything."