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These animated series set the bar so high, modern cartoons are still trying to reach it. Join us as we count down the 2000s animated series with qualities so unique that modern shows still can't compare! Our countdown includes "Metalocalypse," "Ed, Edd n Eddy," "Futurama," "The Venture Bros.," "Teen Titans," and more! Which 2000s cartoon do you think still reigns supreme? Let us know in the comments!
Transcript
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we're counting down our picks for the 2000s animated series
00:06with quality so unique that modern shows still can't compare.
00:10To be clear, some of these may have started in the late 90s, but so long as their golden
00:15age is considered the 2000s, we're counting them.
00:18Good news, everyone!
00:19Those asinine morons who canceled us were themselves fired for incompetence!
00:24Woo-ah!
00:27Number 10.
00:28Metalocalypse.
00:28There have been a few cartoons that have original songs, but there's never been anything
00:33quite like Metalocalypse.
00:35We're here to make coffee metal.
00:38We will make everything metal.
00:40Blacker than the black is black times infinity.
00:44The series followed Death Clock, a heavy metal band whose legions of fanatical fans make them
00:48an influential global force.
00:50However, these guys made Spinal Tap look like geniuses by comparison, with their petty squabbles
00:56and idiotic banter providing plenty of comic relief.
00:59The comedy was solid and often dark throughout, and there was a fair bit of lore about a dark
01:03prophecy tied to Death Clock.
01:05Dude!
01:06It was a fan attack!
01:07That's what Aftonson warned us about!
01:09Why do fans feel that they have to do that, I mean what, to get noticed?
01:12But it was the music that made Metalocalypse truly stand apart.
01:16The metal music played by Death Clock is exceptional for being something made for a TV show.
01:21The songs and musical sequences were always a highlight.
01:24Additionally, Death Clock is a real fake band that has released albums and gone on tour.
01:29How many cartoons can say they've topped the actual rock billboard charts?
01:34Okay, hold on now, so you're telling me that you put these little guys in boiling water
01:38and they shriek and they turn red and they die?
01:41Yes sir, that is the most metal thing I ever heard in my whole life.
01:46High five.
01:46Number 9, Ed, Edd and Eddie.
01:48Is that the support babe to the house?
01:51What's a support babe?
01:52This has been quite a day.
01:54Animation frequently follows groups of kids, but few have captured the absurd essence of childhood
01:59quite like Ed, Edd and Eddie.
02:01Depicting the lives of the titular trio of Edds, the series followed the group's efforts
02:05to scam the other neighborhood friends out of money for jawbreakers or else get into other
02:10wacky misadventures.
02:11Made the right choice, my fine fish-faced friend.
02:14I'm speechless.
02:15I mean, how can you two just sit there drooling over your ill-gotten gains?
02:19Have you no shame?
02:20The colorful, exaggerated art style and slapstick humor could be enjoyed by all ages.
02:25However, it's the sense of kids being kids that makes the series unmatched.
02:29It distills the essence of youthful imagination, with the cast effectively making their own
02:34fun and mischief throughout.
02:36Adults are a distant suggestion and summer never seems to end.
02:39These kids don't have any ambitions or goals more lofty than acquiring more of their favorite
02:44candy.
02:45And we love it for that.
02:46You have vandalized world space and you have stolen world space and you have stolen world
02:52chickens yet again?
02:55Are you stealing world soil with your bill box?
02:58We'd also love for you to check out WatchMojo's 24-7 live stream.
03:02Scan the QR code on screen for non-stop cartoon fun.
03:06Rolf will release his rings now!
03:08Wait, we can work this out!
03:10Floor!
03:11Woo!
03:12Number 8.
03:14Futurama.
03:14Good news, everyone.
03:15We were supposed to make a delivery to the planet Tweenus 12, but it's been completely destroyed.
03:22Why is that good news?
03:23They paid in advance.
03:25Excuse me.
03:26Much like its frozen 20th century protagonist, Futurama has been revived since its initial
03:32run.
03:32But its time in the 2000s made it the cult hit that keeps coming back.
03:37While Futurama may be set in the 31st century, the adventures of everyman Philip J. Fry and
03:41his eclectic group of friends at Planet Express hold a mirror up to current events making comedy
03:47that's truly timeless.
03:48Attention new New Yorkers!
03:51Stop acting so stupid!
03:54Futurama features a fantastic extended cast of characters, nearly all of whom get their
03:58chance to shine.
03:59In addition to its primary comedic focus, the show also delivers some truly heartfelt and
04:04emotional episodes that are some of the most moving ever put on the small screen.
04:08Ultimately, its blend of science fiction and satire have never quite been equal by other
04:13animated series.
04:14Maybe that's why it keeps returning.
04:16Okay, its $500, you have no choice of carrier, the battery can't hold a charge, and the reception
04:21isn't very-
04:21Shut up and take my money!
04:22Number 7.
04:24The Venture Brothers
04:32The eponymous siblings were just the tip of the iceberg.
04:36What began as an affectionate parody celebration of everything from Scooby-Doo to superheroes gradually
04:41morphed into its own thing.
04:43The Venture Brothers deftly balanced hilarious sitcom-style dialogue with action, adventure,
04:47and lore that became more layered over time.
04:50The show had enough deep-cut pop culture references to make even its peers here blush.
04:54Few shows have ever dealt into how regulated superheroism and supervillainy would actually
04:59work, and the Venture Brothers tackles its specifics with humor and a surprising amount
05:03of depth.
05:04Not only that, but the character development of each of its primary and secondary characters
05:08is among the most nuanced you'll ever see in a cartoon.
05:20Where else are you going to give a full character arc for a supervillain's anonymous henchman?
05:25Number 6.
05:27Teen Titans
05:37Superhero shows come and go, but Teen Titans was something special.
05:40It chronicled the lives and missions of the titular group of young superheroes with a distinct
05:45anime-inspired art style and tone that gave it a unique identity compared to other DC superhero
05:50series.
05:50Teen Titans also placed a greater emphasis on its characters.
05:53With their interpersonal relationships, comedic banter, and their development throughout the
05:57show acting as major highlight.
06:09The Titans didn't just feel like a larger-than-life group of heroes.
06:12They felt like they were real teenage friends, with all the drama that comes with asking kids
06:17to live and save the world together.
06:19The series remains one of the gold standards for superhero cartoons, and it's certainly
06:23the best of the 2000s.
06:24He's totally gonna freak this time.
06:28Number 5.
06:30Family Guy
06:30While fellow Seth MacFarlane series American Dad is also fantastic, it simply doesn't have
06:35the kind of cultural cachet that Family Guy does.
06:38I'm free!
06:39Free from the spell of those diabolical Teletubbies!
06:43When the world is mine, your death shall be quick and painless.
06:46Family Guy may follow familiar animated sitcom formulas on the surface, with its nuclear family-focused,
06:52dumb dad and expansive cast of side characters.
06:54But it distinguished itself from its peers in several key ways.
06:58While not the most risque of the bunch, it has still pushed the boundaries, especially
07:03for network TV.
07:04Family Guy leaned heavily into pop-cultural references, putting comedic spins on familiar
07:08scenes, characters and even songs.
07:10This is gonna be worse than that time I was stuck behind Robert Lozier at the airport.
07:14May I have your name please?
07:15Robert Lozier.
07:17Can you spell that for me?
07:18Certainly.
07:19That's Robert Lozier.
07:21R as in Robert Lozier.
07:24O as in oh my god, it's Robert Lozier.
07:27But what has truly made Family Guy legendary is its use of cutaway gags.
07:31The show's frequent use of them have drawn some criticism, but Family Guy has not only
07:36captured 21st century's love of random humor, it has also arguably influenced it.
07:41I bought a tank!
07:42Are you out of your mind?
07:44Let me show you how to gun work!
07:45Ah!
07:47Heheheheh!
07:484.
07:49SpongeBob SquarePants
07:50Describing the cultural impact of SpongeBob would take quite a while.
07:54The giggling, goofy sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea has entertained millions over
07:59the years, and it was during the 2000s that he and the cartoon that bears his name became
08:04cultural icons.
08:06Who's a big yellow cube with holes?
08:08I am!
08:09Who's ready?
08:10I'm ready!
08:11Who's ready?
08:11I'm ready!
08:12Who's ready?
08:14I'm ready!
08:15When it comes to silly, simple entertainment for kids, yet which adults can still enjoy,
08:20SpongeBob SquarePants reign supreme.
08:22Hey Squidward, I've got an idea, how about you come get it?
08:27Oh jeez, SpongeBob, that's a great idea, and maybe I should cook the patties, and do
08:33the dishes, and wear square pants, and live in a pineapple!
08:38The show has had plenty of staying power thanks to its entertaining characters, lowbrow humor,
08:43and instantly recognizable art style.
08:45Its immense popularity has effectively made it the most popular choice for meme culture too.
08:50Many of its jokes are practically internet shorthand at this point.
08:53But I have a theory.
08:55People talk loud when they want to act smart, right?
08:58Correct!
08:59SpongeBob has influenced multiple generations, as well as pop culture at large, and will continue
09:05to do so for years to come.
09:07Number 3 Samurai Jack
09:09A lone samurai warrior sent to the future by the villain he failed to defeat in the past
09:13was a simple setup, but the execution was what made Samurai Jack iconic.
09:18I am the lost son of the land that you have pillaged.
09:22I am here to reclaim it.
09:24What truly made the series stand out compared to other action series was its presentation.
09:28While its lines and colors are simple, clean, and bold, Samurai Jack featured an almost cinematic
09:33look.
09:34Most unique of all is the fact that dialogue was frequently kept to a minimum, with the series
09:38conveying its stories primarily through its characters' actions instead of words.
09:50The show's action spoke loud indeed, as Jack's quest drew inspiration from movies, mythology,
09:56and various time periods to tell a tale as timeless as its hero.
10:00Samurai Jack stands tall as one of the go-to examples of minimalistic and cinematic storytelling
10:05and animation.
10:06Do not worry.
10:07I have only begun to fight.
10:10Number 2 South Park
10:12It may have started in the 90s, but South Park became a household name in the 2000s.
10:17Although it followed the adventures of four elementary school boys, as well as the other
10:21residents of the eponymous town, South Park was among the first truly adult animated series.
10:26And I myself was not aware of this horrible show until recently.
10:30I have a clip to demonstrate exactly what I mean.
10:33Its use of dark, taboo subject matter instantly made it stand out from the crowd and made it irresistible
10:38to adults and kids alike.
10:40However, South Park is perhaps the greatest cartoon out there when it comes to biting,
10:45timely satire of pop culture, politics, and just about anything else you can name.
10:56It's simple animation has made turnaround times lightning fast, helping South Park tap into
11:01the cultural pulse for decades in a way few, if any, cartoons can match.
11:06Scientology is more of an alternative to psychology than a religion.
11:10Then how come that sign says Church of Scientology?
11:12Oh, that's just his thing.
11:13What's the Denver Broncos record now, six and two?
11:16Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:19Courage the Cowardly Dog, horror cartoons have never been this kid friendly or funny.
11:27The things I do for love.
11:29The Boondocks, the most hilarious and decisive animated take on black culture.
11:34Man, I can't believe this, you a fraud!
11:37Oh, oh, oh, I'm a fraud?
11:38You scared too?
11:39I'm eight!
11:40Phineas and Ferb, the king of kids' musical cartoons.
11:44Curse you, Perry the Platypus and the football.
11:47The spectacular Spider-Man had both the great power and great responsibility of being the
11:53best Spider-Man cartoon.
11:55Who are you?
11:56Why, I'm your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, of course.
12:00Code-named Kids Next Door.
12:01No cartoon has put the kids and kid spies quite like this.
12:06Because number five says, it's candy time!
12:13Before we continue, be sure to check out WatchMojo's 24-hour livestream.
12:17All of your favorite videos in one place, 24-7.
12:20Always on, always live.
12:22Are you not entertained?
12:25Number one, Avatar The Last Airbender.
12:28It'll probably be easier to list the things Avatar doesn't do perfectly.
12:32The eponymous Avatar Aang's journey to save the world delivered on basically every front.
12:37Stellar animation?
12:38Check.
12:39Incredible world building?
12:40Check.
12:41Excellent character development?
12:42Double check.
12:43Avatar set a new bar for the kinds of stories told in Western animation for children,
12:48touching on more mature subject matter like genocide and war.
12:51It deftly balanced this kind of nuanced storytelling with humor and heart that kids and adults alike love.
12:57You're not the man you used to be, Zuko.
12:59You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been.
13:04And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny.
13:08The series was so tightly written and plotted that it put even many live action shows to shame.
13:13Sorry, but you're not going to become Fire Lord today.
13:18I am.
13:21You're hilarious.
13:23And you're going down.
13:24Avatar The Last Airbender is quite simply one of the peaks of animation,
13:29regardless of time or origin.
13:31And we're not bending on that.
13:33Come on out, little boy.
13:35You're about to begin.
13:41Is there a peerless 2000s cartoon we forgot?
13:44Join your peers in the comments to tell us your picks below.
13:46And don't forget to like and subscribe for more WatchMojo videos.