Although the 1990s were over two decades ago, many of remember it as if it were yesterday. Times were much simpler back then. We didn’t have to worry about keeping up with social media and the influx of unread texts on our phones. Instead, we enjoyed childhood for what it was — outdoor fun, trips to the mall, and morning cartoons.
Who can forget some of the most iconic Saturday morning cartoons — and even those late Friday night series — that graced our television screens? We all remember learning some valuable life lessons from some of the best characters—many who have withstood the test of time.
The 90s were iconic for some of their TV shows. Let’s see if you can recall these game-changers from Nickelodeon!
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Rugrats
Rugrats was the TV series every little kid loved. It followed around a bunch of babies — Tommy, Chuckie, Lil, Phil, Angelica, and Susie — showing life from their point of view. Who can forget how oblivious all of the parents were to the antics of their kids? And, who didn’t cry when we found out about Chuckie’s mom?
Doug
Doug Funnie is just your average kid who likes to hang out with his friends, Skeeter and Beebe, and has a crush on Patti Mayo. He has a huge rival with Roger, his arch-enemy and the bully in town.
But, when he’s not dealing with all of that, he likes to write in his journal and imagine his life of being a superhero: Quailman.
Hey Arnold!
Hey Arnold! is a classic about a 4th grader with an abnormally shaped head — like a football — and his life living in a building with his grandparents. He has a best friend, Gerald, and a bunch of other friends in his neighborhood.
Especially Helga, who has a giant crush on Arnold, despite bullying him for his “football head.”
Rocko’s Modern Life
Rocko’s Modern Life stars Rocko, a wallaby from Australia who ends up living in the United States. While trying to navigate the chaos of living in a new country, Rocko is helped by his friends, Heffer, Spunky, and Filburt — all different animals, with varying issues and problems.
The Ren & Stimpy Show
The Ren & Stimpy Show, known by many as Ren & Stimpy, follows Ren, a crazy chihuahua, and Stimpy, a clueless Manx cat, throughout their daily lives and adventures. Every episode takes us on a new chaotic twist and turn as the duo does just about everything, from outer space exploration to the Wild Wild West.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was a classic Nickelodeon show that appeared at night. It followed Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm — all monsters who attend a specialty school where they learn and practice scaring humans.
The show is set in New York City, and the monsters have fun, quirky, and awkward moments throughout the series as they grow and evolve as, well, monsters.
The Adventures of Pete & Pete
The Adventures of Pete & Pete was a Nickelodeon show that originated as “shorts.” It followed two brothers, both named Pete. Big Pete and Little Pete deal with surreal and crazy events that happen in their rural hometown, and both brothers have completely different views of the world.
Despite being the younger brother, Little Pete is the rebellious firecracker, while Big Pete is the voice of reason.
Clarissa Explains It All
Clarissa Explains It All is a TV show that originated breaking the fourth wall to talk directly to the audience and viewer. Clarissa, played by Marissa Joan Hart, explains her life events and happenings — school, friends, and boys — right to the viewer as they play out scene to scene.
The show iconically tackles what it means to go through the teenage years.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
This late-night spooky series focused on ghost stories and scary tales all around a campfire. A member of the Midnight Society tells each story, as they gather around the campfire in an isolated area of the woods. And each ghost story leaves viewers with chills.
All That
All That was Saturday Night Live, but for kids on Nickelodeon. It’s even where Kenan Thompson started — now appearing on the actual SNL stage.
Every episode of All That is filled with funny, witty, and memorable sketches that the actors partake in. Like SNL, All That also had hosts and musical guests who graced the stage.
Kenan & Kel
After making a name for themselves on All That, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell got a spinoff series where the two star as high school friends and have a bunch of crazy antics.
Some of the most memorable quotes come from this series, like, “Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda, I do, I do, I do, oooooh!”
The Secret World of Alex Mack
The Secret World of Alex Mack was not the most popular Nickelodeon show, but it was a hit nonetheless. Alex Mack gets hit by a chemical from an experiment and ends up with superpowers.
Despite having crazy new abilities, she has to keep them down low because the company that experimented is after anyone who got hit with the chemicals. Who can forget how Alex glows when she’s nervous and embarrassed? A classic.
Legends of the Hidden Temple
An original kid-friendly game show, Legends of the Hidden Temple takes kids on an adventure around a temple protected by Mayan temple guards. In order to win the game, each team of children has to compete in several physical and mental tasks.
Salute Your Shorts
Salute Your Shorts was the original teen summer camp show, following young campers at Camp Anawanna for a summer. Like any summer camp, the kids have to put up with annoying counselors and rules, but they have fun and make trouble despite the authorities. It only ran for a year on Nickelodeon.
Guts
Guts was another competition show on Nickelodeon that allowed kids to compete. Each episode showcased three young athletes who had to compete in a series of physical challenges. Each task was an extreme version of an everyday sport, and the final challenge always involved climbing a fake mountain.
Blue’s Clues
Blue’s Clues was a Nickelodeon Jr. cartoon that ran for ten years on the network’s screens. Blue is a spotted, animated dog who leaves his friend and show host, Steve, clues to solve the riddle of “What is Blue up to today?”
The show originally had Steve, the OG host, but he left, and Joe took over his spot for the last two seasons. In 2019, the show revived with Blue’s Clues & You!
