Some of the most rewatchable animation ever made came out of the 1980s, when Saturday mornings and after-school blocks were appointment viewing. If you are looking for 10 cartoons from the ’80s worth rewatching, these series combine heroic adventures, sharp humor, and surprisingly durable storytelling that still plays for adults today.

1) He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe tops many conversations about ’80s Saturday morning viewing because its heroic adventures still feel surprisingly earnest. In a widely shared ranking of the best 80s cartoons to rewatch, the show’s mix of sword-and-sorcery action and clear moral takeaways is singled out as ideal for weekend nostalgia. A separate feature on Saturday Morning Cartoon Rewatch revisits the September 26, 1983 debut and underlines how the series still works as comfort viewing.

Looking back, critics note that, like most cartoons created since the 80, He-Man’s main function was to sell toys, with one analysis bluntly stating, “Basically every episode was a 20 minute commercial” in a piece titled Looking back at: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Yet that commercialism does not erase the empowering messages about courage, friendship, and responsibility that you can still appreciate as an adult. Rewatching today, you see how the battle against Skeletor framed good versus evil in a way that helped define the decade’s pop culture.

2) Transformers

Transformers remains one of the smartest choices if you want an ’80s cartoon that plays differently with grown-up eyes. The original series turns the toy-to-robot premise into a surprisingly layered conflict between Autobots and Decepticons, and it appears in a list of forgotten cartoons worth rewatching precisely because that sci-fi setup still feels inventive. The show’s serialized battles over energon, leadership, and loyalty give you more to chew on than a simple commercial for plastic vehicles.

Entertainment Weekly’s video on the top 20 Saturday morning cartoons highlights how Transformers stood alongside He-Man and the Masters of the Universe as a defining part of the era’s viewing habits. When you revisit it now, the moral dilemmas around war, sacrifice, and identity feel closer to classic ’80s genre films than disposable kids’ fare. That connection to the broader boom in sci-fi storytelling, which also shaped the best 80s movies to rewatch, makes the series especially rewarding for adults.

3) G.I. Joe

G.I. Joe is another ’80s staple that rewards a second look, especially if you remember racing to the TV for its “Yo Joe!” battle cry. In a feature on nostalgic gold 1980s cartoons, the show is praised for how it frames the team’s fight against Cobra as “real American heroics” built on cooperation and duty. Each episode ends with a short PSA, turning the action into a springboard for lessons about safety, honesty, and community responsibility.

Rewatching as an adult, you can see how G.I. Joe reflects Cold War anxieties and debates about military power, while still centering teamwork over individual glory. The large ensemble cast, from Duke and Scarlett to Cobra Commander and Destro, lets you track different leadership styles and ethical choices. That mix of patriotic spectacle and moral messaging helps explain why the series still resonates in discussions about how pop culture shapes ideas of service and citizenship.

4) ThunderCats

ThunderCats has earned a reputation as one of the most ambitious action cartoons of its decade, and it is frequently ranked among the best 80s cartoons to revisit. Commentators point out that it combines sci-fi and fantasy elements with strong character interactions, turning Lion-O’s coming-of-age journey on Third Earth into a surprisingly rich narrative. A separate retrospective on the show’s legacy notes its sophisticated animation style and complex worldbuilding.

Podcasts such as ThunderCats, Ho! The Rise of an 80s Cartoon Phenomenon highlight how characters like Lion and Snarf, along with a popular LJN toy line, turned the series into a full-blown phenomenon. One fan discussion on Reddit even argues that “ThunderCats was the best action cartoon of the 80s,” adding that “Even rewatching them with my kids renewed how good it was.” That multigenerational appeal makes it a prime candidate for your next binge.

5) The Smurfs

The Smurfs offers a very different kind of ’80s comfort viewing, trading laser fire for village life in a mushroom-filled forest. A guide to childhood shows worth rewatching includes the series as a standout for family viewing, emphasizing how Papa Smurf’s wisdom and the community’s problem-solving make the episodes feel timeless. Each story leans on cooperation, forgiveness, and gentle humor rather than heavy conflict.

Watching again, you can see how the show’s simple setups, like foiling Gargamel or helping a fellow Smurf overcome a flaw, model conflict resolution in ways that still feel relevant. The Smurfs also reflects broader ’80s trends in European-influenced animation and merchandising, yet its focus on kindness keeps it from feeling like a relic. If you want a cartoon from the ’80s worth rewatching with younger kids, this one remains an easy recommendation.

6) DuckTales

DuckTales stands out as one of the sharpest adventure comedies of the decade, and it consistently appears in rankings of Saturday morning favorites to revisit. The series follows Scrooge McDuck and his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie on globe-trotting treasure hunts that balance greed, loyalty, and curiosity. Critics often highlight how the writing layers witty dialogue and intricate plots on top of slapstick, giving adults plenty to enjoy.

Rewatching today, you can see how DuckTales helped set the template for serialized, character-driven kids’ animation that would flourish in the 1990s. The show’s willingness to explore Scrooge’s past, question his obsession with wealth, and let the boys grow more independent gives it emotional weight. That combination of clever humor and heartfelt storytelling keeps it firmly in the conversation about 10 cartoons from the ’80s worth rewatching.

7) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, often shortened to TMNT, might be the most instantly recognizable brand on this list, but the original cartoon still deserves a focused rewatch. A retrospective on the timeless magic of the TMNT 80s show notes how the series turned an oddball concept into a cultural juggernaut, complete with catchphrases, martial arts action, and endless pizza jokes. The dynamic between Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael gives the show a sitcom-like rhythm that plays well for adults.

In a feature on nostalgic 1980s cartoons worth rewatching, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is highlighted for capturing a rebellious, street-level energy that contrasted with more straightforward hero shows. Rewatching now, you can see how it channeled urban anxieties, environmental themes, and media satire into something kids could grasp. That layered tone helps explain why the franchise keeps returning in new forms while the original episodes remain a nostalgic anchor.

8) Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget is a perfect pick if you want slapstick comedy with a surprisingly dark undercurrent. The series follows the bumbling title character as he stumbles through missions against the shadowy organization M.A.D., while his niece Penny and dog Brain quietly save the day. In a roundup of forgotten cartoons worth revisiting, the show is singled out for its inventive gadget gags and the way it parodies spy tropes.

Watching as an adult, you are more likely to notice how the series plays with workplace incompetence, surveillance, and the gap between image and reality. Gadget’s endless “go-go” devices often malfunction, turning technology into a source of chaos rather than control. That satirical edge, combined with Penny’s uncredited heroism, makes Inspector Gadget feel surprisingly modern and well worth adding to your ’80s rewatch queue.

9) Voltron

Voltron delivers some of the decade’s most iconic mecha imagery, built around the unforgettable sight of five lion robots combining into one towering warrior. In rankings of top Saturday morning cartoons, the show is recognized for its high-stakes space opera battles and serialized storytelling. Each episode pushes the pilots to balance personal fears with their responsibility to defend the universe, giving the action a clear emotional core.

Rewatching Voltron today, you can see how it helped introduce a generation of Western viewers to anime-influenced pacing and design. The show’s emphasis on teamwork, sacrifice, and the literal need to “form Voltron” to overcome threats still resonates in modern ensemble-driven franchises. For anyone interested in how global animation trends shaped ’80s television, it is one of the most instructive and entertaining series to revisit.

10) The Real Ghostbusters

The Real Ghostbusters translates the hit film’s supernatural comedy into a weekly animated format that holds up better than you might expect. A guide to childhood shows to revisit with kids includes the series for its mix of spooky monsters and approachable humor, making it a strong bridge between generations. The cartoon expands on the movie’s world, sending the team after everything from mischievous poltergeists to cosmic entities.

For adults, the appeal lies in how the show balances eerie imagery with character-driven banter, keeping the proton pack action grounded in the relationships between Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston. The Real Ghostbusters also reflects the broader ’80s fascination with paranormal stories, sitting comfortably alongside the era’s most rewatchable genre films. If you want a cartoon from the ’80s worth rewatching that still feels fresh around Halloween, this one is hard to beat.