Our childhood memories are often our most cherished, and for a great many of us, our favorite cartoons played a big part in the formation of those memories.
These cartoons provided us with countless hours of entertainment and taught us important life lessons that helped us navigate the process of growing up. It’s only natural then, that as we grow older, we start to look back on those moments with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Fortunately, thanks to the explosive rise of streaming services over the past decade, it is now easier than ever before to watch cartoons online and tap into some of those treasured childhood memories.
Whether you’re looking to revisit favorite shows from your childhood or potentially discover hidden gems from the past, modern-day streaming sites have something for everyone.
However, it’s very important to note that watching old classic cartoons on some streaming sites can be risky and potentially dangerous. Some popular streaming sites are illegal and can potentially compromise your device and online security by exposing you to malware, viruses, and other types of harmful content. Not to mention that accessing copyrighted content without permission is unlawful and can result in potential legal liability.
That is why I’ve compiled a list of the best websites to watch old cartoon shows online legally and safely. These sites possess the licenses and permissions to stream their content and are free from any malicious content that may harm your device or compromise your security.
So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Where To Watch Retro Cartoons Online (Legally)
Netflix
Netflix needs no introduction. This immensely popular streaming service offers a diverse collection of retro cartoons from various decades, including the golden 80s and 90s.
Some of the most popular retro cartoon series available on Netflix are He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Transformers: Generation 1, She-Ra: Princess of Power, The Smurfs, and Inspector Gadget.
Apart from retro cartoons, Netflix also provides a wide range of other animated shows and movies for all ages.
The platform’s interface, arguably the industry’s best, is extremely user-friendly, and subscribers can easily search for their favorite cartoon shows using the search bar or by browsing the platform’s extensive library.
Best Netflix features:
- Offers a vast collection of content
- Provides a wide range of animated shows and movies for all ages
- User-friendly interface
- High-quality streaming
Pricing: Tiered subscription model.
Website: Netflix.com
Hulu
Hulu is another highly popular streaming service that offers an enticing mix of both classic and modern cartoons and animated shows.
Hulu’s retro cartoon library includes some of the most popular animated shows of all time, such as Thundercats, Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, and Curious George, as well as newer hit shows like Rick and Morty, Steven Universe, and Bob’s Burgers.
The platform also offers a variety of both classic and modern anime, such as Hellsing, Death Note, and Attack on Titan.
Hulu is easy to navigate, and the service allows subscribers to access live TV and premium channels for an additional cost.
Best HULU features:
- Offers a mix of new and old cartoons
- Large collection of Japanese anime
- User-friendly interface
- Live TV and premium channels available for a price
Pricing: Tiered subscription model (with ads and ad-free).
Website: Hulu.com
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video offers a modest selection of animated shows and movies suitable for both children and adults, including classics like Popeye the Sailor and newer shows like Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny.
The platform also features exclusive original animated shows, such as Undone and The Legend of Vox Machina, which offer a retro sensibility with more modern animation techniques, as well as a variety of Japanese anime series.
Additionally, Amazon Prime Video allows subscribers to rent or purchase content that is not included in the Prime Video library.
Best Prime Video features:
- Exclusive original animated shows
- Wide selection of animated shows and movies suitable for all ages
- Option to rent or purchase animated movies and TV shows
Price: Subscription model (includes additional perks, such as free shipping and access to other Amazon services).
Website: Primevideo.com
Tubi
Tubi is a cord-cutter favorite due to its free, ad-supported streaming service
The platform offers a wide selection of many classic old cartoons, including big hits like Inspector Gadget, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, Garfield, and Transformers, as well as newer animated shows and movies.
Tubi’s large and frequently changing library of content is worth checking out.
Best Tubi features:
- Large collection of classic cartoons
- User-friendly interface
- Personalized watchlists and browsing options
Price: Free with ads (no ad-free option is available at this time).
Website: Tubitv.com
Youtube
YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform in the world, so it makes perfect sense that it offers a vast collection of content, including rare, hard-to-find retro cartoons from the ’80s and ’90s, as well as classic animated shows from the ’60s and ’70s.
The best part of YouTube is that many channels specialize in curating and uploading retro cartoon episodes, giving users the ability to find even full-length animated movies and TV specials from long ago.
Despite its limitations – after all, YouTube was not designed for streaming animated content – it remains a great resource for retro cartoon fans looking to rediscover some childhood favorites.
Best YouTube features:
- Rare and hard-to-find retro cartoon shows online for free
- Full-length animated movies and TV specials are available
- User-generated content
Pricing: Free with ads.
Website: Youtube.com
Disney+ (Disney Plus)
If you enjoy watching some classic Disney animated movies and animated TV shows, there is no better place than Disney+.
Disney+ is one of the newer big boys on the block, and it focuses exclusively on Disney-owned content, including retro cartoons and animated movies, as well as newer content from the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic brands.
This means that the platform offers a vast selection of HD quality retro and classic cartoons suitable for all ages, including all classic Disney animated movies like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, Aladdin, The Beauty, and the Beast, etc., as well as classic cartoons like Mickey Mouse, Darkwing Duck, Ducktales, and Gargoyles.
In addition to the extensive animated library, Disney+ also offers modern original content, including both live-action and animated shorts, cartoons, and movies.
Best Disney+ features:
- A vast collection of classic Disney animated movies and TV shows
- Plenty of high-quality original content
- User-friendly interface
- High-quality streaming
Price: Subscription model.
Website: Disneyplus.com
Crunchyroll
This one is for the true fans of Japanese anime out there.
Crunchyroll is a highly popular streaming service that specializes almost exclusively in Japanese anime and other East Asian media, thus offering a rather impressive collection of both new and retro anime series.
The platform features popular anime shows like Cowboy Bebop, Princess Knight, Fist of the North Star, etc. Additionally, Crunchyroll offers a healthy mix of both subbed and dubbed anime content.
Best Crunchyroll Features:
- Extensive collection
- Both subbed and dubbed content
- User-friendly interface
- Manga versions are also available
Price: Subscription-based model.
Website: Crunchyroll.com
Cartoon Network App
The Cartoon Network App is a streaming service that specializes in full episodes of Cartoon Network’s most popular shows, including retro classics like The Powerpuff Girls and modern classics like Ben 10 and Teen Titans.
The app is feature-rich, offering a variety of interactive games and activities based on Cartoon Network’s franchises.
Best Cartoon Network features:
- Full episodes of Cartoon Network’s most popular cartoons
- Includes games and other media based on Cartoon Network’s properties
- Custom watchlists and personalized recommendations
Price: Free with a cable subscription that includes Cartoon Network.
Website: The Cartoon Network App is available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku, and other popular platforms.
Other Ways To Watch Retro Cartoons Online
While the big streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video offer a wide variety of retro cartoons to watch, some smaller streaming sites may not be as well known but still have a great selection of classic animated shows to offer. Here are some smaller streaming websites also worth checking out if you’re a fan of retro cartoons.
Film Chest Vintage Cartoons at the Internet Archive
The Internet Archive at Archive.org has a very respectable Classic Cartoons collection ranging from the 1930s to the 1960s. The collection includes cartoons from major animation studios and provides access to both classic and rare titles, some of which may not be available anywhere else.
The videos are available for streaming and download in various formats and are all free of charge. However, since the collection depends on user contributions, the quality of the videos may vary.
Website: https://archive.org/details/classic_cartoons
Boomerang
Boomerang offers a wide variety of both retro and modern cartoons from popular studios like Hanna-Barbera and Looney Tunes, making it the perfect place to relive childhood Saturday morning memories.
Website: Boomerang.com
My90sTV
My90sTV is one of my favorite ways to watch popular retro cartoons online. This free to watch website provides nostalgia as it allows you to simulate the experience of watching 90s TV, including retro cartoons, commercials, and sitcoms from the 1990s on a virtual TV.
Website: My90sTV.com
RetroCrush
RetroCrush is a free streaming platform that offers a vast collection of retro anime and other classic cartoons from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. RetroCrush is a definitive haven for fans of vintage or retro animation.
Website: RetroCrush.tv
Super Cartoons
Super Cartoons is a straightforward and easy-to-use, free website site that allows you to watch your favorite classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry, Roadrunner, and Bugs Bunny. This one is for those times you want to go way back.
Website: SuperCartoons.net
ToonJet
ToonJet is a streaming site that specializes in classic cartoons like Betty Boop, Felix the Cat, etc. You can find some very old content here that you won’t easily find anywhere else. ToonJet is a great stop when you’re feeling nostalgic for some vintage animation.
Website: ToonJet.com
TopCartoons
TopCartoons is another free streaming platform that offers a respectable library of classic, retro, and modern cartoon series for free from popular studios like Disney and Warner Bros. The only downside is that the search feature is not that great. Nevertheless, with some patience, you can find some true gems from your childhood.
Website: TopCartoons.tv
I hope this list makes it easy for you to find the cartoons you want to watch online. Some of these websites are just not that well known I will keep my eyes open for new streaming sites to watch cartoons for free and update the list as new services become available.