Where to Get Your Fix of Nostalgic Cartoons? A Streaming Guide for the Young at Heart (and Actual Kids Too)
Craving nostalgic cartoons? Or maybe you want to show kids the beauty of classic animation? Don’t worry! We will help you find those animated gems streaming online. This quest may feel challenging, but we are here to guide you through it.
General Streaming Services: Your Cartoon Treasure Troves
Many general streaming services are rich in classic cartoons if you look carefully.
- Hulu: Want a broad selection? Hulu offers a platform to “Watch Classic Cartoons.” A simple promise.
- Max (Formerly HBO Max): Think of prestige dramas? Max has hidden cartoon collections. They still have newer Looney Tunes series, proving those rascally rabbits endure.
- Paramount+: This service is family-friendly and strong in animation, thanks to its connection with Nickelodeon. If you love Rugrats, this could be your site.
- Netflix: The big streaming service is not without classics. You can find Tom and Jerry for some silly antics.
- Prime Video: Amazon also features Tom and Jerry, Season 1 for those who want to start from the beginning. Road Runner & Coyote, also Season 1, awaits your viewing.
- Tubi (Free!): Yes, Tubi offers a free option! You can watch classic Tom and Jerry shorts, alongside YouTube and Max. Tubi also presents “I Love Cartoons: Classic Cartoon Collection,” featuring Hollywood’s golden age. Who doesn’t love free entertainment?
Cartoon Network Specific Content: Directly from the Source (Almost)
Want that classic Cartoon Network experience? Consider these:
- Cartoon Network App: For the closest experience, use the Cartoon Network App. It has new episodes the day after they air, plus “hilarious minisodes.”
- Cartoon Network Rewind (Amazon Prime Video Channels): Remember Cartoon Network’s best? Warner Bros. launched “Cartoon Network Rewind” on Amazon Prime, designed for vintage cartoon fans.
- YouTube TV: Prefer live TV? YouTube TV offers Cartoon Network. Enjoy a no-contract, nationwide option for live viewing.
Nickelodeon Nostalgia: Orange Splat Included
Nickelodeon fans, your time has come! The slime-filled channel still has a place.
- Pluto TV (“90’s Kids” channel): For 90s Nick fans, Pluto TV’s “90’s Kids” channel is perfect. Rugrats and Hey Arnold! await, bringing back memories of green slime.
- Nick App: The official Nick app provides newer shows and full episodes. It includes quizzes, games, and possibly classic content.
Looney Tunes Land: What’s Up, Doc? Online
Bunnies and ducks await! Find your Looney Tunes fix:
- Max (Newer Content): Max hosts new Looney Tunes series like Looney Tunes Cartoons from 2020. Enjoy these modern takes on classic chaos.
- YouTube (Warner Bros. Classics channel): YouTube provides the “Warner Bros. Classics channel.” It features old Looney Tunes shorts, including Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote.
Hanna-Barbera Heaven: Scooby Dooby Doo, Where Are You Streaming?
If you love classic Hanna-Barbera style, options await:
- MeTV Toons (Frndly TV, Philo, Antenna): MeTV Toons is a dedicated channel for classic animation. Access it through services like Frndly TV or Antenna.
- Boomerang (Cable Channel – Still Alive!): Boomerang’s streaming service may be gone, but the cable channel continues to broadcast classic cartoons to millions.
Disney’s Dawn of Animation: Mickey’s (and Oswald’s) Early Days
Disney fans will find a treat. Disney+ focuses on the early stuff.
- Disney+ (Early Theatrical Shorts): Disney+ features early theatrical shorts. This includes gems like Trolley Troubles with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. It’s a history lesson!
Specific Cartoon Deep Dive: Finding Your Favorites
Let’s find specific cartoon series.
Tom and Jerry: Cat and Mouse Mayhem, Streamable Everywhere
- Max: Offers iconic Tom and Jerry shorts.
- Tubi: Get free access to Tom and Jerry! It’s fantastic.
- Hulu: You can stream Tom and Jerry on Hulu. They even have “The Tom and Jerry Show.”
- Prime Video: Rent or buy Tom and Jerry episodes on Prime. Many seasons are available.
- YouTube (WB Kids & More): WB Kids features classic Tom and Jerry on YouTube. A great way for short cartoon breaks.
- Apple TV: Yes, you can find Tom and Jerry on Apple TV too.
- Internet Archive: Some users find older episodes on the Internet Archive. It’s worth exploring.
Looney Tunes: That’s All Folks… Online!
- Max: Looney Tunes featuring Mel Blanc streams here.
- The Roku Channel: Roku users can find Looney Tunes too.
- Prime Video: Looney Tunes completes the trifecta on Prime Video.
Road Runner: Meep Meep! Streaming Options
- Max: Classic Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote cartoons are on Max. Looney Tunes Cartoons feature this duo.
- YouTube (Warner Bros. Classics channel): For Road Runner shorts, watch the Warner Bros. Classics channel on YouTube.
- Prime Video: “Looney Tunes: Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote” is available here too.
- Google Play TV: Android users can find “Warner Cartoons Classics: Road Runner and Wile E Coyote” on Google Play TV.
Foghorn Leghorn: That’s a Joke, I Say!
- Prime Video: Foghorn Leghorn – Season 1 is available here for fans of barnyard humor.
Old Cartoon Network Shows: Powerhouse Nostalgia
- Hulu: Hulu is excellent for many classic Cartoon Network shows thanks to its deal with Turner Broadcasting.
- Max: Max is vital for Cartoon Network content, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Cartoon Network App: The Cartoon Network App provides access to newer content and older episodes.
- YouTube TV: YouTube TV offers live access to Cartoon Network for real-time viewing.
Old Nickelodeon Shows: Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick… Streaming!
- Pluto TV (“90’s Kids” channel): Pluto TV’s “90’s Kids” channel is your key to classic Nickelodeon shows like Rugrats and Hey Arnold!
- Paramount Plus: Paramount Plus boasts a strong collection of old Nick shows, including Legends of the Hidden Temple and Rugrats.
- Nick App: The Nick app may have classic episodes too!
Streaming Apps and Devices: How to Watch
Wondering where to watch these beloved cartoons?
- Cartoon Network App: Available on various devices, it brings Cartoon Network directly to you.
- Roku: Roku devices offer loads of free channels featuring classic cartoons.
- Android App “Cartoon Classics”: The “Cartoon Classics” app aims to revive cartoons from the 50s to the 90s, all for free.
Boomerang Streaming Service: A Blast from the Past (That’s Now Past)
Boomerang Streaming has ended.
- Shutdown (September 30, 2024): The Boomerang standalone streaming service closed on September 30, 2024. It has become another victim of streaming wars.
- Content Moved to Max: Some Boomerang cartoons have moved to Max. Enjoy Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, and more there.
- Boomerang Cable Channel Remains: The Boomerang cable channel keeps broadcasting to millions of homes. Cable is not entirely over!
Cartoon Network Website: Website’s Closed,
Channel’s Still Open
Another website closes its doors.
- Shutdown (August 8, 2024): CartoonNetwork.com shut down on August 8, 2024, focusing on streaming content by Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Redirected to Max: Visitors to CartoonNetwork.com now go to Max. The push for streaming continues.
- Channel Remains Operational: Thankfully, the Cartoon Network channel still broadcasts its beloved cartoons.
Channels Playing Old Cartoons: Live Cartoon Nostalgia
Do you miss channel surfing for cartoons?
- MeTV Toons: MeTV Toons is dedicated to classic animation. It features all your Hanna-Barbera favorites.
- Boomerang (Cable Channel): This cable channel still serves up classic cartoons daily.
Your guide to streaming classic cartoons is here! If you’ll excuse me now, I hear the Road Runner calling… Meep Meep!
