12 ’80s Cartoon Ads That Would Be Banned Now
These 12 cartoon ads from the 1980s would likely be banned today due to stricter advertising rules on children’s media, safety, and messaging.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Cartoon advertisements in the 1980s often blurred the line between entertainment and marketing. Many shows were created mainly to promote toys, snacks, or products, sometimes using tactics that would now violate advertising laws. Today’s standards for children’s content are much stricter, making many of these ads unacceptable.
1. G.I. Joe Toy Commercials
Hasbro on Wikimedia Commons
G.I. Joe cartoons often acted as extended ads for the toy line. The show and commercials featured realistic military-style weapons and combat. Many of the toy ads aired during children’s programming without a clear separation between content and marketing. Current rules require clearer boundaries and limit war-related themes in kids’ ads.
2. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Wdwdbot on Wikimedia Commons
He-Man was created primarily to support the toy line sold by Mattel. Commercials for the toys often looked just like scenes from the cartoon, blurring entertainment and advertisement. Today, this type of direct tie-in would face tighter regulation. Modern guidelines discourage ads that appear identical to editorial content aimed at children.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal Ads
Azadsstudios on Wikimedia Commons
This cereal was promoted using cartoon versions of the Ninja Turtles alongside loud, action-heavy scenes. The ads made the cereal seem like it would give energy or strength like the characters. Today, food marketing to kids is restricted, especially when linked to unrealistic outcomes. Many countries now limit ads that suggest food gives special abilities.
4. Transformers Toy Commercials
Paramount Pictures/Hasbro on Wikimedia Commons
The Transformers cartoon and toy commercials shared the same voice actors, animation styles, and scenes. This made it difficult for children to know where the show ended and the ad began. Regulations today require ads to be clearly labeled and separate from content. Children’s programs cannot promote their own merchandise in this way anymore.
5. Kool-Aid Man Cartoon Tie-Ins
Chris Favero on Wikimedia Commons
The Kool-Aid Man appeared in animated form, breaking through walls and handing out sugary drinks to happy children. The ads encouraged high-energy play and heavy sugar consumption. Today, sugary drinks are no longer allowed to be promoted directly to young children in many regions. These ads would likely be banned for health reasons.
6. My Little Pony Toy Ads
Fma12 on Wikimedia Commons
The commercials for My Little Pony used animation that looked nearly identical to the show. The characters in the ads promoted toy versions of themselves while appearing to speak directly to viewers. Advertising standards today restrict ads that use characters from the show to push product purchases. Children’s programming must avoid direct emotional appeal to sell toys.
7. Smurfs Vitamins Commercials
Haggis MacHaggis on Wikimedia Commons
These commercials used the Smurfs to promote chewable children’s vitamins, often showing them as fun or candy-like. This could mislead children into thinking vitamins were snacks. Today, using cartoon characters to advertise health products to kids is heavily restricted. Such ads would not meet current health advertising guidelines.
8. Thundercats Toy Commercials
Chris Favero on Wikimedia Commons
Thundercats action figures were promoted using highly dramatized animated scenes and battle sequences. The visuals often promised more excitement than the toys could deliver. Advertising today cannot exaggerate a product’s performance, especially to children. These ads would face scrutiny for being misleading.
9. McDonald’s Happy Meal Cartoons
Stolbovsky on Wikimedia Commons
In the 1980s, animated McDonald’s characters were used in commercials to promote Happy Meals and toys. These ads often included popular cartoon figures and colorful animation aimed directly at children. Current laws limit fast food advertising to children due to growing health concerns. Animated food commercials targeted at kids are now banned in many regions.
10. Barbie Animated Commercials
Barbie (film) on Wikimedia Commons
Barbie ads in the 1980s often portrayed the dolls with glamorous lifestyles, focusing on looks, fashion, and popularity. These themes were promoted through bright, fast-moving animation. Today, regulators may see this as promoting narrow beauty standards to young audiences. Modern rules now require more diverse and responsible messaging in children’s marketing.
11. Captain Crunch Cereal Cartoons
Dan Keck on Wikimedia Commons
Captain Crunch was marketed using full cartoon episodes as commercials, with the character solving problems and offering cereal as a reward. The cereal was shown to bring fun and adventure. Current regulations prevent food advertising that makes unrealistic claims or creates emotional dependence. These cereal ads would now be considered misleading and inappropriate for kids.
12. Flintstones Chewable Vitamins Ads
Nevit Dilmen on Wikimedia Commons
The Flintstones cartoon characters were used to advertise chewable vitamins directly to children. These ads showed the vitamins as fun and tasty, often comparing them to candy. This kind of messaging could confuse young viewers about the difference between medicine and snacks. Today, most countries restrict or ban the use of cartoon characters to market health products to children.