13 Saturday Morning Cartoons That Vanished Without a Trace
These 13 Saturday morning cartoons once aired on TV but disappeared quickly without much notice or lasting popularity.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Many Saturday morning cartoons from the past have faded from memory despite once being part of weekend routines. Some were canceled after just one season, while others struggled with poor ratings or production issues. This list looks at 13 cartoons that aired briefly and then quietly vanished from TV history.
1. The Pirates of Dark Water
Fox Broadcasting Company on Wikimedia Commons
This was a well-known adventure cartoon from the early 1990s with high-quality animation and a serious tone. It followed a hero named Ren as he tried to stop a deadly substance called Dark Water. The show was praised for its deep storyline and world-building. However, it was canceled before the story was completed, leaving fans without a conclusion.
2. ReBoot
Andrei2005Dogaru on Wikimedia Commons
ReBoot was the first fully computer-animated TV series and had a strong fanbase in the 1990s. It aired on ABC and later on Cartoon Network, showing life inside a computer system. The show got darker and more complex as it went on. However, it ended without a proper conclusion, and a reboot attempt years later failed to gain traction.
3. Dinosaucers
Family Channel (Canadian TV channel) on Wikimedia Commons
This cartoon aired in the late 1980s and featured intelligent dinosaurs from space fighting a war on Earth. It was created to sell toys, and many kids from that era remember it fondly. However, the toy line failed, and the show was never continued. Despite its popularity, it wasn’t given a full DVD release or reboot.
4. Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron
Warner Bros. Discovery on Wikimedia Commons
This action-packed cartoon followed two cat pilots defending their city with high-tech jets. It had a strong fanbase and impressive animation for the time. But it was canceled in 1995, possibly due to concerns over violence in children’s programming. Even though fans pushed for a reboot, it never returned.
5. Beetlejuice: The Animated Series
Tim Burton Productions on Wikimedia Commons
Based on the hit Tim Burton film, this cartoon was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It reimagined Beetlejuice and Lydia as friends who went on wild adventures in the afterlife. Despite lasting four seasons, the show was quietly removed from TV. It hasn’t returned to streaming and is hard to find today.
6. The Real Ghostbusters
Joe Haupt on Wikimedia Commons
This was a highly rated and widely known cartoon based on the Ghostbusters movie. It had spooky storylines, strong characters, and ran for several seasons. However, network changes and new producers led to major changes in tone and quality. It ended in 1991 without much attention, despite being one of the era’s biggest cartoons.
7. Eek! The Cat
Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation on Wikimedia Commons
This show had a strong cult following in the early ’90s with its unique humor and chaotic style. It followed a purple cat that was always trying to help others, often ending in disaster. Though well-liked and creative, it eventually faded without much notice. The show has never been fully released on modern platforms.
8. Freakazoid!
Amblin Partners on Wikimedia Commons
Produced by Steven Spielberg and Warner Bros., Freakazoid! had sharp humor and a superhero parody style. It aired in the mid-1990s and became a cult favorite for its fast pace and odd jokes. Despite creative writing and strong support from some fans, ratings were low. It was canceled after two seasons and hasn’t been widely seen since.
9. Bonkers
Disney Enterprises, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
This Disney cartoon featured a former cartoon star-turned-cop solving crimes with a human partner. It had colorful characters and aired during the early 1990s as part of Disney’s weekday and Saturday morning lineup. The show had a decent run but never became as big as other Disney hits. Over time, it faded from reruns and never gained long-term recognition.
10. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Christopherodeniyi on Wikimedia Commons
Based on the cult film series, this animated show aired in the early 1990s and was surprisingly popular among kids. It mixed horror themes with comedy and had a unique visual style. Despite being tied to a known movie, it only lasted two seasons. The series disappeared after that and remains mostly forgotten today.
11. Taz-Mania
Matthew Paul Argall on Wikimedia Commons
This was part of the early 1990s wave of Looney Tunes spinoffs, focusing on the Tasmanian Devil and his wacky family. It ran for four seasons and had solid viewership during its time. Eventually, the show was dropped and became hard to find, especially compared to more iconic Looney Tunes shows. It hasn’t seen a major comeback or full release.
12. The Tick
Fox Media LLC. on Wikimedia Commons
This cartoon adaptation of the comic book character had a loyal fanbase and aired in the mid-1990s. It parodied superheroes with absurd humor and over-the-top characters. Although it received praise, its run was short, and it was pulled from the Saturday morning lineup after three seasons. Later versions followed, but the original cartoon vanished from mainstream channels.
13. Earthworm Jim
LogoSubcheck on Wikimedia Commons
Based on the popular video game, Earthworm Jim aired in the mid-1990s and featured surreal humor and wild animation. It stood out with its bizarre characters and clever writing. The show ended after just two seasons and was never widely rerun. Today, it’s rarely mentioned and hasn’t returned to streaming or TV.