15 ’80s Animated Series That Would Be Too Strange Today
These animated series pushed the limits of imagination in the ’80s, and looking back, many feel more like surreal relics than kid-friendly entertainment.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Back in the 1980s, children’s television was a sandbox of strange ideas, rapid merchandising, and out-there premises. Animators seemed less constrained by realism and more fascinated with what could hold a child’s attention for 22 minutes. Today, the sheer weirdness of these shows would likely leave modern audiences confused, concerned, or completely captivated — for different reasons.
1. Turbo Teen (1984)
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Brett Matthews turns into a red sports car whenever he gets too hot. That’s the entire premise. Imagine puberty being replaced with overheating and your limbs melting into fenders on Saturday morning TV.
2. Mister T (1983–1986)
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Mr. T coaches a gymnastics team that solves mysteries between tournaments. Each episode ends with a PSA delivered directly by Mr. T, who often breaks the fourth wall in tracksuits. It’s like Scooby-Doo but with more backflips, mohawks, and moral lessons.
3. The Gary Coleman Show (1982)
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Gary Coleman voices an angel-in-training who helps earthbound kids solve problems. This was loosely based on his film The Kid with the Broken Halo and somehow made it onto NBC’s Saturday morning block. Picture a tiny cartoon version of a sitcom star trying to earn his wings week after week.
4. Rubik, the Amazing Cube (1983)
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Yes, that Rubik. A magical Rubik’s Cube with a face, voice, and the ability to fly helps a group of kids with their everyday dilemmas. The show somehow stretched this into 13 episodes of high-pitched chaos and gravity-defying antics.
5. The Adventures of the Little Koala (1987)
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This Japanese import featured talking marsupials living in a peaceful Australian forest town, facing very human problems. It had a gentle vibe but often veered into moments that felt oddly philosophical for a show about fuzzy animals. Think of it as a warm cup of tea laced with existential dread.
6. Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling (1985–1986)
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The WWF’s biggest stars became Saturday morning cartoon characters, solving mysteries and competing in outrageous scenarios. Strangely, the wrestlers didn’t voice themselves. Watching animated versions of Hulk Hogan and Captain Lou Albano battle baddies with no actual wrestling is just as bizarre as it sounds.
7. Beverly Hills Teens (1987–1988)
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This show followed ultra-rich, over-the-top teens living lavish lives in a pastel-colored fantasy version of Beverly Hills. It was like Dynasty for kids, complete with shopping, dating drama, and fashion shows. The unapologetic opulence and zero grip on reality would feel completely tone-deaf today.
8. Camp Candy (1989–1992)
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John Candy ran a cartoon summer camp and voiced himself as the counselor trying to wrangle a wild bunch of kids. The show mixed slapstick humor with gentle life lessons, but its concept hinged entirely on John Candy’s charm. It was both wholesome and incredibly odd, especially considering the main star was a live-action comedy legend turned into a cartoon babysitter.
9. The Punky Brewster Animated Series (1985–1986)
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Punky and her gang return, but now with Glomer, a magical leprechaun-thing from the “City of Chun-Lun” who can bend time and space. The live-action charm of Punky Brewster suddenly gave way to strange magical plots and interdimensional travel. Glomer’s accent alone could stir some awkward conversations today.
10. The Littles (1983–1985)
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Tiny human-like creatures with tails live inside the walls of normal homes, helping or hindering the humans around them. Based on John Peterson’s books, the show walked a fine line between heartwarming and deeply unsettling. The idea of miniature people watching you sleep is… a lot to take in today.
11. Dinosaucers (1987)
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Intelligent dinosaurs from outer space come to Earth and befriend kids to stop evil dinos from taking over. These dinos wear armor, speak English, and even “dinovolve” into more powerful forms. It sounds like a fever dream combining Transformers with a fossil exhibit.
12. Kidd Video (1984–1985)
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A real-life rock band gets sucked into a cartoon world called “The Flipside” where they fight an evil music mogul. The show blended live-action intros with animation and featured synth-pop music videos. It was every bit as neon-soaked and confusing as it sounds, with the logic of a Trapper Keeper doodle.
13. Popples (1986–1987)
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These strange bear-like creatures could roll into balls and fit into your backpack, which already sounds like an early warning for future anxiety. Episodes revolved around the Popples hiding their existence while causing cheerful chaos. Today, hiding sentient plush toys from your parents feels more disturbing than delightful.
14. Galaxy High School (1986)
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Two teens are sent to high school in outer space, where they meet a host of alien classmates and deal with intergalactic teenage drama. It flipped gender roles in an early attempt at social satire, but the psychedelic visuals and slime-covered lockers are hard to forget. It’s like someone turned Lisa Frank art into a script after eating a glow stick.
15. Widget, the World Watcher (1989–1990)
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Widget, a purple alien, comes to Earth to stop pollution and environmental harm. While well-meaning, the show delivered its message with awkward storytelling, villainous poachers, and Widget’s ever-changing shapes. The overt eco-preachiness and weird character design wouldn’t exactly blend with today’s more subtle programming for kids.