16 Commercials That Played During Every Cartoons Block
These classic ads became as memorable as the cartoons themselves.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Before streaming and skip buttons, every Saturday morning cartoon block came with a lineup of unforgettable commercials. These ads had catchy jingles, wild mascots, and products kids begged their parents to buy. If you grew up on sugary cereals and action figures, you definitely saw these on repeat.
1. Crossfire Board Game
crossfire game on Wikimedia Commons
With metal balls flying and kids yelling in a dark arena, this commercial made a board game look like a life-or-death showdown. The intensity was unmatched, and somehow, you needed Crossfire even if you never understood the rules.
2. Gushers
Thomson200 on Wikimedia Commons
Nothing said ‘90s weird like kids turning into giant strawberries and melons after biting into a Gusher. It was creepy, hilarious, and unforgettable — marketing magic for sugar-loaded fruit snacks.
3. Skip-It
Saskatoon Public Library on Wikimedia Commons
“Skip-It, Skip-It…” played on loop in your head for years. The toy was simple: a plastic ball and a counter, but that ad made it look like an Olympic event.
4. Kool-Aid Man
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
Every kid waited for the Kool-Aid Man to crash through the wall like a fruity superhero. The commercials were loud, messy, and pure chaos, and we loved every second.
5. Micro Machines
JPF82 on Wikimedia Commons
This guy spoke faster than your brain could process, but somehow you still knew you needed Micro Machines. The tiny cars and turbo delivery made it unforgettable.
6. Capri Sun
Deutsche SiSi-Werke Betriebs GmbH on Wikimedia Commons
Those early CGI effects made kids melt into metallic waves after a single sip. It was bizarre and futuristic, but it somehow made you want to poke that straw through the pouch even more.
7. Hot Wheels Crash Test Dummies
Unknown on Wikimedia Commons
These ads encouraged total destruction. Watching plastic bodies fly through the air and snap apart made you forget they were technically teaching safety.
8. Lunchables
Lunchlyables on Wikimedia Commons
The Lunchables commercials made kids think that packing one in their lunchbox made them cooler at school. They showed kids smiling and making mini pizzas or crackers, giving them more freedom and fun. Even though the food was cold and not really fancy, the ads made it look like the best lunch ever.
9. Trix Cereal
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
The commercials where kids repeatedly snubbed the rabbit were weirdly dramatic. It was always the same outcome, but you still hoped he’d win just once.
10. My Buddy and Kid Sister
Magda Ehlers on Pexels
“My Buddy, My Buddy…” was one jingle you could not escape. The commercials played nonstop during cartoon breaks and lived rent-free in your head.
11. Cheetos Featuring Chester Cheetah
Frito-Lay on Wikimedia Commons
Chester Cheetah had sunglasses, attitude, and his own theme music. He made Cheetos look like a rebellious snack and became the face of after-school crunch.
12. Creepy Crawlers Oven
Berry Prince on Wikimedia Commons
Why make cookies when you could make rubber bugs? These commercials leaned into the gross-out factor and made toy ovens actually cool for once.
13. Nerf Guns
Helgi Halldórsson from Reykjavík, Iceland on Wikimedia Commons
Nerf commercials showed kids having wild battles in their homes, running across couches and hiding behind pillows. The way the ads were made, the Nerf guns looked like serious gear for fun and action. After watching, most kids felt like they really needed one, and sometimes even a whole collection.
14. Pop-Tarts
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
Pop-Tarts commercials were full of bright colors and fun, like pastries flying through the air and frosting that moved on its own. Everything looked so sweet and exciting that it felt like you could already taste one before it even came out of the toaster.
15. Toy Biz X-Men Figures
Original: Marvel Comics Vector: ReneeWrites on Wikimedia Commons
Right after watching the X-Men cartoon, the toy commercials would come on and grab your attention. They showed action figures like Wolverine slashing through stuff, just like in the show. After that, saving your allowance for those toys felt like the most important thing ever.
16. Ring Pop
Wolfvonder on Wikimedia Commons
Ring Pop ads made it seem like wearing candy on your finger made you feel special and important. They showed kids showing off their colorful candy rings like they were treasures. On the playground, having one felt like being cool, and the commercials made sure you believed it.