10 Most Popular Cartoons of the 70s That Rocked Our Childhood
Cartoons of the 1970s have left a mark on generations, bringing joy and laughter every Saturday morning. These animated shows became a significant part of many people’s childhood memories, shaping the entertainment landscape of the time.
When you think of cartoons from this era, you can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
These beloved classics continue to be celebrated for their unique characters and storytelling, making them timeless treasures.
1) Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” first hit the airwaves in 1969, but it truly found its audience in the 70s.
You’re probably familiar with the four teenagers—Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy—and their talking Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, as they solve mysteries involving supposedly supernatural creatures.
Each episode starts with the gang stumbling upon a mystery.
They explore creepy mansions, abandoned amusement parks, and many other eerie locations.
Despite the scary situations, Scooby and Shaggy often provide comic relief with their constant hunger and humorous antics.
The show was known for its classic format: the gang would usually split up, gather clues, and then come together to unmask the “monster.” It always turned out to be a regular person using tricks to scare others.
What makes this cartoon iconic is its blend of mystery and humor.
Many kids found themselves repeating catchphrases like “Zoinks!” and “Jinkies!” You might remember the catchy theme song too, which begins with the memorable line, “Scooby-Doo, where are you?”
2) The Pink Panther Show
The Pink Panther Show ran from 1969 to 1978, showcasing a clever and classy pink panther.
Created by Friz Freleng and David DePatie, the show quickly found its place in Saturday morning lineups.
The Pink Panther, known for his stylish antics, never spoke.
Instead, he communicated through funny, silent moves.
Each episode featured short cartoons where the Pink Panther got into funny, often ridiculous, situations.
His main foes couldn’t keep up with his clever tricks and quick thinking.
The show maintained high-quality animation and had a catchy theme song that everyone remembers.
The music added to the panther’s cool vibe and made the show even more memorable.
3) Super Friends
Super Friends was a popular cartoon in the 70s.
It aired from 1973 to 1985 and was part of ABC’s Saturday morning lineup.
The show featured a group of superheroes from DC Comics, like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
The cartoon was created by Gardner Fox and produced by Hanna-Barbera.
Many kids looked forward to watching their favorite heroes team up to fight evil each week.
The show also introduced a few new characters, like Wendy and Marvin, to appeal to younger audiences.
Super Friends wasn’t just about action.
The show often included lessons about teamwork and morals.
This made it a favorite among parents who wanted fun, yet educational content for their kids.
The show went through several changes over the years.
New heroes and villains were added and the animation style evolved.
Despite the changes, it remained a staple of Saturday mornings for over a decade.
You could always count on Super Friends for exciting adventures and memorable characters.
Its mix of action, heroism, and positive messages made it a standout cartoon of the 70s.
4) Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
“Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” is an animated series created by Bill Cosby.
The show aired from 1972 to 1985.
You might remember its catchy theme song, which had everyone singing along.
Cosby didn’t just create the show; he also voiced several characters, including the main one, Fat Albert.
Each episode focused on a group of kids from an urban neighborhood.
The kids encountered various social issues and solved them together, learning lessons along the way.
The show’s educational aspect was emphasized with Cosby’s live-action segments at the start and end of each episode.
These segments made the lessons even clearer.
The animation was done by Filmation, and the series had a significant run with 8 seasons and 110 episodes.
It also included 3 specials.
“Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” was unique for highlighting African American culture and community in a positive light.
If you’re nostalgic for 70s cartoons, this one is definitely a standout.
The characters, music, and lessons make it memorable.
Whether you watched it back then or discovered it later, it’s a show that left a mark on many viewers.
5) Speed Buggy
“Speed Buggy” is a unique cartoon from the 70s that many kids loved.
It originally aired on CBS and featured an orange anthropomorphic dune buggy named Speed Buggy, or Speedy for short.
Speed Buggy was no ordinary car.
He could drive himself and had a personality, with headlamps that looked like eyes and a mouth where his grille should be.
The show followed Speedy and his human friends, Debbie, Mark, and Tinker.
Together, they embarked on adventures, solving mysteries and participating in races around the world.
Voiced by Mel Blanc and other talented actors, the characters brought a lot of fun and excitement to Saturday mornings.
The animation and creative storylines helped make it a hit during its run.
6) Hong Kong Phooey
You’ve got to love Hong Kong Phooey.
This 70s cartoon featured a mild-mannered janitor named Penrod “Penry” Pooch.
When trouble was afoot, he transformed into the kung fu superhero, Hong Kong Phooey.
Hong Kong Phooey aired its first episode on September 7, 1974.
Despite its short run, it left a lasting impression.
Penry Pooch wasn’t alone; he had a snickering cat sidekick named Spot.
The humor in the show came from Phooey’s accidental success in fighting crime.
He often bumbled his way through situations but always managed to come out on top.
The voice of Hong Kong Phooey was provided by Scatman Crothers, adding a unique charm.
The series was created by the famous duo Joseph Barbera and William Hanna.
They were experts in making memorable cartoons.
Even though it ran for just one season, the show had a big impact.
Reruns kept it alive in the years after its original broadcast.
You might remember catching it on Cartoon Express in the 80s.
7) Josie and the Pussycats
You might remember “Josie and the Pussycats” as a fun and music-filled cartoon from the 70s.
Based on the Archie Comics series created by Dan DeCarlo, this show aired from 1970 to 1971.
It was produced by Hanna-Barbera, the same team behind other classics like “Scooby-Doo.”
The show follows Josie, the bandleader, and her friends Valerie and Melody.
Together, they form a rock band called Josie and the Pussycats.
They travel the world, performing gigs and solving mysteries.
Each episode has them getting into wild adventures while delivering catchy tunes.
The band also wore cool cat costumes, adding a unique flair.
With only 16 episodes, the series became a Saturday morning favorite.
Even though it had a short run, it left a lasting impact.
Fans still enjoy its catchy theme song and vibrant characters.
So, if you love a mix of music, mystery, and fun, “Josie and the Pussycats” is one cartoon worth checking out.
It represents a classic blend of 70s animation and pop culture.
8) The Flintstones
You can’t talk about 70s cartoons without mentioning The Flintstones.
This classic cartoon, created by Hanna-Barbera, takes place in a Stone Age setting.
You follow the lives of Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their neighbors, the Rubbles.
The show is filled with prehistoric fun, from dino-powered cars to stone-age gadgets.
It first aired in the 1960s, but its popularity carried over into the 70s.
It was actually the first animated series to get a prime-time TV slot.
That’s a big deal! The Flintstones became a hit, with kids and adults loving its mix of humor and family stories.
Episodes often centered around Fred’s antics, trying to make life better for his family.
Whether he’s working at the quarry or getting involved in crazy schemes, Fred always keeps you entertained.
The Flintstones have remained a beloved part of cartoon history, and it’s easy to see why.
9) The Jetsons
The Jetsons is a classic cartoon set in the future, specifically in 2062.
It follows the Jetson family: George, his wife Jane, their teenage daughter Judy, and young son Elroy.
This show imagines a world full of advanced technology.
Flying cars, robot maids, and moving sidewalks are just a few of the futuristic gadgets featured.
The Jetsons originally aired in the early 1960s but made a comeback in the 70s with new episodes.
It became a staple for kids and adults who loved its imaginative take on the future.
You’ll find humor and family dynamics at the heart of the show.
The Jetson family’s adventures often reflect real-life problems, just with a futuristic twist.
It’s a fun look at what people in the ’70s thought the future might look like.
10) Schoolhouse Rock!
You might remember “Schoolhouse Rock!” from Saturday mornings.
This show used fun cartoons and catchy songs to teach kids about grammar, math, history, science, and civics.
It first aired in 1973 and quickly became a favorite.
The creators wanted to make learning fun.
They did this by combining animation with music.
Songs like “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill” are still remembered today.
Each short film focused on a specific topic, making them easy to watch and understand.
Kids enjoyed the lively animations and tunes, making complex subjects simpler.
“Schoolhouse Rock!” ran through the 70s and 80s, and even had later revivals.
For many, it was an essential part of growing up, blending education with entertainment.
Cultural Impact of 70s Cartoons
Cartoons from the 70s had a lasting influence on future generations and created a massive market for merchandise and spin-offs.
Influence on Later Generations
The 70s birthed iconic shows like Scooby-Doo, Super Friends, and The Pink Panther.
These shows didn’t just entertain kids but also shaped how future cartoons were made.
Super Friends introduced a diverse cast of superheroes, promoting teamwork and moral values.
This emphasis on morality became a standard in later shows. Scooby-Doo set the template for mystery-solving teams, influencing series like DuckTales and Teen Titans.
Even today, these shows are referenced in modern media, from TV to movies, showcasing their enduring legacy.
Merchandising and Spin-Offs
The 70s cartoons led to a boom in merchandising. The Bugs Bunny Show and Josie and the Pussycats featured characters that were perfect for toys, lunchboxes, and clothing.
Shows like Super Friends saw their superhero characters used to market comic books, action figures, and even cereals.
The merchandising machine turned these cartoons into household brands.
Spin-offs also became common, with Scooby-Doo alone generating numerous rebooted series and movies.
This laid the groundwork for the kind of franchise-building we see with characters like Batman and Spider-Man today.
The 70s were more than just a golden era of cartoons; they shaped an industry and culture that thrives even now.
Animation Styles and Techniques
The 1970s was a fascinating time for cartoons, featuring a mix of traditional hand-drawn animation and the early use of computer graphics.
The craftsmanship and creativity of this era laid the foundation for modern animation techniques.
Traditional Hand-Drawn Animation
Traditional hand-drawn animation was the cornerstone of 1970s cartoons.
Artists meticulously created characters with pen and paper, frame by frame.
This labor-intensive process required immense skill and patience, but the results were charming and visually appealing.
The use of vibrant colors and bold outlines made many shows from this era stand out.
Popular cartoons like Scooby-Doo and The Pink Panther leveraged this technique, giving them a unique look that is still cherished today.
Artists often worked within tight budgets and time constraints, but their creativity shone through in the final product.
Another key aspect was the use of limited animation.
This technique involved reusing backgrounds and movements to save time and resources.
Though it lacked the fluidity of full animation, it added a distinctive style to ’70s cartoons.
Early Use of Computer Graphics
While the ’70s primarily relied on hand-drawn techniques, the decade also saw the first glimpses of computer graphics.
Though rudimentary, these early attempts began to pave the way for future advancements in animation technology.
One of the noteworthy examples is the program Super Friends, which experimented with simple graphical elements.
Although computers back then were nothing like today’s, they began to help animators with tasks that were previously done manually.
The introduction of computer graphics was modest, often limited to special effects or simple background elements.
Yet, these early steps were crucial.
They hinted at the boundless possibilities that computer animation would bring in the coming decades, blending traditional art with new technology.