If you've already made your way through all three seasons of BoJack Horseman and are looking for more cartoons to watch on Netflix, you may want to take a trip into the past. The streaming service will give your queue a dose of nostalgia with animated shows from the '80s, '90s, and early aughts. It's a chance to step back into your childhood for a marathon of the shows you grew up with, or wish you did. In fact, now that you're a bit older and wiser, it's worth revisiting these shows that you may not have totally gotten when you were a kid. Seriously, Animaniacs is a whole different bag once you're over the age of 13.
The best part is you don't have to feel bad for wanting to Netflix and chill with cartoons. Vice reported earlier this month that therapists have found positive benefits in watching children's television shows. Dr. Laurel Steinberg, a New York-based psychotherapist, explained to Vice that cartoons can be "a support treatment because they incorporate themes like community order, friendship, family, teamwork, that good always wins over evil, and that the sun will always come out tomorrow." Watching them can actually help "help restore optimism and give someone a break from worrying or feeling sad, all of which can elevate [your] mood." Just look at watching cartoon as the latest addition to your self-care routine.
To help your day get a bit brighter, I've come up with a list of the cartoons you may not have realized are streaming on Netflix right now. So, sit down with a few adorable cats, very fast hedgehogs, and whatever Yakko, Wakko, and Dot are for some rest and relaxation.
1'Animaniacs'
The Warner siblings will help you re-learn all 50 state capitals, while Pinky and the Brain may inspire you to take over the world. Giving this show another watch now, though, will make you realize you may have never really understood this show at all.
2'The Magic School Bus'
Jump on the bus with Ms. Frizzle for a grade-school science refresher, because it's never too late to review what's making Ralphie sick. Especially since a Magic School Bus revival starring Kate McKinnon is heading to Netflix later this year.
3'Recess: Taking The Fifth'
This three episode straight-to-video release lets you catch up with the Recess gang — T.J. Detweiler, Spinelli, Vince, Gretchen, Mikey, and Gus — who were always too cool for school.
4'An Extremely Goofy Movie'
The 2000 sequel to 1995's A Goofy Movie lets you do a little catching up with Goofy and his son Max, who is off to college. Goofy is struggling with empty nest syndrome, while Max is suffering from don't-embarass-me-dad-itis.
5'Totally Spies!'
This cartoon about three Beverly Hills teens — Sam, Alex, and Clover — who are high school students by day and spies by night is as '90s as they come. Like, if a Lisa Frank folder came to life to remake Charlie's Angels.
6'The Garfield Show'
Spend some quality time with that lovable orange cat that loves lasagna and hates Mondays in the CGI series that celebrated the 30th anniversary of the comic strip.
7'Justice League Unlimited'
In this series, which ran from 2004-2006, the Justice League isn't just limited to the original seven members — Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Aquaman, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and the Flash.
8'Clifford The Big Red Dog'
If you really want a blast from the past, check out the biggest, reddest, and friendliest dog in town.
9'The Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog'
From 1993-1994, Sonic and Tails were trying to stop Mr. Robotnik and his robot army from taking over the world by collecting all the rings. And yes, that is Steve Urkel, aka Jaleel White, as the show's namesake hedgehog.
10'The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'
If Nintendo was more your speed, you can get super with Mario and Luigi as they try to King Koopa from destroying the world. These were definitely some magical plumbers.
11'The Batman'
He's Batman, and he's ready to save Gotham City in this animated series that ran from 2004-2008, but Chief of Police, Angel Rojas, is not interested in his vigilante justice.
12'Pokémon: XY'
Over Pokémon Go? Well, go old-school, and watch Pikachu and Ash try to catch them all as they explore Kalos and discover new pocket monsters. Oh, what fun.
13'Jem & The Holograms'
By night, Jem is the mysterious lead singer of a rockin' band, but by day, she's just trying to keep her two personas seperate. One thing is clear, she's still truly outrageous.
14'She-Ra'
He-Man's twin sister is here to save the world with her incredible strength and her Sword of Protection, which is basically indestructible. Good luck, bad guys, you have your work cut out for you.
You may not be a kid anymore, but that doesn't mean you can't watch TV like one.
