With broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming platforms all offering children’s programming, the sheer number of kids’ television shows available today is staggering. While each series aims to educate, entertain, or spark imagination, the most memorable programs often succeed at doing all three.
To identify the best kids’ TV shows of all time, 24/7 Tempo analyzed audience reception data from IMDb, the online movie and television database owned by Amazon. Shows were ranked by average IMDb user rating as of mid-September 2023, with a minimum requirement of 4,000 user votes. In cases where multiple shows shared the same rating, the program with more votes ranked higher. Cast information was also sourced from IMDb.
Children’s television must often meet parents’ standards as well as kids’ expectations. Many of the most enduring programs strike a balance between learning and fun, helping young viewers build reading and math skills, explore science, and develop social values such as empathy, cooperation, and respect for others.
Among the most iconic examples is “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” starring Fred Rogers, which premiered in 1968 and remained on the air for more than three decades. Any ranking of top children’s shows would also be incomplete without the influential work of Jim Henson, including “The Muppet Show” and “Sesame Street.” First airing in 1969, “Sesame Street” continues to reach new generations and is now streaming on Max as it approaches its 54th season.
Other standout programs found creative ways to teach. “Reading Rainbow” encouraged literacy through celebrity guest readers and real-world storytelling. “Schoolhouse Rock!” turned lessons in history, science, and math into catchy animated songs. “Bill Nye the Science Guy” brought scientific concepts to life with humor, demonstrations, and fast-paced visuals.
Beloved animated series such as “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “The Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes Comedy Hour” also earned spots on the list. Topping the ranking, however, is an acclaimed animated series from Australia that resonated with audiences around the world.
40. DuckTales (1987-1990)
> IMDb user rating: 8.0/10
> IMDb user votes: 33,980
> Starring: Alan Young, Russi Taylor, Terence McGovern, Chuck McCann
39. Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1986-1991)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 5,147
> Starring: Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Phil Hartman, Laurence Fishburne
38. Sesame Street (1969-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 14,818
> Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Caroll Spinney, Jerry Nelson
37. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 16,025
> Starring: Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey Griffin, Matthew Lillard
36. Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 16,975
> Starring: Tim Daly, Joseph Bologna, Dana Delany, David Kaufman
35. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,178
> Starring: Aimee Carrero, Marcus Scribner, Karen Fukuhara, AJ Michalka
34. Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 45,178
> Starring: Ben Savage, Rider Strong, William Daniels, Betsy Randle
33. Phineas and Ferb (2007-2024)
> IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
> IMDb user votes: 53,335
> Starring: Vincent Martella, Dan Povenmire, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ashley Tisdale
32. Schoolhouse Rock! (1973-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 4,218
> Starring: Bob Dorough, Jack Sheldon, Lynn Ahrens, Bob Kaliban
31. Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993-1998)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 8,233
> Starring: Bill Nye, Pat Cashman, Michaela Leslie-Rule, Jaffar Smith
30. Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990-2000)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 15,737
> Starring: Ross Hull, Daniel DeSanto, Raine Pare-Coull, Jodie Resther
29. Shaun the Sheep (2007-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 16,023
> Starring: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Richard Webber, Kate Harbour
28. Steven Universe (2013-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 37,646
> Starring: Zach Callison, Deedee Magno, Michaela Dietz, Estelle
27. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 106,795
> Starring: Tom Kenny, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown
26. Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)
> IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
> IMDb user votes: 138,246
> Starring: Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Justin Berfield, Erik Per Sullivan
25. Moomin (1990-1992)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 4,469
> Starring: Ikue Ãtani, Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Mika Kanai
24. Salute Your Shorts (1991-1992)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 5,931
> Starring: Trevor Eyster, Danny Cooksey, Michael Bower, Kirk Baily
23. Amphibia (2019-2022)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 8,087
> Starring: Brenda Song, Justin Felbinger, Bill Farmer, Amanda Leighton
22. DuckTales (reboot) (2017-2021)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 11,315
> Starring: David Tennant, Ben Schwartz, Danny Pudi, Bobby Moynihan
21. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (2010-2012)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 15,825
> Starring: Eric Loomis, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Brian Bloom, Rick D. Wasserman
20. The Adventures of Tintin (1991-1992)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,787
> Starring: Colin O’Meara, Thierry Wermuth, Christian Pelissier, Henri Labussière
19. Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 33,628
> Starring: Masako Nozawa, Naoki Tatsuta, Sean Schemmel, Ryô Horikawa
18. The Amazing World of Gumball (2011-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 38,064
> Starring: Dan Russell, Teresa Gallagher, Kerry Shale, Kyla Rae Kowalewski
17. Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999-2002)
> IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 48,834
> Starring: Marty Grabstein, Thea White, Peter Fernandez, Simon Prebble
16. Reading Rainbow (1983-2006)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 4,974
> Starring: LeVar Burton, Jennifer Betit Yen, Arnold Stang, Fred Newman
15. The Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes Comedy Hour (1985-1986)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 17,234
> Starring: Mel Blanc, Roberto Zenca, June Foray
14. Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia (2016-2018)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,258
> Starring: Charlie Saxton, Lexi Medrano, Anton Yelchin, Kelsey Grammer
13. The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,269
> Starring: Josh Keaton, Lacey Chabert, Joshua LeBar, Grey Griffin
12. The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,399
> Starring: Kevin Conroy, Tara Strong, Mathew Valencia, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
11. The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 25,656
> Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz
10. Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 33,958
> Starring: Christopher Daniel Barnes, Sara Ballantine, Edward Asner, Roscoe Lee Browne
9. X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997)
> IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 45,679
> Starring: Cedric Smith, Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza
8. The Owl House (2020-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 17,022
> Starring: Sarah-Nicole Robles, Alex Hirsch, Wendie Malick, Tati Gabrielle
7. Regular Show (2010-2017)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 53,074
> Starring: J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Mark Hamill
6. Justice League (2001-2004)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 49,719
> Starring: Carl Lumbly, Phil LaMarr, Michael Rosenbaum, George Newbern
5. Horrible Histories (2009-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 5,659
> Starring: Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas
4. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968-2001)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 9,286
> Starring: Fred Rogers, Betty Aberlin, David Newell, Joe Negri
3. Justice League Unlimited (2004-2006)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,902
> Starring: George Newbern, Kevin Conroy, Phil LaMarr, Carl Lumbly
2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
> IMDb user rating: 9.0/10
> IMDb user votes: 111,363
> Starring: Kevin Conroy, Loren Lester, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings
1. Bluey (2018-present)
> IMDb user rating: 9.4/10
> IMDb user votes: 19,878
> Starring: David McCormack, Melanie Zanetti, Ninthe van Schie, Brad Elliott
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images.