Whether they ended prematurely or not, these animated shows deserved another season. For this list, we’ll be looking at fantastic cartoon stories who ended just a little too soon. Since we’ll be talking about the current endings of these series, a spoiler warning is in effect.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 "I've been denied everything, even my revenge!"
00:07 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 20 animated shows that deserve another season.
00:14 "Eddie, it's over. You're free, you can stop this. Stop hating."
00:19 For this list, we're looking at fantastic cartoon stories that ended just a little too soon.
00:24 Since we'll be talking about the current endings of these series, a spoiler warning is in effect.
00:30 Which cartoon season would you greenlight if you had the chance? Let us know in the comments below.
00:36 Hey Mojoholics, for a chance to win cash prizes, play our live daily trivia challenges every day at 3pm and 8pm Eastern, only at watchmojo.com/play.
00:48 Number 20, Invader Zim.
00:50 "Yes, Zim?"
00:52 "In the event of, say, a full-scale alien invasion, how prepared do you think this planet's defenses would be? Tell me."
00:59 After an ambitious alien named Zim sneaks his way onto Earth, he schemes on how to conquer the planet without his true nature being exposed.
01:07 This delightfully bizarre show loved using dark humor and odd animation to push the overall narrative forward.
01:13 And each character had a distinctive personality you were guaranteed to remember.
01:18 Sadly, the unique nature of the show could not save it from being cancelled in its second season.
01:23 Despite its early ending, Invader Zim got a 2019 film that has a flawless rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
01:30 Its critical success serves as a major hint that Nickelodeon should give this alien another chance to invade the airwaves.
01:37 "What have you been up to, Zim?"
01:39 "Phase one of my evil plan, human. Phase one."
01:45 Number 19, Beware the Batman.
01:48 "This is justice."
01:49 "No, I am justice."
01:52 "Batman!"
01:54 While there have been a handful of Dark Knight shows over the years, nothing looked or felt quite like Beware the Batman.
02:00 The show brought Gotham and its protector to life with CG instead of more traditional animation.
02:05 To further distinguish itself, the show put the spotlight on more obscure villains instead of just relying on Batman's mainstays.
02:12 "Mr. Anarchy, dude, we were gonna come looking for you."
02:15 "Yeah, but Batdork-"
02:17 "No apologies necessary. Despite his claims of free agency, Batman is clearly a tool of order."
02:25 Fans of this Dark Knight didn't get much time to explore this take because the series didn't even make it past its first season.
02:32 It's almost criminal that this Dark Knight had to shelve his cape without getting a fair shot to shine.
02:37 While Beware the Batman may not have been the series we deserved, we sorely need more of this crusader now.
02:43 "You're all over the news. Quite a mess, anyone we know."
02:47 Number 18, Final Space.
02:50 "But to me, we become like a close but very strange family. And without you, I wouldn't be me."
02:58 "Us, us, us! Uuuuuuuus!"
03:01 "Shut the hell up, Kevin!"
03:02 The cast list alone for this cancelled space comedy series is enough reason to immediately greenlight more episodes.
03:08 David Tennant, Steven Yeun, Fred Armisen, Tom Kenny and more lent their voices to the colorful cast.
03:14 They all delivered well-rounded performances that made us fall in love with the team squad as they crossed the universe.
03:20 Before they could reach their final destination, the crew's journey abruptly came to an end due to network decisions.
03:27 However, the series still could have rocketed to at least one more season.
03:31 Although creator and lead actor Olin Rodgers will wrap up the series with a graphic novel,
03:36 we'd still welcome an animated adaptation.
03:39 The team squad has earned the chance to soar just once more.
03:42 "Because I can take anything, except losing you!"
03:45 "Oh God, why Quinn? Why are we in this situation?"
03:49 Number 17, The Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
03:53 "Each of you has proven yourself as a hero. Someone who has what it takes to be an Avenger."
03:58 "The world is depending on you, so go save it."
04:01 When this group of Avengers assembled, fans took notice.
04:05 The deep characterization of each hero and even deeper roster of characters pulled viewers into this unique world.
04:11 Unfortunately, it fell apart after two seasons so that it could be replaced with a completely new program.
04:17 While Avengers Assemble wasn't bad, Earth's Mightiest Heroes had a lot going for it.
04:22 The voice acting, action scenes and threats the team faced were all fantastic.
04:27 And according to the creators, they planned to expand the roster with a certain pair of super-powered siblings.
04:33 They were also going to make Asgard a key part of a major storyline.
04:38 These exciting concepts and more would make for a thrilling installment fans would reassemble for.
04:44 "You wanted to know how history will remember the Avengers Iron Man? Well, here's your answer."
04:49 Number 16, Duckman.
04:52 This critically acclaimed show saw Jason Alexander's Duckman solve cases while avoiding his enemies and his quirky family.
04:59 Not only was the mature cartoon uproariously funny,
05:02 it was also full of clever twists that poked fun at the mystery genre.
05:06 After four great seasons, the entire story left us with a cliffhanger that revealed that Duckman's long-lost wife was still alive.
05:13 "You're alive!"
05:15 "Well, yeah, sure I am. Didn't Cornfett ever tell you?"
05:19 We would definitely love to get a full explanation of how this miracle was even possible.
05:25 However, the real treat would be to get more of Alexander's excellent vocal work as the duck.
05:30 He'd be guaranteed to intrigue and incite laughter if he got behind the bill for another season.
05:35 "And it will not be perfect. There will be a lot of things you'll hate, and it's okay,
05:39 because you'll honestly be able to tell everyone, 'Hey, it's not my fault, Duckman screwed up.'"
05:43 Number 15, Sonic the Hedgehog.
05:46 "Ready, Sonic? Our lamb's wooly does lightning fork. Get a grip, guys, I'm outta here."
05:53 As the blue blur himself would say, it is no good that this show only got two seasons.
05:58 This tale followed Sonic and his friends as they attempted to free innocents and stop Robotnik.
06:03 While it was fun to watch, it also carried serious dramatic weight.
06:07 The show explored deep themes about everything from loss to the cost of war.
06:11 Sonic the Hedgehog resonated with so many that its premature cancellation
06:15 didn't stop viewers from pushing for more.
06:18 Fans even took matters into their own hands and started working on making a season that
06:22 aligned with the show's vision. Their sheer dedication serves as further proof that this
06:26 Sonic show was gone too fast.
06:29 "Looks like RoboTown. Oh, man, here we go again."
06:33 Number 14, Green Lantern, the animated series.
06:36 "By this day and blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evils
06:40 might beware my power, Green Lantern, light!"
06:42 Despite being a powerful hero who can create constructs out of willpower,
06:46 Hal Jordan and his fellow Lanterns haven't had much time to shine in front of wide audiences.
06:50 This slick animated series made up for lost time with fantastic animation and deep storylines.
06:56 While we learned a lot about the human Hal Jordan, the story also left plenty of room
07:00 to explore other Lantern lives. But the show's strong first season still became its last.
07:06 According to rumors, the failure of the live-action Green Lantern movie played a part in the
07:11 cancellation of the animated series. It is incredibly unfair that external circumstances
07:16 took down such a promising show. Fans were more than willing to continue supporting these Lanterns.
07:22 "We can argue about my conduct later, but right now, somewhere out there,
07:27 there's a dead Green Lantern."
07:29 Number 13, Symbionic Titan.
07:32 Two teenage aliens and a robot initially fled to Earth to escape the enemies that
07:36 invaded their home planet. "Why my father entrusted this mission to you?"
07:40 "This planet is called Earth, in case you were wondering."
07:43 But after they arrive on a new world, dangerous villains show up to pursue them.
07:48 Fortunately, each member of the trio can assume giant robot forms that can all combine into one
07:53 massive fighter. This premise felt like it took all the best elements of the Power Rangers and
07:58 the Transformers and smashed them into one. Although it was a critical success, it reportedly
08:03 wasn't financially successful enough to break out of its first season. And as added insult to injury,
08:09 it ended on a cliffhanger. Seeing the trio unite into a Symbionic Titan for new adventures would
08:14 make up for its incredibly short lifespan.
08:17 "Heart, body, and mind unite as one."
08:20 "I wonder what else we can do."
08:22 Number 12, Thundercats.
08:24 Over two decades after the original series ended, this animated franchise returned with an
08:30 absolutely gorgeous art style and darker story. During the series, the royal Lion-O has to learn
08:35 how to be a good leader in the wake of a horrible calamity. His emotions and struggles were
08:40 beautifully conveyed thanks to the always excellent Will Friedle in the voiceover booth.
08:44 "As cubs, we believed the tales about ships that could fly. Maybe everyone else outgrew them,
08:49 but I didn't. I know there's a bigger world out there."
08:52 Unfortunately, this darker take on the Thundercats didn't attract enough attention
08:57 back in 2011. Since a ton of mature shows have come out since then, we're willing to bet people
09:02 would embrace this iteration of the show today. It could even become a roaring success that rivals
09:08 the original series.
09:09 "It's official. They think I'm a failure, and they always will unless I can prove I'm not
09:14 chasing a childish dream."
09:15 Number 11. Young Justice
09:18 Focused on superhero sidekicks that form their own team, this series received acclaim for its
09:23 mature themes, hard-hitting storylines, and huge twists. Although the show was officially
09:28 canceled twice, it came back from the brink both times for more adventures. But fans are still
09:34 desperate for one last push. After building up the intimidating Darkseid as a villain for multiple
09:39 seasons, Young Justice teased he would send corrupted heroines to devastate Earth.
09:44 "Together, Carl and Mary represent the next generation of Furious, ready to take the battle
09:53 to the so-called heroes who betrayed them."
09:57 Based on how brutal previous villains have been, this big bad would definitely decimate the heroes.
10:02 Whether this exciting plotline will play out was still up in the air as of July 2023.
10:08 It'd be incredibly rewarding for Young Justice fans who've seen the show rebound twice to pull
10:12 a hat trick.
10:13 "Aqualad, what happened here?"
10:15 "Fear not. The crisis has passed. Though at a terrible cost."
10:21 Number 10. Recess
10:23 "Recess already?"
10:24 Ah, recess. That magical time of the school day during which anything seemed possible.
10:29 With this animated series, Disney took that notion to wacky yet relatable extremes.
10:34 The series followed six friends in their elementary school adventures as they tackled the social
10:39 hierarchy of the playground, delving surprisingly deep into concepts of freedom, oppression,
10:44 and social conformity.
10:46 These hard-hitting themes are just one of the many reasons for the show's lasting popularity.
10:50 Despite the fact that Recess ran for six seasons, received a theatrical movie, and several TV
10:55 specials, we have no doubt that fans would be delighted to spend another season with TJ and the
11:00 gang.
11:00 "Fine, quit!"
11:01 "Ingrates."
11:02 "Where's that chocolate milk?"
11:03 Number 9. Reboot
11:05 "No one knows for sure, but I intend to find out."
11:09 "Reboot!"
11:11 Well, they don't make them like Reboot anymore.
11:13 This Canadian animated series took place inside the world of a computer and followed the adventures
11:18 of Bob, a guardian in mainframe who, along with his friends, kept the system safe from the virus
11:24 attacks of Megabyte.
11:25 Not only was Reboot the world's first fully computer-animated half-hour TV series, it was
11:30 also wildly popular, with a fanbase that's been campaigning for a revival for over a decade.
11:36 Considering the fact the series ended on a cliffhanger, you can understand why fans were
11:40 furious when a reboot of Reboot, pairing little resemblance to the original, was announced
11:45 instead of the revival everyone actually wants.
11:48 "So, what'd I miss?"
11:50 Number 8. Gargoyles
11:52 "Then we will find them, we will save the humans, and we will have our revenge!"
11:59 Although these supernatural creatures are pretty stiff during the day,
12:02 they had tremendous and lively adventures at night.
12:06 After a group of gargoyles was forced to sleep for centuries,
12:09 they awakened in 1990s Manhattan and fought evil.
12:12 Their tales captured imaginations and earned heaps of praise from fans and
12:16 critics during the first two seasons.
12:18 However, an uneven third installment led to the gargoyles being sent back into hibernation
12:23 indefinitely.
12:24 Despite ending on a sour note, fans are still calling for more tales in modern times.
12:30 A comic that continued the series was a huge success as recently as 2022.
12:35 If a studio decided to adapt the storyline on the page,
12:38 Gargoyles might just become a smash hit TV show in the 21st century.
12:42 "This could be your chance to make a fresh start in a new place. Put the Quarrymen behind you."
12:47 "Zanatos, your intentions are good."
12:52 Number 7. Gravity Falls
12:54 [Screaming]
12:58 Animated TV shows often get cancelled before their story can be completed,
13:02 which is exactly why Alex Hirsch decided to end Gravity Falls on his own terms.
13:07 Often referred to as a cartoon twin peaks,
13:10 Gravity Falls followed twins Dipper and Mabel Pines as they uncovered dark secrets,
13:15 frightening creatures and general weirdness that plagued the titular town.
13:19 "They're all trapped inside Tree Sap.
13:21 That's how they survived for 65 million years."
13:24 With all the mysteries and conspiracies surrounding the plot,
13:26 Hirsch decided to give the series a definitive end
13:29 before an unexpected cancellation could leave things unresolved.
13:33 However, with a premise this odd, there's always room for more.
13:37 And there's no doubt fans would love to see more of Dipper,
13:40 Mabel and the wacky townsfolk of Gravity Falls.
13:43 "Isn't so fun being tied up?"
13:44 "Is it? Hey, wanna draw on their faces?"
13:47 "What?"
13:47 Number 6. Static Shock
13:49 "Sorry, ladies."
13:50 It's hard to think of a superhero cartoon that was as groundbreaking as Static Shock.
13:55 The series presented a diverse cast of multi-layered characters
13:58 who faced complex social issues in ways that were somewhat uncommon in kids' cartoons at the time.
14:03 An adaptation of Dwayne McDuffie's Milestone Media Comics,
14:07 Static Shock followed the titular superhero in his crime-fighting adventures
14:11 and ran for a total of four seasons.
14:13 "Maybe we should put you on payroll, Static."
14:15 "Give me one of those shiny helmets and we'll call it even."
14:17 Though it might not be quite the same without McDuffie himself on board,
14:21 as the creator passed away in 2011.
14:23 Fans would be, pardon the pun, ecstatic to see another season of Static Shock.
14:29 "Okay, plan B."
14:30 Number 5. Freakazoid
14:33 "That's right! Doody calls!"
14:36 "Hello, Doody! I'm coming!"
14:40 What happens when you combine the zaniness of Looney Tunes with classic superhero tropes?
14:45 You get Freakazoid.
14:46 One of the greatest superhero parodies of all time,
14:48 and a series that was well before its time.
14:51 Taking inspiration from Mike Allred's Madman,
14:54 the series followed the titular Freakazoid,
14:56 a superhero who usually defeated villains through the sheer annoyance of his insane cartoon antics.
15:02 "If I know my cartoons, and I do,
15:05 I'll be back later on to rescue you from something really horrible!
15:10 Buh-bye!"
15:10 Though it only ran for 24 episodes,
15:15 Freakazoid gained a cult following of fans that would be delighted to see another season,
15:19 or perhaps a reboot, of the absurdly creative and creatively absurd series.
15:24 "Say, you wanna go out for a snow cone?"
15:27 "Do I ever!"
15:29 Number 4. Wolverine and the X-Men
15:32 "I gotta fix this, and I want you with me."
15:35 Cliffhangers suck, especially when the series is cancelled before they can be resolved.
15:39 This is exactly what happened with the Nicktoons series,
15:42 Wolverine and the X-Men, which ended after only one season.
15:46 The Marvel series followed Wolverine as he struggled to reunite the X-Men
15:50 after the disappearance of Jean Grey and Professor X.
15:53 "Hey, you totally lost it! What are you doing? Angel's one of us!"
15:57 With overwhelmingly high ratings and incredibly positive reviews,
16:01 one would have thought that Wolverine and the X-Men would have gone on for more than one season,
16:05 but Disney's buyout of Marvel caused some financial issues
16:08 that ultimately led to the series' cancellation.
16:10 However, now that Disney has acquired Fox properties,
16:14 could another season be in the cards? We can only hope.
16:17 "You wouldn't have felt that way if I didn't give you good reason."
16:20 Number 3. Teen Titans
16:22 "Whatever you're planning, Slade, it's over!"
16:24 At this point, it goes without saying that the original Teen Titans animated series
16:28 should be brought back.
16:29 Regardless of whether or not you like its comedy revival, Teen Titans Go!,
16:33 it simply cannot compete with the original series.
16:36 It was a masterpiece of superhero animation,
16:38 one that was ambitious in both its visual style and mature themes.
16:42 "I'm Robin. We're the-"
16:43 "Teen Titans! Rock on!"
16:45 Despite a massive fan following,
16:47 Teen Titans was cancelled with major plot points left unresolved.
16:51 Were there to be another season,
16:52 the show's incredible run could be given a proper ending,
16:55 something that fans have wanted for over a decade.
16:59 "We're not five heroes. We're one team."
17:02 Number 2. Danny Phantom
17:04 "One ghost power source coming up!"
17:06 Who can walk through walls, disappear, fly, and had a killer theme song?
17:10 The answer is Danny Phantom.
17:13 "It was then that he knew what he had to do."
17:15 "He had to stop all the ghosts that were coming through."
17:17 "He's here to fight for me and you."
17:19 This Nickelodeon series revolved around the titular character
17:22 as he navigated the hurdles of high school
17:24 while defending his city from ghostly attacks.
17:27 An original cartoon of Butch Hartman,
17:29 the show incorporated elements of classic superhero stories
17:32 and spun them into something fresh and unique
17:34 that played out well against its ghost-themed backdrop.
17:38 "The power isn't the burden. The burden is in how I use it."
17:41 Danny Phantom might have gotten a proper send-off
17:43 in the form of a TV movie,
17:44 but there is definitely a demand for more,
17:47 especially after Butch Hartman himself proposed a 10 years later storyline,
17:51 complete with awesome updated character designs.
17:55 Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel
17:58 and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
18:01 You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
18:05 If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings
18:07 and switch on notifications.
18:09 Number 1. The Spectacular Spider-Man
18:20 On top of having arguably the best theme song of any Spider-Man cartoon,
18:24 sorry 1967 series,
18:26 The Spectacular Spider-Man is often referred to
18:28 as the greatest Spidey TV series of them all.
18:32 With a unique art style,
18:33 the character designs by Sean "Cheeks" Galloway standing out in particular,
18:37 and smart mature writing,
18:38 The Spectacular Spider-Man had an overwhelmingly positive reception
18:42 from both fans and critics.
18:44 "He's back, boys!"
18:46 However, despite its popularity,
18:48 the series was cancelled due to the TV rights of Spider-Man reverting back to Marvel.
18:52 Since Spectacular's cancellation,
18:54 there have been multiple Spider-Man cartoons,
18:57 so a revival seems unlikely.
18:59 But there's definitely a demand for a third season of the hit series.
19:03 "What are those supposed to do?"
19:06 "But they're supposed to hurt!"
19:07 Did you enjoy this video?
19:09 Check out these other clips from WatchMojo,
19:11 and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.
19:15 [outro music]