Where To Watch Old Cartoon Network Shows For Free: The Ultimate Guide
For many of us who grew up in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, Cartoon Network was a beloved part of our childhoods. From classics like Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry to originals like Dexter‘s Laboratory and The Powerpuff Girls, Cartoon Network provided endless hours of entertaining animated adventures.
Fast forward to today and those childhood cartoon favorites still hold a special place in our hearts. Rewatching them feels like comfort food for the soul, providing a blast of warm nostalgia and a much-needed escape from the responsibilities of adulting.
But where can you go to revisit these treasured Cartoon Network shows? Your cable package likely doesn‘t include them anymore and buying complete series collections can be pricey. Luckily, the internet has made it easier than ever to watch old cartoons for free…if you know where to look.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll break down the best free websites to find and watch old Cartoon Network shows online. We‘ll also go over the pros and cons of each platform and detail how to navigate some of the copyright challenges that come with the territory.
Most Popular Old Cartoon Network Shows
First, let‘s take a look at some of the most popular classic Cartoon Network series that fans are eager to rewatch. According to viewership data and online engagement metrics, here are the top 10 most beloved old Cartoon Network shows:
- Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
- Tom and Jerry
- Looney Tunes
- The Flintstones
- The Jetsons
- Dexter‘s Laboratory
- The Powerpuff Girls
- Johnny Bravo
- Courage the Cowardly Dog
- Ed, Edd n Eddy
These iconic series blend timeless characters and clever comedy writing that holds up surprisingly well. Their distinctive animation styles also continue to charm and delight viewers.
Interestingly, Cartoon Network rebooted several of these fan-favorites in recent years, including Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, The Powerpuff Girls, and Tom and Jerry. While the modern takes offer updated animation and new storylines, many fans still prefer to revisit the classic originals.
So now that we know what we want to watch, let‘s dive into where to find it!
Best Free Websites to Watch Old Cartoon Network Shows
- WatchCartoonOnline.tv
One of the most popular and comprehensive options is WatchCartoonOnline.tv. As the name implies, this site is dedicated to cartoons of all kinds, with a particularly robust collection of old Cartoon Network favorites.
What It Offers:
- Dozens of classic Cartoon Network series, including Scooby-Doo, Dexter‘s Laboratory, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and more
- Complete seasons and series runs for most shows
- Intuitive interface that lets you browse by letter, genre, or simply search
Pros:
- Extensive library of old cartoons across Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more
- High-quality video streams that are easy to navigate between episodes
- Site is regularly updated with requested shows and missing episodes
Cons:
- Frequent popups and ads that can be obtrusive (AdBlock recommended)
- Site design is a bit clunky and dated
- Videos are sometimes mislabeled or uploaded in the wrong order
- KimCartoon.to
Another fantastic resource for free cartoon watching is KimCartoon.to. This stylish site boasts over 10,000 free cartoons across 500+ shows.
What It Offers:
- Curated collections of most popular shows, including Cartoon Network hits
- Clean, user-friendly interface with responsive search
- Impressive catalogue of anime series as well, for fans of that genre
Pros:
- Intuitive site design and easy-to-use video player
- Multiple mirrors for each episode in case a link is down
- Shows are grouped logically and easy to sort through
Cons:
- Site is entirely in English, so non-English dubs/subs are limited
- Includes more Nickelodeon and Disney than Cartoon Network overall
- TopCartoons.tv
TopCartoons.tv is a bit of a hidden gem for old-school cartoon lovers. While its library is smaller than some other sites, the content is well-organized and of consistently high quality.
What It Offers:
- Focus on pre-2000s cartoons, with most content from the 60s-90s
- Prominent Cartoon Network section with classics like The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, and Looney Tunes
- Fun, retro site design with a Saturday morning cartoon vibe
Pros:
- Niche focus on nostalgic cartoons means you can find hidden older gems
- Minimalist interface with few ads compared to other free sites
- Users can request shows to be added or episodes to be fixed
Cons:
- No app or mobile-optimized site, so may not work well on phones/tablets
- Newer content and Cartoon Network originals are lacking
Beyond Free Cartoon Websites
As great as these free websites are for watching Cartoon Network throwbacks, they do come with some notable drawbacks. The video quality can be inconsistent, episodes may be mislabeled or missing, and you‘ll likely have to contend with a bunch of pop up ads and redirects.
More significantly, almost all the cartoons uploaded to these sites are done so unofficially by fans, without the permission of the copyright holders. While it‘s a bit of a grey area, these unofficial episode uploads are technically not legal and run the risk of being taken down unexpectedly due to copyright claims.
YouTube, for example, uses a robust Content ID system to automatically scan uploaded videos and detect copyrighted content like TV shows and movies. Rights holders can then choose to block that video entirely, monetize it with ads, or simply track the viewership stats.
As a result, full cartoon episodes uploaded to YouTube by anyone other than the official rights holders tend to be quickly flagged and removed. The same goes for leading free streaming sites like WatchCartoonOnline – the shows you‘re looking for might be there one day and gone the next.
So what are the alternatives if you want to watch old Cartoon Network shows reliably without breaking any laws? There are a few options to consider:
Paid Streaming Services
Every major streaming platform has licensing deals with content providers to offer beloved animated series from their back catalogues. The catch is that you typically need a recurring monthly subscription to access them. Here‘s a quick breakdown of what each leading service offers for Cartoon Network fans:
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Hulu: Robust selection of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim shows like Dexter‘s Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, and Adventure Time. Hulu has a deal with Turner networks (including Cartoon Network) so their collection is the most comprehensive.
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Netflix: Focuses more on original animated series but has some Cartoon Network gems like Foster‘s Home for Imaginary Friends, Johnny Bravo, and Ed, Edd n Eddy. Episodes come and go as licensing deals change.
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HBO Max: Features a solid lineup of newer Cartoon Network shows but a limited back catalogue. You can find Adam Ruins Everything, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Chowder.
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Amazon Prime: Has select seasons of Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls, and Courage the Cowardly Dog free for Prime members. Other series are available to buy or rent individually in their video marketplace.
Of course, the downside to relying on paid streaming services is the recurring subscription costs, which can add up quickly if you‘re juggling multiple platforms. The specific shows and episodes available also fluctuate regularly so your favorites may periodically get rotated out.
Buying Episodes and Seasons
If there are specific Cartoon Network series you want to watch again and again, you can buy them once and have them for keeps. All the major digital video platforms like Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes, and Vudu have libraries of old cartoons available to purchase.
Buying whole seasons or complete series sets can get pricey, but you‘ll own those episodes for life and can watch them whenever you want. You also don‘t have to worry about shows expiring or changing services.
If you prefer a physical copy, you can buy many classic Cartoon Network series on DVD. Compilations, season sets, and full series collections are available from major retailers like Amazon and often go on sale. Just make sure you have a DVD player!
Ultimately, the best way to legally watch old Cartoon Network shows depends on your specific viewing needs and budget. The free websites covered in this guide are a fantastic resource for sampling a variety of classic cartoons at no cost. However, for long-term reliable access to your all-time favorites, you may need to explore paid alternatives like streaming subscriptions or digital purchases.
The good news is that in our modern streaming landscape, you have more options than ever to indulge your nostalgic cartoon cravings. With a little digging, you‘re sure to find your way back to the comforting animated friends of your childhood. Happy watching!
