Some TV shows enter into a viewer’s psyche and never dissipate, and no era encomes that quite like '90s television shows. Unsurprisingly, the decade produced a staggering amount of cult classic material.
But fans rejoiced when Disney acquired the rights to Marvel and a plethora of other classic titles creating an "open season" on previously intangible cult classic shows that were seemingly locked away in "vaults" never to be seen and or heard from again. Thanks to the digital age, people have rediscovered these series that are deemed timeless even in today's light.
Aeon Flux
Aeon Flux is set sometime in the future but still has many modern elements. The fight scenes were perplexing yet somehow gorgeously orchestrated that way. The brief series was extremely suggestive and intensely provocative. Most episodes are sadistic and progressive, considering it first aired on MTV in 1991, but that was the plan all along. With that in mind, there will never be another show like Aeon Flux.
Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series didn’t try to get too complicated with their storylines because in this case, less is more. Instead, the writers opted to give a fresh take on Batman by telling visionary tales about Gotham City. What made the show so prolific was the penchant that the writers had to tackle grim subject matters which still plagues society today.
For viewers, this made the concept of Batman as the Dark Knight easier to digest — The Dark Knight may have been the focus but his foes are just as important in this series. Familiar foes like The Joker, Clayface, The Riddler, Two-Face, and The Penguin all make appearances with regularity but somehow never overstay their welcome.
Superman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series was a direct disciple of the Batman animated series and it’s only right that it’s part of the same DC Universe. The series had similarities to the Batman animated series but Superman: The Animated Series was set in Metropolis, and Superman was the more sanctimonious one out of the pair, whereas Batman had more unconventional methods of justice even if that meant that he had to be a vigilante.
The narrative arcs never get too stagnant or repetitious, but most importantly the villains are nifty enough to counter Superman's strength. Ultimately, Superman: The Animated Series irrefutably stands the test of time.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Are You Afraid of the Dark falls into that category. For the millennial crowd that grew up watching this version, they got to bare witness to a truly underrated horror preteen anthology that was on the darker end of the spectrum.
It has just enough creepiness to keep kids and yes, even some adults, spooked or engaged. The stories were diverse, ranging from Asian proverbs coming to , to ancient monsters, and even extraterrestrial invasion. Ultimately, it's worth a watch in any era.
Tales From The Crypt
Tales From The Crypt transports viewers and encapsulates them into that world, and even when moments are bad, it’s still funny as heck.
Since its conception Tales From The Crypt has inspired other shows like Shudder's Creepshow but nothing ever comes quite close to the original. Due to legal reasons, the show isn't readily streaming or in syndication; it's available for purchase at various outlets, though.
Beavis And Butthead
Beavis And Butthead were poorly drawn and definitely a half-baked creation but it still became an instant cult classic. By the amount of Beavis and Butthead memes that are used on the internet today, it's clear that the legend of Beavis and Butthead still live on.
Modern shows like Adventure Time build on the simplistic Beavis and Butt concept and add more dialogue with the same target audience from the '90s which clearly shows the influence that it still has on pop culture. The series has loads of charm and is definitely worth a watch to this day.
Spiderman (1994)
Peter Parker isn't a new idea, but the 1994 Spider-Man animated series was an impeccable masterpiece delving into Spider-Man unlike any other adaptation before. The protagonist is Parker, and like any other great superhero show, the villains are also integral to the success of Spider-Man. Wilson Fisk is the desired main nemesis in this series, and he's still the most convincing Fisk fans have seen besides Vincent D'Onofrio's Netflix version of him.
Venom, more so than Carnage, makes a lasting impression on fans especially in episodes in which Spider-Man encounters the "symbiote" that inhabits Eddy Brock (Venom). What was most interesting about the series was that they were essentially pioneers of introducing the "Spider-Verse."
X Men: The Animated Series
X-Men has been a staple at Marvel for decades but the animated series from 1992 is arguably Marvel’s best work to date. Die-hard comic book lovers can appreciate that this show doesn't ever stray too far from the comic books' story arcs. Each character is their own entity, apart from the X-Men group, and complements each other surprisingly well.
Goosebumps
R.L. Stine was a household name in the 1990s, but his breakout show, Goosebumps, is his crowning achievement on the small screen.
The series thrived off suspense and its memorable storylines. In typical anthology style, the writers usually focused on a few different characters who were tasked with the burden of encountering monsters; this recipe worked well enough to grant the series five seasons.
Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond is a continuation of the Batman: The Animated Series set in the distant future. The show starts off with an aged Bruce Wayne (with Kevin Conroy reprising his role); as the show develops, fans quickly see the unthinkable when the original Batman resorts to using a gun on a common criminal.
Knowing that the symbolism of having to use the same weapon that killed his parents made it clear that he needed to make his exodus as Batman. Thus Batman Beyond's Terry McGinnis enters the conversation. McGennis wasn’t the ideal choice to be Bruce’s protege since McGinnis initially stole the Bat-suit for his own agenda. But over time it becomes clear that being Batman was his birthright.