4 Animated Sci-fi Shows That Defined the ‘90s, And Three Are Almost Impossible to Stream Now

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While shows like *Rick & Morty*, *Cyberpunk: Edgerunners*, and *Invincible* are currently leading the way, animated science fiction TV isn’t a recent trend. It dates back to the 1950s with classics like *Peabody & Sherman* and *The Jetsons*, and *Space Ghost*, with plenty of examples throughout the decades. The 1990s were particularly important for the genre, and for television in general, with many beloved shows defining that era.

During the 1990s, television truly came into its own, especially with the rise of cable and new types of programming. Animation played a huge role in this growth. While Saturday morning cartoons remained popular with children, animation expanded far beyond that. Dedicated channels emerged to serve young audiences, but animated shows also began targeting adults, creating a broader fanbase. These programs not only attracted fans of genres like science fiction, but also helped to popularize animation as a whole.

1) X-Men: The Animated Series

Few animated shows from the 1990s defined their time as well as *X-Men: The Animated Series*, and it remains incredibly popular today. For many fans, it was their first experience with Marvel’s heroes. The series took key storylines from the comic books and made these exciting, action-packed stories, with their underlying themes, more approachable for a wider audience. *X-Men: The Animated Series* significantly boosted the Marvel brand, paving the way for other animated series featuring characters like Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man.

One of the main reasons this series became so popular and defined the 1990s was its visual style, which was heavily influenced by the iconic character designs of Jim Lee. The show’s lasting impact is clear – Marvel Studios recently continued the story with a new series that began right after the original’s dramatic finale. In fact, the character costumes are so recognizable that they’ve been used in recent live-action movies like *Deadpool & Wolverine*, *Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness*, and the upcoming *Avengers: Doomsday*.

2) Dexter’s Laboratory

Unlike typical Saturday morning cartoons, *Dexter’s Laboratory* became a hugely important show that helped launch an entire network of animated series. Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, the show’s comedic, slapstick style might not scream “science fiction,” but it’s a series about a boy genius who loves Einstein, builds robots, and even tries cloning dinosaurs!

Dexter’s Laboratory remains a standout show from the 1990s, and its unique beginning is a big reason why. The show started as a short featured on Cartoon Network’s ‘What a Cartoon’ showcase. Then, in a very ’90s move, kids actually voted – using phone lines and early websites – to decide if it should become a full TV series. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting origin story for a beloved cartoon of that era.

Currently, the first two seasons are available on Prime Video. However, to watch all seasons, viewers need to buy them separately.

3) Captain Planet and the Planeteers

While *X-Men: The Animated Series* shaped sci-fi animation and helped bring superhero comics to a wider audience in the ’90s, *Captain Planet* stood out for its focus on important social issues. The show, featuring Captain Planet and five young heroes, was unique in its global perspective and its direct approach to environmentalism and conservation – topics explained in a way that kids could easily grasp. These themes resonated with major movements of the 1990s, like promoting recycling, reducing pollution, and challenging corporate practices. In fact, the show’s message about protecting the planet remains relevant today.

The show ran for six seasons with over 100 episodes, but currently only three seasons are readily available for streaming. You can buy the entire series if you prefer, which avoids the plastic waste of DVDs.

4) Aeon Flux

Compared to other shows of its time, *Aeon Flux* stands out because it didn’t follow the typical formula. Originally appearing on MTV’s *Liquid Television*, Peter Chung’s cyberpunk series delved into the core themes of science fiction – political ideologies and advanced technology – but with a unique approach. Drawing inspiration from Japanese anime and artists like Möbius, *Aeon Flux*, despite having only 16 episodes, left a significant impact on 1990s television.

What really set *Aeon Flux* apart was that it was one of the first American animated series made specifically for adults-though many fans admit to watching it at a young age. Its success proved there was a demand for this type of show, paving the way for later programming like Adult Swim.

Currently, only season three of the show is available to watch on Paramount+. The previous seasons aren’t available on any streaming service.

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2025-09-24 21:10