Other ’90s Nickelodeon Cartoons That Should Get a Movie After Rugrats

As someone who grew up during the golden age of ’90s Nicktoons, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia when looking back at these iconic shows. These cartoons were more than just entertainment; they were a part of our lives, shaping our childhood memories and fostering a love for animation that has lasted well into adulthood.

Initially launched in 1979 and known for hits like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents, Nickelodeon didn’t start producing original animated content until the early ’90s. The network broke ground with shows such as Doug, Rugrats, and The Ren & Stimpy Show, which were the first to carry the “Nicktoons” brand. These shows’ popularity opened doors for Nickelodeon to explore feature films.

In 1993, Nickelodeon signed a two-year deal with 20th Century Fox for creating feature films. Although the first film released was “Harriet the Spy” in 1996, which was a live-action comedy, there were many rumors that the original Nicktoons would eventually make their way onto the big screen.

Eventually, Paramount and Viacom proceeded to create “The Rugrats Movie,” as well as other series such as “The Wild Thornberries,” “Hey Arnold!”, “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and even “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Following Nickelodeon’s acquisition of the properties, each show had its own film adaptation during the 2000s.

Despite numerous ’90s cartoons failing to transition to the big screen, shows such as “The Angry Beavers,” “Rocko’s Modern Life,” and “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” were among those that missed out on this opportunity. These series left their fans pondering about how these characters would have appeared on the silver screen. Here are our suggestions for Nicktoons worthy of a big-screen adaptation.

Doug

The animated series titled “Doug” revolves around the daily escapades, creativity, and schoolgirl crush of a middle schooler named Doug Funnie. Originally airing on Nickelodeon from 1991 to 1994, it later moved to Disney when The Walt Disney Company bought Jumbo Pictures, the production studio responsible for “Doug”. On Disney’s One Saturday Morning, it was known as “Disney’s Doug”. A movie adaptation was produced in 1999 by Disney, serving as the series finale. This film follows Doug and Skeeter Valentine as they attempt to shield a creature named Herman Melville from pollution-caused harm by Bill Bluff, father of Skeeter’s love interest Beebe. The movie faced significant criticism upon release.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I found myself quite disappointed with the film adaptation of Doug. Unlike the usual episodes, which revolve around relatable daily escapades, camaraderie, and Doug’s colorful imagination, the movie’s outlandish narrative felt disjointed from the reality of the original series. A film that delved into Doug’s everyday exploits or one that dived deep into his superhero alter ego, Quailman, might have struck a chord with fans and remained faithful to the essence of the show.

CatDog

The show called “CatDog” chronicles the daily escapades of two conjoined siblings, Cat and Dog, as they make their way through life side by side. Airing from 1998 to 2005 across four seasons, it reaches its climax in Season 4 with a three-part opener titled “CatDog and the Great Parent Mystery“. In this storyline, CatDog embarks on a journey to discover their origins, eventually finding out that their adoptive parents are a frog and a sasquatch. However, they remain uncertain about their birth parents’ identity and their own origin. A movie reminiscent of “Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie” could potentially shed light on these remaining mysteries.

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

Ah, “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters,” an animated series that aired from 1994 to 1997, focuses on three young monsters – Oblina, Ickis, and Krumm – who reside under a city dump and attend a school to learn the art of scaring humans. The series documents their escapades as they carry out their scary tasks, combining slapstick humor with an intriguing twist for Nicktoons: horror elements. As a comedy-horror cartoon, this concept presents numerous opportunities for a feature film. A movie could delve deeper into their chilling encounters in the human world, delve into the nuances of their friendship, and expand upon the mythology of the monster realm.

The Ren & Stimpy Show

The television show “The Ren & Stimpy Show” revolves around the zany antics of Ren Höek, a quick-tempered chihuahua, and Stimpy, a naive and simple Manx cat. This program initially aired on Nickelodeon for five seasons from 1991 to 1995, with its last episode being broadcast on MTV in 1996. An older-oriented version of the show, titled “Ren & Stimpy’s ‘Adult Party Cartoon’,” was aired on Spike TV in 2003, but it only produced three episodes before being discontinued. In 2020, Comedy Central announced plans for another reboot, although as of now, it remains unpublished.

Originally, a full-length movie based on the cartoon series “Ren & Stimpy” was proposed. But following Viacom’s acquisition of Paramount Pictures in 1994, which owned Nickelodeon at the time, they took over the film distribution. Disagreements about creative direction with John Kricfalusi, the creator of Ren & Stimpy, and difficulties in presenting the series as family-friendly instead of relying on its adult-oriented humor led to the project’s cancellation. However, it was this very humor that helped the show build a loyal cult following. With its iconic scenes and catchy tunes, the show had great potential for a feature film—one that many devoted fans would have eagerly watched.

Rocket Power

The animated series titled Rocket Power centers around Otto, Reggie Rocket, Maurice “Twister” Rodriguez, and Sam “Squid” Dullard – four pals residing in the imaginary coastal town of Ocean Shores, California. They all have a common interest in thrilling activities such as skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, biking, and street hockey, while dealing with the joys and challenges of growing up. Although the show produced several telefilms including Race Across New Zealand and Island of the Menehune, it lacked a standalone feature film. With its emphasis on extreme sports and the close bond between the Rocket siblings and their father, Raymundo, a movie could delve deeper into these aspects. Moreover, the past of their mother, Danielle Rocket, who met her end in a tragic surfing accident in Hawaii, could be unraveled. Examining Ray and Danielle’s relationship or focusing on Raymundo’s new spouse, Noelani, who is Tito Makan’s cousin, could provide fresh perspectives, reminiscent of the plot developments seen after the Rugrats in Paris movie where characters like Chuckie and his new step-sister Kimi adjusted to their new family dynamics.

The Angry Beavers

The animated series titled “The Angry Beavers” follows the mishaps of brothers Norbert and Daggett Beaver, who are self-centered and carefree respectively, having left their parents’ home to live as bachelors in a forest near a fictional Oregon town. The show debuted from 1997 to 2003, with four episodes being held back initially and later shown on Nicktoons in 2006. The world of “The Angry Beavers” is populated by amusing and peculiar characters like Treeflower, Norbert’s bohemian beaver love interest, and Barry Bear, a grizzly bear friend inspired by singer Barry White who loves disco music, providing rich ground for storytelling.

KaBlam!

The show “KaBlam!” was a cartoon variety series that ran on Nickelodeon from 1996 to 2000. It presented an assortment of peculiar, unconventional segments that could potentially be developed into standalone films. Among these sketches, one of the most iconic was “Action League Now!”, which centered around a team of four superheroes – The Flesh, Thundergirl, Stinky Diver, and Meltman. These characters were brought to life by custom-made action figures who combatted crime in suburban neighborhoods. With its distinctive mix of action, humor, and imaginative world-building, “Action League Now!” would be an ideal choice for a full-length movie, providing ample opportunities to explore the team’s relationships and conflicts further.

As a cinephile, I find myself captivated by the unique storylines presented in several short films. One such intriguing piece is titled “Prometheus and Bob“, which chronicles the journey of an extraterrestrial mentoring a caveman named Bob. The dynamic between these two characters could effortlessly transform into a delightful, adventure-filled movie.

Oh Yeah! Cartoons – My Neighbor Was a Teenage Robot and Chalk Zone

Back in the late ’90s to early 2000s, an American television show called “Oh Yeah! Cartoons” aired, featuring a mix of animated shorts that eventually expanded into a full-blown series. Shows such as “Angry Beavers,” “The Fairly OddParents,” and “My Neighbor Was a Teenage Robot” gained massive popularity among viewers. Interestingly, “My Neighbor Was a Teenage Robot” initially debuted in 1999 and later became its own series called “My Life as a Teenage Robot” in 2003. This captivating series revolves around the life of Jenny, a teenage girl who happens to be a powerful crime-fighting robot (No. XJ-9). The story follows her challenges of juggling her dual identity as both a superhero and an ordinary teenager. A potential movie could delve into Jenny’s escapades with her friends Brad and Tuck, as well as her intricate relationship with her creator and “mother,” Dr. Nora Wakeman.

1998 saw the appearance of “ChalkZone” on the television program, “Oh Yeah! Cartoons.” This series centers around Rudy Tabootie, a young student who stumbles upon magical chalk that creates gateways to an alternate dimension known as “ChalkZone.” A feature film could delve further into this chalk-inspired realm, unraveling more of Rudy’s escapades alongside his chalk companion, Snap, a superhero, and his best friend and love interest, Penny Sanchez—the sole human privy to the secrets of ChalkZone. Shows like “My Neighbor Was a Teenage Robot” and “ChalkZone” boast intricate and imaginative worlds and character dynamics that could be effectively brought to life on the big screen.

As someone deeply fond of ’90s cinema, I can’t help but feel that many beloved Nicktoons from that era have been overlooked when it comes to the big screen. The captivating characters and vibrant world-building of these shows truly deserve a cinematic limelight. A feature film for these series would not only offer long-awaited resolution for us old fans, but also introduce these timeless cartoons to a new crop of viewers who may have missed out on the enchantment and delight of the ’90s Nicktoons era.

2024-11-30 08:10