As a connoisseur of animated adaptations that hail from my beloved childhood days, I must say these shows take me back! It’s fascinating to see how these timeless tales have been reimagined for new generations.
The 1990s marked a period of exploration in animation, with a surge in animated series based on popular film franchises gracing television screens. Occasionally, the teams and actors from the original films took part in these productions. Frequently, these shows continued the story left unfinished, but there were also prequels or those set in different realities.
Interestingly, some movies not initially intended for children ended up having cartoon versions. This was because it was thought that kids who grew up watching these animated shows would develop a strong affinity for the original films as they grew older. On the other hand, several movies designed for children also had animated series during this period, contributing to the transformation of children’s films into profitable franchises. Additionally, even timeless classics that have been cherished for generations found their way onto television screens during this time.
Here are the best ’90s cartoons based on popular movies.
10 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995)
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective sparked an animated series titled “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” that unfolded after the initial film’s events. Similar to the movie, Ace remains a pet detective, forging deep bonds with animals. The show debuted on CBS in 1995, following the original film by a year and running for two seasons. Later, a third season was broadcast on Nickelodeon from 1999 to 2000.
This Wouldn’t Be the Last Jim Carrey Film to Get a Cartoon
In its adaptation from the original film, the series emphasized the humorously absurd aspects rather than the darker scenes. Leveraging the advantage of animation, Ace embarked on escapades such as saving Santa’s reindeer, thwarting a witch cheerleader, and confronting an evil were-moose. Notably, Seth MacFarlane served as one of the writers for the series, which was penned several years prior to the launch of Family Guy.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video
9 The Mask: Animated Series (1995)
In the 1990s, several animated shows were sparked by Jim Carrey’s movies, and among them was “The Mask: Animated Series.” This series drew more from the film of the same name than the earlier comic, leveraging the Mask’s lively, cartoonish exploits. In line with the movie, the character Stanley Ipkiss, a mild-mannered individual, undergoes a transformation into his green-faced counterpart, The Mask. This alter-ego then confronts a host of adversaries.
Stanley Even Got to Meet Ace Ventura
In contrast to the more mature humor found in the film, the series generally maintained a lighter atmosphere. Interestingly, Peggy Brandt, who had betrayed Stanley in the original movie and was supposedly killed off in an unused scene, surprisingly reappears in the series, suggesting that her actions were ultimately forgiven. On the other hand, Tina, Stanley’s love interest from the movie, is absent from the animated series.
Leveraging Jim Carrey’s simultaneous involvement in several animated shows, there was a two-part crossover between The Mask and Ace Ventura. In the narrative, Stanley enlists the help of Ace when his pet dog, Milo, goes missing. Each half was broadcast as an episode for each series, airing together on different channels.
8 Dumb & Dumber (1995)
By the end of 1995, a third Jim Carrey movie led to another animated show: “Dumb and Dumber“. Bennett Yellin, one of the film’s co-writers, was also involved in creating the animated series. In this version, Lloyd and Harry have managed to get their distinctive van, “Otto,” back. This time around, they are accompanied by a shrewd purple beaver named Kitty, who seems to be the mastermind behind the scenes.
Harry Might Sound Like a Familiar Starfish
Matt Frewer, famous for his portrayal of Max Headroom, will assume Jim Carrey’s character Lloyd Christmas. On the other hand, Jeff Daniels’ character Harry Dunn was previously voiced by Bill Fagerbakke, who later became renowned as the voice of Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants.
The show holds a unique position as the last Hanna-Barbera animated series to be shown on traditional TV, first aired on ABC. Regrettably, it didn’t have a long run and was only kept for a single season.
7 Back to the Future: The Animated Series (1991)
In “Back to the Future Part III,” the story concludes with Doc Brown and his family venturing into an undisclosed time period. The animated series, “Back to the Future: The Animated Series,” expands upon this, showing that Doc, his wife Clara, and their sons Jules and Verne have relocated to the present day. Nonetheless, the Brown family continues to embark on numerous journeys through both time and space.
Christopher Lloyd Even Appeared In Live-Action Segments
Although the story primarily revolved around Doc’s family, I was still a key player, alongside Jennifer Parker and Biff Tannen. Notably, due to our time-traveling escapades, the series incorporates some of my ancestors and descendants as well.
Thomas F. Wilson and Mary Steenburgen once again took on their roles from the movies as Biff Tannen and Clara respectively. Meanwhile, Dan Castellaneta, known for his work on “The Simpsons,” lent his voice to Doc, while Christopher Lloyd returned to play the character in live-action scenes within the series.
6 Jumanji: The Animated Series (1996)
1995’s movie “Jumanji” inspired a TV show titled “Jumanji: The Animated Series“, where siblings Judy and Peter Shepherd frequently find themselves drawn into the game world. In this realm, they meet Alan, a character who had been trapped within the game. Across the series, the children repeatedly venture back into the game with the goal of rescuing him. The distinctive character designs for the show were brought to life by Everett Peck, renowned for his work on “Duckman”.
One Major Character From the Film Got Cut
The series concludes with a fitting conclusion where Alan manages to exit the game, much like in the initial film. Van Pelt is the primary antagonist throughout the series, yet other adversaries are introduced, such as the cunning J.H. “Trader” Slick. It’s worth noting that Sarah Whittle, portrayed by Bonnie Hunt, is absent from the series, and instead, Alan develops a romantic interest in the children’s aunt.
Stream on Tubi
5 Men in Black: The Series (1997)
The animated series titled “Men in Black: The Series” serves as a bridge for the storyline between the initial and second “Men in Black” movies. It presents an alternate timeline where Agent K remains active and appears younger, Agent J continues his role as a rookie, and Agent L holds a senior position within the organization.
The Movie & Its Cast Exist Within the Series’ Universe
Significantly, the initial film is part of the show’s fictional universe, and characters like Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Rip Torn are mentioned by name. Actors from the films, such as Tony Shalhoub and Vincent D’Onofrio, have also appeared in the series. Moreover, this series played a significant role in increasing the fame of the Worm Guys and Frank the Pug, characters who also had expanded roles in the sequel.
4 The Little Mermaid (1992)
In the 1990s, one of Disney’s first animated series featuring a princess was “The Little Mermaid.” This show served as a precursor to the movie and was primarily focused on Ariel’s life beneath the ocean before she encountered Prince Eric.
Ariel Even Got To Meet Her Original Author
Ariel frequently interacts with the sea witch Ursula, as well as some new adversaries like the Evil Manta. Additionally, the show presents a couple of new companions for Ariel, such as the mer-boy named Urchin and the mute mermaid called Gabriella. Due to storyline continuity, they don’t get to meet in person, but Prince Eric occasionally appears on screen. In a well-known episode, Ariel even saves the author himself, Hans Christian Andersen, serving as inspiration for his famous tale.
Stream on Disney+
3 Aladdin: The Series (1994)
In the continuation of our story post “The Return of Jafar,” I, along with my trusted companions – a reformed Iago among them – embark on an array of thrilling journeys. These escapades, reminiscent of the captivating tales spun by Scheherazade, await us as we navigate the magical lands of Agrabah and beyond.
There Was Even a Crossover With Another Spin-Off
In time, Aladdin accumulated a roster of villains, such as the youthful sorcerer Mozenrath, the feline-like Mirage, and the spirited young witch Sadira. Notably, the series also presented some allies for Aladdin and his companions who garnered favor among fans, including Eden, who held a special place in Genie’s heart.
The story of “Aladdin and the King of Thieves” functions as the conclusion for the series, wrapping up its narrative threads. Additionally, there was a collaboration between this series and “Hercules: The Animated Series” in an episode titled “Hercules and the Arabian Night.” In this installment, Aladdin and Hercules united to combat the combined threats of Hades and Jafar’s spirit.
2 Beetlejuice (1989)
The movie titled Beetlejuice was reworked into an animated series, following the storyline. In the peaceful town of Peaceful Pines, Lydia Deetz experiences either overly saccharine or downright annoying situations, particularly with her adversary Claire. Fortunately, the main character Beetlejuice is now portrayed as Lydia’s friend, and they embark on numerous otherworldly journeys together.
“It’s Showtime!”
The show aired from 1989 until 1991 on Nickelodeon. During its broadcast, it became one of the network’s key animated shows. It also introduced Tim Burton’s characters to a new generation of children. Notably, the series deviates significantly from the film, with several scenes and relationships altered or omitted, such as the Maitlands and Beetlejuice and Lydia’s healthier relationship. However, some fans enjoy imagining how these two storylines could intersect, speculating about possible connections between the show and the movie.
Stream on Tubi
1 The Wizard of Oz (1990)
Over time, various television series have been created inspired by “The Wizard of Oz”. However, most are based on the original books. In contrast, the 1990 Dic series of “The Wizard of Oz” stands out as it is a direct spin-off of the iconic 1939 film. Contrary to the movie’s implication that Dorothy’s experiences were a dream, this animated series depicts Oz as a genuine realm.
“We’re Off To Save the Wizard!”
Resuming from where the initial movie ended, Dorothy locates the ruby slippers and employs them to return to Oz, only to discover that the notorious Wicked Witch of the West has been resurrected. It falls upon Dorothy and her companions to track down the Wizard, who the Witch has been scattering throughout Oz with her magical powers.
Despite its brief run, the series has gained a dedicated fanbase over time, which can be described as a cult following. Notably, it incorporated music from the original movie, with characters frequently bursting into song. A subsequent endeavor to transform the film into an animated series emerged in “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz,” differing significantly from the Dic series. This version typically featured more characters from the original books, such as Queen Ozma.
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2024-09-21 05:02