Top 10 Nickelodeon Shows of the 90s

Firstly on our list is Double Dare, the messy game show that captured the hearts of 90s kids. This iconic program had contestants battling to win in physical challenges. Hosted by the energetic Marc Summers, Double Dare kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

In this show, contestants answered trivia questions to earn chances to take on the infamous obstacle course. But, like many classic Nickelodeon shows, what really drew in the audience was the slime. What kid didn’t want to take a slime shower on national television? At the end of the obstacle course, a gigantic nose filled with ooey-gooey slime would douse the losing team. Lastly, the final showdown, the titular Double Dare obstacle course, determined the champions of the episode.

Without a doubt, the show’s stunts and challenges appealed to every child’s wildest dream. It allowed kids to live vicariously through the competitors on screen, earning the first spot on our top 10 Nickelodeon shows of the 90s list!

Up next, we have the iconic and hilarious Kenan & Kel. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell starred as two best friends navigating the ups and downs of teenage life.

When it started, the show had a simple plot: Kenan desperately wanted to escape his strict home life, while Kel lived every day like a party. Their opposite personalities led to countless adventures. From running a disastrous hair-cutting business to battling an orange soda lover, no situation was too bizarre. Their catchphrases, like “Aww, here it goes!” and “Who loves orange soda?” became memorable quotes, and even today, fans quote these lines.

Ahead of its time, the show also broke new ground for the channel with its diverse cast and relatable storylines. Kenan and Kel’s friendship highlighted their struggles with school, jobs, and family. These common themes in everyday teenage life resonated with fans nationwide.

Despite ending in 2000, the show’s legacy lives on. Nowadays, Kenan Thompson’s comedic presence can be seen on Saturday Night Live.

Another memorable show on our top 10 Nickelodeon shows list is The Secret World of Alex Mack, which was a delightful sci-fi comedy that captured the hearts of many kids. The show followed the adventures of Alex Mack, an ordinary teenager who acquired extraordinary powers after a freak accident. One of her powers was that she could liquefy herself, making her a human puddle that could seep through cracks and crevices.

One of the show’s strengths was its relatable characters. As Alex struggles with her identity and powers, the audience feels for her. The writers wove in themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery, making the show a hit with viewers of all ages.

Undeniably, the show’s premise was unique and captivating. Alex navigated the challenges of high school while grappling with her newfound supernatural abilities. Her best friend Ray and older sister Annie provided her with support as they took on adventures together. To this day, fans fondly remember the show’s quirky charm and the adventures.

The next show on our list is Rocko’s Modern Life, which captivated audiences with its quirky humor and eccentric characters.

From its catchy theme song to its memorable catchphrases, the series left an iconic mark on 90s pop culture. The show’s creators, Joe Murray and his team, gave Rocko’s Modern Life a mix of adult humor and cultural references, making it enjoyable for viewers of all ages.

The show revolved around Rocko, a wallaby navigating modern life. The characters themselves were bizarre, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. His best friend, Heffer, provided endless laughs with his insatiable appetite and dimwitted personality. Then there was Filburt, the neurotic turtle, whose anxieties and fears often led to comedic mishaps for the trio.

Following the show’s success, the series won an Environmental Media Award in 1996 for the episode “Zanzibar!”

When All That hit Nickelodeon in 1994, it was peak comedy. This sketch show was different from everything else on air and let a rotating crew of hilarious kids run wild.

All That showed no mercy when satirizing pop culture trends. All sorts of trends got roasted to a crisp. From legendary sketches like Vital Information and Good Burger, All That always had the audience buckled over laughing. It was here that Amanda Bynes first grabbed the spotlight with her impeccable comic timing.

Simultaneously, the show’s musical acts and games kept things fresh. Memorable performances from artists like Coolio captivated fans of the show. This show left a forever mark on a whole generation, making it a shoo-in on our top 10 Nickelodeon shows of the 90s list.

Barely inching onto this list, as it aired in 1999, The Amanda Show was an immediate hit on Nickelodeon. The show was a spin-off series of All That. It starred Amanda Bynes, a talented young comedian. The show featured various skits and sketches, ranging from parodies of popular TV shows to original characters.

Undoubtedly, one of the most memorable skits was a fan favorite called “The Girls’ Room.” This took place in a high school bathroom and followed the conversations of Amanda and her friends. The “girl talk” and relatable situations resonated with the show’s young female viewers. The show also included musical performances by Amanda and her co-stars, showcasing their impressive singing and dancing abilities.

Decades after the show stopped airing, many viewers remember the show for Amanda’s natural comedic timing. She was a standout star of the Nickelodeon and paved the way for future sketch comedy shows on the network, earning the show a spot on our top 10 Nickelodeon shows list.

Another iconic show on Nickelodeon in the 90s was Doug, a quirky, imaginative cartoon that captured kids’ hearts. The show’s simple animation style, with Doug’s iconic green vest and red-and-white shoes, gave it charm.

The show followed the adventures of Doug Funnie, an 11-year-old kid with a big imagination. Doug moved to a new town, Bluffington, with his quirky family. Navigating the ups and downs of childhood, he made new friends like Skeeter Valentine.

Each episode brought the audience along on Doug’s vivid fantasies and daydreams. Doug’s relatable struggles made him an endearing and easy character to root for. One minute, Doug felt confident; the next, insecure— a relatable roller coaster we’ve all experienced. No wonder Doug earned a permanent place in 90s kids’ hearts!

Another standout show on the list is Hey Arnold! The show followed the daily life of Arnold, a quirky little fourth-grader with a distinctive football-shaped head.

The show’s relatable storyline charmed the audience as Arnold navigated the ups and downs of city life alongside his best friend, Gerald. Helga, Arnold’s neighbor, had a love-hate relationship with Arnold. Hey Arnold! stood out for its bold animation style, comedy, and memorable soundtrack. The show had a famous opening theme that viewers couldn’t get out of their heads.

Lastly, Arnold’s positive attitude and ability to find solutions to problems, whether dealing with city living or issues within his family, appealed to viewers and inspired them. His unique perspective offered valuable life lessons to his young audience.

As we approach the end of our top 10 Nickelodeon shows of the 90s list, we couldn’t forget to include the iconic The Wild Thornberrys. The show began airing in 1998 and instantly charmed its way into the hearts of Nickelodeon fans. As someone named Eliza, this show was frequently mentioned to me growing up because the main character and I shared the same name. It followed the adventures of the Thornberry family, who were documentary filmmakers. But, the show had a twist. The daughter of the family, Eliza, possessed an incredible gift – she could talk to animals.

Each episode took viewers on a journey to exotic places filled with wildlife. From the Himalayas to the African savannah, no destination was too extreme for the Thornberrys. Eliza formed special bonds with the creatures they encountered, chatting with them like old friends. Meanwhile, her wildlife filmmaker parents captured the magic of the natural world.

The show mixed laughs with an educational message about protecting habitats and respecting all lifeforms. Eliza’s friendships with critters truly emphasized the point that humans aren’t the only voices worth listening to on this planet.

Additionally, The Wild Thornberrys has notably won the Environmental Media Award for Children’s Animated category in both 1999 and 2000, highlighting its positive environmental messaging. The show also received the Genesis Award for Children’s Programming in both 2000 and 2001, recognizing its contribution to animal welfare and conservation awareness. With its creative premise, heartwarming environmental themes, and comedic touch, it deserves to be remembered as a 90s Nickelodeon classic.

No list of classic 90s Nickelodeon shows would be complete without Rugrats. This animated series showed the audience the wild adventures of a fearless group of toddlers, capturing the imaginations of young viewers.

Rugrats explored the world from a baby’s perspective. Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and their canine companion Spike got into hilarious adventures and trouble together. Often, their vivid imaginations led them astray. Yet, they always found their way back home, safe and sound.

In addition, the show’s clever writing enchanted both with kids and parents alike. It offered a glimpse into the minds of curious, mischievous toddlers. At the same time, Rugrats taught valuable lessons about friendship, family, and growing up. Its relatable characters made it a hit. Audiences of all ages rooted for the fearless babies as they navigated life’s toddler-sized challenges.

Undeniably, Rugrats left a memorable mark on Nickelodeon and pop culture. Its iconic catchphrases like “A baby’s gotta do what a baby’s gotta do” were constantly quoted by viewers. Consequently, the show’s success led to new movies, video games, and merchandise. As a result, it without a doubt cemented its place as one of the top Nickelodeon shows of the 90s.

Lastly, in 2021, a revived version of Rugrats series debuted on Paramount+. The new show had CGI animation, yet still felt true to the spirit of the original and is now available on Netflix.