Some animated TV shows are so loved that they’ve continued for years and years. Whether for kids, adults, or families, cartoons have provided audiences with stunning visuals, impressive voice work, and zany situations that could never happen in the real world, all compiled into a half-hour of imaginative fun.

The prosperity of certain animated programs has led to a longevity that keeps them going for ages. Shows that kids grew up watching became shows for their own children several years later. As these programs reach more seasons, the creators have the ability to improve their animation skills, add new characters, and appeal to different generations of viewers. Where some cartoons may reboot themselves for new adventures with their beloved characters, others simply have one series that lingers on air for multiple seasons. Here are some of the longest-running animated shows in television history.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

9 Arthur

     PBS

Arthur raised millions of children who tuned into PBS Kids daily to see the adventures of an anthropomorphic child aardvark and his friends. Arthur was one of those shows whose plot plainly revolved around the quotidian life of an elementary schooler. Though it was easy entertainment for kids, many of its episodes provided educational value, teaching viewers lessons on autism, cancer, and dyslexia, to name a few. Arthur is the second-longest running animated series in the United States, and the longest-running specifically for kids. Debuting in 1996, the series ran for 25 seasons and came to an end in February 2022 in a special episode that saw each character grown up.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 American Dad!

     TBS

The series American Dad! first hit television screens in 2005 and is still running with new episodes on TBS. The show centers on Stan Smith, a CIA worker who’ll stop at nothing to protect his country. He resides with his wife, teenaged children, a talking goldfish, and a space alien called Roger. American Dad! has been running for 19 seasons with over 300 episodes, initially airing on Fox and moving to TBS during season 12.

7 The Fairly OddParents

     Nickelodeon

One of Nickelodeon’s most successful programs revolved around Timmy, an average kid that no one understands. The Fairly OddParents saw the pink hat-wearing 10-year-old and his two fairies, Cosmo and Wanda, who were given to him on account of his miserable life with his evil babysitter, careless parents, and fairy-obsessed teacher. In 1998, the show began as a seven-minute short that was part of the Nickelodeon anthology series, Oh Yeah! Cartoons. From there, it was picked up for a half-hour program in 2001 and continued for 10 seasons into 2017. In addition to its TV movies and specials, it also had three live-action films starring Drake Bell as an adult version of the buck-toothed protagonist. A live-action series called The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder was brought to Paramount+ in 2022.

6 Family Guy

     20th Television Animation

The raunchy, inappropriate adult comedy Family Guy has been on television since 1999. Starring Peter, his wife Lois, their three kids, Meg, Chris and Stewie, and the talking family dog, Brian, Family Guy follows the lives of the Griffin family in their raunchy everyday experiences. Family Guy was temporarily canceled in 2002, but its high ratings earned a revival in 2005. Since then, Family Guy has aired nearly 400 episodes over the course of 20 seasons. It also had a spinoff about the life of Peter’s friend Cleveland that aired from 2009 to 2013.

5 Looney Tunes

     Warner Bros.

Looney Tunes might have premiered in 1930, but its adaptations and revivals are still going strong. The original show followed multiple stories of well-known characters like Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Yosemite Sam, and especially Bugs Bunny. The amount of spinoffs stemming from the classic series is endless. Baby Looney Tunes, Duck Dodgers, and Tiny Tunes contribute to the never-ending lineup of episodes from the franchise as a whole. As for Looney Tunes specifically, there have been over one thousand episodes between 1930 and 1969. The franchise has also spawned feature films, including the Space Jam duology, Looney Tunes Back in Action and the upcoming Coyote vs Acme. Its most recent interpretation is the 2020 HBO Max original, Looney Tunes Cartoons, which so far has aired over 60 episodes.

4 SpongeBob SquarePants

The optimistic sea sponge entered both the Krusty Krab and our homes in 1999 with SpongeBob SquarePants. Ever since the titular sponge set foot into his new position as fry cook, viewers have seen his work occurrences, jellyfishing endeavors, and escapades in driving (or, the lack thereof). Nickelodeon aired the Emmy Award-winning cartoon over 20 years ago and to this day, the channel is still producing new content. The original show now has 272 episodes and three feature-length films. In 2021, Paramount+ and Nickelodeon released two spinoffs: Kamp Koral and The Patrick Star Show, respectively. According to Variety, the streaming service will premiere four new movies.

3 Pokémon

     OLM, Inc.

Pokémon is a Japanese anime TV series with over 1000 episodes. With the first program premiering in 1997, the Pokémon franchise has had a total of seven series (split into 24 series internationally). Pokémon follows a 10-year-old named Ash who wants to become the world’s best pocket monster trainer. Along with his friends, Brock and Misty, and his own Pokémon called Pikachu, they search the world for new monsters and fight against their rivals, Team Rocket. Some of the franchise’s shows include its first, called Indigo League, with Diamond and Pearl, Black & White, and, the most recent, Master Journeys. It has also had 23 animated films and one live-action movie called Detective Pikachu, which was released in 2019.

2 South Park

     Paramount Media Networks

In 1997, Comedy Central premiered South Park, the animated sitcom about a group of clownish, foul-mouthed fourth graders. Like Family Guy and American Dad!, South Park is targeted for grownups with its inappropriate jokes and surreal humor. So far, 317 episodes have been released with a total of 25 seasons. In 1999, the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut had a theatrical release and since then, the franchise has also had two specials come out on Paramount+, both revolving around the COVID19 pandemic. In 2021, the show was renewed to season 30, meaning South Park will produce new episodes until at least 2027.

1 The Simpsons

     20th Television

And the award for longest running American primetime TV series, animated series and sitcom in general goes to The Simpsons. The Simpsons had its first episode in 1989 and since, has gone on for 33 seasons. The show follows the titular yellow family: Homer, his wife Marge, and their children Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. In 2021, it was renewed for its 33rd and 34th seasons, the former of which is currently airing. With 723 episodes having been broadcasted, The Simpsons will reach, at minimum, 750 episodes as its 34th season is said to have 22 episodes. The Simpsons also had a movie that came out in 2007.