What cartoons do kids actually watch now?

[jaylop97]

My nephews are mostly interested in Youtube videos to keep them entertained, they're both the ages most kids networks aim for, but when they're not watching those they'll usually watch something like Spongebob, TMNT, The Garfield Show, a random Sonic show, but mostly cartoons that have finished their run regardless of quality, they can watch whatever just as long as it keeps them entertained.

 

[wonderfly]

I have kids ranging from high school to junior high to early Elementary school, but they may not be the best example of "what are kids into nowadays" (as I don't give them phones, and we don't have cable - though we do have streaming subscriptions - and I tend to push a "reverence of the classics").

Which means they have a love for all versions of Scooby Doo, from the original to the recent "Scooby Doo and Guess Who?". They watch Pokemon reruns (from just a few years ago to the stuff from when I was into the show - 20 years ago). They watch "Sonic Prime" on Netflix. I've let them watch 80's Ninja Turtles and 80's "Super Mario Bros".

Going by interactions with other kids, "Bluey" is still the big thing for early grade school kids. The older kids seem to all be into "Demon Slayer". And "Encanto" seems to be the last animated film that struck a wide ranging cultural impact. Otherwise, those in Junior High/High School seem to still be riding the wave of "nostalgia" off of the Disney films of the 2010's.

Left to their own devices, my kids tend to watch funny Youtube videos making fun (altering) clips from Disney films or Barbie animated movies, or funny "Let's Play" Youtube channels focusing on "Minecraft" and "Roblox". Stuff like: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsFunneh and https://www.youtube.com/@maizenofficial

I think that's the key - kids nowadays are into Youtube/Tik Tok clips, not full TV shows. Which is probably a sign of the Apocalypse.

My kids just discovered "Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous" and they're really enjoying that.

I also forgot to mention in the previous post above: Paw Patrol is still the big "preschool" show of the last 10 years, and it's not going away (and yes, my kids still love it). It's kind like "Dora the Explorer" 15 years ago (around 2009) - still going strong and no sign of quitting, when it feels like it should be past it's prime.

 

[Antiyonder]

My nephews are mostly interested in Youtube videos to keep them entertained, they're both the ages most kids networks aim for, but when they're not watching those they'll usually watch something like Spongebob, TMNT, The Garfield Show, a random Sonic show, but mostly cartoons that have finished their run regardless of quality, they can watch whatever just as long as it keeps them entertained.

Well keep in mind and inform them that YouTube has plenty of legal free animation. A good chunk of MLP episodes previously only on payable services plus adding S6.

All of the original three Beyblade series. Compilations of TMNT 87 (For the first four seasons currently). Sonic X and recently Sonic Boom as well.

Plus between YT and TubiTV are a whole lot of Garfield & Friends.

 

[JoeMabbon]

In the last week or so, I've started seeing kids wearing clothing from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. For the last 8 or 9 years, I've only seen kids in stuff from the '87 era of the franchise, so that's a change of pace.

 

[Markus]

I have a little brother who is watching Ninjago, Bluey and Teen Titans Go. Basically what you'd expect.

 

[zakawer2]

I think the kids just watch The Amazing Digital Circus, Skibidi Toilet, that pathetic YouTube Kids stuff, MaxDesignPro, Minecraft/Roblox/Fortnite stuff, Bluey, Cocomelon (yeesh...), PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and so forth.

You know the "Pibby, Bluey, Ohio" meme? Yeah, kids watch most of that stuff mentioned in that meme.

 

[harry580]

yeah, I think these things had taken over the jobs that disney/pixar/blue sky studios/dreamworks/illumination/nickelodeon/cartoon network made for the kids

 

[JoeMabbon]

yeah, I think these things had taken over the jobs that disney/pixar/blue sky studios/dreamworks/illumination/nickelodeon/cartoon network made for the kids

I dunno. This thread was originally created because Wish bombed. But this year, Pixar, Dreamworks, and Illumination have more or less demonstrated that there's still an audience for their stuff.

 

[Surreal Kangaroo]

I’m teaching 3rd grade and two students in the class are always going on about Booba. I can’t tell if they like it or just like making fun of it. Perhaps both.

 

[Corwin Haught]

Looking back, "another Disney failure imminent" could refer to the many Disney Channel cartoons that have been canceled since the OP was made.

 

[The Overlord]

I can imagine that the Amazing Digital Circus is doing well with kids, it did well enough to be put on Netflix.

I think kids like original animation, I think there is an audience for it. But I think you need something clever and original that can appeal to today's audience and it likely has to be on a mass platform like YouTube or Netflix.

 

[Classic Speedy]

My two nieces are ten and three. Obviously tastes change rapidly at those ages but at various points they've watched:
-Cocomelon
-Jurassic Park: Camp Cretaceous
-TMNT
-Spirit: Riding Free
-Bluey
-Paw Patrol
-anything from Disney and/or Pixar
-Looney Tunes

There are probably others I'm forgetting but basically, lots of stuff on Netflix. (and DVD, in the case of Looney Tunes and Disney)

 

[SpecialColorfull]

My two nieces are ten and three. Obviously tastes change rapidly at those ages but at various points they've watched:
-Cocomelon
-Jurassic Park: Camp Cretaceous
-TMNT
-Spirit: Riding Free
-Bluey
-Paw Patrol
-anything from Disney and/or Pixar
-Looney Tunes

There are probably others I'm forgetting but basically, lots of stuff on Netflix. (and DVD, in the case of Looney Tunes and Disney)

Jurassic Park has been a CONSTANT choice for kids. I am amazed it got made and its a major hit with kids.

 

[Antiyonder]

Honestly I think sometimes new stuff should debut on YT. Not really any difference from shows that would premiere on basic channels back in the day.

And kids watch YT quite a bit, so that's guarantee for views, plus thumbs up being a way to help support a current show.

 

[The Overlord]

Honestly I think sometimes new stuff should debut on YT. Not really any difference from shows that would premiere on basic channels back in the day.

And kids watch YT quite a bit, so that's guarantee for views, plus thumbs up being a way to help support a current show.

I would agree. YouTube has a ton of kids watching it. Something like the Amazing Digital Circus is a big hit on YouTube and seems to generate more money by selling merch. You would think one of the big studios would follow suit.

 

[Corwin Haught]

I would agree. YouTube has a ton of kids watching it. Something like the Amazing Digital Circus is a big hit on YouTube and seems to generate more money by selling merch. You would think one of the big studios would follow suit.

COPPA.

 

[Surreal Kangaroo]

Today I had a 3rd grade student say Gumball is his favorite show because it’s a “boy show”. He also said Wreck It Ralph because it’s a “boy movie” if you just ignore Vanellope. Another 3rd grader says she watches Moana everyday after school. So I guess she’s the reason why the average Disney+ subscriber watched Moana like 45 times last year. Ha ha

 

[Chris Wood]

I have a 2 year old and 6 year old.

When they watch TV, I filter what they watch, so there's a lot of:

CocoMelon
Bluey
Peppa Pig
Thomas & Friends
Blue's Clues
Teen Titans Go

Sometimes I can get them to watch a little Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, or Spongebob (classic only), but they wouldn't pick those shows on their own.

When the 6 year old has the IPad, she mostly watches kid Youtubers - playing goofy family games, or giving makeup or cooking tips. She doesn't like Netflix - I guess she wants something more immediate and interactive like Youtubers, rather than super polished studio product.

Thanks to everyone for listing up other recent shows. I have to say some of them feel more like edgy Adult Swim product than kids properties - Amazing Digital Circus, Helluva Boss, Piddy, etc. No way I'd let my kids watch them, and they wouldn't be interested anyway.

But Lackadaisy looks pretty cool - I might watch that one for myself.

 

[SpecialColorfull]

I have a 2 year old and 6 year old.

When they watch TV, I filter what they watch, so there's a lot of:

CocoMelon
Bluey
Peppa Pig
Thomas & Friends
Blue's Clues
Teen Titans Go

Sometimes I can get them to watch a little Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, or Spongebclassic only), ob (but they wouldn't pick those shows on their own.

When the 6 year old has the IPad, she mostly watches kid Youtubers - playing goofy family games, or giving makeup or cooking tips. She doesn't like Netflix - I guess she wants something more immediate and interactive like Youtubers, rather than super polished studio product.

Thanks to everyone for listing up other recent shows. I have to say some of them feel more like edgy Adult Swim product than kids properties - Amazing Digital Circus, Helluva Boss, Piddy, etc. No way I'd let my kids watch them, and they wouldn't be interested anyway.

But Lackadaisy looks pretty cool - I might watch that one for myself.

Spongebob - Classic Only

No wonder La Tele Paraguay started airing classic Spongebob along with Dragon Ball.

 

[Chris Wood]

Spongebob - Classic Only

No wonder La Tele Paraguay started airing classic Spongebob along with Dragon Ball.

I just meant that I prefer seasons 1-3, and a little bit of seasons 4-6. From season 4 onward it gradually transforms into a different kind of show, which I think is less funny and also sometimes not appropriate for young kids.