“Old Classic Cartoons”: 30 Nostalgic And Funny Memes

The time from the mid-90s to the early 2000s was the golden age of animation. During this era, some of the most classic and iconiccartoons, like The Wild Thornberrys, The Powerpuff Girls, and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters saw the light of day, shaping our childhoods,humor, moral values, and sense of adventure. While children nowadays have Bluey and Paw Patrol, the animation style and twisted, wacky and weird storylines of old cartoons just have that charm that can’t be surpassed.To bring us back to those early Saturday mornings watching our favorite animations, we invite you to embark on a list full of old cartoon memes, courtesy of the ‘Old Classic Cartoons’Facebook page. Scroll down to start and don’t forget to upvote the ones that bring up the most nostalgic feels.While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with animator and illustratorNayanika Chatterjee, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about old cartoons.This post may includeaffiliate links.

To bring us back to those early Saturday mornings watching our favorite animations, we invite you to embark on a list full of old cartoon memes, courtesy of the ‘Old Classic Cartoons’Facebook page. Scroll down to start and don’t forget to upvote the ones that bring up the most nostalgic feels.

While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with animator and illustratorNayanika Chatterjee, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about old cartoons.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Old cartoons meme with Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, humorously comparing Peppa Pig’s influence on kids.

“Animation is one of the most exciting fields in the visual world today, and what makes it so popular is the fact that ANYTHING is possible through animation,” said animator and illustratorNayanika ChatterjeetoBored Panda.“When it comes to independent animation, for example, it enables viewers to make their own interpretation and have discussions over topics that are often more approachable through the medium of animation.”

“When it comes to independent animation, for example, it enables viewers to make their own interpretation and have discussions over topics that are often more approachable through the medium of animation.”

Beach sand art of a character from old cartoons under a bright sun, capturing nostalgia by the seaside.

When it comes to older animations, she doesn’t think that they’re necessarily better than the modern ones. “The OG cartoons continue to be OGs, you know? One isn’t better than the other, and thanks to those cartoons, animation is thriving.”

Her all-time favorite old cartoon has always been Courage the Cowardly Dog. “I was always terrified while watching it as a child, but to this day I feel the storytelling that went into that show is just brilliant!” she shared.

Meanwhile, a modern one that has left a long-lasting impression on her is Love, Death and Robots. “It definitely changed the way we look at animation today!” Nayanika said.

Sand sculptures of cartoon houses on a beach, with colorful umbrellas and people in the background, evoking nostalgic memories.

For animation to reach its peak, someone had to be the first one to start it all. This person is thought to be Émile Cohl, a French caricaturist and animator who is proudly called ‘The Father of the Animated Cartoon.’He created the first ever animation in 1908 and called it Fantasmagorie, also known as a Fantasy. The title is borrowed from theFrenchword for “phantasmagoria,” describing a mid-19th century magic lantern show with moving images of ghosts.

He created the first ever animation in 1908 and called it Fantasmagorie, also known as a Fantasy. The title is borrowed from theFrenchword for “phantasmagoria,” describing a mid-19th century magic lantern show with moving images of ghosts.

Three cartoon pigs singing by a piano, with their “father” depicted in a humorous wall photo.

Couple dressed as cartoon characters holding a baby, evoking nostalgia.

Characters from old cartoons react to a man holding a koala.

It was a very short,black-and-whitesilent cartoon, which ran for about 1:20 minutes. It was a hand-drawn animation depicting a stick figure man moving around and encountering morphing objects like a vine bottle that turns into a flower. There are also certain parts where the animator’s hand enters the picture, which draws the main characters—a clown and a gentleman. The film, full of wild transformations, is a tribute to the Incoherent Art movement.

Baby versions of Clifford and Snoopy in a meme evoke nostalgic feelings about old cartoons.

A woman dressed as a fairy godmother with a baby, referencing nostalgic cartoons.

Cartoon dinosaurs on a rock with text about watching their movie on VHS, invoking nostalgia.

Even though it only ran for 1:20 minutes, it was one of the most demanding tasks that its creator had attempted as an artist. “First he had made a drawing on white paper with black ink. Then he traced that drawing through a second sheet, changing nothing in the outline except for a minute alteration that would be perceived later as motion. Eventually hundreds of drawings were completed in this manner, then photographed in sequences. The result was printed in negative, so in the final film the illusion was produced of white lines moving on black,” explained Donald Crafton in his bookEmile Cohl, Caricature, and Film.

Mashup meme featuring characters from old cartoons and King and Queen of Zamunda.

Cartoon character meditating in a cosmic setting, highlighting nostalgia for old cartoons.

Chernabog from old cartoons depicted with fiery background, challenging his villainous role by hosting a spectral dance party.

This way Cohl made over 700 drawings, achieving the result of fluid motion and convincing movement of figures. The impact of his work has been long-standing, influencing later cartoonists and starting a whole branch of filmmaking.

Funny comparison meme highlighting similarities between animated characters and nostalgic scenes.

Green kettle on stove resembling an old cartoon character, creating a nostalgic meme moment.

Cartoon meme shows Belle with villagers, one exclaiming “I need six eggs!”.

Of course, the roots of animation extend far beyond film and technology. Half a century before the invention of cinema, various pioneers were curious to create the illusion of movement. Therefore, devices like the phenakistoscope and zoetrope were invented to trick the human eye to see stages of an action that were shown in fast succession as a continuous movement.

Character resting on purple pillow with caption about morning alarm; evokes nostalgia about old cartoons.

Cartoon characters from Ice Age exchanging humorous dialogue, evoking nostalgia.

Two nostalgic cartoon characters compared with text discussing their design features.

But after Cohl and his short animated film Fantasmagorie, animation improved and many other techniques were invented to achieve an even better effect. What changed the game forever was Walt Disney Studios after they released Steamboat Willie in 1928. It was the first Disney cartoon to have synchronized sound and the first cartoon ever to include a fully post-produced soundtrack.

Two scenes from a cartoon showing a girl on the phone with her mom, referencing a nostalgic moment.

Character from old cartoons squinting at a bright light, humorously representing dark mode users' view of light mode.

Dog with a leaf on head mimicking an old cartoon character, capturing nostalgic humor.

Nine years later, Disney already released their first full-length feature film, Snow White. After some time in 1993, the software for 3D animation was created, which allowed for some of the most realistic animations we see today. Throughout the years, animation has become a popular way of storytelling that has shaped a lot of people.

Lisa Simpson lying in bed with different expressions, capturing feelings about old cartoons and nostalgia.

Person in a pink costume resembling an old cartoon character, holding ping-pong balls in a living room.

A boy from an old cartoon eating a large steak outdoors, illustrating a humorous, nostalgic meme.

It offers the unique freedom to explore any concept without the limits of reality. By exploring a wide range of themes and topics, cartoons are both entertaining and emotionally impactful. When focusing on more serious topics like politics, environmental issues, and social justice, animation can also be a powerful tool for education and social commentary. It’s a great medium that both kids and adults can understand, which makes it such a popular and necessary filmmaking technique.

Old cartoon meme with Lisa Simpson having her head examined by a doctor, revealing a humorous twist about her skin color.

Cartoon character overwhelmed with papers, representing chaotic internet browsing nostalgia.

Characters from an old cartoon flying toward a house in a humorous sequence.

Scooby-Doo and Shaggy hugging on stairs with a nostalgic meme caption above.

Cartoon character Rogue depicted as a Southern goth, evoking nostalgia for old cartoons.

Characters from an old cartoon with text overlay, sparking nostalgic humor.

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Person holding a rat in a meme about cooking, evoking nostalgia for old cartoons.

Meme with Pocahontas and Tiana highlighting Disney friendships, evoking nostalgic feelings about old cartoons.

Cartoon rat character resembling a famous actor, with humorous text. Nostalgic old cartoons meme.

SpongeBob and Patrick from old cartoons making a snowball, using ice and confusion in the process.

Mojo Jojo from old cartoons planning world domination with a colorful cityscape in the background.

Split image comparing a cartoon character with a real person, highlighting nostalgic similarities.

Old cartoons meme featuring a fish character humorously depicted behind bars in everyday situations.

Cartoon characters making a pinky promise, capturing nostalgia with a humorous text about taking promises seriously.

A funny shoe resembling Cartoon Network moms' style, sparking nostalgia about old cartoons.

Person cosplaying as a character from old cartoons, wearing a red outfit, evoking nostalgia.

Cartoon character appears nostalgic, contrasting childhood dreams with adult reality in a meme format.

Cartoon character wearing a construction hat in a humorous meme about feeling out of place.

Humorous cartoon meme of the Flash with a red van marked “Wild Thing” in an urban setting.

Old cartoon character looking confused, reacting to modern slang, surrounded by a nautical setting.

Nostalgic meme featuring the Ninja Turtles in a humorous scenario with their blimp over a city.

Cartoon characters in a kitchen with text about hiring decisions, evoking nostalgia.

Characters from a nostalgic cartoon movie showing mixed parental features, expressing satisfaction.

Old cartoons meme featuring Totally Spies, showcasing scenes from the show aired on major networks.

Old cartoons meme with a character’s arm asleep, referencing nostalgia.

Characters from old cartoons in a car, exuding nostalgia on a city street, interacting with a policewoman.

Hawkgirl from an old cartoon, shown with and without her mask, evoking nostalgia.