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Cartoon Network Classics watch order

Old Cartoon Network shows in order, by release and rating. Updated October 20, 2026.

Old Cartoon Network shows don't connect, so this nostalgia marathon runs in premiere order, from Dexter's Laboratory (1996) through the Cartoon Cartoons era to Ben 10 (2005). For one nostalgic weekend: Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog and Samurai Jack. The Fairly OddParents was a Nickelodeon show, so it sits with the Nickelodeon classics.

How to watch Old Cartoon Network in order: the full guide

All 18 films and series in the Cartoon Network Classics franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Dexter's Laboratory (1996); the first in chronological order is Dexter's Laboratory (set in A secret lab).

Release order

  1. Dexter's Laboratory (Series, 1996): A boy genius, his secret lab and his sister Dee Dee.
  2. Johnny Bravo (Series, 1997): A muscle-bound Elvis wannabe who strikes out with every woman he meets.
  3. Cow and Chicken (Series, 1997): A cow and a chicken who are siblings, and the Red Guy.
  4. The Powerpuff Girls (Series, 1998): Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup save Townsville before bedtime.
  5. Ed, Edd n Eddy (Series, 1999): Three boys scheme for jawbreaker money in a cul-de-sac.
  6. Mike, Lu & Og (Series, 1999): A New York exchange student on a tiny island with its own customs.
  7. Courage the Cowardly Dog (Series, 1999): A frightened dog protects his elderly owners from the horrors of Nowhere.
  8. Samurai Jack (Series, 2001): A samurai thrown into the future by the demon Aku, trying to get back.
  9. Time Squad (Series, 2001): A time cop, a robot and an orphan fix history.
  10. Justice League (Series, 2001): The DC animated universe's Justice League, from Bruce Timm.
  11. Codename: Kids Next Door (Series, 2002): Kid operatives fight the tyranny of adults from a treehouse.
  12. Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones? (Series, 2002): A robot attends junior high in the 1980s.
  13. The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (Series, 2003): Two kids win the Grim Reaper as their best friend in a game of limbo.
  14. Teen Titans (Series, 2003): Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy in Titans Tower.
  15. Megas XLR (Series, 2004): A slacker from Jersey finds a giant robot from the future.
  16. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (Series, 2004): A home for imaginary friends whose kids have outgrown them.
  17. Camp Lazlo (Series, 2005): A spider monkey at a scout camp full of animals.
  18. Ben 10 (Series, 2005): A boy finds the Omnitrix, a watch that turns him into ten aliens.

Chronological order

  1. Dexter's Laboratory (set in A secret lab): A boy genius, his secret lab and his sister Dee Dee.
  2. Johnny Bravo (set in Aron City): A muscle-bound Elvis wannabe who strikes out with every woman he meets.
  3. Cow and Chicken (set in A suburban farm town): A cow and a chicken who are siblings, and the Red Guy.
  4. The Powerpuff Girls (set in Townsville): Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup save Townsville before bedtime.
  5. Ed, Edd n Eddy (set in The cul-de-sac): Three boys scheme for jawbreaker money in a cul-de-sac.
  6. Mike, Lu & Og (set in Albonquetine Island): A New York exchange student on a tiny island with its own customs.
  7. Courage the Cowardly Dog (set in Nowhere, Kansas): A frightened dog protects his elderly owners from the horrors of Nowhere.
  8. Samurai Jack (set in Aku's future): A samurai thrown into the future by the demon Aku, trying to get back.
  9. Time Squad (set in A satellite in the year 100,000,000): A time cop, a robot and an orphan fix history.
  10. Justice League (set in The Watchtower): The DC animated universe's Justice League, from Bruce Timm.
  11. Codename: Kids Next Door (set in Sector V treehouse): Kid operatives fight the tyranny of adults from a treehouse.
  12. Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones? (set in Polyester Junior High): A robot attends junior high in the 1980s.
  13. The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (set in Endsville): Two kids win the Grim Reaper as their best friend in a game of limbo.
  14. Teen Titans (set in Titans Tower): Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy in Titans Tower.
  15. Megas XLR (set in Jersey): A slacker from Jersey finds a giant robot from the future.
  16. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (set in Foster's): A home for imaginary friends whose kids have outgrown them.
  17. Camp Lazlo (set in Camp Kidney): A spider monkey at a scout camp full of animals.
  18. Ben 10 (set in A summer road trip): A boy finds the Omnitrix, a watch that turns him into ten aliens.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Old Cartoon Network shows in?

Old Cartoon Network shows don't connect, so this nostalgia marathon runs in premiere order, from Dexter's Laboratory (1996) through the Cartoon Cartoons era to Ben 10 (2005). For one nostalgic weekend: Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog and Samurai Jack. The Fairly OddParents was a Nickelodeon show, so it sits with the Nickelodeon classics.

How many Old Cartoon Network movies and shows are there?

There are 18 titles in the Cartoon Network Classics franchise: 0 films and 18 series, released from 1996 to 2005.

How long does it take to watch all the Old Cartoon Network shows?

About 396 hours for all 18 titles, counting every episode.

What is the first Old Cartoon Network title in chronological order?

Dexter's Laboratory, set in A secret lab. In release order the first is Dexter's Laboratory (1996).