The worst cartoons include shows like Kamp Koral, The Problem Solverz, Breadwinners, Wild Grinders, The Nutshack, and Allen Gregory.
From its inception in the early 1900s, animation has evolved significantly. The world has seen many remarkable animated series from diverse cultures, offering fans a treasure trove of content to admire.
However, the journey of this narrative form has its highs and lows. While many creators have reached pinnacles of excellence, others still have a distance to travel in perfecting their craft.
Worst Cartoons Ever
The past few decades have given us numerous iconic cartoons, but they’ve also presented some that fall short of expectations. Fortunately, platforms like Reddit, powered by the internet, provide valuable reviews, guiding viewers away from the less celebrated ventures in the animation world.
The Powerpuff Girls Reboot
When the animated reboot of The Powerpuff Girls was announced, there was a palpable buzz among fans. The original series had crafted such a rich universe that revisiting it on television seemed promising, potentially adding more layers to the tales of the beloved young crime fighters.
Regrettably, the reboot didn’t meet expectations. While some opine that older audiences should adapt and appreciate the 2016 version for its intent to cater to younger viewers, the reception was lukewarm at best. Some labeled it among the worst Cartoon Network shows, as even the target young audience appeared unimpressed.
Wild Grinders (2012–2015)
This show stands out as one of the worst 2000s cartoons primarily because of its jarring art design. The character design is among the most unappealing I’ve ever witnessed. With limited facial expressions, these characters seem to navigate the screen with the clumsiness of QWOP.
The animation is sloppy, making interactions with their surroundings cringe-worthy at times. I’ve witnessed far superior uses of Adobe Flash. Moreover, the characters lack depth, and the voice actors appear disengaged and uninterested in their roles.
Da Boom Crew
Despite the commendable success of The Proud Family, cartoon creator Bruce Smith faced a significant setback with his subsequent series, Da Boom Crew. Premiering on Kids’ WB! in 2004, it was quickly labeled as one of the worst adult cartoons.
The series faced immediate criticism and dwindling viewership, leading to an abrupt cancellation after merely four episodes – an uncommon fate for an animated series.
Da Boom Crew introduced an intriguing concept centering on three boys trapped in a video game universe. However, the execution was flawed, and parts of the content felt cringeworthy.
The Adventures of Kid Danger (2018)
This ranks among Nick’s least impressive cartoons, characterized by strange concepts, lackluster animation, and humor that falls flat. Much like in the original, the characters here are predominantly irksome.
The humor is largely limited to repetitive and tiresome crotch jokes. Viewing this show was far from enjoyable, and it’s no wonder it couldn’t sustain even a year on air.
ThunderCats Roar (2020)
The original Thundercats holds a special place in my heart. I was even on board with the animé-inspired reboot. However, this latest iteration can only be described as one of the worst cartoons I’ve ever witnessed. The essence of Thundercats lies in its action, sprinkled with humor, all while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
This version is a stark departure, with its unattractive visuals, an overwhelming emphasis on humor, and an overall silly vibe. If this is the content tailored for the current generation, then today’s youngsters have an odd taste, to put it mildly.
Kamp Koral
After creating SpongeBob SquarePants, one of the most adored cartoons, Steve Hillenburg made one request: no spin-offs. Yet, with the recent decline in quality, with some even calling it the “worst cartoon” phase of SpongeBob SquarePants, the unveiling of Kamp Koral further divided its fanbase.
While a segment of viewers remains ready to embrace it, hoping the spin-off might captivate the youngest audience with its cute characters and creative tales, many older fans find watching Kamp Koral a distressing experience.
Mega Babies (1999–2000)
Mega Babies is a Canadian animated television series from 1999 to 2000. CinéGroupe and Landmark Entertainment Group produced the show.
The show’s premise revolves around three babies, Meg, Derrick, and Buck, who have superhuman strength and a variety of other powers, resulting from an accident before they were born. They and their nanny Nurse Lazlo have various adventures and face off against several bizarre villains.
The Nutshack (2007–2011)
I strongly disliked this cartoon, and my introduction to it was either through Mr. Enter or RebelTaxi. Additionally, I wasn’t a fan of another cartoon called Mr. Pickles. Both rank high on my list of least favorite animations. The quality of this animation is quite subpar, the script is poorly written, and the characters are among the most unlikable I’ve come across.
The voice acting also left much to be desired. Phil’s voice reminded me of an Elvis Presley impersonation gone wrong, while Jack’s voice felt eerie and mismatched. The most disappointing part? The intro. It garnered 100 dislikes on YouTube and received low ratings on IMDb. I must admit, this is the cartoon I least enjoyed.
Supernoobs
Following the letdown of Johnny Test, a prime example of bad cartoons, it was astonishing to see the number of viewers ready to give Scott Fellows another shot with his 2015 series, Supernoobs. At first glance, the series appears promising with its polished animation and distinctive character designs. However, it doesn’t take long for viewers to discern its numerous shortcomings.
Between a roster of unendearing characters, cringe-worthy voice acting, and outlandish storylines, Supernoobs struggled to carve out a loyal fanbase.
High Guardian Spice (2021)
This show is among the worst animated cartoons I’ve come across. The lack of passion from its creators is evident in every frame. The animation is downright terrible, appearing watered-down and clumsy. The voice acting feels forced and uncomfortable.
The characters, with their dull designs, fail to captivate the viewer. The theme song is grating, resembling a clichéd track from a typical Barbie movie.
Allen Gregory (2011–2023)
Being an enthusiast of well-crafted animated comedies, I decided to give Allen Gregory a shot. Right off the bat, a warning stating “not suitable for children under 14” appeared, sparking hopes that this might be a South Park contender – edgy, crude, yet brimming with humor and creativity.
Sadly, the show fell far short of expectations. The humor, if you can call it that, leaned heavily on mean-spirited taunts. As for the main character, despite being advertised as a brilliant prodigy, he comes across as a conceited, rude individual with little to no empathy for others.
Fairview
This particular animated series from Comedy Central showcased a unique concept of walking, talking, and living nesting dolls that resided in a town named Fairview. The town was an interesting tapestry of individuals who displayed socially and politically careless behaviors.
Adding to the town’s peculiarities, its mayor was a former party girl, further adding layers to the show’s dynamics. The animation style, however, was considered offbeat by many viewers.
If there had been a more visually appealing or conventional approach to the animation, it might have retained the audience’s attention for a more extended period.
Fanboy And Chum-Chum
Boasting subpar animation and facing a barrage of criticism, Fanboy and Chum-Chum stands out as one of the worst Nickelodeon cartoons. It’s baffling how it endured for two seasons, given its lackluster concept. The show heavily relied on overdone toilet humor and stale jokes, ensuring it would never be embraced as a fan favorite.
It’s evident that the creators intended to ride the wave of the superhero pop culture explosion, especially with comic book movies’ soaring popularity. While tapping into current trends isn’t inherently wrong, the real issue was the creators’ failure to bring any unique twist or innovation to the table.
Planet Sheen
Following the acclaim of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Nickelodeon recognized the appeal and charm of the side character, Sheen, whose humor and eccentricities added flair to the show.
Consequently, the show’s producers felt he deserved his own spin-off. Regrettably, this decision resulted in one of the worst cartoons created. Many fans of Jimmy Neutron questioned the necessity of Planet Sheen from the outset. The outcome largely disillusioned those who did give it a shot.
Santa Inc. (2021)
The show continually regurgitates the same worn-out jokes we’ve all heard countless times before. It desperately tries to be “edgy” by throwing in curse words, but these attempts come off as forced and clichéd.
The aspiration to adopt a child-like animation style fails to impress, instead feeling clumsy and uninspired. Moreover, the typical preachy Hollywood message that’s often parroted in many productions makes a predictable appearance. Comparing the humor in this show to an overflowing colostomy bag might actually be generous.
Kudos to Seth; with this production, you’ve potentially outdone the infamous Star Wars Christmas special in terms of unfavorable rankings.
The Problem Solverz (2011–2013)
I’ve endured quite a few poorly-executed cartoon shows over the years, including the likes of “Fanboy and Chum Chum,” “Sonic X,” “Captain Planet,” “Johnny Test”, “All Grown Up!”, “Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon,” “The Buzz on Maggie,” “Yo Yogi,” and “Mad,” to mention some. However, “The Problem Solverz” takes the cake for being the most lamentable.
The premise centers around three individuals who tackle problems. Horace, the supposed leader, is entirely uninspired and lacks depth. Roba, presented as the intellect of the group, is frankly grating. And Alfe, who should provide comic relief, merely adds to the annoyance.
It’s not just the characters that make the show unbearable. The animation is equally distressing. Overly vibrant and garish colors dominate, character designs are unappealing, and their motions resemble puppetry – a style that doesn’t gel well with animated cartoons, despite my respect for puppet arts.
The Adventures of Paddy the Pelican
I firmly believe that while this might not be the absolute bottom, The Adventures of Paddy the Pelican ranks as one of the worst cartoons ever.
Now, to quickly delve into this review: I’ve heard arguments defending it with the claim, “Oh, it was made in the 1950s.” Well, Fantasia was brilliantly executed in 1940, so that defense falls flat.
Its animation is as unappealing as smushed beetles. The glaring absence of sound effects ensures a tedious watch from start to finish.
Surprisingly, all the voice work was done by a single person. As a result, it doesn’t come across as dialogue but rather sounds like a deranged individual muttering to himself. The cherry on top? The lip-syncing is utterly mismatched with the animation. It makes one wonder if any effort was invested in the production.