15. Elliott From Earth 

A boy and his mother are suddenly transported across the universe while searching for meteorites. They end up in a world of lush plants and talking creatures like Mo the dinosaur, who is shocked to discover they are from Earth. The mother and son begin adjusting to the wondrous civilization that is their temporary home, while searching for answers that seem beyond all meaning.  

Despite the overly simplified designs, don’t let that deter you from how amazing this show is. 

If you can take Infinity Train and Steven Universe, then this show is definitely on your list. 

And can we just all agree that Mo is simply adorable? It’s like they took The Good Dinosaur and fixed it! 

14. Miles from Tomorrowland 

The Callisto family live on a spaceship and explore the far reaches of the galaxy. Working for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, it’s their job to reach out to other individuals of the universe. Every job is always a new planet to explore. A new species to discover. And like stars connect the universe as one peaceful unit. 

A family in space that discovers cool things? Proves that Disney does believe that kids should dream of becoming astronauts!  

Also, Bill Nye was in this show. 

13. Mickey’s Mixed Up Adventures 

Originally titled “Mickey and the Roadster Racers”, the Sensational Six still do their racing. But with some additions to make the competition more interesting! It’s innovation at its finest thanks to Mickey’s idea to “mix things up”! Roadster racing has never been more fun! 

While this show does take place in the present, it feels like it could be our world if we made smarter decisions. 

And stopped being assholes to each other. 

I love this show because it’s Mickey and his pals and a whole loving community. 

That and it’s WAY better than the Dora the Explorer rip-off Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

12. Penn-Zero: Part-Time Hero 

Penn Zero may seem like your average charming student. But he’s not average (but still very charming). He and his pals get transported to different dimensions, taking the roles of the supposed heroes. And just make things right. It’s a part-time job, and someone has to be a hero and save the world. All while going up against a part-time villain who just wants to see civilians cry. 

I still give my middle finger to Disney for cancelling this one. 

The animation. The voice acting. The relatability. 

There were BETTER ideas in this show than the whole entire Descendants franchise! 

11. Loonatics Unleashed 

In 2772, a meteor crashed and nearly destroyed Acmetropolis. It broke into a waterfront that produced supernatural energy, which combined with the citizens and altered their genetics. Now with amazing abilities and super strength, five individuals who are descendants of the original Looney Tunes become crime-fighters. Known as the Loonatics, they take on any threat toward Acmetropolis. While also receiving information from a mysterious and powerful woman known as Zadavia. 

Hey, some people like me actually LIKED this show when it first aired. 

And I think the main reason was because most of us were WILD about Tech E. Coyote. 

10. Jabberjaw 

In the year 2076, a rock group called The Neptunes are the hottest band of underwater civilization. They travel to various cities to perform, while also dealing with villians who plan to take over the undersea world. 

Scooby Doo and Jaws are what inspired this Hanna-Barbera show. 

And while we can’t say much for the human characters, we know why we love this show. 

Because of Jabberjaw. 

I mean, seriously, that guy gets no respect! 

9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward 

The Turtles and Master Splinter suddenly find themselves transported to the year 2105, and meeting the great grandson of Casey Jones and April O’ Neil. In the future, technology and prosperity has greatly advanced. In addition, the multispecies population has become the norm, giving the turtles the chance to finally go out in daylight and meet actual people. 

Say what you want but this is my absolute favorite TMNT series. 

Maybe because it’s lighter, softer, and less episodes to cry over. 

That and it’s just so awesome seeing the turtles be part of society without worrying someone will harm them. 

I mean, RISE is awesome. But this was always my favorite season of the 2003 version. 

8. Final Space 

Gary Goodspeed is an energetic yet dim-witted astronaut who is working the last days of his five-year prison sentence. Having been on a ship in exile, he has been craving nothing but companionship (and writing BOOBS on the maintenance bots doesn’t fix it). He finds himself crossing paths with a planet-destroying alien, while in the midst taking in a cute creature whom he calls Mooncake. They meet others with their own struggles, forming a team of rebels who work to uncover the mystery known as Final Space; the end of the universe.

The strongest elements I see in this series are what Rick and Morty lack. 

And no, it’s not characters realizing they are crying for help because they know they are just images on paper. 

What Gary and his team go through are things we definitely experience. Whether on Earth or in the far reaches of the galaxy. 

The compassion and empathy this series has is what Rick and Morty often fail to meet (which is why season 5 is such a bust).   

7. Duck Dodgers 

Daffy Duck stars as Duck Dodgers, an intergalactic hero in the 21-and-a-half century. This show also stars Porky Pig as Cadet, and Marvin Martian as well, himself. With the addition of the beautiful and ruthless Queen Tyr’ahnee whom he loyally serves (and is secretly in love with). 

The one show that rabbit didn’t steal. 

6. Glitch Techs 

A future where being a gamer is the ultimate career path with no negative consequences. (At least until, glitches start running amok) 

And this show delivers on that fantasy. 

High-tech armor suits that take down video game characters that come to life. Lots of power-ups and downloadable weaponry. And a robot that can make blueberry muffins. 

This show also gives us some Men In Black vibes with the whole memory-wiping concept. 

5. Samurai Jack 

Since he was a child, Jack has been taught and trained by teachers around the globe. Now a grown adult, he knows he is ready to take on the demon known as Aku, who terrorized his home and family. However, the sadistic demon has a few tricks up his sleeves. And next thing Jack knows, he’s wandering different dimensions. And ending up in the future. 

Gotta get back

Back to the past

Samurai Jack

This song still slaps today!

If that fifth season had never come, we would all be wondering if Jack would EVER get back to the past. 

But honestly, we all preferred him in the future. With him it’s super wild! 

What’s really cool is that this year marks the 20th anniversary since Samurai Jack first premiered on Cartoon Network! (August 10, 2001)

4. OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes 

Whether this is the future or an alternate reality with a very confusing date, you got to admit that the future is WILD in this one. 

Where fighting monsters and gaining XP is the norm. 

Dinosaurs and other creatures living among humans. 

And a factory that produces robots to attack a plaza full of heroes. 

Oh, yeah, and retail work isn’t a POS.  

3. Time Squad

If you remember classic Cartoon Network where Fridays always had you humming that special tune, you know how special (and very underrated) this show was. 

It kind of sucks that the characters spend so much time in the past, that we still have no idea what the future they live in looks like. 

We just take Tuddrussell’s word about how “there’s no pollution, no wars, and bacon is good for your heart”. 

Why can’t this be OUR f*c king future instead? 

2. Futurama 

Spaceships

Multi-species population. 

Holograms of your favorite celebrities (that you can do pretty much anything you want with because they’re a hologram!)

And robots with human personalities that drink booze. 

Frylock really got a good deal here. 

1. The Jetsons 

This list would not be complete without including the ultimate futuristic cartoon. 

The Jetsons was one of Hanna-Barbera’s most popular shows back in the day. 

And it still retains its popularity alongside The Flintstones and Scooby Doo. 

When we watched this in the 90s, this is how we imagined the future would look like. 

It’s 2021. And the only thing society has given us is more global warming. 

You may also be interested in:

• [Top 15] Best Cartoons With Female Leads
• [Top 15] Cartoons That Deserve a Movie
• [Top 10] Best Spy Cartoons of All Time (Best Secret Agent Cartoons)
• [Top 15] Best Cartoons For Babies
• [Top 15] Best Futuristic Cartoons