What are the best old Cartoon Network shows to rewatch as an adult?

Top pick: Adventure Time is probably the best Cartoon Network rewatch as an adult because it starts like a goofy fantasy comedy and becomes a surprisingly emotional, layered story about growing up, loss, identity, and friendship.

Best old Cartoon Network shows to rewatch as an adult:

1. Adventure Time — Best overall adult rewatch: funny, strange, philosophical, and emotionally rewarding.
2. Samurai Jack — Best for cinematic storytelling: minimalist dialogue, striking visuals, and mature themes.
3. Courage the Cowardly Dog — Best horror-comedy: surreal, creepy, funny, and more unsettling than you may remember.
4. The Powerpuff Girls — Best fast-paced comedy: sharp jokes, stylish action, and surprisingly clever satire.
5. Ed, Edd n Eddy — Best pure nostalgia comedy: chaotic kid logic, scams, suburbia, and great slapstick.
6. Dexter’s Laboratory — Best short-form gag cartoon: inventive, quotable, and full of classic cartoon timing.
7. The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy — Best dark comedy: meaner, weirder, and more adult-friendly than many peers.
8. Teen Titans — Best superhero rewatch: strong character dynamics, anime-inspired action, and some genuinely heavy arcs.
9. Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends — Best comfort watch: colorful, creative, and still funny, though lighter than some picks.
10. Regular Show — Best “adult life in disguise” cartoon: technically about slackers at a park, but really about work, friendship, burnout, and growing up.

If you only pick three: watch Adventure Time, Samurai Jack, and Courage the Cowardly Dog.