I remember it well… The days of the early 2000s when all I could do was hope that one of the cartoons from my childhood might get a DVD release. Many of them did (and usually in the form of a very expensive box set). Those days are over now though. We’re living in digital world now and I’m all about streaming my childhood favorites whenever possible!
Here’s six classic cartoons from back in the 1980s that are available to stream (as of this moment) on Netflix:
With Netflix rebooting the franchise in the form of Voltron: Legendary Defender, it’s not surprising to see them streaming the original Voltron series as well. Originally known as Voltron: Defender of the Universe, it’s been re-titled Voltron 84 on Netflix for some reason. At this time, only 12 episodes of the show’s 72 episode run are available.
Only the first five seasons of The Real Ghostbusters are available, but since that’s the entirety of the show’s ’80s output, they’re obviously the best, right? Personally, I have no desire to watch all five seasons in full, but I’ll definitely be watching the episodes that I remember most fondly.
Believe it or not, I actually have some nostalgia for Jem and The Holograms. I remember my sister had Jem’s doll, which was actually kinda fun because I remember her earrings would light up. Plus, there’s that catchy theme song. If the recent live-action movie was set during the ’80s and embraced the cartoon’s over the top silliness and excess, I definitely would’ve watched it (and probably loved it).
I have the entire series on DVD already, whenever the mood strikes, it’s so much easier to watch this on Netflix rather than going through my DVD collection. One of the quintessential shows from my childhood. Whenever I watch this, I’m transported to much simpler and happy times. Sadly, only the first season is available.
I have a bit of resentment towards this show. Filmation & Mattel were faced with the decision of doing a third season of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe or doing She-Ra: Princess of Power. With He-Man toy sales slipping, they went with She-Ra. I would’ve much rather had a third season of He-Man, but at least She-Ra was an expansion of that universe (no pun intended) and He-Man made a few appearances.
One of the ultimate ’80s cartoons. Everything from the music used throughout the show to the voice acting instantly transports me back in time. The entire series (just one season), minus the Legend of Zelda mini-episodes (WTF?) are available.