Cartoons are something that has seemingly been a part of everyone’s life. For some 90s babies, they might fondly remember waking up early to catch thoseSaturday morning cartoonslikeDucktalesorTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For those born a bit later, their memories of watching cartoons might be more aligned to seeing their favorite shows on programs and stations like Nicktoons, Cartoon Network, Toon Disney, PBS Kids, and so much more. With channels Boomerang and streaming now more popular, it also gave an easier ability for older generations to re-watch their favorite cartoons, even introducing younger audiences to some well-loved classics.
This universal love and popularity for manyanimated series sometimes results in them being adapted into full-length movies. And with nostalgia being a big driving selling point in Hollywood, some cartoons have even managed to land a movie years later such as the case withThe SmurfsandYogi Bear.Even with reboots and revivals on the rise, there are still some beloved classic cartoons that haven’t quite yet gotten a movie adaptation.
12The Ruff and Reddy Show (1957 - 1960)
Hanna-Barbera Productions are no strangers to having their beloved cartoons adapted into movies. Just take the ever-re-imaging and rebooted cartoonScooby-Doo, for instance. Or their other popular cartoon staples likeJosie and the Pussycats, The Flintstones, andThe Jetsons. However, some would be surprised to find out there is quite a list of cartoons from the company that have yet to be given the full cinematic treatment, such as their ’50s classicThe Ruff and Reddy Show.
The animated comedy centered around a smart cat named Ruff and his dog pal Reddy, who wasn’t quite as smart but did have a heart of gold. A movie adaptation ofThe Ruff and Reddy Showwould be anything but appropriate, given that the cartoon marked a special moment in Hanna-Barbera’s history asit was one of their first series ever made.
Related:The Best Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Ranked
11The Deputy Dawg Show (1959 - 1964)
Terrytoons’The Deputy Dawg Showis a visual gag cartoon about a dog deputy sheriff named none other than Deputy Dawg and how he manages to catch the bad guys in his southern town, despite his lackadaisical attitude. The series had around 104 episodes and gained much attention during its time. The animated series was such a big hit that despite not receiving a movie adaptation,the cartoon was shown in theaters shortly after its releaseaccording to MSN.
10Loopy De Loop (1959 - 1965)
While not having a theatrical movie, Hanna-Barbara’sLoopy De Loopdid hit the big screen through theatrical shorts released by Columbia Pictures starting in 1959. A total of 43 shorts were produced before they were collected together to air as a TV series in 1969. The cartoon depicts a French-Canadian wolf named Loopy De Loop, who tries to prove to others that not all wolves are bad by doing good deeds. Though, a lot of those that he helps usually end up being scared of him. Cue the ending screaming and chase scene.
9Space Ghost (1966 - 1967)
Many cartoon fans are familiar with the Adult Swim showSpace Ghost Coast to Coast— an animated series that parodies late-night talk shows by having the Hanna-Barbera superhero Space Ghost interview different celebrities. What only adds to the show’s humor is that it also parodies Space Ghost’s original series, appropriately namedSpace Ghost.In the series, Space Ghost and his trusty (but often kidnapped) sidekicks fought against villains in outer space.
Space Ghostwould result in the character being in other animated series including the titular Adult Swim show. While the original cartoon doesn’t have a movie, according to Comicbook,ShrinkingactorJason Segel has written a script for a live-action movie adaptation; however, it seems more based on the talk show parody spin-off than the original.
Related:10 Live Action Cartoon Movie AdaptationsThat Actually Worked
8Wacky Races (1968 - 1969)
InWacky Races, 11 contestants raced against each other on various racetracks to be declared as “World’s Wackiest Racer.” Each contestant also had tricked-out race cars that helped them get ahead in the race almost akin to Mario Kart but in cartoon form. The cartoon would later spark other spin-offs for other characters in the show such as Dick Dastardly, Muttley, and Penelope Pitstop as well as a reboot in 2017.
Wacky Racesseems to have all the set-up for a fun movie premise similar in vain toIt’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad WorldandRat Raceand with the popularity of older media being remade for the big screen, perhaps Hanna-Barbera will someday giveWacky Racesthe same treatment.
7Snorks (1984 - 1989)
Snorkshad a similar presence toThe Smurfsexcept the main setting took place underwater and not in a woodland village. The cartoon follows the adventures of the small colorful underwater creatures with snorkels above their heads living in Snorkland. Unfortunately,Snorksdidn’t achieve the same popularity as their little blue counterparts, which probably contributed to their lack of a movie.
Related:These ’80s Cartoons Should Get A Movie
6Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985 - 1991)
Inspired by the literal candy,Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bearswas the company’s very first animated TV series, having six seasons with a total of 65 episodes. Taking place in the fantasy medieval land of Dunwyn, the show followed a family of six Gummi Bears — Zummi, Gruffie, Grammi, Tummi, Sunni, and Cubbi — as they went on adventures and thawed evil. The cartoon was pretty popular during its time period,ranking number one in its time slot for five seasons.
According to Cartoon Brew, the show alsohelped pave the way for other popular Disney animated showsin the years following such asDucktales,Goof Troop, andDarkwing Duck. Interestingly enough, whileDisney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bearshas yet to have a movie release, most of the animated shows following its success have.
5Centurions (1986)
In this classic 80s cartoon set in a futuristic Earth, heroes Ace McCloud, Jake Rockwell, and Max Ray make up the Centurions — a group that fights against Doc Terror’s threats through the use of their super mecha suits that can fuse with different assault weapons. Besides the futuristic setting and gadgets, manyCenturionsfans loved the show’s art style, which can be attributed to prolific comic book artists Gil Kale and Jack Kirby.Centurionsonly lasted for two seasons before getting canceled, but maybe someday Hollywood will give it another chance via a movie.
4Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990 - 1996)
Almost every 90s kid knew about the cartoonCaptain Planet and the Planeteers, whether they were avid fans or just casual viewers. Hitting hard with the environmentalist tone, the cartoon told the story of five kids who each possess the powered elemental rings when combined to summon the superhero Captain Planet who saves the Earth from ecologically dangerous themed villains.Captain Planet and the Planeteerswas praised for its environmental message, though over the years its cheesy, over-the-top tone has been parodied in other shows and mediums.
Unlike the other classic cartoons on this list,Captain Planet and the Planeteersdo have a movie in development. In 2018, it was announced that aCaptain Planetlive-action movie would be produced byDon’t Look Upactor Leonardo DiCaprio and co-written byTop Gun: Maverickactor Glen Powell. According toPowell’s interview with ET in early 2023, the movie is still in development.
3SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993 - 1994)
SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadronis an action cartoon that focuses on two humanoid cat pilots called T-Bone and Razor. Using their high-tech jet, Turbokat, they go around Megakat City keeping it safe from any villains and crime. Despite its large following, the show would be canceled after two seasons. Yet, that wouldn’t be the end ofSWAT Katsas fans rejoiced when the creators Christian and Yvon Tremblayannounced in January 2022 that the show was getting a reboot. Even thoughSwat Katsnever got the chance to be made into a movie, the reboot does give some possibility for it to be the case in the future.
