Top 20 Cartoon Songs (2023)

Top 20 cartoon theme songs

Welcome to WatchMojo and today we are going to take our pick of the top 20 cartoon songs.

For this list we will analyze the best songs to accompany the openings of animated series.

If there's a cartoon song you love, please share it in the comments below!

#20: "Arturo" (1996-)

The theme song of this complete cartoon for kids entitled "Believe in Yourself" has a reggae feel to it. And it works perfectly. The texts emphasize cooperation and belief in oneself. The images accompany the main character, her friends and family in their daily lives in different situations. It's a perfectly sane and catchy song that fits their show perfectly. "Believe in Yourself" might be aimed at young children, but its lessons are ones we can all remember. And because it's so memorable, you won't forget the song's moving messages.

#19: "Batman: The Animated Series" (1992-95)

Composed by Danny Elfman and similar to his theme for the 1989 film Batman, the theme for Batman: The Animated Series is fantastic. It's haunting, bombastic and fits perfectly with the dark tone of the show. Along with the music, we're treated to an action-packed scene where the Dark Knight foils a heist. Honestly, the only reason it's not higher on our list is that it's not exactly a song we sing along to all day. But as we see or hear it, we are totally immersed. It's positively epic!

#18: "SpongeBob SquarePants" (1999-)

You wouldn't answer the question "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" I'd always have a know-it-all answer, but here we are. Inspired by the sea song "Blow the Man Down", the theme "SpongeBob SquarePants" is sung by a pirate and a children's choir. The lyrics are filled with colorful descriptions of the main character and lots of repetition of his name. And the theme music, like SpongeBob himself, is pretty weird, a bit boring, and still amazing. One thing is for sure, there is no other cartoon theme like this out there.

# 17: "Os Transformers" (1984-87)

Just as the Autobots and Decepticons take different forms, the theme song for The Transformers has a few different versions throughout the show. However, most of them feature variations on the original's iconic lyrics, as well as robotic accompaniment for some of them. While it may be brief and repetitive, there's "more than meets the eye" to this topic. It has become synonymous with a franchise and brand that has lasted almost 40 years. While the song is about "Robots in Disguise," there's no hiding how excellent it is.

# 16: "Inspector Gadget" (1983-86)

This opening features the clumsy Inspector Gadget going about his duties, aided by his niece and her dog. He is also seen accidentally inflicting injury on his boss and Dr. Claw. Honestly, this sums up the whole show. As a bonus, the fast-paced melody keeps up and includes some of the most memorable lyrics in each song. Seriously, there are a total of 4 words in this song! The music itself and various sound effects make it that goofy, quirky Inspector Gadget theme song we've been humming along for decades.

Nr. 15: "Os Flintstones" (1960-66)

Entitled "Meet the Flintstones," this theme song has been ingrained in pop culture for over half a century. While it wasn't the first theme song for The Flintstones, it's the one we all continue to sing along to. "Meet the Flintstones" is performed by a 22-piece big band and features harmonies from multiple singers. It's an effortlessly catchy song. As each episode opens and closes, the music manages to get you hooked on the show and is the perfect way to end it. Whether we listen to it or sing it ourselves, it's a track we always "enjoy" with.

Nr. 14: "Tiny Toon Adventures" (1990-92)

Like the Looney Tunes cartoon soundtracks that inspired it, the Tiny Toon Adventures theme is fully orchestrated. Crazy and at a breakneck pace, the music will have you hooked from start to finish. The lyrics are full of jokes and describe the show's premise, setting and characters with creative rhymes. Not only that, the entire cast sings it all. Although it might not be the best Warner Bros. cartoon theme song. from the 90's, it's still one of the best cartoon theme songs of all time. It just goes to show that the company's songwriters create classics for their serious and wacky shows.

#13: "Danny's Ghost" (2004-07)

This track essentially functions as a fast, catchy retelling of the main character's spooky origin story. It details how Danny gains his spirit powers, what they are, and his goal of capturing all the spirits that escaped his parents' portal. The hard-hitting beat of the music and the dark but bold colors of the graphics give this opening a really cool vibe. Rap can be difficult to pull off in an opening theme, but "Danny Phantom" arguably handles it best, at least among the animated shows. You can tell he can do it because he's Danny Phantom.

#12: "Possible Kim" (2002-07)

The theme of "Kim Possible" is correctly called "Call Me, Beep Me" and is sung by famous singer Christina Milian. The lyrics describe Kim's penchant for saving the world despite being an ordinary girl herself, and how she is always ready to help those in need. Meanwhile, footage shows Kim doing just that alongside her friends, family, and haters. "Call Me, Beep Me" manages to sound like an up-tempo R&B song and a spy anthem at the same time. While music alone didn't save the world, it certainly helped us feel like it was...possible.

#11: "Dragonball Z" (1989-96)

Yes, yes, we know Dragon Ball Z is an anime. But we'll be discussing the American theme, not the original, which is why it's on this list. Unofficially known as "Rock the Dragon," this hard rock song features simple lyrics along with some nasty drums and guitars. This is all set to the fight scenes and power-ups that the show is famous for. Oddly enough, a lot of the footage comes from the movies rather than the show itself. Regardless, it's pure distilled testosterone that gets your blood pumping every time you watch it.

#10: "Teen Titans" (2003-06)

Sung by Japanese vocal duo Puffy AmiYumi, the theme song for Teen Titans has an energetic rock vibe. It's also two themes in one, with the show alternating between using a Japanese-text version for comedic episodes and an English version for more serious adventures. That's fitting because while the English lyrics are about titans battling villains, the Japanese lyrics are sillier and worth reading in full. With a catchy beat and visual effects that use color themes with the characters, the Teen Titans theme song always tells us, "1, 2, 3, 4 - go for it, Teen Titans!"

#9: "ThunderCats" (1986-89)

They did everything they could to open ThunderCats and it shows. The animation is still beautiful today as we enjoy dynamic action scenes of all the main characters in battle. Granted, the lyrics aren't exactly complicated. Though they're filled with lots of repeats of the show's title, that only makes them easier to remember and get stuck in your head. The song itself is quintessential 80's rock, with incredible drum work and howling guitar. The ThunderCats theme encourages you to go on adventures whenever you see it. It hits, well, thunder.

#8: "Animaniacs" (1993-98, 2020-)

The Animaniacs theme has all the hallmarks of their other Warner Bros. animated songs: excellent orchestral score, fourth-wall-breaking humor, and an introduction to all the main characters. However, it's arguably done better on this show. The jokes are as fast-paced and memorable as the lyrics, and the short tune has so much substance that it feels immensely satisfying. Depending on the episode, there are even variable texts before the end with a new gag. Whether it's the original version or the revived version of the song, the "Animaniacs" theme has us laughing 'til we drop. Like nonsense in your pants, these are the facts.

#7: "The Simpsons" (1989-)

Another composition by Danny Elfman, The Simpsons' Theme is as iconic and memorable as the show itself. Although the only notable lyrics are the title itself, sung by Elfman and his friends, the song uses a variety of instruments and feels feels crazy, soulful and utterly timeless at the same time. Meanwhile, the animation shows each member of the Simpson family returning home from work, school and errands while meeting Springfield's many colorful residents. The intro also features several alternating gags in the form of Bart's chalkboard lines and the moment they all sit down on the couch. When it comes to cartoon opening themes, The Simpsons is arguably one of the best.

#6: „Pokémon“ (1997-)

There were many theme songs for the English dub of "Pokémon". But the former left an indelible mark not only on the franchise but also on its fans and even on the Billboard charts. The lyrics, which essentially function as a general "Pokémon" anthem, describe the urge of its protagonist, Pokémon Trainer, to catch them all, explore them, and bond with their pocket monsters. The song and soaring voices beg everyone to sing along and we certainly have a hard time stopping ourselves from singing.

#5: "Patoaventuras" (1987-90, 2017-21)

One of the most catchy tracks ever written, DuckTales is like a literal call to adventure. The lyrics describe the many adventures the waterfowl protagonists become involved in, with many mentions of the series title. Both the original version of the series and the rebooted version are both awesome in their own way. While the original is slightly slower and features more trumpets, the newer theme is more string-based and has a faster tempo. With both, everyone involved could have dived into a pile of gold, because this track is an incomparable treasure.

#4: "Scooby-Doo, where are you?" (1969-78)

Scooby-Doo is a franchise that has been around for half a century. This gave us plenty of time for the first theme song to sink into our collective memory. Reminiscent of a '60s beach song mixed with spooky undertones, the "Scooby-Doo" theme showcases the character of the eponymous dog, particularly his cowardice. It also details his and the other gang's investigations into terrible secrets. It's one of the most iconic theme songs from one of the most famous cartoons of all time and has even been remixed and covered by well-known artists. Like a Scooby snack, this theme is an absolute treat.

#3: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1987-96)

Although there have been more than a few Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons, none of their theme songs have the kind of staying power that this one does. Surprisingly, Chuck Lorre's first television credit, the creator of many hit sitcoms, was actually for writing this theme song. The man knew how to strike even before he took off. While it may sound strange to put the breath of a program name in letters, it totally works. The song offers an exhibition of all the Turtles, Splinter and his nemesis Shredder, all in a rhythm that never stops. Still, it's just as radical today as it was in the '80s.

#2: „X-Men“ (1992-97)

This superhero cartoon theme song might not have any vocals but that didn't stop us from singing along, it's so catchy! Moody, fast paced and slightly menacing, the title track to "X-Men" is a rock song that will get you in the mood for action. The graphics also contribute to this impression, with countless action shots of the main characters and their names. Some of the series' themes of oppression and discrimination are also addressed. Exciting and awe-inspiring at every turn, the X-Men theme is so awesome it's almost criminal that it hasn't been used in any of the live-action X-Men movies...yet.

Before we get to our top picks, here are some honorable mentions:

"Jayce and the Warriors on Wheels" (1985-86)
Typical power rock of the 80s

"Captain Planet and the Planetariums" (1990–96)
We'll never understand why they put that banger in the credits

Pinky and the Brain (1995-98)
This song is as manic and crazy as the hilarious mice it's about.

"Dark-Handled Duck" (1991-92)
Dangerously catchy and loads of funky

The Adventures of the Gummy Bears (1985-91)
Most people have probably forgotten about this show, but its theme is "peerless".

#1: "Spider-Man" (1967-70)

Spider-Man, Spider-Man does everything a spider can. And one of the things he can do too is top our list. The wall-crawling superhero has had some fantastic cartoon themes over the years. And while the '90s animated series and The Amazing Spider-Man are obviously spectacular, the original is hard to beat. The upbeat song describing Spidey and his powers is sung by a choir, like many songs from the period. The "Spider-Man" theme of the 1960s became the character's anthem. It has been referenced throughout pop culture and has received numerous covers and references. Even if you've never seen the show, you know this song.