Which Cartoon Network Old Shows Had The Best Theme Songs?

If I'm ranking by pure catchiness and how instantly recognizable the theme is, a handful of shows always top my list. 'The Powerpuff Girls' nails the superhero-pop energy so well that the first few notes feel enormous; it's short, memorable, and absolutely on-target. 'Dexter's Laboratory' delivers a quirky synth motif that perfectly matches the show's inventiveness — whenever that riff hits, I can almost see the gadgets. 'Courage the Cowardly Dog' wins for atmosphere: its spooky, slightly melancholy melody sets a mood you don't forget and hints at the show's weirdness right away.

I also have a soft spot for 'Samurai Jack' because its opening feels cinematic and unique; it primes you for something serious and artful. 'Johnny Bravo' is delightful because it's playful and nostalgic, like a cartoon wink at Elvis-era swagger. In short, the best themes are the ones that capture tone quickly — whether that's horror, humor, action, or heart — and these shows did that flawlessly. Every time I hum one of those tunes, I’m halfway back in my childhood living room, and that’s a simple, silly kind of joy.

Nothing grabbed my attention faster than those three-chord intros that felt like they were daring me to keep watching. I still get a thrill when a snappy melody or a spooky arpeggio hits and I remember exactly where it would cut into the cartoon — the moment the title card bounces on screen, and my Saturday morning brain clicks into gear.

Some theme songs worked because they were short, punchy, and perfectly on-brand. 'Dexter's Laboratory' had that playful, slightly electronic riff that sounded like science class on speed; it made the show feel clever and mischievous before a single line of dialogue. Then there’s 'The Powerpuff Girls' — that urgent, surf-rock-meets-superhero jolt that manages to be cute and heroic at once. 'Johnny Bravo' leaned into swagger and doo-wop nostalgia, and the theme basically winks at you: this is cool, ridiculous, and unapologetically over-the-top. On the weirder end, 'courage the Cowardly Dog' used eerie, atmospheric sounds and a melancholic melody that set up the show's unsettling stories perfectly; the song itself feels like an invitation into a haunted house you secretly want to explore.

Other openings were mini-stories or mood-setters. 'Samurai Jack' is practically cinematic — stark, rhythmic, and leaning into its epic tone so you knew you were about to watch something sparse and beautiful. 'Ed, Edd n Eddy' had a bouncy, plucky theme that felt like a childhood caper, capturing the show's manic, suburban energy. I also can't help but sing the jaunty, whimsical tune from 'Foster's Home for imaginary friends' whenever I'm feeling nostalgic; it’s warm and slightly melancholy in a way that made the show feel like a hug from your imagination.

Beyond nostalgia, I appreciate how these themes worked structurally: they introduced characters, set mood, and sometimes even gave tiny hints about pacing or humor. A great cartoon theme is a promise — five to thirty seconds that says, "This is the world you're about to enter." For me, those themes are part of the shows' DNA; they still pull me back in faster than any trailer, and they make rewatching feel like slipping into an old, comfortable sweater. I love that the music stayed with me as much as the characters did.