Saturday Morning Cartoons from the ’70s That Defined Our Childhoods
Waking up early on a Saturday morning just so we could catch our favorite cartoon tune in on time had its own charm back in the day. There was nothing like indulging in those few glorious hours of watching cartoons.
These shows have always been more than just entertainment, and we’re super excited to revisit the rhythm of our childhood weekends during the ‘70s. Let’s go!
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
Credit: IMDb
Ghosts, ghouls, and groovy teens in a psychedelic van? Yes, please. Launched right before the ’70s rolled in, Scooby-Doo was this mystery-solving cartoon that offered something lighter. Every episode served a spooky puzzle with just enough laughs (and snacks). Bonus points for that soundtrack—still stuck in our heads decades later.
The Bugs Bunny Show
Credit: IMDb
Although it began in the ‘60s, Bugs Bunny became a must-watch on ‘70s Saturdays. With classic Looney Tunes shorts in a TV format, the show brought slapstick antics and cheeky one-liners to multiple generations. It bounced between ABC and CBS.
The Pink Panther Show
Credit: IMDb
Not many cartoons could pull off nearly silent comedy, but The Pink Panther did it with style. It had smooth animation, a jazzy theme song, and gags that let visuals do the talking. It was a cartoon equivalent of cool sunglasses and a slow wink.
The Tom and Jerry Show
Credit: IMDb
Tom and Jerry’s rivalry softened a bit in the ’70s, but their cat-and-mouse game was still sharp. Tossed into a rotating cast with Grape Ape and Mumbly, this adaptation had to comply with stricter TV standards, yet it remained a fan favorite due to its playful visual storytelling and established characters.
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Credit: IMDb
“Hey hey hey!” This wasn’t just a cartoon—it was a neighborhood. Fat Albert and crew tackled everyday dilemmas with honesty, heart, and a little funk. This show stood out for its educational tone wrapped in relatable urban adventures. It featured animated versions of kids navigating friendships, peer pressure, and moral lessons.
The Jetsons
Credit: IMDb
Even if it originally aired in the ’60s, the Jetsons felt right at home in the ’70s rerun lineup. Flying cars, robot maids, and push-button everything were tomorrow’s tech served up with a suburban twist. It gave a whole new boost to our imagination.
Land of the Lost
Credit: Facebook
As part cartoon, part live-action fantasy, this show pulled kids into a world of dinosaurs and time portals. It blended science fiction with serialized storytelling, a rare mix for Saturday morning. The effects were delightfully DIY, but the imagination was completely off the charts.
Schoolhouse Rock!
Credit: IMDb
Before you learned it in school, you probably sang it here. These animated shorts sneaked lessons into your brain with toe-tapping songs and wild animation. First airing in 1973, it quietly became one of the most effective educational tools of the decade.
Speed Buggy
Credit: IMDb
This short-lived Hanna-Barbera series debuted in 1973 and featured a talking dune buggy named Speed Buggy and his teenage crew solving mysteries. The zippy dune buggy and his teen squad zoomed through mysteries at full throttle.
Jabberjaw
Credit: IMDb
A talking shark in a rock band might sound like a random concept, but Jabberjaw thrived on this absurdity. It splashed into underwater adventures with plenty of groans, gags, and goofy giggles. His voice, borrowed straight from The Three Stooges, gave the show its offbeat flavor.
Josie and the Pussycats
Credit: IMDb
This show was everything rock stars and mystery solvers. It premiered in in 1970, and followed an all-girl rock band touring the world and stumbling into mysteries. It doubled as a vehicle for both girl-power adventure and music-themed episodes. The animation style and tone were similar to Scooby-Doo, but Josie brought more glam and international intrigue into the Saturday lineup.
Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle
Credit: IMDb
This animated version of Tarzan aired in 1976 and portrayed him not as a grunting jungle man, but as articulate and honorable. With his trusty monkey sidekick, N’kima, he explored lost civilizations and squared off against villains with smarts and heart.
The Woody Woodpecker Show
Credit: IMDb
The 1970s brought Woody back to Saturday mornings. The cartoon was instantly recognizable for that unmistakable laugh. Plus, the hyper antics were a throwback to classic slapstick. The show’s segments often repackaged earlier shorts, but kids loved the brash humor, even in rerun form.
Return to the Planet of the Apes
Credit: IMDb
This one went heavy on sci-fi. Ape cities, human resistance, and philosophical undertones gave it a darker, deeper tone. It may not have lasted long, but it made its mark as the thinking kid’s Saturday pick.
Jana of the Jungle
Credit: IMDb
Jana was the jungle heroine who swung into action with her jaguar, crocodile, and a mission to protect animals and people alike. The show echoed Tarzan with a twist. The characters were and the lead character didn’t play second fiddle.