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Rugrats poster

Shows that feel likeRugrats (1991–2004)

Focuses on a group of toddlers, most prominently Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and Angelica, and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. Adults in the series are almost always unaware of what the children are up to; however, this only provides more room for the babies to explore and discover their surroundings.

If you loved Rugrats, the closest series we have are Hey Arnold! (1996), Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (2004) and Bluey (2018). All three share Rugrats' warm and witty feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is Animaniacs (1993).

★ 7.4 IMDb ↗TMDB ↗9 seasons · Nickelodeoncreated by Arlene Klaskywarmcozywhimsicalwittyplayfulwistful
10 of 12 streaming nowNetflix · HBO Max · Hulu
Stream it:Paramount+ ↗

If Rugrats hit the spot, these will too

Hey Arnold! poster
Hey Arnold!
1996–2004 · 5 seasons · Nickelodeon
★ 7.6animation · comedy · dramaParamount+

The same two preoccupations: friendship, and nostalgic

The difference: Takes it somewhere less whimsical than Rugrats does

The daily life of Arnold--a fourth-grader with a wild imagination, street smarts and a head shaped like a football.

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide poster
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004–2007 · 3 seasons · Nickelodeon
★ 7.4comedy · kidsParamount+

One thread runs through both: playful

The difference: Easier on the comfort than Rugrats

The whacky adventures of Ned Bigby and his best pals Moze and Cookie at James K. Polk Middle School, as "every-kid" Ned shatters the fourth wall to share tips and tricks on navigating middle school or junior high hurdles. Ned's not super cool, and he has no superpowers. He is, however, witty, well-groomed, upbeat and self-aware. Moreover, with more than a little help from his two best friends, he's equipped to conquer middle school minefields. From crushing bullies to crushes, from off- the-wall, mean and cool teachers to pop quizzes, elections and detentions, Ned knows that nothing, including the seventh grade, is as bad as it seems, and friendship matters most.

Bluey poster
Bluey
2018– · 4 seasons · ABC Kids
★ 9.2animation · comedy · familyDisney+

Two things both keep coming back to: toddler and lighthearted

The difference: Made in the 2010s, in a different era of the craft

Bluey is an inexhaustible six year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures, developing her imagination as well as her mental, physical and emotional resilience.

Full House poster
Full House
1987–1995 · 8 seasons · ABC
★ 6.8comedy · familyHulu

The same preoccupation in both: baby

After the death of his wife, Danny enlists his best friend and his brother-in-law to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle.

Animaniacs poster
Animaniacs
1993–1998 · 5 seasons · The WB
★ 7.8animation · kids · comedy

Warm and cozy in the same breath

The two Warner Brothers Yakko and Wakko and their Warner sister Dot had been (supposedly) created in the 1930's, but their cartoons were too screwy for the general public to handle. The three Warners were locked up in the studio water tower until they escaped in the 90's. There, they run wild, causing chaos everywhere!

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series poster
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
2019–2023 · 4 seasons · Disney+
★ 7.1family · comedy · dramaDisney+

Common ground: nostalgic

The difference: Leans harder into drama than Rugrats does

A group of East High students countdown to the opening night of their school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical.” Showmances blossom; friendships are tested while new ones are made; rivalries flare and lives are changed forever as these young people discover the transformative power that only a high school drama club can provide.

Young Sheldon poster
Young Sheldon
2017–2024 · 7 seasons · CBS
★ 7.8comedy · family · dramaNetflixMax

Both keep coming back to the same thing: lighthearted

The early life of child genius Sheldon Cooper, later seen in The Big Bang Theory.

The Wonder Years poster
The Wonder Years
1988–1993 · 6 seasons · ABC
★ 8.3comedy · drama · familyHulu

Both land wit and play at once

The story of Kevin Arnold facing the trials and tribulations of youth while growing up during the 1960s and 70s. Told through narration from an adult Kevin, Kevin faces the difficulties of maintaining relationships and friendships on his enthralling journey into adulthood.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles poster
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1987–1996 · 10 seasons · CBS
★ 7.9action & adventure · animation · comedyParamount+

Animation with a pulse of wistfulness, in both cases

Four turtles fall into the sewers and are befriended by Hamato Yoshi a Japanese man sent to New York who was forced to live in the sewers. One day he sees a strange green glow which transforms the four turtles into human-like creatures. Hamato (now Master Splinter) changes into a giant rat from the green glow and teaches the turtles the skills of the ninja as they team up with news reporter April O'Neil to battle against Yoshi's arch enemy Shredder and Krang, an alien warlord from Dimension X.

The Tom and Jerry Show poster
The Tom and Jerry Show
1975 · 1 season · ABC
★ 7.8kids · animation · family

Family built on whimsy, twice over

The New Tom & Jerry Show is an animated television series produced for Saturday mornings by Hanna-Barbera Productions in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television in 1975 for ABC based on the theatrical shorts and characters Tom and Jerry.

Big Mouth poster
Big Mouth
2017–2025 · 8 seasons · Netflix
★ 7.8comedy · animationNetflix

Both are built on the same subject: friendship

Teenage friends find their lives upended by the wonders and horrors of puberty in this edgy comedy from real-life pals Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg.

La familia P. Luche poster
La familia P. Luche
2002–2012 · 3 seasons · Las Estrellas
★ 7.7comedy · family

Warm comedy in both cases

This sitcom is about a Mestizo-Latino American family in P. Luche town. Ludovico and Federica P. Luche are the (mostly) happy couple who serve as the parents of their three kids: Junior, an amnesiac policeman who serves as their 12-year-old son, Bibi, their black sheep daughter who is the smartest of the bunch, and Ludoviquito, an heir who had switched places with their youngest. Together with their maid Exelsa, they live in Ciudad P. Luche, a town where emotions are heightened, the impossible is everyday, and plush fabric covers almost everything.

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The best-reviewed series that share Rugrats’ defining feeling.