Cartoon content was aired at specific times and networks during the reign of cable television. Yet, these days, online streaming sites have made it easy to watch your favorite cartoons, both new releases and old classics, at any time. These websites also allow you to skip, pause, forward, and rewind the content you stream at your convenience.
But sadly, it is a painstaking task to get a decent and reliable free streaming site to watch your favorite cartoons. That is why we have compiled these online resources that offer high-quality cartoon content.
Best sites to watch cartoons online free – Quick list
Below is a summary of the top sites for streaming cartoons online in HD.
- YouTube – A wide range of cartoon movies and shows from all major networks and regions.
- AnimePahe – Plain and clean user interface with action, fantasy, mature, comedy, and family-friendly cartoon genres.
- Wcostream – Best for varying genres of anime content. Moreover, it has action, family-friendly, and fantasy shows.
- ToonJet – Takes you back in time with old classic cartoons such as Popeye the Sailor, Mickey Mouse, etc. It also has a community forum so you can interact with other viewers.
- Super Cartoons – Provides a massive gallery of old classic cartoons, with the home page currently scattered with Scooby-Doo episodes.
- Cartoon Network – A massive catalog of old and new cartoon films and shows. It has a unique feature that filters out the content by character.
- Cartoonito – All-in-one entertainment platform for kids. It even has a Cartoonito club where children give tales for educational or fun purposes.
- Disney Junior – Offer several amazing treats to quench cartoon cravings for both kids and adults. Most of the shows are in high-definition to give you a captivating streaming experience.
- Boomerang – Hosts fan favorites such as Johnny Quest, Tom and Jerry, Bunnicula, Mr. Bean, Taffy, and much more.
- Nickelodeon – Has an aesthetically pleasing user interface and a vast collection of cartoon content. The sites also offer radio and numerous online games.
Best cartoon streaming portals – The detailed list
1. YouTube
- What we liked most: It boasts various cartoon videos from all regions and studios.
- Website: youtube.com
YouTube is a huge platform with diverse content, including cartoons and animations. With over 800 million videos, you can get any cartoon type by searching its search bar. It hosts channels of popular networks such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Also, YouTube now has a kid’s app with dedicated content for children.
The platform also allows independent artists to showcase their animated content. In addition, it offers a top-notch streaming experience as you can activate the subtitles, adjust video quality, and download videos to view offline.
2. AnimePahe
- What we liked most: Clean and user-friendly UI.
- Website: animepahe.ac
Apart from anime, AnimePahe is a free website where you can watch cartoons online and stream your favorite content in high-definition quality. It has an extensive content catalog, and you will likely get an exciting show to watch. Thankfully, the website’s interface is user-friendly, and you can access it with any device, including your smartphone. In addition, you can filter out content by character, studio, show name, etc. This categorization makes it easy to find whatever you want.
3. Wcostream
- What we liked most: Lets users watch the latest cartoons without delay for free.
- Website: wcostream.tv
Wcostream offers classic cartoon movies and subbed and dubbed Japanese anime in HD and SD quality. The site has a massive gallery of content that is well-balanced between mature and family shows. New episodes with subtitles are also available.
The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating and exploring cartoon series and movies easy. Fortunately, the loading speed is fast, which gives you a smooth streaming experience. However, deactivating the adblocker will fix the issue if a video stops playing.
4. ToonJet
- What we liked most: Excellent collection of classic cartoons.
- Website: toonjet.com
The ’50s and ’60s were the golden age of cartoons with great shows like Adventures of Mickey Mouse, Looney Tunes, and Popeye the Sailor Man. ToonJet takes you back in time by offering these and other old classics.
Although the user interface is jarring, you can get whatever you want. Also, it has a community forum, but you have to sign up and create an account to participate.
5. Super Cartoons
- What we liked most: It has a colossal old cartoon gallery.
- Website: supercartoons.net
It is another excellent alternative to watching classic cartoon movies and series. Although new cartoon releases occasionally occur, the old content brings nostalgia. The site hosts more than 1,000 classic cartoons for your amusement. You can find the cartoon you want by the character’s name (Mickey Mouse, Tom, Jerry, Daffy Duck) or studio (Disney, Universal Studios, Warner Bros, etc.).
6. Cartoon Network
- What we liked most: Boasts widely-loved animated television series.
- Website: cartoonnetworkeurope.com
Cartoon Network is great for watching exclusive programs such as Teen Titans Go and Ben 10. The sites have a massive library, with more content uploaded every day. Unfortunately, it only shows short clips, so you’ll be disappointed if you want to watch full episodes. Fortunately, you can also play online games on the site.
7. Cartoonito
- What we liked most: Excellent collection of pre-kindergarten children’s cartoons.
- Website: cartoonito.co.uk
Cartoonito offers all-around entertainment for kids. Most of the content involves learning material and even songs. Apart from extensive animated cartoon content, the site has club tales where real children perform. You can open it for your children and let them explore their interests independently.
8. Disney Junior
- What we liked most: It has a simple and sweet interface.
- Website: disneynow.com
The Disney Network is one of the biggest cartoon channels today. Its Disney Junior website offers a fantastic catalog to quench your cartoon thirst. Some popular content you will get for free on the site includes Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, etc. However, the website is blocked in certain countries, so you need a trustworthy VPN like NordVPN to watch it.
9. Boomerang
- What we liked most: Offers old classics in HD quality.
- Website: boomerang.com
Boomerang is one of the biggest channels for children’s content. Its online site has titles such as Courage the Cowardly, Tom and Jerry, Johnny Quest, and many more. Moreover, it has refined some old gems by improving their quality, so, for example, a program like Looney Tunes looks new again.
Unfortunately, it is only available to the US audience. However, a quality US VPN is all you would need to access Boomerang outside the US.
10. Nickelodeon
- What we liked most: It also offers other services like games and radio, apart from cartoons.
- Website: nick.co.uk
Nickelodeon is a fantastic website for watching cartoons that are only in high definition. The user interface has conspicuous colors that make it look attractive. Unfortunately, the site is limited to Nickelodeon content. But it also allows you to play games and listen to the radio. In addition, you don’t need to sign up to start streaming content.
11. WCO
- What we liked most: Releases latest cartoons fast.
- Website: wco.tv
WCO UI looks a bit outdated, but it is an excellent place to catch up with the latest releases of cartoon content for free. It has titles from popular channels such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Disney. The site also hosts subbed and dubbed anime. There is a search bar to find the content you want and a list of trending titles on the sideline of the site.
12. JioCinema Kids
- What we liked most: Offers a safe experience.
- Website: jiocinema.com
JioCinema Kids (formerly Voot Kids) contains a massive collection of Indian classics. In addition to the website, a mobile-friendly app is designed for children. It has popular cartoon titles like Chota Bheem and Motu Patlu, as well as international classics such as animated Mr. Bean and Pokemon. There is also a library of text and audiobooks for children. Finally, the site takes good care of kids’ online safety.
13. Crunchyroll
- What we liked most: One of the oldest sources for anime and drama.
- Website: crunchyroll.com
Crunchyroll is one of the most popular online channels for watching cartoons. Its website’s catalog has both the latest and old anime content. In fact, you can watch a new show immediately after its release in Japan. The site also has subbed and dubbed anime versions and new anime-based blogs.
14. WB Kids Go
- What we liked most: Also offers a mobile app.
- Website: warnerbros.com/collections/kids-family
WB Kids Go is the best site to watch Warner Bros’ proprietary titles, such as the Looney Tunes Show and Bugs Bunny. In addition to hosting the latest and old cartoon shows, the site also has comic books, online games, and other kid-friendly content.
15. KissCartoon
- What we liked most: Allows registered users to bookmark the cartoons they like so that they get notified about new episodes automatically.
- Website: kisscartoon.nz
KissCartoon, or Kiss Anime, has an aesthetically pleasing user interface and hosts various cartoon archives. Searching for the content you want is easy as you can filter the options with series, genres, movies, or ongoing. In addition, you can sign up to get more filtering options. The site also has high-speed playback. Besides, you can use an ad blocker to stop ads while it shows ads.
Watch Cartoons on Firestick/Fire TV and other streaming devices
The above streaming sites offer a convenient way to watch cartoons online for free. However, they have limited content and are filled with ads, which can be annoying. Fortunately, you can access your favorite titles with streaming apps on various devices like a Firestick. So, even using a non-smart TV, you can stream cartoon movies and TV shows online.
FAQs
The answer to this question depends on where you stream the content. Some countries have strict laws on copyrighted material, and you can get into trouble if caught streaming unlicensed content.
A common misconception is that cartoons are meant for children, which is untrue. While some shows are designed for children, adults can watch many others. For example, titles like Samurai Jack and Dexter have mature adult themes. Besides, some cartoon content is specifically aimed at adults, like Family Guy and Rick and Morty.
It depends on the site you use. Although some websites are safe to watch cartoons, others are filled with malware and viruses. So, if you use the wrong website, hackers can steal your data or infiltrate your device. Thankfully, the sites above are safe and trustworthy.
Another misleading conception is that cartoons negatively influence children’s behavior, which is obviously false. On the contrary, cartoons are a form of entertainment and can serve as educational material for children.
It’s both a ‘Yes’ and a ‘No,’ depending on the show. For example, some cartoons, such as Tom and Jerry, show some levels of violence, which kids can imitate. Therefore, you should offer your children parental advice when watching some shows. However, other titles are utterly safe for children.
A reliable VPN like NordVPN is necessary when accessing anything online, especially free streaming sites. It encrypts your traffic and masks IP addresses to protect you from hackers, ISPs, government agencies, and other third parties. The VPN also enables you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from anywhere.
