This weekend sees the release of the much-anticipated Masters of the Universe in theaters. For children of the 1980s, it’s a major event, as the film adapts what was arguably the most popular Saturday morning cartoon of its era. Of course, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was already adapted into a movie during its heyday, with Cannon Films producing the 1987 version starring Dolph Lundgren. However, due to its modest budget and the technological limitations of the time, there was no way it could fully capture the scale and visual imagination of the animated series. Only now, thanks to decades of advancements in filmmaking technology, has it become possible to bring Eternia and Castle Grayskull to life on the big screen in the way fans always imagined.
Of course, He-Man wasn’t the only phenomenally successful cartoon of the decade. Many of us still look back fondly on the days when we’d race downstairs on Saturday mornings, turn on the TV, and settle in with our favorite action figures beside us. After all, the primary purpose of many of these cartoons was to sell toys—and it worked brilliantly.
The 1980s produced some of the most iconic animated series of all time. Shows such as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Transformers, DuckTales, and the merchandising juggernaut Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became cultural phenomena. Yet even series that may be a little more obscure today continue to inspire passionate fan bases. ThunderCats, Voltron (which is also getting a live-action movie), SilverHawks, M.A.S.K., and many others remain beloved decades after their original runs.
Whether you were a fan of He-Man, Transformers, G.I. Joe, ThunderCats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, DuckTales, or another classic series, everyone has a favorite.
With that in mind, we want to know: What is your favorite 1980s cartoon? Take the poll below and let us know!