21 Years Later, This 91%-Rated Gem Is Still the Best Animated Series for Kids
Many people who grew up watching Rugrats in the 90s and 00s have already forgotten it, but it's a unique children's series worth introducing to modern kids, and here's why.
The animated series Rugrats consists of nine seasons created from 1991 to 2004. Although more than 20 years have passed since the show's finale, it remains one of the best animated projects for children because, behind its simple and funny facade, valuable messages and meanings lie.
The main characters at the start of the series are four kids: Tommy, Chuckie, and the siblings Phil and Lil.
'Rugrats' Shows That Kids Are Full-Fledged Persons, Too
The main plot-forming detail is that Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil do not know how to speak or interact with adults. They communicate with screams and other nonverbal means. However, they communicate with each other in English.
Why it matters: This is not a fantastical assumption, but rather a convention intended to remind us that children are people too, even if we don't always understand them.
In Rugrats, toddlers are a subculture with their own views and values. They have their own attachments and fears, they crave communication and strive to learn about the world around them.
'Rugrats' Is Not Afraid to Tackle Serious Topics in a Careful Way
Rugrats is a colorful and cute show that also talks about serious topics. "I Remember Melville/No More Cookies" is perhaps one of the most touching and profound episodes of the entire series.
One day, Chuckie comes home with a box full of leaves with breathing holes on the sides. His new friend, the purple bug Melville, lives in it.
But the life of insects is short: after some time, Melville is gone. Having encountered death for the first time, Chuckie experiences all the stages of accepting the inevitable, albeit quickly and in a childish way.
The children decide to bury the bug. After covering the box with earth, Chuckie suddenly bursts into laughter. He says that he remembers how much fun they had with Melville, and that he will smile every time he thinks of him.
Why it matters: Of course, grief in reality is not experienced so quickly or easily. However, the experience with the bug made Chuckie and the young viewers a little more mature.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Rugrats'?
Viewers note that Rugrats will be interesting for both adults and children. Redditor Worthlessness98 wrote:
“it managed to find a balance for it to appeal for kids and adults [...]. When your a kid you relate to the babies with their adventures, personality, taking figure of speech literally. Then when your an adult you start to relate to the adult characters in Rugrats with their own problems.”
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Rugrats has 91% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the animated series has a score of 7.4/10.
Where to Watch 'Rugrats'?
Rugrats is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
