There was a specific kind of magic found in Saturday morning cartoons—a sense of community where, for a few hours, every kid with a bowl of cereal was invited into worlds of infinite possibility. For a long time, that magic has been locked behind rising subscription costs and “vaulting” strategies by major studios. But on March 1, 2026, the gates are swinging wide.
Tubi, the leading free ad-supported streaming service (FAST), has announced a monumental expansion of its library. In a massive deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, the platform is adding over 90 classic Cartoon Network shows on Tubi, ranging from the zany meta-humor of Animaniacs to the groundbreaking superheroics of Static Shock, all the way to the insane poindexter is his underground secret lab, Dexter’s Laborator.
For us as fans, this isn’t just a nostalgia trip. It’s a moment of cultural reclamation. By making these shows free, Tubi is ensuring that a new generation of viewers—regardless of their economic background—can see themselves reflected in the heroes and stories that defined the late 90s and early 2000s.
Representation as a Superpower: The Heroes We Needed
One of the most exciting aspects of this library drop is the return of series that didn’t just entertain but fundamentally changed how diversity was handled on screen. For a long time, the film and television industry has struggled to allow everyone to see themselves in the stories being told; however, these animated gems were often the exception that proved why inclusion matters.
Take Static Shock! as the primary example. Virgil Hawkins wasn’t just another teenager with powers; he was a brilliant Black youth navigating life in Dakota City. The show tackled systemic issues—racism, gang violence, and poverty—with a nuance that many live-action “prestige” dramas still struggle to find today. Having Virgil’s story available for free as a free animated series in 2026 means his legacy remains accessible to the kids who need to see him most.
Then there is Mucha Lucha!, a vibrant, high-energy celebration of Mexican Lucha Libre culture, and Xiaolin Showdown, which brought a multi-ethnic cast of monks together to protect the world. These weren’t just “diversity points” on a checklist; they were shows that celebrated specific cultural identities as a source of strength and unity.
The “Big Three” and the Evolution of the Heroine
The March 1 rollout also brings back the heavy hitters that redefined gender roles in animation. The Powerpuff Girls (1998) remains a feminist touchstone, proving that “sugar, spice, and everything nice” could also kick a giant monster’s teeth in. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup showed a generation of young girls that they didn’t need to choose between being “cute” and being powerful.
Similarly, Teen Titans (2003) offered one of the most diverse and emotionally complex teams in superhero history. Whether it was Raven’s struggle with her inner demons or Starfire’s status as an immigrant navigating a new world, the Titans weren’t just fighting villains—they were fighting to find their place in a world that often saw them as “others.” By bringing these 90s cartoons to Tubi, the platform is preserving a history of inclusive storytelling that might otherwise be lost to the “digital rot” of expiring licenses.
The Business of “Free”: Why FAST is the Future of Fandom
The Warner Bros Discovery Tubi deal isn’t just a win for fans; it’s a savvy business move that reflects the changing tides of 2026. As subscription fatigue reaches its peak, viewers are turning back to ad-supported models. Tubi is positioning itself as the “People’s Library” of animation.
Unlike premium services that may rotate titles in and out to save on residuals, Tubi’s strategy focuses on high-volume, high-value library content. For a growing publication like ours, this is the perfect time to dive back into these worlds. When the world is allowed to see themselves in film and media, the engagement follows. We aren’t just watching cartoons; we are revisiting the building blocks of our modern pop culture.
The Master List: What’s on Tubi Now & What’s Coming March 1
To help you organize your marathon, we have compiled the definitive list. This includes the massive wave of classic Cartoon Network shows on Tubi arriving in March, as well as the titles that have recently joined the service in early 2026.
- Abbott & Costello Cartoons
- Addams Family (1974)
- Adventures of Batman, The
- Animaniacs
- Aquaman
- Astro and the Space Mutts
- Atom Ant
- Baby Looney Tunes
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold
- Be Cool Scooby-Doo!
- Beetlejuice
- Ben 10 (2005)
- Beware the Batman
- Captain Caveman
- Captain Caveman & The Teen Angels
- Captain Planet
- Codename: Kids Next Door
- Courage The Cowardly Dog
- Cow & Chicken
- Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines
- Dexter’s Laboratory
- Dorothy & the Wizard of Oz
- Dragon’s Lair
- Duck Dodgers
- Dukes of Hazzard: The Animated Series
- Dumb & Dumber (Animated Series)
- Dynomutt, Dog Wonder
- Ed, Edd ‘n Eddy
- Evil Con Carne
- Flintstone Family Adventures
- Flintstone Kids
- Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends
- Freakazoid!
- Great Grape Ape
- Help, It’s the Hair Bear Bunch
- Hong Kong Phooey
- Jackie Chan Adventures (Already Available)
- Jonny Quest
- Justice League
- Justice League Action
- Krypto the Superdog
- Legion of Super Heroes
- Loonatics Unleashed
- Looney Tunes 3D Shorts
- Looney Tunes Cartoons
- MAD
- Magilla Gorilla
- Marvel’s Runaways (Already Available)
- Men In Black: The Series (Already Available)
- Mucha Lucha!
- New Looney Tunes Show (aka Wabbit)
- New Scooby Doo Mysteries
- Paddington Bear
- Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm
- Perils of Penelope Pitstop
- Pinky and the Brain
- Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain
- Powerpuff Girls (1998)
- Pup Named Scooby Doo
- Quick Draw McGraw
- Ricochet Rabbit
- Scooby and Scrappy Doo
- Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
- Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue
- Smurfs
- Snagglepuss
- Static Shock!
- Summer Camp Island (Already Available)
- Super Friends
- Supernatural: The Anime Series
- Taz-Mania
- Teen Titans (2003)
- The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo
- The Batman
- The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley
- The Frankenstones
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (Already Available)
- The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show
- The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack (Already Available)
- The Mask (Animated Series)
- The New Adventures of Batman
- The New Adventures of Gilligan
- The New Fred and Barney Show
- The New Scooby Doo Movies
- The Plastic Man Comedy Adventure Show
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
- The Secret Squirrel Show
- The Super Globetrotters
- The Yogi Bear Show
- Tiny Toon Adventures
- Tom & Jerry
- Tom & Jerry Comedy Show
- Tom & Jerry Kids
- Tom & Jerry Show, The
- Tom & Jerry Tales
- Top Cat
- Transformers: Cyberverse (Already Available)
- Unikitty
- Wacky Races
- Wacky Races (2017)
- We Bare Bears (Already Available)
- Xiaolin Showdown
- Yo! Yogi
- Yogi’s Galaxy Goof-Ups
- Yogi’s Gang
- Yogi’s Space Race
- Yogi’s Treasure Hunt
Seeing Ourselves in the Story
The return of these series is a reminder that when we open the doors to diverse representation in animation, everyone wins. These shows didn’t just entertain us; they taught us about empathy, resilience, and the beauty of our differences. In 2026, as the streaming wars continue to fluctuate, it’s heartening to see that the “Golden Age” of our childhood is finally being made free for all.
Which of these classic shows are you most excited to binge-watch first? Do you think the streaming industry should focus more on free, accessible content like Tubi? Let us know in the comments below!
