During the 90s and early 2000s, Nickelodeon had an array of cartoons and live-action shows that proved to be big hits. The network would often make a movie to serve as a pilot for the TV show or capitalize on the show's success by making movies based on them.
Although Nickelodeon is a kids network, and the writers could easily pass the movies off as an extended show episode, the creative team often went the extra mile. They had stellar stories that were befitting of their runtimes. In the process, they kept the lovable characters and humor intact.
10 Good Burger Played On The Strengths Of Its Sketch
Good Burger (1997) was a film based on the All That sketch of the same name. The story involves the dimwitted fast-food worker Ed (Kel Mitchell) working with his new friend, Dexter (Kenan Thompson), to save the Good Burger restaurant from being put out of business by the rival restaurant Mondo Burger run by the villain, Kurt Boswell (Jan Schwieterman).
The writing is somewhat nonsensical, and not every joke is funny. However, the acting is generally well done, and the chemistry and likability of Mitchell and Thompson's characters transition nicely from the sketches, providing an endless supply of charm.
9 The Rugrats Movie Took The Babies' Adventures To New Levels
The Rugrats Movie was released in 1998 and was the first of three movies for the franchise. It follows Tommy Pickles and his friends as they struggle to adjust to the arrival of Tommy's new baby brother, Dil. The animation received a polish to just the right amount for movie quality.
The story shows little restraint in the frightening implications of the babies wandering off alone. It had a few cameos of big-name voice actors who made the most of their limited time. While Dil wasn't the most likable character in the movie or show, the film carried the show's heart, humor, and frightening imagery for long-time audiences to enjoy.
8 Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Established A Vibrant Setting And Characters
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius was the pilot movie for the TV series, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. It involved the titular character and his friends going off to rescue their parents after aliens abduct them.
While the animation style is somewhat dated, the movie makes up for this shortcoming with its other aspects. The setting is colorful, and all the characters and relationships hold a level of endearment for kids and adults. These qualities flew high in the series and would have made it worthy of another movie. Alas, due to financial issues by the studio, the show was canceled.
7 Rugrats In Paris Provided A Heartfelt Narrative For Chuckie And His Father
Rugrats in Paris was the second Rugrats movie in the franchise. It followed the Rugrats' families on their vacation to Paris. From the start of the film, Chuckie Finster, yearns for a new mother just as his dad, Chas, is looking to date again.
The series previously explored Chuckie's sadness over not having a mother and his father being a widower. The movie utilizes this conflict and memorable imagery to strike an even more emotional chord with both characters. This aspect drives the film and caps it off with a silly but intense climax of the babies rampaging through Paris in an animatronic.
6 The Wild Thornberrys Movie Changed Things For The Thornberry Family
The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002) follows young Eliza Thornberry, after she fails to save a cheetah cub and winds up sent to boarding school. However, she feels compelled to return home. Along the way, she learns the true meaning of her power to talk to animals.
Eliza and her sister, Debbie, are given top-notch personalities that align and expand with their character traits in the show. This improvement makes both characters likable and leads to engaging storylines for both of them. Although the movie made a massive change with Debbie learning of her sister's powers, it didn't amount to much in the show's final season.
5 Hey Arnold! The Movie Did Enough For Fans To Enjoy
Hey Arnold! The Movie involves Arnold and his friend, Gerald, discovering that their neighborhood is getting bulldozed. Thus, the kids work to find proof that the area was once a historical landmark before it's too late.
While the story doesn't have much uniqueness compared to the show, it has stellar animation and its fair share of legitimately clever moments. Most, if not all the voice actors made an honest effort for what was their final project with these characters. The story focuses more on the children than the adults, but the series' build-up of their likability, allows them to carry their own.
4 The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Brought The Spirit Of SpongeBob And So Much More
SpongeBob Squarepants rose to prominence as an iconic Nicktoon going into the early 2000s. Thus, Nickelodeon decided to bring the show to the big screen. Its story involved SpongeBob and his friend, Patrick, going to Shell City to retrieve King Neptune's crown after SpongeBob's boss Mr. Krabs gets framed for stealing it.
In typical SpongeBob episode fashion, the movie has a subtle but endearing message. Its writing possesses the usual jokes that would come from the show, but they're jokes people inside and outside the fanbase can enjoy. These aspects come with imagery that makes it rank alongside the best of the franchise.
3 Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling Provided Enjoyment For All
In 2019, Netflix released Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling, based on the 90s Nickelodeon show Rocko's Modern Life. The story involves Rocko and his friends adjusting to modern life in the 21st century while Rocko locates the creator of his favorite show.
The animation style is different but similar enough in its designs for long-time fans of the original series. The designs are particularly refreshing during a time when hand-drawn animation is somewhat obscure over 3D animation. The film makes fun of more modern trends but keeps most of them in moderation and retains the timeless humor of the original show.
2 Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus Was An Ideal Gift For The Fanbase
Invader Zim was a beloved Nicktoon that sadly got canceled before its time. In 2019 Netflix released a movie titled Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus. It follows the alien Zim's intent on conquering the Earth, putting him at odds with his nemesis, Dib.
Like Static Cling, the animation received all the right upgrades. The color scheme is lively and reminiscent of the comics. The art style especially shines in the action-packed climax, where it cycles through a series of different animation forms. As the cherry on top, the film fixed several problems that plagued the original series even after it ended.
1 Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie Gave Necessary Closure
Over a decade after the original series, Nickelodeon released another Hey Arnold movie titled Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie. It follows Arnold and his friends taking a trip to San Lorenzo, where Arnold attempts to find his missing parents.
The plot line regarding Arnold's parents is one that the series built up with heavy emotions, and the movie fully brings those emotions together. Although many of the voice actors wound up replaced, the new actors gave their all in making the characters feel just as authentic as they were all those years ago. It culminates in a loving ending for fans and a new start for the characters.