The 1990s were a golden era for cartoon enthusiasts. Saturday Morning television slots were pumping out countless classics, and studios were more than willing to foot the bill for experimental productions. Stories, styles, and themes were being broken and remade with eager ease, and from this chaos came Gargoyles, one of the most beloved sci-fi cartoons in history. With over 75 episodes of content across three seasons, the show made a massive imprint on countless young minds. Its dark, gothic storylines and weighty topics attracted audiences of all ages, while its inherent whimsy kept young viewers engaged.

However, despite its success, the show was ultimately canceled in 1997, a year after its move to ABC. Notably, many viewers felt the show’s quality dropped before the cancellation. While its first and second seasons are still hailed as masterpieces, its third televised run remains a colloquial outcast. By this point, the show had rebranded itself as Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles and taken a decidedly more “Disney-fied” approach to storytelling. Its darker themes were pushed to the edges, while its more playful aspects were heavily emphasized. These changes may still be acceptable for less revolutionary shows, but they became instant deal-breakers for Gargoyles.