ThunderCats 1985
What is ThunderCats?
ThunderCats is an American animated science fantasy television series that debuted in 1985 and concluded in 1989. Produced by Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment and Leisure Concepts, the show is based on characters created by Theodore Wolf, also known as Tobin Wolf.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1985
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 130
- Runtime
- 22 minutes
- First aired
- Jan 23, 1985
- Last aired
- Sep 29, 1989
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- Syndication
- Genres
- Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Kids
- Updated
Where to watch
Buy
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 130 episodes and an average 22-minute runtime.
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
ThunderCats is an American animated science fantasy television series that debuted in 1985 and concluded in 1989. Produced by Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment and Leisure Concepts, the show is based on characters created by Theodore Wolf, also known as Tobin Wolf. The series follows a group of catlike humanoids, known as the ThunderCats, who are forced to evacuate their home planet of Thundera just before its destruction. Pursued by a band of mutants, the group travels toward the planet Third Earth. During their journey, their leader Jaga dies, and the remaining ThunderCats crash-land on the planet. Once they arrive, they establish a fortress and form alliances with various local groups while facing opposition from Mumm-Ra, a centuries-old entity. Leonard Starr served as the head writer for the program, which featured voice performances by actors including Bob McFadden, Earl Hammond, Larry Kenney, and Lynne Lipton. The series is recognized for its success and popularity during its original broadcast run.
Should you watch it?
“Survivors of a destroyed planet must rebuild while evading relentless mutants.”
- strong moral themes about survival and rebuilding
- memorable fantasy setting with diverse allies
- classic hero's journey with meaningful stakes
- limited character development due to episodic format
- some dated animation and pacing
you enjoy stories about resilience and finding hope after catastrophe.
Suitable for general audiences with mild fantasy violence.
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Episode guide
Season 1 · 65 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Exodus Jan 23, 1985
- E2 The Unholy Alliance Jan 23, 1985
- E3 Berbils Sep 11, 1985
- E4 The Slaves of Castle Plun-Darr Sep 12, 1985
- E5 Pumm-Ra Sep 13, 1985
- E6 The Terror of Hammerhand Sep 16, 1985
- E7 Trouble with Time Sep 17, 1985
- E8 The Tower of Traps Sep 18, 1985
- E9 The Garden of Delights Sep 19, 1985
- E10 Mandora: the Evil Chaser Sep 20, 1985
- E11 The Ghost Warrior Sep 23, 1985
- E12 The Doomgaze Sep 24, 1985
- E13 Lord of the Snows Sep 25, 1985
- E14 The Spaceship Beneath the Sands Sep 26, 1985
- E15 The Time Capsule Sep 27, 1985
- E16 The Fireballs of Plun-Darr Sep 30, 1985
- E17 All That Glitters Oct 1, 1985
- E18 Spitting Image Oct 2, 1985
- E19 Mongor Oct 3, 1985
- E20 Return to Thundera Oct 4, 1985
- E21 Dr. Dometone Oct 7, 1985
- E22 The Astral Prison Oct 8, 1985
- E23 The Crystal Queen Oct 9, 1985
- E24 Safari Joe Oct 10, 1985
- E25 Snarf Takes Up the Challenge Oct 11, 1985
- E26 Sixth Sense Oct 28, 1985
- E27 The Thunder-Cutter Oct 29, 1985
- E28 The Wolfrat Oct 30, 1985
- E29 Feliner (1) Oct 31, 1985
- E30 Feliner (2) Nov 1, 1985
- E31 Mandora and the Pirates Nov 4, 1985
- E32 Return of the Driller Nov 5, 1985
- E33 Dimension Doom Nov 6, 1985
- E34 Queen of 8 Legs Nov 7, 1985
- E35 Sword in a Hole Nov 8, 1985
- E36 The Evil Harp of Charr-Nin Nov 11, 1985
- E37 Lion-O's Anointment First Day: Trial of Strength Nov 12, 1985
- E38 The Demolisher Nov 13, 1985
- E39 Monkian's Bargain Nov 14, 1985
- E40 Tight Squeeze Nov 15, 1985
- E41 The Micrits Nov 18, 1985
- E42 Lion-O's Anointment Second Day: The Trial of Speed Nov 19, 1985
- E43 The Rock Giant Nov 20, 1985
- E44 Jackalman's Rebellion Nov 21, 1985
- E45 Turmagar the Tuska Nov 22, 1985
- E46 Lion-O's Anointment Third Day: Trial of Cunning Nov 25, 1985
- E47 The Mumm-Ra Berbil Nov 26, 1985
- E48 Mechanical Plague Nov 27, 1985
- E49 Trapped Nov 28, 1985
- E50 Lion-O's Anointment Fourth Day: The Trial of Mind Power Nov 29, 1985
- E51 Excalibur Dec 2, 1985
- E52 Secret of the Ice King Dec 3, 1985
- E53 Good and Ugly Dec 4, 1985
- E54 The Transfer Dec 5, 1985
- E55 Divide and Conquer Dec 6, 1985
- E56 Dream Master Dec 9, 1985
- E57 Out of Sight Dec 10, 1985
- E58 The Mountain Dec 11, 1985
- E59 The Superpower Potion Dec 12, 1985
- E60 Eye of the Beholder Dec 13, 1985
- E61 Lion-O's Anointment Final Day: The Trial of Evil Dec 16, 1985
- E62 The Trouble with ThunderKittens Dec 17, 1985
- E63 Mumm-Rana Dec 18, 1985
- E64 The Shifter Dec 19, 1985
- E65 Fond Memories Dec 20, 1985
Season 2 · 25 episodes
- E1 ThunderCats Ho! (1) Sep 8, 1986
- E2 ThunderCats Ho! (2) Sep 9, 1986
- E3 ThunderCats Ho! (3) Sep 10, 1986
- E4 ThunderCats Ho! (4) Sep 11, 1986
- E5 ThunderCats Ho! (5) Sep 12, 1986
- E6 Mumm-Ra Lives (1) Sep 7, 1987
- E7 Mumm-Ra Lives (2) Sep 8, 1987
- E8 Mumm-Ra Lives (3) Sep 9, 1987
- E9 Mumm-Ra Lives (4) Sep 10, 1987
- E10 Mumm-Ra Lives (5) Sep 11, 1987
- E11 Catfight Sep 14, 1987
- E12 Psych Out Sep 15, 1987
- E13 The Mask of Gorgon Sep 16, 1987
- E14 The Mad Bubbler Sep 17, 1987
- E15 Together We Stand Sep 18, 1987
- E16 Ravage Island Sep 21, 1987
- E17 Time Switch Sep 22, 1987
- E18 The Sound Stones Sep 23, 1987
- E19 Day of the Eclipse Sep 24, 1987
- E20 Sideswipe Sep 25, 1987
- E21 Mumm-Rana's Belt Sep 28, 1987
- E22 Hachiman's Honor Sep 29, 1987
- E23 Runaways Sep 30, 1987
- E24 Hair of the Dog Oct 1, 1987
- E25 Vultureman's Revenge Oct 2, 1987
Season 3 · 20 episodes
- E1 ThunderCubs (1) Sep 5, 1988
- E2 ThunderCubs (2) Sep 6, 1988
- E3 ThunderCubs (3) Sep 7, 1988
- E4 ThunderCubs (4) Sep 8, 1988
- E5 ThunderCubs (5) Sep 9, 1988
- E6 Totem of Dera Sep 12, 1988
- E7 The Chain of Loyalty Sep 13, 1988
- E8 Crystal Canyon Sep 14, 1988
- E9 The Telepathy Beam Sep 15, 1988
- E10 Exile Isle Sep 16, 1988
- E11 Key to Thundera Sep 19, 1988
- E12 Return of the ThunderCubs Sep 20, 1988
- E13 The Formula Sep 21, 1988
- E14 Locket of Lies Sep 22, 1988
- E15 Bracelet of Power Sep 23, 1988
- E16 The Wild Workout Sep 26, 1988
- E17 The Thunderscope Sep 27, 1988
- E18 The Jade Dragon Sep 28, 1988
- E19 The Circus Train Sep 29, 1988
- E20 The Last Day Sep 30, 1988
Season 4 · 20 episodes
- E1 Return to Thundera (1) Sep 4, 1989
- E2 Return to Thundera (2) Sep 5, 1989
- E3 Return to Thundera (3) Sep 6, 1989
- E4 Return to Thundera (4) Sep 7, 1989
- E5 Return to Thundera (5) Sep 8, 1989
- E6 Leah Sep 11, 1989
- E7 Frogman Sep 12, 1989
- E8 The Heritage Sep 13, 1989
- E9 Screwloose Sep 14, 1989
- E10 Malcar Sep 15, 1989
- E11 Helpless Laughter Sep 18, 1989
- E12 Cracker's Revenge Sep 19, 1989
- E13 The Mossland Monster Sep 20, 1989
- E14 Ma-Mutt's Confusion Sep 21, 1989
- E15 Shadowmaster Sep 22, 1989
- E16 Swan Song Sep 25, 1989
- E17 Touch of Amortus Sep 26, 1989
- E18 The Zaxx Factor Sep 27, 1989
- E19 Well of Doubt Sep 28, 1989
- E20 The Book of Omens Sep 29, 1989
Frequently asked questions
What is the main conflict?
Survivors of Thundera face pursuit by mutants and supernatural threats while building new lives.
Who leads the Thundercats?
Jaga leads initially but dies during their journey.
Where do they settle?
They crash land and settle on Third Earth.
What is their main enemy?
They are pursued by mutants and face Mumm-Ra.
How do they travel?
They escape their destroyed planet in a damaged spacecraft.