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
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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
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 65 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Exodus Mytharc Jan 23, 1985
- E2 The Unholy Alliance Core Jan 23, 1985
- E3 Berbils Core Sep 11, 1985
- E4 The Slaves of Castle Plun-Darr Core Sep 12, 1985
- E5 Pumm-Ra Core Sep 13, 1985
- E6 The Terror of Hammerhand Core Sep 16, 1985
- E7 Trouble with Time Core Sep 17, 1985
- E8 The Tower of Traps Core Sep 18, 1985
- E9 The Garden of Delights Core Sep 19, 1985
- E10 Mandora: the Evil Chaser Core Sep 20, 1985
- E11 The Ghost Warrior Core Sep 23, 1985
- E12 The Doomgaze Core Sep 24, 1985
- E13 Lord of the Snows Core Sep 25, 1985
- E14 The Spaceship Beneath the Sands Core Sep 26, 1985
- E15 The Time Capsule Core Sep 27, 1985
- E16 The Fireballs of Plun-Darr Core Sep 30, 1985
- E17 All That Glitters Core Oct 1, 1985
- E18 Spitting Image Core Oct 2, 1985
- E19 Mongor Core Oct 3, 1985
- E20 Return to Thundera Core Oct 4, 1985
- E21 Dr. Dometone Core Oct 7, 1985
- E22 The Astral Prison Core Oct 8, 1985
- E23 The Crystal Queen Core Oct 9, 1985
- E24 Safari Joe Core Oct 10, 1985
- E25 Snarf Takes Up the Challenge Core Oct 11, 1985
- E26 Sixth Sense Core Oct 28, 1985
- E27 The Thunder-Cutter Core Oct 29, 1985
- E28 The Wolfrat Core Oct 30, 1985
- E29 Feliner (1) Core Oct 31, 1985
- E30 Feliner (2) Core Nov 1, 1985
- E31 Mandora and the Pirates Core Nov 4, 1985
- E32 Return of the Driller Core Nov 5, 1985
- E33 Dimension Doom Core Nov 6, 1985
- E34 Queen of 8 Legs Core Nov 7, 1985
- E35 Sword in a Hole Core Nov 8, 1985
- E36 The Evil Harp of Charr-Nin Core Nov 11, 1985
- E37 Lion-O's Anointment First Day: Trial of Strength Core Nov 12, 1985
- E38 The Demolisher Core Nov 13, 1985
- E39 Monkian's Bargain Core Nov 14, 1985
- E40 Tight Squeeze Core Nov 15, 1985
- E41 The Micrits Core Nov 18, 1985
- E42 Lion-O's Anointment Second Day: The Trial of Speed Core Nov 19, 1985
- E43 The Rock Giant Core Nov 20, 1985
- E44 Jackalman's Rebellion Core Nov 21, 1985
- E45 Turmagar the Tuska Core Nov 22, 1985
- E46 Lion-O's Anointment Third Day: Trial of Cunning Core Nov 25, 1985
- E47 The Mumm-Ra Berbil Core Nov 26, 1985
- E48 Mechanical Plague Core Nov 27, 1985
- E49 Trapped Core Nov 28, 1985
- E50 Lion-O's Anointment Fourth Day: The Trial of Mind Power Core Nov 29, 1985
- E51 Excalibur Core Dec 2, 1985
- E52 Secret of the Ice King Core Dec 3, 1985
- E53 Good and Ugly Core Dec 4, 1985
- E54 The Transfer Core Dec 5, 1985
- E55 Divide and Conquer Core Dec 6, 1985
- E56 Dream Master Core Dec 9, 1985
- E57 Out of Sight Core Dec 10, 1985
- E58 The Mountain Core Dec 11, 1985
- E59 The Superpower Potion Core Dec 12, 1985
- E60 Eye of the Beholder Core Dec 13, 1985
- E61 Lion-O's Anointment Final Day: The Trial of Evil Core Dec 16, 1985
- E62 The Trouble with ThunderKittens Core Dec 17, 1985
- E63 Mumm-Rana Core Dec 18, 1985
- E64 The Shifter Mytharc Dec 19, 1985
- E65 Fond Memories Mytharc Dec 20, 1985
Season 2 · 25 episodes
- E1 ThunderCats Ho! (1) Mytharc Sep 8, 1986
- E2 ThunderCats Ho! (2) Core Sep 9, 1986
- E3 ThunderCats Ho! (3) Core Sep 10, 1986
- E4 ThunderCats Ho! (4) Core Sep 11, 1986
- E5 ThunderCats Ho! (5) Core Sep 12, 1986
- E6 Mumm-Ra Lives (1) Core Sep 7, 1987
- E7 Mumm-Ra Lives (2) Core Sep 8, 1987
- E8 Mumm-Ra Lives (3) Core Sep 9, 1987
- E9 Mumm-Ra Lives (4) Core Sep 10, 1987
- E10 Mumm-Ra Lives (5) Core Sep 11, 1987
- E11 Catfight Core Sep 14, 1987
- E12 Psych Out Core Sep 15, 1987
- E13 The Mask of Gorgon Core Sep 16, 1987
- E14 The Mad Bubbler Core Sep 17, 1987
- E15 Together We Stand Core Sep 18, 1987
- E16 Ravage Island Core Sep 21, 1987
- E17 Time Switch Core Sep 22, 1987
- E18 The Sound Stones Core Sep 23, 1987
- E19 Day of the Eclipse Core Sep 24, 1987
- E20 Sideswipe Core Sep 25, 1987
- E21 Mumm-Rana's Belt Core Sep 28, 1987
- E22 Hachiman's Honor Core Sep 29, 1987
- E23 Runaways Core Sep 30, 1987
- E24 Hair of the Dog Mytharc Oct 1, 1987
- E25 Vultureman's Revenge Mytharc Oct 2, 1987
Season 3 · 20 episodes
- E1 ThunderCubs (1) Mytharc Sep 5, 1988
- E2 ThunderCubs (2) Core Sep 6, 1988
- E3 ThunderCubs (3) Mytharc Sep 7, 1988
- E4 ThunderCubs (4) Core Sep 8, 1988
- E5 ThunderCubs (5) Core Sep 9, 1988
- E6 Totem of Dera Core Sep 12, 1988
- E7 The Chain of Loyalty Core Sep 13, 1988
- E8 Crystal Canyon Core Sep 14, 1988
- E9 The Telepathy Beam Core Sep 15, 1988
- E10 Exile Isle Core Sep 16, 1988
- E11 Key to Thundera Core Sep 19, 1988
- E12 Return of the ThunderCubs Mytharc Sep 20, 1988
- E13 The Formula Core Sep 21, 1988
- E14 Locket of Lies Core Sep 22, 1988
- E15 Bracelet of Power Core Sep 23, 1988
- E16 The Wild Workout Core Sep 26, 1988
- E17 The Thunderscope Mytharc Sep 27, 1988
- E18 The Jade Dragon Core Sep 28, 1988
- E19 The Circus Train Mytharc Sep 29, 1988
- E20 The Last Day Mytharc Sep 30, 1988
Season 4 · 20 episodes
- E1 Return to Thundera (1) Mytharc Sep 4, 1989
- E2 Return to Thundera (2) Core Sep 5, 1989
- E3 Return to Thundera (3) Core Sep 6, 1989
- E4 Return to Thundera (4) Core Sep 7, 1989
- E5 Return to Thundera (5) Core Sep 8, 1989
- E6 Leah Core Sep 11, 1989
- E7 Frogman Core Sep 12, 1989
- E8 The Heritage Core Sep 13, 1989
- E9 Screwloose Core Sep 14, 1989
- E10 Malcar Core Sep 15, 1989
- E11 Helpless Laughter Core Sep 18, 1989
- E12 Cracker's Revenge Core Sep 19, 1989
- E13 The Mossland Monster Core Sep 20, 1989
- E14 Ma-Mutt's Confusion Core Sep 21, 1989
- E15 Shadowmaster Core Sep 22, 1989
- E16 Swan Song Core Sep 25, 1989
- E17 Touch of Amortus Core Sep 26, 1989
- E18 The Zaxx Factor Core Sep 27, 1989
- E19 Well of Doubt Mytharc Sep 28, 1989
- E20 The Book of Omens Mytharc 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.