With the release of the new Chip N' Dale: Rescue Rangers trailer came a massive tidal wave of '90s animation nostalgia that hit Disney fans like a freight train. The hodgepodge of animated stars and scenarios seen in the trailer made several callbacks to a number of different elements and names of the era, making many fans want to revisit the cartoons of yesteryear.
Fortunately, Disney+ already comes equipped with all the mandatory watching fans of these classic cartoons could want. From cute and cuddly critters like Chip and Dale to more action-heavy adventures with animated heroes, there are plenty of series and movies to watch to get in the mood for the upcoming reimagining.
Adventures Of The Gummi Bears
Anything from The Disney Afternoon will more than likely appear in the new movie, so it's probably a good idea to get started with one of Disney's first original series, The Adventures of the Gummi Bears. The series was one of the first that truly captured the vibe of a Disney Saturday morning cartoon.
Personifications of the classic fruity candy might seem a little strange to be cast as heroes in a fantasy world, but the show definitely made it work. It's zany, it's colorful, and it contains all the cartoon antics viewers could possibly expect from the upcoming film.
Gargoyles
If highly saccharine isn't what viewers are looking for to get their '90s nostalgia, they can never go wrong with Disney's Gargoyles. This show is where Disney showed how adult their messages could be if given the chance, and any fan of the studio who grew up in the '90s knows that cartoons can be enjoyed by adults as much as kids.
The series shows Goliath and his clan of Gargoyles defending New York City against a variety of mortal and magical enemies, but it's the attention to action and emotional storytelling that warrants frequent rewatchings. Since the Rescue Rangers movie seems to be geared toward an older audience, it might be time to fly with the winged clan again.
Bonkers
Bonkers is a bit of an acquired taste, but there is definitely a reason to watch the series before the upcoming movie. A spinoff of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the show focuses on toons and humans inhabiting the same world and wild antics ensue. While the trailer shows a decidedly different approach to this idea, the levels of absurdity are equally matched in the series itself.
A former cartoon star becomes a Hollywood cop with a human partner in a twist on the Roger Rabbit formula, defending the likes of cartoon and human alike in his kooky quest for justice.
Quack Pack
One thing the Rescue Rangers movie is clearly going to rely on is the obviously heavy use of '90s nostalgia and cliches, and there are few Disney shows that have all of that in spades more than Quack Pack. Think of it as a semi-sequel series to the iconic Ducktales, only with a set of preteen versions of Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
It's not the most original idea, but it's definitely an animated '90s time capsule. With its choice of design, dialogue, and certain plot devices, it's unarguably a product of its time, for better and for worse.
Darkwing Duck
Of Disney's legion of animated superheroes, Darkwing Duck is practically the poster boy for the genre. Since the Rescue Rangers movie is obviously lampooning a number of different action movie and tv show cliches, fans wouldn't be wrong for binging this love letter/parody of similar material.
The show mocks and praises everything that makes franchises like Batman, X-Men, and other superhero shows by taking a more cartoony approach to various tropes and imagery. While he's no caped crusader, Darkwing Duck is easily one of the most entertaining heroes of the '90s.
Timon And Pumbaa
If there was one movie that was synonymous with Disney and the '90s, it's The Lion King. Like many successful Disney projects, it was only a matter of time until the animated masterpiece received its own spinoff show. Timon and Pumbaa saw Simba's meerkat and warthog companions venturing to other parts of the world and getting into their own brand of trouble.
If the title wasn't enough of a clue, the show delivered exactly what it promised. It was a series of episodes concerning Timon and Pumbaa being Timon and Pumbaa. Like Rescue Rangers, it was a popular product of the age, and its characters, design, and humor reflect that greatly.
Goof Troop
Chip and Dale aren't the only classic Disney characters to get their own animated series, as anyone familiar with this sitcom will know. Goofy is easily one of the studio's funniest characters, it was only a matter of time before he got the full sitcom-dad treatment, colorful sweater and all.
Goof Troop was Disney's animated parody of shows like Full House and Family Matters. The show jumped through similar hoops as the shows that inspired it, but all with Goofy's brand of slapstick humor. Though it's not exactly groundbreaking, it's a classic and must-watch for any Disney fan.
Ducktales (Original And Reboot)
Of the various Saturday morning cartoons brought to fans by the wonderful world of Disney, Ducktales could easily be one of the best. As '90s as neon clothes, Lunchables, and Bubbletape, the show featured classic Disney cartoon antics with a healthy serving of adventure provided by the ever-excitable Scrooge McDuck.
So nice they did it twice, both the '90s original and the 2017 reboot series capture a fine palate of elements that the new Rescue Rangers movie should undoubtedly possess. The reboot series was a prime example of how to handle a Disney reimagining the right way. Hopefully, the studio learns from its past.
Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers
Of course, there's no sense going into a Rescue Rangers movie without watching at least a few episodes of the series that inspired it in the first place. Chip and Dale might not be everyone's first choice for the owners of a detective agency, but there's no denying that the idea wasn't a success.
Aided by their friends Monterey Jack, Gadget, and Zipper, Chip and Dale went on a number of various adventures and faced off against a number of perils. From mad scientists to cola cults, the team of tiny critters has definitely earned their own full-length movie.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
An honorable mention goes to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and there are plenty of reasons why. Right from the trailer, it's clear that the movie's world shares a similarly-functioning universe, an equally colorful cast, even an appearance by Roger Rabbit himself. Toons mingling with live-action characters is nothing new, but this film perfected the art.
This murder mystery features a who's who of the animated world, along with some spectacular effects and several incredible cartoon cameos, it was an absolute smash when it premiered. It's a pretty safe bet that when Chip and Dale finally return, they'll be bringing some familiar schtick with them as well.
