ThunderCats (1985)
The legendary animated sci-fi fantasy series that followed the last survivors of Thundera battling evil on a distant world.
ThunderCats - Series Information
- Original Title: ThunderCats
- First Air Year: 1985
- Last Air Year: 1989
- Created by: Theodore Walter Wolf
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Kids
- Content Rating (US): TV-Y7
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (22 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 130
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 23, 1985 (United States - TV-Y7), January 23, 1985 (United Kingdom - U), January 23, 1985 (Germany - 12), January 23, 1985 (Australia - G), January 23, 1985 (Brazil - L), January 23, 1985 (Mexico - AA), January 23, 1985 (Italy - T), January 23, 1985 (Spain - 7)
- Networks: Syndication
- Production Companies: Rankin/Bass Productions, Lorimar Telepictures
- Production Countries: United States of America, Japan
- Alternative Titles: ThunderCats, os Super-Gatos (PT), Los Felinos Cósmicos (MX), Οι Αίλουροι του Διαστήματος (GR), Thundercats.- (BR), 무적의 약자 라이언이 (KR), ThunderCats (AR), ThunderCats (1985) (US)
ThunderCats - Plot
The inhabitants of the planet Thundera evacuate just before it is destroyed. They were pursued by a band of mutants. All but one of their escape ships was destroyed. Only a small group of Thunderans (Thundercats) remained. With only half engine power, the group, which was led by Jaga, had to set a course for the nearest planet. Jaga commanded their ship while the other seven were in their stasis tubes. Jaga died on their journey to Third Earth and their ship crashed there. Soon they made friends with various groups in the area and they designed a fortress. Mumm-Ra the centuries-old embodiment of evil, along with the mutants that destroyed the rest of the Thunderans are a constant threat. But Lion-O, the new leader of the Thundercats, with his weapon the “Sword of Omens” will help the Thundercats to have a standing chance.
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ThunderCats - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Theodore Walter Wolf
Main Cast
- Larry Kenney
- Peter Newman
- Earle Hyman
- Lynne Lipton
- Earl Hammond
- Bob McFadden
- Gerrianne Raphael
- Doug Preis
Writers
- Peter Lawrence
- Leonard Starr
- William Overgard
- Steve Perry
- Chris Trengove
Executive Producers
- Arthur Rankin, Jr.
- Jules Bass
ThunderCats - FAQs
Where can you stream ThunderCats (1985)?
ThunderCats (1985) is available to stream on Hulu with a subscription. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary by region, so checking JustWatch is recommended for the most current options.
Who voiced Lion-O in ThunderCats?
Larry Kenney provided the iconic voice of Lion-O, the young lord of the ThunderCats, throughout the original 1985 series. Kenney also voiced Jackalman, one of the mutant villains. His energetic performance became inseparable from the character’s enduring legacy in animation history.
Is ThunderCats based on a true story?
No, ThunderCats is entirely fictional. The series was created by Theodore Walter Wolf and developed by Rankin/Bass Productions. It is an original science-fantasy adventure set in a post-apocalyptic universe, featuring anthropomorphic cat warriors and drawing on mythology, sword-and-sorcery, and space opera conventions.
How many seasons and episodes does ThunderCats have?
ThunderCats ran for four seasons plus a specials collection, totaling 130 episodes. Season 1 was the longest with 65 episodes, followed by Season 2 with 25, and Seasons 3 and 4 with 20 episodes each. The series also includes 5 special episodes in a separate collection.
What is ThunderCats about?
ThunderCats follows a group of humanoid cat warriors who flee the destruction of their home planet Thundera and crash-land on Third Earth. Led by the young Lion-O wielding the mystical Sword of Omens, they must defend their new home against the undying sorcerer Mumm-Ra and a band of ruthless mutants.
Was ThunderCats renewed or is it cancelled?
The original ThunderCats series ended in 1989 after four seasons and 130 episodes. The show was not cancelled mid-run but concluded its broadcast cycle. A reimagined reboot, ThunderCats (2011), was later produced by Cartoon Network, though that series was itself cancelled after one season.
What is the content rating for ThunderCats?
ThunderCats carries a TV-Y7 content rating in the United States, indicating the series is suitable for children aged seven and older. The show features fantasy action, mild peril, and good-versus-evil conflict, but contains no content considered inappropriate for general family audiences.
What shows are similar to ThunderCats (1985)?
Fans of ThunderCats often enjoy He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983), SilverHawks (1986), and the 2011 ThunderCats reboot. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) animated series and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981) also share a similar era and action-adventure spirit.
More About ThunderCats
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