The 13 Best Rocko's Modern Life Episodes, Ranked
Some might call it nostalgia, we call it appreciation. The days of classic 1990s and 2000s Nickelodeon shows were a good time, and like we always say—us millennials had it super good. Rocko's Modern Life was one of the shows that made 90s Nickelodeon an appreciated part of 1990s cartoon culture as it focused on the life of an Australian immigrant wallaby named Rocko and his friends Heffer the steel, Filburt the neurotic turtle, and Rocko's dog Spunky (along with a few annoying neighbors). The show ran from 1993-1996, and has since experienced a resurgence thanks to nostalgic millennials and Gen Z'ers who want to get in on the action of what made that era of Nickelodeon so great.
With the show celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, it's only right that we look back on the show's best episodes. Enjoy 90s babies.
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13. Zanzibar
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: April 21st, 1996
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
"Zanzibar" is a fun musical episode that's about a musical recycling campaign. A major effort is placed into cleaning up the dump, but unfortunately the pollution problem still remains thanks to a company called Conglomo. A fun and funny little episode that's a nice throwback.
12. Rocko's Happy Sack
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: November 20th, 1993
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Pretty sure we've all been able to relate to this episode at some point or another. Rocko is on a tight budget and there's a sale going on at the local grocery store. A 99 cent sale at that. Rocko tries to make it in time, but not exactly without obstacles.
11. Flu-In-U-Enza
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: November 20th, 1993
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Another life problem that we've all had at one point—the flu, and it always seems to happen at the worst times—like when we have somewhere important go. In this episode, Rocko happens to get sick right before a big WWWWF wrestling show that he's supposed to attend, and he's in a rush to get better in time for the event. Totally relatable.
10. Canned
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: October 30th, 1993
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
1990s Nickelodeon was and still is so relatable. In "Canned," Rocko loses his gig at a comic book store, and goes on the hunt for employment. He eventually does get a job at Conglom-O, but as a product tester, which is probably not the best idea.
9. Rocko's Modern Christmas
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: November 30th, 1994
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
First of all, who doesn't love a good Christmas episode? Second of all—it would be nice if we could say that the holidays are a peaceful time for everybody, but the reality is—sometimes there's a person (or persons for that matter) that want to start some drama, and that's exactly what happens in "Rocko's Modern Christmas." Rocko invites his new neighbors, The Elves, over for X-Mas, and things are going well until Ed Bighead spreads a rumor about The Elves, which causes them to not show up.
8. Commuted Sentence
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: November 5th, 1994
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Y'all ever had your car towed? It sucks. And it costs a lot of money to get out. Well, that's what "Commuted Sentence" is all about. Rocko gets his car towed, and in the meantime he has to use public transportation to get work—which comes with its own set of obstacles. We feel you Rocko. We feel you.
7. Ed Is Dead: A Thriller!
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: October 29th, 1995
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
A Halloween special? Cool. A haunting Halloween special where somebody goes missing and is presumed to be dead? Sign us up.
6. Crusin'
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: February 5th, 1995
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Oh this one will definitely have you laughing—the jokes and witty puns are one of those things you know you shouldn't be laughing at, but do so anyway. This episode is all about a senior citizen's cruise, and it's one of the show's best.
5. Popcorn Pandemonium
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: October 24th, 1993
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
What Rocko wants to do is go to a drive-in movie theater. What he ends up getting is regular old movie at the mall. Not that the traditional theater experience (some of which are inside malls) aren't bad, but the drive-in is a whole different ball game. So we can kind of understand the frustration from Rocko.
4. Eyes Capades
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: March 12th, 1995
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
There's an important lesson to be learned in "Eyes Capades"—it doesn't matter how good you are at something, if you don't get your eyes checked you will be hindered.
3. Hair Licked
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: January 29th, 1995
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Argh! Don't you just hate picture day? And what makes the event even worse is when your hair starts doing everything it's not supposed to do. Rocko experiences this exact situation in "Hair Licked" when he has to get his picture taken for the O-Town newspaper.
2. Unbalanced Load
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: October 24th, 1993
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
As entertaining as this episode is, there's an element of shame that seemed to be missing. There's no way your laundry should be so backed up that your clothes literally get up and start walking. No way. Shameful.
1. Junk Junkies
Image credit: Nickelodeon/Paramount
Original Release Date: February 12, 1995
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
It just occurred to us that Rocko might have had a slight hoarding problem, but at the same time, we totally understand not wanting to part ways with your stuff. It's your stuff (we might be slight hoarders too).
If you are looking for more old school cartoons, check out our list of the best Tom & Jerry episodes here.
