Cartoons were a huge part of growing up. For many of us, they were scheduled viewing, a ritual built around the school day. Now, the internet has completely changed the game. Services like KissCartoon used to be the go-to spot for free streaming, but its constant disappearing acts have sent everyone looking for solid alternatives. That’s where we come in.
We’ve been tracking the streaming world for over a decade, so we get the hunt for easy-to-access, quality cartoons. You just want a reliable place to find everything from Saturday morning classics to the newest anime. The problem is, the original KissCartoon is a minefield of downtime, broken links, and security risks.
This guide cuts through the noise. We’ve put together a no-nonsense list of the best KissCartoon alternatives that actually work in 2025. We’ve checked each one for its library, how easy it is to use, and whether it’s safe, so you can just get back to watching.
What Was KissCartoon, Anyway?
Before jumping into the alternatives, let’s talk about KissCartoon itself. It got popular for one simple reason: it had a massive, free library of cartoons and animated movies. We’re talking about everything from ancient classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to brand-new shows.
But that very model was its downfall. Hosting content that violates copyright law put a huge target on its back. The original site was eventually shut down, leaving a mess of copycat sites in its wake. Many of these are just traps, loaded with malware and phishing scams. That’s why a good list of alternatives is so crucial now.
Quick Safety Tip: Don’t Go in Unprotected
When you’re exploring free streaming sites, your digital safety is everything. These places often run on aggressive ads that can lead you down some shady rabbit holes. Before you start, get these two things:
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A Good VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN, like the one in this Urban VPN Review, encrypts your connection and hides your location. This keeps your internet provider out of your business and helps you get around region locks on legal sites.
- A Solid Ad-Blocker: This is non-negotiable. Choosing one of the best ad blockers is your main defense against the storm of pop-ups and malicious ads you’ll find on most free streaming platforms.
The 20 Best KissCartoon Alternatives Today
We’ve split this list into categories to make it easier to find what you’re looking for, whether you’re an anime fanatic, a fan of old-school cartoons, or just want something that’s 100% legal.
For the Anime Fans
These sites are all about Japanese animation, with huge collections of both subbed and dubbed shows.
1. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the undisputed king of legal anime streaming. After being acquired by Sony and merging with Funimation, its library is massive. It’s the best way to support the anime industry while getting top-notch quality and shows just hours after they air in Japan. The free version has ads, and you’ll need a subscription for the full HD, ad-free experience. For those on mobile who look for workarounds, options like the Crunchyroll Premium APK exist, but always be careful with modified apps.
2. 9Anime
9Anime is a beast, plain and simple. It’s an unofficial site, but its library is gigantic, and it gets new episodes online with lightning speed. This is usually the first stop for many anime fans. The trade-off? You absolutely need an ad blocker, because the pop-ups can be relentless. You don’t have to sign up, so you can jump right in.
3. GoGoAnime
Another long-time favorite, GoGoAnime is a reliable workhorse. It’s easy to navigate and is especially good for finding specific genres, making it a hotspot for fans hunting for great action anime with epic fight scenes. The site has its share of ads and inconsistent stream quality at times, which is why some users end up searching for GogoAnime alternatives.
4. AniWatch (formerly Zoro.to)
AniWatch feels like a premium service, but it’s free. It boasts a super clean interface with almost no disruptive ads, which is rare in this space. The video quality is consistently great, often in 1080p. It even has a “Watch2gether” feature for streaming with friends. It’s a fantastic user experience, though its long-term stability isn’t guaranteed since it’s an unofficial platform.
5. Chia-Anime
If speed is what you need, Chia-Anime is your site. It’s one of the fastest to upload new episodes, making it perfect for fans who can’t wait. The site design is a bit old-school, and it focuses mostly on subbed anime, but it’s a dependable choice with a handy release schedule.
6. AnimeSuge
AnimeSuge is all about getting you to your anime with zero fuss. No registration, fast servers, and a huge library. It’s a straightforward platform with powerful filters to help you find exactly what you want to watch. Just be aware of some misleading ad clicks and a library that leans more towards subbed than dubbed content.
For Western Cartoons & Classics
These platforms are your best bet for American animation, from 90s nostalgia to modern hits.
7. KimCartoon
KimCartoon is probably the closest thing in spirit to the original KissCartoon. It’s packed with Western cartoons, all neatly organized and easy to find. If you want to watch anything from Dexter’s Laboratory to Bob’s Burgers, it’s likely here. The biggest downside is the aggressive advertising—you’ll get pop-ups with nearly every click, so an ad blocker is essential.
8. Wcostream
If you like to switch between The Simpsons and Jujutsu Kaisen, Wcostream is a great all-in-one platform. It has a solid mix of Western cartoons, dubbed and subbed anime, and animated movies. The user ratings on each show are a nice touch for helping you decide what to watch next. Just be ready for some pop-ups and a bit of a hunt to find the official domain among its many mirrors.
9. SuperCartoons
This site is a pure nostalgia trip. SuperCartoons focuses only on the golden age of animation—think classic Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and old Disney shorts. Best of all, it’s a clean, ad-free experience. You won’t find any movies or modern shows here, but for the classics, it’s a hidden gem.
10. TopCartoons
Similar to SuperCartoons, this is another destination for your retro cartoon fix. It’s the place to go for 90s and early 2000s classics like Cow and Chicken and Ed, Edd n Eddy. It’s refreshingly free of annoying ads and sorts its shows by season, making binge-watching easy. The library isn’t huge, but what it has is gold.
The Official & 100% Legal Options
For a totally safe, high-quality experience, these official platforms are the way to go.
11. Nick TV (Nick.com)
This is the official home for everything Nickelodeon. You can watch episodes of current hits like SpongeBob and some classics. It’s perfectly safe for kids, and the quality is pristine. The catch is that it’s mainly for US viewers (you’ll need a VPN elsewhere), and you often need a cable TV login for full access.
12. Disney Now
This is The Walt Disney Company’s hub for its TV channels: Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD. It’s a fantastic, kid-safe environment with exclusive shows and games. Like Nick TV, you’ll need a TV provider login to unlock everything, and it’s focused on shows, not the big animated movies (those are on Disney+).
13. Tubi
Tubi is a fantastic free and legal streaming service owned by Fox Corporation. It runs on ads, like regular TV, and has a surprisingly deep “Kids & Family” section with tons of cartoons and animated films. It’s a safe, legitimate way to watch a lot of great content without paying a dime.
14. Pluto TV
Owned by Paramount, Pluto TV is set up like live television. It has hundreds of channels, including several dedicated to cartoons and anime. It also has an on-demand section. It’s completely free and offers a different kind of viewing experience.
15. Cartoon Network App/Website
The official source for everything Cartoon Network. If you want to watch Teen Titans Go! or Adventure Time, this is the place. The quality is top-notch, but just like its Nick and Disney counterparts, full access usually requires a cable login and is region-locked.
Other Great Finds
16. KissAnime
KissAnime was the sister site to KissCartoon and focused entirely on anime. It grew to be even more popular before it was also shut down, as reported by The Verge. Its mirror sites today serve the same purpose: a massive database for anime lovers. Just like the others, approach the unofficial clones with an ad blocker and caution.
17. WatchCartoonOnline
This is one of the oldest and most comprehensive unofficial sites out there. Its library is huge, covering both cartoons and anime, making it a very direct replacement for KissCartoon’s all-in-one approach. The site design is dated, and the ads are a nuisance, but it’s hard to beat its selection.
18. AnimeToon
AnimeToon takes a different approach by focusing on downloads. If you have a slow connection or want to save shows for offline viewing, this is an excellent resource. You can grab single episodes or entire seasons at once. The trade-off is that video quality maxes out at 720p, and streaming isn’t its main focus.
19. Anime-Planet
This is a cool, legal hybrid. According to its FAQ page, Anime-Planet partners with Crunchyroll to legally offer over 45,000 anime episodes for free. Its real strength is its community and tracking features, which let you build watchlists and get recommendations. It’s a great way to discover new shows legally.
20. Boomerang
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Boomerang is a paid service dedicated to classic cartoons. If you’re a fan of The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, or Hanna-Barbera in general, this is your paradise. It’s ad-free, the quality is beautifully remastered, and it’s the ultimate legal destination for these timeless shows.
Quick Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is it illegal to use these sites? The official ones like Crunchyroll and Tubi are 100% legal. Unofficial sites operate in a legal gray area. While it’s very rare for viewers to get in trouble, using a VPN is always a smart move to protect your privacy.
Q2: What actually happened to KissCartoon? The original site was forced to shut down over copyright issues. The sites you see today with the same name are just copies, and they vary wildly in terms of safety and quality.
Q3: Do I really need a VPN? For the unofficial sites, yes. It’s highly recommended for privacy. For the official, region-locked sites like Nick TV, you’ll need one to watch from outside their designated countries.
Q4: What’s the best site for just old-school cartoons? For a free option, SuperCartoons is fantastic. If you’re willing to pay for the best possible quality and a huge, ad-free library of classics, the Boomerang service is unbeatable.
The Bottom Line
KissCartoon’s time has passed, but there’s no shortage of great places to watch animation online. For a worry-free experience that supports creators, stick with legal platforms like Crunchyroll (for anime) and Tubi (for a mix of cartoons).
If you’re willing to use a VPN and a good ad blocker, unofficial hubs like 9Anime and KimCartoon offer almost limitless content. The best choice really comes down to what you want to watch and how you want to watch it. Stream safely, and enjoy the show.
