Warner Bros. Entertainment Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Advertisement
Register
Warner Bros. Entertainment Wiki
Warner Bros. Entertainment Wiki
34,607
pages
in: Television, ThunderCats, Rankin/Bass Productions,
and 16 more

ThunderCats (1985 TV series)

Sign in to edit

ThunderCats is an American animated television series that was produced by Rankin-Bass Animated Entertainment and Leisure Concepts debuting in 1985, based on the characters created by Tobin "Ted" Wolf. The series, for which Leonard Starr was the head writer, follows the adventures of a group of catlike humanoid aliens. The animation for the episodes was provided by the Japanese studio Pacific Animation Corporation, later acquired in 1989 to form Walt Disney Animation Japan. Season 1 of the show aired in 1985 (65 episodes), followed by a TV movie entitled ThunderCats – HO! in 1986. Seasons 2, 3, and 4 followed a new format of twenty episodes each, starting with a five-part story.

The series was originally distributed by Rankin-Bass Productions' then-parent company Telepictures Corporation, which would later merge with Lorimar Productions in 1986. In 1989, Lorimar-Telepictures was purchased by and folded into Warner Bros., whose television syndication arm would eventually assume distribution of the show; Warner Bros. have had the rights to the series (and all Lorimar-Telepictures programming) from that point on. Leisure Concepts which helped co-develop the show acted as a licensing agent for the series.

There were also several comic book series produced: Marvel Comics' version (currently owned by Warner Bros. rival Disney), 1984 to 1988; and five series by Wildstorm, an imprint of DC Comics (Warner Bros.' corporate sibling), beginning in 2003. Items of clothing featuring the ThunderCats logo and DVD boxsets of the original series have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years as nostalgia for the former children's favorite has grown.

It was announced on June 7, 2007, that Aurelio Jaro is making a CGI-animated feature film of ThunderCats, based on a script written by Paul Sopocy. In October 2007, Variety magazine revealed that Jerry O'Flaherty, veteran video game art director, had signed on to direct. The film is being produced by Spring Creek Productions. It was originally set for a summer 2010 release, but it has since been reported that the movie is on hold. Concept art for the film has also been leaked online.

Plot[]

ThunderCats follows the adventures of the eponymous team of heroes, catlike humanoid aliens on a planet called Third Earth. The series plot begins with the dying planet Thundera [thun•DAIR•uh] meeting its end, forcing the ThunderCats (a sort of Thunderean nobility) to flee their homeworld. The fleet is attacked by the Thundereans's enemies, the Mutants of Plun-Darr, who destroy most of the starships in the "ThunderFleet," but spare the flagship hoping to capture the legendary mystic Sword of Omens they believe is on board. The sword holds the Eye of Thundera, the source of the ThunderCats's power, which is embedded in the hilt. Though the Mutants damage the flagship, the power of the Eye drives them back. The damage to the ship means the journey to their original destination is not possible, instead having to journey to "Third Earth;" which will take much longer than they had anticipated. The eldest of the ThunderCats, Jaga, volunteers to pilot the ship while the others sleep in capsules; however, he dies of old age in the process, but not before ensuring they will reach their destination safely. The flagship contains the young Lord of the ThunderCats, Lion-O, as well as the ThunderCats Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra, WilyKit and WilyKat, and Snarf.

When the ThunderCats awake from their suspended animation on Third Earth after ten "galacto-years," Lion-O discovers that his suspension capsule has slowed, rather than stopped, his aging, and he has now become essentially a child in the body of an adult. (He has thus grown in size without actually growing up, and has missed out on the first-hand life experiences which confer maturity.) Together, the ThunderCats and the friendly natives of Third Earth construct the "Cat's Lair," their new home and headquarters, but before long, the Mutants have tracked them down to Third Earth. The intrusion of these two alien races upon the world does not go unnoticed, however, as a demonic, mummified sorcerer calling himself Mumm-Ra recruits the Mutants to aid him in his campaign to acquire the Eye of Thundera and destroy the ThunderCats so that his evil may continue to hold sway over Third Earth.

Episodes[]

Main article: ThunderCats episode list

Voice of Characters[]

Despite its large cast of characters, ThunderCats featured a rather small circle of voice actors, with only six actors providing voices for the entire first season. Every actor provided multiple voices, although the distinctive baritone of Earle Hyman (Panthro) left the actor providing only very occasional guest voices in comparison with his fellow performers. In particular, as the first season's only female actor, Lynne Lipton (Cheetara and WilyKit) provided voices for every single female character that appeared in the season. Above all others, however, actor Bob McFadden would most regularly provide the voices of guest characters, with his two diametrically-opposed main roles: the timid, high-pitched Snarf and the rumbling, sibilant Slithe.

Despite introducing a large number of new regular characters, the show's second season brought in only two new actors. Gerrianne Raphael provided the voice of Pumyra, and was able to provide Lynne Lipton with some relief by adding new female voices.

Voice actor Regular Heroes Regular Villains Recurring characters
Larry Kenney Lion-O Jackalman Snarf Eggbert
Earle Hyman Panthro Red-Eye
Ancient Spirits of Evil		 N/A
Earl Hammond Jaga Mumm-Ra
Vultureman
Amok		 Snarf Oswald
Ro-Ber-Bill
RoBear Berbils
Snowman of Hook Mountain
Hammerhand
Captain Cracker
Peter Newman Tygra
WilyKat
Bengali		 Monkian Hachiman
Lynne Lipton Cheetara
WilyKit		 Luna Willa
Nayda
Mandora the Evil Chaser
Bob McFadden Snarf
Snarfer		 S-s-slithe
Tug-Mug		 Ratar-O
Grune the Destroyer
Driller
Molemaster
Quickpick
Captain Shiner
Gerrianne Raphael Pumyra Chilla Jagara
Doug Preis Lynx-O Alluro N/A

Video games[]

Two video games based on the franchise exist: ThunderCats: The Lost Eye of Thundera, a 1987 side-scrolling video game; and ThunderCats, a 2011 Nintendo DS game based on the show's revival.

Legacy[]

The series continued as the comic book series from Wildstorm.

Released on DVD in 2006 with limited bonus material. Interviews with grown up fans on the first series, then very little until the final six disks. Therein was a complex system of jumping between disks with features turned on for specific scenes for clues. Throughout the process there is a trivia challenge with interviews from Leonard Starr, Peter Newman and Gerrianne Raphael. These are the "Keys" to the final puzzle. To skip them, just enter the code 0314 to view the special tribute to Mumm-Ra and voice actor Earl Hammond

Videography[]

Main article: ThunderCats videography

External Links[]


v - e - d
ThunderCats 2011 logo
Media
ThunderCats • Reboot
Characters
Weapons/Objects
Locations/Dimensions
Transportations
Songs
See also


v - e - d
Rankin Bass Logo 1971
Stop-Motion TV Specials and Films (post-1973 library)
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July • The Year Without a Santa Claus • The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow • Rudolph's Shiny New Year • The Little Drummer Boy, Book II • The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town • Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey • Jack Frost • Pinocchio's Christmas • The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
Traditional animation films
The Hobbit • The Return of the King • The Flight of Dragons • The Wind in the Willows • The King and I
TV Shows
ThunderCats • SilverHawks
Live-action films
The Last Dinosaur • The Bermuda Depths
Traditional animation TV specials
Frosty's Winter Wonderland • 'Twas the Night Before Christmas • The First Easter Rabbit • The Stingiest Man in Town


v - e - d
Warner Bros. Television 2023 (Alt)
1950s
Warner Bros. Presents (1955–1956) •Casablanca (1955–1956) • Cheyenne (1955–1962) • Conflict (1956–1957) • Sugarfoot (1957–1960) • Colt .45 (1957–1960) •Maverick (1957–1962) • Lawman (1958–1962) • Bronco (1958–1962) • 77 Sunset Strip (1958–1964) • The Alaskans (1959–1960) • Bourbon Street Beat (1959–1960) • Hawaiian Eye (1959–1963)
1960s
The Bugs Bunny Show (1960–2000) • The Roaring 20's (1960–1962) • Surfside 6 (1960–1962) • Room for One More (1962) • The Gallant Men (1962–1963) • GE True (1962–1963) • The Dakotas (1963) • Temple Houston (1963–1964) • Wendy and Me (1964–1965) • No Time for Sergeants (1964–1965) • F Troop (1965–1967) • Mister Roberts (1965–1966) • Hank (1965–1966) • The F.B.I. (1965–1974) • The Road Runner Show (1966–1972) •Tarzan (1966–1968)
1970s
The Chicago Teddy Bears (1971) • The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971–1974) • Nichols (1971–1972) • The Jimmy Stewart Show (1971–1972) • The Merrie Melodies Show (1972) • Search (1972–1973) • Banyon (1972–1973) • The Delphi Bureau • The Brian Keith Show (1972–1974) • The Streets of San Francisco (1972–1977) • Kung Fu (1972–1975) • The Cowboys (1974) • Kodiak (1974) • The New Land (1974) • Shoulder to Shoulder (1974) • Harry O (1974–1976) • Shazam! (1974–1976) • Give-n-Take (1975) • The Neighbors (1975–1976) • Wonder Woman (1975–1979) • Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976–1980) • Alice (1976–1985) • Code R (1977) • The New Adventures of Batman (1977) • Rafferty (1977) • Second Chance (1977) • Roots (1977) • The Fitzpatricks (1977–1978) • The Daffy Duck Show (1978–1979) • Life on Earth (1979) • Roots: The Next Generations (1979) • Time Express (1979) • Dorothy (1979) • California Fever (1979) • The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985) • Young Maverick (1979–1980)
1980s
Flo (1980–1981) • Enos (1980–1981) • Freebie and the Bean (1980–1981) • Park Place(1981) • Private Benjamin (1981–1983) • Love, Sidney (1981–1983) • Bret Maverick (1981–1982) • Bare Essence (1983) • The Thorn Birds (1983) • Casablanca (1983) • The Dukes (1983) • Wizards and Warriors (1983) • High Performance (1983) • Goodnight, Beantown (1983–1984) • The Mississippi (1983–1984) • The Yellow Rose (1983–1984) • Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983–1987) Steambath (1984) • V: The Series (1984–1985) • Night Court (1984–1992) • Off the Rack (1984–1985) • Eye to Eye (1985) • Double Dare (1985) • I Had Three Wives (1985) • Spenser: For Hire (1985–1988) • Growing Pains (1985–1992) • North and South (1985–1986; 1994) • Shadow Chasers (1985–1986) • Head of the Class (1986–1991) • My Sister Sam (1986–1988) • Shell Game (1987) • Ohara (1987–1988) • The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987–1991) • Full House (1987–1995) • Just in Time (1988) • China Beach (1988–1991) • Police Academy: The Animated Series (1988–1989) • Superman (1988) • Just the Ten of Us (1988–1990) • Murphy Brown (1988–1998; 2018) • Superboy (1988–1992) • A Man Called Hawk (1989) • Beetlejuice (1989–1991) • Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996) • Life Goes On (1989–1993) • Family Matters (1989–1998)
1990s
Molloy (1990) • The Flash (1990–1991) • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996) • Swamp Thing (1990–1993) • Sisters (1991–1996) • Step by Step (1991–1998) • Billy (1992) • Human Target (1992) • Angel Street (1992) • Room for Two (1992) • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1997) Family Dog (1993) • Tall Hopes (1993) • The Trouble with Larry (1993) • It Had to Be You (1993) • Family Album (1993) • Against the Grain (1993) • Time Trax (1993–1994) • Getting By (1993–1994) • The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993–1994) • Café Americain (1993–1994) • Living Single (1993–1998) • Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993–1997) • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997) • The John Larroquette Show (1993–1996) • Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1993–1999) • Tom (1994) • Free Willy (1994) • Daddy's Girls (1994) • The George Carlin Show (1994–1995) • On Our Own (1994–1995) • Something Wilder (1994–1995) • Under Suspicion (1994–1995) • Babylon 5 (1994–1998) • Friends (1994–2004) • ER (1994–2009) • Pointman (1995) • The History of Rock 'n' Roll (1995) • Muscle (1995) • Medicine Ball (1995) • The Great Defender (1995) • Charlie Grace (1995) • The Monroes (1995) • Double Rush (1995) • The Office (1995) • Dweebs (1995) • New York News (1995) • The Wayans Bros. (1995–1999) • The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999) • In the House (1995–1999) • Hope & Gloria (1995–1996) • High Society (1995–1996) • Bless This House (1995–1996) • The Client (1995–1996) • Minor Adjustments (1995–1996) • Too Something (1995–1996) • Kirk (1995–1996) • Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995–2000) • The Drew Carey Show (1995–2004) • Mad TV (1995–2016) • Access Hollywood (1996–present) • Lush Life (1996) • Party Girl (1996) • The Show (1996) • Local Heroes (1996) • Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1996) • My Guys (1996) • Common Law (1996) • Life with Roger (1996–1997) • Pearl (1996–1997) • Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (1996–1998) • Suddenly Susan (1996–2000) • The Jamie Foxx Show (1996–2001) • Chicago Sons (1997) • Prince Street (1997) • Spy Game (1997) • Leaving L.A. (1997) • The Shining (1997) • Meego (1997) • Built to Last (1997) • La Femme Nikita (1997–2001) • Veronica's Closet (1997–2000) • Prey (1998) • Kelly Kelly (1998) • Maximum Bob (1998) • The Brian Benben Show (1998) • The Closer (1998) • Vengeance Unlimited (1998–1999) • Trinity (1998–1999) • Brimstone (1998–1999) • Hyperion Bay (1998–1999) • Two of a Kind (1998–1999) • Jesse (1998–2000) • For Your Love (1998–2002) • Will & Grace (1998–2006) • Everything's Relative (1999) • The Chimp Channel (1999) • Katie Joplin (1999) • Crusade (1999) • The PJs (1999–2001) • Mission Hill (1999–2002) • Odd Man Out (1999–2000) • The Strip (1999–2000) • The Norm Show (1999–2001) • Jack & Jill (1999–2001) • Third Watch (1999–2005) • The West Wing (1999–2006)
2000s
Freedom (2000) • Opposite Sex (2000) • Bull (2000) • Hype (2000–2001) • The Fugitive (2000–2001) • Baby Blues (2000–2002) • Nikki (2000–2002) • X-Men: Evolution (2000–2003) • Gilmore Girls (2000–2007) • Queer as Folk (2000–2005) • Citizen Baines (2001) • Night Visions (2001) • Thieves (2001) • The Oblongs (2001–2002) • Witchblade (2001–2002) • The Nightmare Room (2001–2002) • Off Centre (2001–2002) • Maybe It's Me (2001–2002) • Smallville (2001–2011) • The Court (2002) •My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star (2002) • Presidio Med (2002–2003) • Fastlane (2002–2003) • Birds of Prey (2002–2003) • Good Morning, Miami (2002–2003) • The Jamie Kennedy Experiment (2002–2004) • Everwood (2002–2006) • What I Like About You (2002–2006) • George Lopez (2002–2007) • Without a Trace (2002–2009) • Wanda at Large (2003) • Black Sash (2003) • Skin (2003) • On the Spot (2003) • Tarzan (2003) • Run of the House (2003–2004) • Like Family (2003–2004) • All About the Andersons (2003–2004) • The Mullets (2003–2004) • I'm with Her (2003–2004) • Rock Me Baby (2003–2006) • Eve (2003–2006) • The O.C. (2003–2007) • All of Us (2003–2007) • Nip/Tuck (2003–2010) • Cold Case (2003–2010) • The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003–2022) • One Tree Hill (2003–2012) • Two and a Half Men (2003–2015) • The Help (2004) • The D.A. (2004) • Come to Papa (2004) • Next Action Star (2004) • The Stones (2004) • Dr. Vegas (2004) • Salem's Lot (2004) • Jack & Bobby (2004–2005) • The Real Gilligan's Island (2004–2005) • The Mountain (2004–2005) • Center of the Universe (2004–2005) • Blue Collar TV (2004–2006) • Joey (2004–2006) • Veronica Mars (2004–2019) • Unscripted (2005) • Eyes (2005) • Hot Properties (2005) • Reunion (2005) • Jonny Zero (2005) • Twins (2005–2006) • Just Legal (2005–2006) • Related (2005–2006) • E-Ring (2005–2006) • Freddie (2005–2006) • Invasion (2005–2006) • The War at Home (2005–2007) • Close to Home (2005–2007) • The Comeback (2005–2014) • The Closer (2005–2012) • Supernatural (2005–2020) • Four Kings (2006) • Twenty Good Years (2006) • Modern Men (2006) • The Bedford Diaries (2006) • The Evidence (2006) • Justice (2006) • Happy Hour (2006) • Smith (2006) • Men in Trees (2006–2008) • The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006–2010) • The Class (2006–2007) • Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–2007) • The Nine (2006–2007) • Traveler (2007) • Moonlight (2007–2008) • Big Shots (2007–2008) • Aliens in America (2007–2008) Notes from the Underbelly (2007–2008) • Pushing Daisies (2007–2009) • Chuck (2007–2012) • Gossip Girl (2007–2012) • The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019) • Eleventh Hour(2008–2009) • Privileged (2008–2009) • Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles • Fringe • The Mentalist (2008–2015) • The Life & Times of Tim(2008–2012) • Childrens Hospital (2008–2016) • The Beautiful Life (2009) • Eastwick (2009) • Hank (2009) • The Forgotten (2009) • V (2009–2011) • Southland (2009–2013) • The Middle (2009–2018) • The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
2010s
Past Life (2010) • Miami Medical (2010) • Romantically Challenged (2010) • Undercovers • The Whole Truth (2010) • Human Target (2010–2011) • Life Unexpected (2010–2011) • Hellcats (2010–2011) • Chase (2010–2011) • Better with You (2010–2011) • $#*! My Dad Says (2010–2011) • Nikita (2010–2013) • Mike & Molly (2010–2016) • Shameless (2011–2021) • The Paul Reiser Show (2011) • Harry's Law (2011–2012) • Ringer (2011–2012) • The Secret Circle (2011–2012) • I Hate My Teenage Daughter (2011–2012) • 2 Broke Girls (2011–2017) • Person of Interest (2011–2016) • Hart of Dixie (2011–2015) • Suburgatory (2011–2014) • Are You There, Chelsea? (2012) • Alcatraz (2012) • Coma (2012) • Partners (2012) • Major Crimes (2012–2018) • Arrow (2012–2020) • Revolution (2012–2014) • Work It (2012–2013) • 666 Park Avenue (2012–2013) • Emily Owens, M.D. (2012–2013) • Cult (2013) • Golden Boy (2013) • The Carrie Diaries (2013–2014) • Hostages (2013–2014) • Super Fun Night (2013–2014) • The Tomorrow People (2013–2014) • Almost Human (2013–2014) • Newsreaders (2013–2015) • The Following (2013–2015) • Mom (2013–2021) • The Originals (2013–2018) • Reign (2013–2017) • Believe (2014) • Star-Crossed (2014) • Surviving Jack (2014) • Selfie (2014) • Undateable (2014–2016) • Candidly Nicole (2014–2015) • The Mysteries of Laura (2014–2016) • Forever(2014–2015) • Stalker (2014–2015) • A to Z (2014–2015) • Constantine (2014–2015) • Gotham (2014–2019) • The 100 (2014–2020) • The Flash (2014–2023) • Jane the Virgin (2014–2019) • The Leftovers (2014–2017) • iZombie (2015–2019) • Blindspot (2015–2020) • Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019) • Supergirl (2015–2021) • Significant Mother (2015) • The Messengers (2015) • One Big Happy (2015) • Legends of Tomorrow (2016–2022) • Lucifer (2016–2021) • Animal Kingdom (2016–2022) • Queen Sugar (2016–2022) • Westworld (2016–2022) • Lethal Weapon (2016–2019) • Containment (2016) • 11.22.63 (2016) • Rush Hour (2016) • Frequency (2016–2017) • Roadies (2016) • No Tomorrow (2016–2017) • Time After Time (2017) • Powerless (2017) • Training Day (2017) • Me, Myself & I (2017–2018) • Disjointed (2017–2018) • Trial & Error (2017–2018) • Riverdale (2017–2023) • Claws (2017–2022) • Young Sheldon (2017–2024) • Valor (2017–2018) • Black Lightning (2018–2021) • Life Sentence (2018) • Deception (2018) • Living Biblically (2018) • Splitting Up Together (2018–2019) • Castle Rock (2018–2019) • You (2018–2024) • Manifest (2018–2024) • God Friended Me (2018–2020) • Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020) • All American (2018–present) • Titans (2018-2023) • Legacies (2018–2022) • The Kominsky Method (2018–2021) • Roswell, New Mexico (2019–2022) • Doom Patrol (2019-2023) • Whiskey Cavalier (2019) • In the Dark (2019–2022) • The Red Line (2019) • Special (2019–2021) • It's Bruno! (2019) • What/If (2019) • Swamp Thing (2019) • Pennyworth (2019–2022) • All Rise (2019-2023) • David Makes Man (2019–present) • Bob Hearts Abishola (2019-2024) • Prodigal Son (2019–2021) • Batwoman (2019–2022) • Watchmen (2019) • Dolly Parton's Heartstrings (2019)
2020s
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
Advertisement

Fan Feed

More Warner Bros. Entertainment Wiki