In the history of the Nicktoons, as they existed on Nickelodeon, there are many animated series that were funnier than Rugrats and a couple that lasted longer than Rugrats. But no Nicktoon ever had such a profound balance of imagination and realism, leading to a series that was relatable to all ages and inclusive of many stories not previously seen on children's television.
While Rugrats has certainly earned its status as one of the greatest animated series ever made, it didn't do so without some bizarre steps along the way. Thanks to a lead perspective from a group of babies and toddlers, there were some truly weird plotlines over the years. These are just the tip of the crib.
10 Incredible Shrinking Babies
As with many shows, some of the weirder plots came later in the run of the show, when it seemed like the creators might be running out of ideas. Season six's "Incredible Shrinking Babies" is assuredly an example of that.
In this installment, the gang tries to put Dil down for his nap, but he appears as a giant to them, which complicates matters. He's only a giant because they're all dreaming about it, but it's still a wonky episode filled with dream logic anyway.
9 Naked Tommy
Not many children's series have dealt with the concept of naturism before. Leave that to Rugrats. Many bizarre episodes revolved around Tommy's attachment to the family dog, Spike, and "Naked Tommy" takes that to its natural conclusion.
Tommy strips down and tries to rely on naturism so he can be just like Spike. It's the kind of episode one would accept as a child and look back on as an adult, thinking that it was truly an audacious moment for the series.
8 Reptar's Revenge
Even the first season of Rugrats contains some moments that can leave all audiences scratching their heads, especially the adults who might question why some of the antics are occurring on a children's show. Will they even get the reference?
In this case, "Reptar's Revenge" takes place at the Sleazola Brothers' fair, which also boasts a meet-and-greet with Reptar, a beloved figure of the babies. Except the Reptar they meet has a Jerry Seinfeld-esque addiction to breakfast cereal and is named Leo. You know, for the kids!
7 Ruthless Tommy
This Rugrats installment is a Tommy-centric one, eschewing Phil, Lil, Angelica, and Chuckie from the mix. However, it stands the test of time as a bizarre episode because it stars a millionaire named Ronald Thump.
The allegory here is obvious, but the lens through which "Ruthless Tommy" is viewed today is even stranger than it was then. Throw in an actual kidnapping of Tommy (he's mistaken for Thump's child) and it's one of Rugrats' oddest.
6 All Growed Up
The first episode of Rugrats' eighth season, "All Growed Up," also doubles as the backdoor pilot for the time-jumping sequel series, All Grown Up. This episode definitely earns a spot on this list, thanks in part to how weird the follow-up was.
The stories of All Grown Up, were peculiar, like when Tommy documents the sneezes of others. But they couldn't have gotten there without this episode flashing forward to the adolescent years of the babies. It's kind of creepy out of context even!
5 No Place Like Home
Many creators have attempted to recreate the magic of The Wizard of Oz. It happened on Scrubs and it happened on Fargo. And, of course, it happened on Rugrats.
However, this installment does not use the babies to tell the classic Baum story. Instead, it puts Susie under anesthesia and transposes her in the classic fantasy tale. It's certainly an unconventional way of going about it and one that leaves this Rugrats episode sticking out from the lot.
4 Beauty Contest
Many of the weirdest plotlines of Rugrats were driven by the adult figures in the lives of these babies. When one takes a step back to consider how the parents act, it adds a new wrinkle of strangeness to the series.
"Beauty Contest" is a prime example of that. Stu and Grandpa pretend Tommy is actually Tonya, an infantile beauty pageant contestant. However, they only enter him into the mix because they want a fishing boat. It would be neat to be in the Rugrats writers' room when they came up with that one.
3 Wash-Dry Story
Especially for children's television, Rugrats was never afraid to be form-breaking. In season seven, it dove headfirst into the styling of a musical episode (speaking of Scrubs, the medical comedy would eventually do the same).
It certainly broke the form of Rugrats, as musical numbers abounded in a condensed run time for the installment. The driving story behind the musical? A war between the babies and the McNultys for the rights to Angelica's Cynthia doll and the ability to play at a laundromat.
2 Regarding Stuie
In another instance of references going right over kids' heads, there's not a chance they would pick up on "Regarding Stuie" being a reference to the amnesia story of Regarding Henry.
Yet, this episode exists all the same. In it, Stu falls off the roof and reverts to a childlike state of dependency. As such, he ingratiates himself as a part of the gang of titular "Rugrats." Again, the actions of the adults are truly odd sometimes.
1 Rhinoceritis
The third episode of season three, "Rhinoceritis," is one of the best examples of the balance Rugrats often struck between being creative, mundane, and outright weird simultaneously.
The main thrust of the episode is Angelica, posing as a doctor, convincing Chuckie that he is on the cusp of turning into a rhino (as one does). The B-plot of the episode? Stu files his taxes. This particular story on Rugrats is so odd that it almost seems like it's made just for the amusement of the creators. The best shows often are.
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