The Raccoons

The Raccoons is a Canadian animated television series which was originally broadcast from 1985 to 1991 with three preceding television specials from its inception in 1980 and one direct to video special in 1984. The franchise was created by Kevin Gillis with the co-operation of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

This gentle animated family comedy follows a close-knit circle of lovable characters whose everyday misadventures spiral into harmless chaos and are always resolved with warmth. Each episode is a self-contained story built on simple premises, such as a lost item, a misunderstanding between friends, or a plan that goes slightly wrong, and the humor comes from quick physical gags, playful dialogue, and the characters' earnest personalities. The tone is consistently whimsical and comforting, with little real threat and no lasting harm, so tension rarely lingers past the closing minutes. Underneath the silliness runs a steady current about friendship, loyalty, and owning up to mistakes, and the lessons arrive lightly rather than preachily. The hand-drawn cel animation has the bright, saturated look of its era, with exaggerated expressions that keep the comedy broad and accessible. Suited to young children and the adults watching alongside them, the show offers easy, reassuring viewing that rewards repeat visits. Its appeal lies less in plot twists than in the comfort of familiar faces, predictable kindness, and the satisfaction of a problem neatly solved by the end of each half hour.

Remembered warmly as a gentle, charming family animation with lasting nostalgic appeal, though seen as modest in ambition.

• Fraggle RockBoth mix whimsical episodic adventures with warm, low-stakes humor aimed at young viewers and their families.
• Inspector GadgetBoth are broad, slapstick-leaning animated comedies from the same era that rely on recurring characters and simple moral lessons.

Created by

Kevin Gillis

Release Date

1985-11-11

Episode runtime

25 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (32)

What is The Raccoons about?

A cheerful animated family comedy where a close-knit group of lovable characters gets into harmless mischief and learns gentle lessons along the way.

What is The Raccoons like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Raccoons as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Raccoons violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Raccoons.

What did critics think of The Raccoons?

Remembered warmly as a gentle, charming family animation with lasting nostalgic appeal, though seen as modest in ambition.

Which shows are like The Raccoons?

Shows with a similar feel include Fraggle Rock and Inspector Gadget.

How long is The Raccoons?

The Raccoons: 5 seasons, 60 episodes.

Is The Raccoons still running?

No, The Raccoons has ended.

Where can I watch The Raccoons?

In United States, The Raccoons streams on The Roku Channel.