The Flintstones

The Flintstones is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that originally aired on ABC from 1960 to 1966.

The Flintstones is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that originally aired on ABC from 1960 to 1966. Set in the Stone Age town of Bedrock, it follows the Flintstone and Rubble families and is widely regarded as the first prime-time animated television series. The series has been familiar to Canadian audiences through reruns, syndication, and home media.

Premise

The series is set in a stylized Stone Age world where characters use prehistoric substitutes for modern appliances, vehicles, and domestic life. Its stories focus on the Flintstone and Rubble families and their everyday misadventures in Bedrock.

Broadcast history

The Flintstones premiered on ABC on September 30, 1960 and ended its original run on April 1, 1966. It became a major ratings success and remained one of the longest-running prime-time animated series of its era.

Cultural impact

The show is considered a landmark in television animation because it helped prove that cartoons could work in prime time for family and adult audiences. Its success led to extensive merchandising, reruns, spin-offs, and later film adaptations.

Franchise and legacy

After the original series, The Flintstones continued through specials, spin-offs, and live-action feature films. The franchise remained a major part of popular culture long after the 1960s broadcast ended.