The Atom Ant Show
"Up and at 'em!"
A NBC Original
Atom Ant runs a tiny but high-tech operation from his private anthill, picking up distress calls through built-in antennae and rocketing off to stop a parade of eccentric villains. Each short episode sets a brisk pace: atomic-strength rescues, slapstick encounters with foes like Bug Fat Dynamo... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026
About The Atom Ant Show
Atom Ant runs a tiny but high-tech operation from his private anthill, picking up distress calls through built-in antennae and rocketing off to stop a parade of eccentric villains. Each short episode sets a brisk pace: atomic-strength rescues, slapstick encounters with foes like Bug Fat Dynamo and Ferocious Flea, and tidy resolutions that keep the tone kid-friendly. The program pairs those Atom Ant adventures with two comic segments, Precious Pupp, where a mischievous dog outwits Granny Sweet, and the Hillbilly Bears, whose rural squabbles provide broad, goofy humor. Everything is simple, loud, and designed to entertain young viewers without confusing them.
Produced by Hanna-Barbera and debuting in 1965, the series followed the studio's Saturday morning model. Voice talent included Howard Morris, Don Messick, Janet Waldo, Henry Corden, and Jean Vander Pyl, each giving distinctive vocal life to the cast.
Though never a runaway phenomenon, Atom Ant earned a place in 1960s cartoon culture as a playful superhero parody for kids. Its jaunty theme and punchy premise stuck with viewers who grew up on Saturday morning blocks, and the character became part of Hanna-Barbera's recognizable stable, often cited in discussions of the studio's approach to comic heroism.
Fan reaction has stayed generally positive, reflected in a 7.267 out of 10 average from 193 votes, indicating steady fondness among retro animation fans. The show leans on themes of small-but-mighty heroism, clear moral lines, and physical comedy. Episodes are compact and moral-forward, delivering fast laughs alongside simple lessons about helping others and standing up to bullies.
The Atom Ant Show didn’t win major industry awards, yet it helped expand Hanna-Barbera's catalog of child-friendly superhero spoofs and remains of interest to collectors and historians. Its short, episodic format and memorable lead helped keep the character alive in reruns and nostalgic conversations about classic TV animation.
Details
- Release Date
- October 02, 1965
- Episode Length
- 21m
- User Ratings
- 193 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 78
- Network
- NBC
- Status
- Ended
- Genres
- Animation, Kids, Comedy
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Screen Gems Television +2 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Howard Morris
Atom Ant (voice)
Don Messick
Precious Pupp / Shag Rugg (voice)
Janet Waldo
Granny Sweet (voice)
Henry Corden
Paw Rugg (voice)
Jean Vander Pyl
Maw Rugg / Floral Rugg (voice)
Seasons (1 season, 78 episodes)
Season 1
78 episodes - 1965