Inspector Gadget (1983)

Inspector Gadget (1983) is a lighthearted, action-packed animated series about a well-meaning but bumbling bionic police inspector whose body is full of comically unreliable gadgets. When the nefarious organization M.A.D., led by the unseen Dr. Claw, schemes to wreak havoc, Gadget lumbers into the fray with pop-up roller skates, extendable arms, a helicopter hat and all manner of malfunctioning gizmos—usually creating more chaos than solutions. Watching Inspector Gadget is a cheerful, fast-paced ride of slapstick, spy-parody capers and family-friendly adventure. Each episode delivers bright 1980s animation, whimsical gadget-based sight gags, and a predictable-but-pleasing formula: Gadget blunders through setpieces while the real detective work is quietly carried out by his clever niece Penny and her resourceful dog Brain. Expect clever disguises, tense but playful confrontations with M.A.D., recurring catchphrases like “Go, go Gadget…,” and Dr. Claw’s iconic, menacing growl from the shadows. The show is ideal for kids and for adults nostalgic for retro cartoons—light on complexity but big on laughs, inventive gadgets, and wholesome teamwork. If you tune in, you’ll get a entertaining mix of comic mishaps, simple mysteries, and heartwarming moments as Penny and Brain save the day while Gadget takes the credit.

Actors: Don Adams, Holly Berger, Frank Welker

Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation

6.8 /10 6.8 /10