Top 10 Best Cartoon Characters of All Time

Since Paste first published this list ten years ago. New episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park are released like clockwork every year. But they only represent the very top of the iceberg, though. Traditional cable networks have developed new and fascinating animated characters and worlds. On the other hand, streaming services have enabled even more creators to produce the animated shows they want to.

Today, adults also enjoy watching cartoons on Saturday mornings. Even more target teens or adults as their primary audience, allowing them to tell relatable, impactful, and hilarious stories within the context of animation. Many use wittier humor, more complex characters, and more profound stories to engage those of any age. Western animation has never been as diverse as it is today, and I think it has the potential to achieve the same cultural status as anime did in Japan decades ago.

1. Mickey Mouse

   

   Created: 1928
   Creators: Walt Disney, Ub Iwerks
   Voices: Walt Disney, Bret Iwan, various others

   In the shadow of the Disney empire’s mascot, it’s easy to lose sight of Mickey’s cartoon character. But without the charms of an enthusiastic, adventurous mouse, there might not be a Disney empire. The mouse is expected to enter the public domain in 2024, nearly a century after Disney’s iconic “Steamboat Willie” short. But, after launching an unfathomably wealthy $173 billion empire, that seems more than reasonable.

2. Tom and Jerry

   

   Created: 1941
   Creators: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera
   Voices: William Hanna, various others

   With the advent of talkies, silent film largely died out. Nonetheless, Hanna and Barbera’s Tom and Jerry didn’t require dialogue to captivate generations of children. Between 1940 and 1958, 114 short films were produced. They still feel like they belong to my late-’70s childhood. When they watch the 2014 adaptation of the classic cat-and-mouse antics, they’ll feel like they’re a part of my kids’ childhoods.

3. Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)

   

   Created: 1940
   Creators: Ben Hardaway, Tex Avery
   Voices: Mel Blanc, Jeff Bergman, various others

   A rabbit is the coolest cat in cartoon history. Or even a hare. During his many antics, that minor taxonomic difference was never addressed. Despite this, he maintained an enviable calm under fire. Elmer Fudd’s shotgun, Yosemite Sam’s pistols, and Marvin Martian’s ACME Disintegration Pistol were all popular weapons. Warner Bros.’s well-known face had only one flaw: a poor sense of direction (especially when tunneling through New Mexico).

4. Homer J. Simpson (The Simpsons)

   

   Created: 1987
   Creator: Matt Groening
   Voice: Dan Castellaneta

   The first two seasons of The Simpsons focused on Bart. Still, the show evolved into something truly unique when it became Homer-centric. He is the everyman at his most lazy, hungry, dumbest, and drunkest. But, thanks to a good heart buried beneath all those doughnuts, he’s also the hero who saves the day—or, at the very least, restores everything to a status quo that has lasted three and a half decades and over thirty Halloween “Treehouse of Horror” specials, the 30th of which aired as the series 666th episode.

5. Scooby-Doo and Shaggy Rogers

   

   Created: 1969
   Creators: Joe Ruby, Ken Spears
   Voices: Casey Kasem, Don Messick, various others

   They never say it directly, but we’re pretty sure those “Scooby Snacks” contain something… hallucinogenic. Compared to the rest of the Scooby Gang, Shaggy and Scoob appear completely useless, eating and lounging most of the time and screaming in terror when confronted with anything spooky. Despite this, they are the easiest to love. This man and dog duo has remained timeless throughout Scooby-many Doo’s adaptations.

6. Winnie the Pooh

   

    

   Created: 1926
   Creators: A. A. Milne, E. H. Shepard
   Voice: Sterling Holloway, Hal Smith, Jim Cummings

   For many, Winnie-the-Disney Pooh’s adventures are the best-remembered repeats of this Silly Ol’ Bear, as beloved as he was in book form. Winnie the Pooh measured having an insatiable sweet tooth and his big heart and inherent sweetness.

7. Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles (The Powerpuff Girls)

   

   Created: 1998
   Creator: Craig McCracken
   Voices: Cathay Cavadini, Tara Strong, E. G. Daily, and Many others

   The Powerpuff Girls arrived on the 90s cartoon scene ready to inspire and delight a generation. Regardless of who you identified with, the ultimate lesson was that working together is the most powerful play.

8. Rick and Morty

   

   Created: 2013
   Creators: Justin Roiland, Dan Harmon
   Voice: Justin Roiland

   Based on a crude animation of Marty and Doc from Back to the Future, Kayla Cobb best described Rick and Morty as a “never-ending fart joke wrapped around a studied look into nihilism.” Morty, in his adolescence, travels through dimensions with his alcoholic, jaded grandfather Rick. Despite his insecurities, the latter sees himself as an unstoppable force. Unfortunately, too many fans learn the wrong lessons from Rick, idolizing his toxic behavior.

9. Popeye

   

   Created: 1929
   Creator: E. C. Segar
   Voices: William Costello (1933-1935), Jack Mercer (1935-1984), and many others

   Popeye the Sailor, one of the earliest icons of American animation, became instantly special thanks to his wacky antics and superhuman strength after downing a can of spinach.

10. Daffy Duck (Looney Tunes)

    

    Created: 1937
    Creators: Tex Avery, Bob Clampett
    Voices: Mel Blanc, Jeff Bergman, various others

    Yes, Daffy can be “despicable!” but as his enduring popularity shows, he’s endearing all the same.