The 40 Most-Loved Animated Characters Of All Time
Animated films have become increasingly elevated as cinematic art, with many appealing to adults and children alike. As more studios join the trend toward animated features, choosing the best animated characters of all time is becoming trickier. Which ones made your list?
Mickey Mouse
The world has loved Mickey Mouse since he first appeared in the animated short, Steamboat Willie, in 1928. Voiced by Walt Disney himself (as well as Jimmy MacDonald and Wayne Allwine at times), Mickey has never had a leading role in a feature-length film!
Walt Disney, Steamboat Willie (1928)
Fiver
Fiver is the sweet and innocent rabbit in 1972’s Watership Down. As the rabbits undertake their perilous journey to establish a new warren, Fiver’s indomitable spirit makes him the real hero of the story.
Warner Bros., Watership Down (1978)
Daffy Duck
You’re (not) despicable, Daffy Duck! The beloved, scheming, irritable duck from Warner Brothers, known for his run-ins with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, has been a favorite of audiences since his first appearance in an animated short in 1937.
Warner Bros., Daffy Duck & Egghead (1938)
Toad
British actor Sir Ian McKellen has performed in dozens of iconic films but his voicing of the megalomaniacal Toad in 2006’s Flushed Away is a masterpiece of voice acting. As Toad goes around making hilariously pompous speeches in proper British diction and cadence, it’s clear that McKellen is having a blast.
DreamWorks, Flushed Away (2006)
Aisling
In the beautifully stylized animated film The Secret of the Kells (2009), Aisling is a mischievous forest sprite, hundreds of years old, representing the spirit of Ireland. Her benevolent powers and her fierce loyalty are two reasons she is so beloved in this film about the making of the Book of Kells.
Cartoon Saloon, The Secret of the Kells (2009)
Thumper
The scene where Thumper and Bambi slide around together, after discovering the magic of ice one winter day, is one of the most iconic moments in animated film. Thumper, who appears as Bambi’s streetwise advisor in both the 1942 classic and the 2006 sequel, Bambi 2, always means well but sometimes leads the two friends into trouble.
Snoopy
Snoopy made his debut as a comic strip character in 1950 and as a film star in 1969. Every generation since his debut has discovered him anew, embracing the lovable and imaginative animated canine.
CBS, The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (1983-1985)
Remy
The star of Pixar’s beloved Ratatouille (2007), Remy is eminently lovable. He’s ambitious, passionate, caring, a great leader, accepting of all—and an inspired chef. Does it even matter that he’s a rat or does that make him more lovable?
Elsa
In 2013’s Frozen, Elsa is a secondary character meant to be the film’s antagonist. However, her troubled, isolated existence is highly relatable and in 2019’s Frozen II, she morphs into a powerful, thoughtful leader who is an incredible role model for girls.
Lumiere
Lumiere shines (excuse the pun) in both Beauty and the Beast (1991) and The Enchanted Christmas (1997). The amorous candlestick is charming, chivalrous, romantic, and—surprisingly—voiced by Jerry Orbach of Law & Order and Dirty Dancing fame.
Walt Disney, Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Maui
Maui, the overconfident demigod from Disney’s Moana (2016), is mischievous and gregarious—and has a heart of gold. As if that isn’t enough to make us love him, he’s voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Mirabel
Beautiful inside and out, Mirabel is a wonderful animated role model. The star of Encanto (2021), she’s highly relatable as someone who doesn’t quite fit in with her family but remains loving and sweet.
Roger Rabbit
It’s hard to believe Who Framed Roger Rabbit was created in 1988. The film remains a masterpiece of animation. As for Roger Rabbit himself, the character is endearing with his infectious charm and humor.
Touchstone, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Emily
She may be a zombie, but Emily from Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005) is strikingly beautiful and, ironically, full of life. She stole our hearts while dancing in the moonlight, playing the piano, and walking away from her own happy ending.
Warner Bros., Corpse Bride (2005)
Shifu
Brilliantly voiced by Dustin Hoffman in all four Kung Fu Panda feature films, Shifu is the perfect kung fu master. In the tradition of Yoda and Mr Miyagi, Shifu is a caring mentor with endless nuggets of wisdom and a playful sense of humor.
DreamWorks, Kung Fu Panda (2008)
DJ
12-year-old Dustin James “DJ” Walters is right on the cusp of adolescence in 2006’s Monster House. With his voice cracking and burgeoning interest in girls, he’s a poignant and nostalgic reminder to adult viewers of their own tween years.
Columbia, Monster House (2006)
Grumpy
All of the dwarfs in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) are sweet and memorable in their own ways. But Grumpy stands out as the one with the most personality. We know he has a marshmallow heart under his gruff exterior and when he finally allows it to show, it makes him all the more lovable.
Walt Disney, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Carl Fredricksen
Carl Fredricksen may be grumpy in Pixar’s 2009 masterpiece, Up, but we all know why—and we just want to give him a big hug. As we watch Carl navigate grief after the loss of his precious Ellie, we quietly cheer when he overcomes his hurt and decides to move on with his life.
Chihiro
Spirited Away (2001) is considered one of the best anime movies of all time—because of its beautiful, complex animation and accurate portrayal of childhood. Chihiro, in particular, is brilliantly presented as spoiled, selfish, and sulky at times, while still being kind and brave—just like most kids.
Tokuma Shoten, Spirited Away (2001)
Hiccup
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the protagonist of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, is a breath of fresh air in animated films. Smart, wise-cracking, and geeky, Hiccup is a rare type of cartoon character—but one that’s highly relatable for many in the audience.
DreamWorks, How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Kristofferson
Kristofferson Silverfox is maybe just a little too perfect in Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)—but it’s that perfection that gets the laughs. Although he’s a foil for Ash, who isn’t quite as perfect, Kristofferson is quick to protect Ash and others.
Twentieth Century, Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)
Captain Hook
One of the best movie villains of all time—animated or not—Captain Hook is sinister and hot-tempered in Peter Pan (1953). But he’s also complex and nuanced, which makes him more relatable.
Mike Wazowski
There are many great animated characters in 2001’s Monsters Inc but it’s no surprise that the one voiced by Billy Crystal steals the show. Crystal’s Mike Wazowski is endearingly hapless, wacky, and funny.
Walt Disney, Monsters Inc. (2001)
Jack Skellington
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) is a masterpiece in stop motion animation and storytelling. Jack Skellington, the movie’s protagonist, is surprisingly complex and layered. It’s likely that an adult audience, in particular, can identify with Jack’s desire for something new and different.
Walt Disney, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Donkey
Voiced by Eddie Murphy in the Shrek franchise, Donkey steals the show every time the audience sees him. Donkey may not be very smart, but that’s one reason why he’s so endearing—along with his comedic talents and loyalty to Shrek.
Genie
The late great Robin Williams voiced Genie in Disney’s Aladdin franchise. Williams’ brilliance at comic improvisation shaped how Genie was presented visually and vocally and remains one of the most iconic voicing acting roles in animation.
Totoro
One of Hayao Miyazaki’s brilliant creations, Totoro is the forest spirit we all need. Gentle and cuddly, he reaches out to comfort those in emotional need in the Japanese animated film, My Neighbour Totoro.
Studio Ghibli, My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Dory
It’s impossible to NOT love Dory, the sweet and sunny blue tang fish in Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016). Although her short-term memory challenges provide plenty of fodder for jokes, her struggles to overcome her limitations—and her eventual triumphant success—make her endearing and relatable.
Cruella De Vil
We may love to hate Cruella de Vil in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians (1961) but the reasons why we hate her are the same reasons that make her such a memorable villainess. Cackling, greedy, and abusive—not to mention lusting after a coat made of Dalmatian fur—de Vil’s character has been spun off into animated sequels, live action films, and theater.
Walt Disney, One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Coraline
Coraline (2008) is a masterpiece of stop motion animation. The eponymous main character, voiced by Dakota Fanning, is visually beautiful and highly detailed with thousands of facial expressions. Character-wise, she’s your average tween—a bit of a brat but still endearing.
Focus Features, Coraline (2008)
Buzz Lightyear
Brilliantly voiced by Tim Allen in the Toy Story films, Buzz Lightyear is everyone’s favorite action hero. One of Pixar’s most iconic characters, Buzz is beloved for his can-do attitude, courage, optimism, loyalty to his friends—and his catchphrases. “To infinity and beyond!”
Walt Disney, Toy Story 3 (2010)
Lilo
It’s easy to relate to Lilo, the sweet little Hawaiian girl in Disney’s Lilo and Stitch franchise. Although she’s sometimes moody and badly behaved, she’s really just trying to process her emotions and figure life out. Who among us hasn’t laid on the floor, listening to music, to try to get over a bad day?
Walt Disney, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005)
Puss In Boots
Brilliantly voiced by Antonio Banderas since Shrek 2 (2004), Puss In Boots leans into the swashbuckling charm and confidence of Zorro. Although he was developed as a one-off supporting character, the comedic ladies’ cat is so beloved that he is now the longest-running character of the franchise, with his own feature films.
DreamWorks, Puss in Boots (2011)
Dug
Squirrel! Dug—the golden retriever who adopts the grieving Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s Up—is the quintessential dog. Fun-loving, optimistic, and full of love, Dug reminds us why dogs are humankind’s best friends.
Dumbo
Adorable and tiny (at least as far as elephants go), Dumbo has been tugging at our heartstrings since making his first screen appearance in 1941. Although he never speaks, the cute pachyderm deftly plays our emotions like a violin, thanks to his beautifully expressive eyes and ears.
Jessica Rabbit
One of film’s greatest femme fatales—animated or otherwise—Jessica Rabbit is sultry, witty, selfless, and compassionate. She’s the animated character that men want to be with, and that women want to be.
Touchstone, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Marji
The award-winning Persepolis (2007) is a clear elevation of animation from children’s movies to artistic cinema. The film follows the beautifully drawn Marji as she grows up in Iran during the turbulent 1980s and 90s.
Wall-E
Sweet, innocent, and adorable, Wall-E has been alone for 700 long years in Pixar’s 2008 film. As if that’s not enough to make him endearing, his search for love and affection tugs on our heartstrings—big time.
Woody
Woody, voiced to perfection by Tom Hanks in the Toy Story franchise, is highly relatable. He has all the best qualities: He’s loyal, smart, noble, and keen to always do the right thing. But he also makes mistakes. And that’s why we love him.
Homer J Simpson
Homer J Simpson is an American icon. Bumbling, dull-witted, and shown little respect by his family, Homer has been making us laugh for over 30 years. Despite his many imperfections, he remains fundamentally good and has experienced moments of growth and vulnerability that we can all relate to—however, he’s still got one disturbing habit that makes even die-hard fans uncomfortable.
Homer strangling his son Bart has become a running gag in the show, but many fans admit that the act is a bit much for them. During a 2023 episode of the show, it seemed like the show was letting go of the violent gag—only for the showrunners to backtrack in a recent episode that aired in October. They later confirmed that the strangling is here to stay, and is “in the DNA of the series”.
