Cartoons and animated films have been a source of entertainment for many years. They come in all shapes and sizes, with different tones and moods, yet they all share the same purpose: to make us laugh. With that in mind we set out to compile a list of some of the most popular cartoon characters – those who are loved by generations young and old alike. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we enjoyed researching them!

#1 Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse is the most iconic cartoon character of all time, one with which even those who do not watch cartoons are familiar. He made his first appearance in 1928 and was created by Walt Disney. For most of us, if we think about cartoons at all, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a mouse in red pants and yellow shoes, with big white eyes.

We can probably attribute Mickey’s high popularity ratings to the fact that he has remained mostly unchanged over the years. He is still presented as a very optimistic character who does not get discouraged by life’s hurdles and continues trying until he succeeds. And succeed does he ever: Mickey is one of the most famous and richest cartoon characters in the world.

#2 Bugs Bunny

Bugs Bunny is a Warner Bros character who first appeared in 1940. He was created by Tex Avery. Bugs is an animated rabbit who is known for his fast talking and wisecracking, as well as his love of carrots (which he always has a stash of).

He is one of the most popular cartoon characters and has starred in many films over the years. In fact, he is considered the second most iconic cartoon character ever, behind Mickey Mouse.

#3 Donald Duck

Donald Duck made his debut in 1934 as a supporting character in The Wise Little Hen. He was created by Walt Disney and is an animated white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He is best known for his short temper and his distinctive quacking voice.

Donald is one of the most popular Disney characters and has starred in many films over the years. He has also been featured in comics, video games, and TV series.

#4 Tom and Jerry

Tom and Jerry is a classic cat and mouse cartoon that has been around since 1940. The characters were created by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna. The series follows the never-ending chase between the cunning Tom, who is trying to catch Jerry, and the clever Jerry, who always seems to outsmart Tom.

Tom and Jerry is one of the most popular cartoon characters ever. It has won 7 Academy Awards during its long history, including 6 for Best Short Subject (Cartoons). The characters have also starred in 14 films which were very successful at the box office.

#5 Popeye

Popeye debuted in 1929, in an animated film called Popeye the Sailor. He was created by Elzie Crisler Segar. Popeye is an animated sailor who is strong and muscular, thanks to his addiction to spinach (which makes him “spinach-strong”).

Popeye is one of the most popular cartoon characters of all time. He has starred in many films over the years, and his spinach-eating habit has made him a cultural icon.

#6 Snoopy

Snoopy is a character from the comic strip Peanuts, which was created by Charles Schulz. He made his first appearance in October 1950. Snoopy is an animated beagle who is best known for his love of ice skating and sleeping (he often has wild dreams).

Snoopy is one of the most popular cartoon characters in history. He has starred in many TV specials and films, and his comic strip is still read by millions of people every day.

#7 The Flintstones

The Flintstones is an animated TV series that first aired in 1960. It was created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The show is set in the Stone Age and features the antics of Fred Flintstone, his wife Wilma, their best friend Barney Rubble, and their pet Dino.

The Flintstones is one of the most popular cartoon characters ever. It was a huge success and became the first animated prime-time show. The show had a lot of merchandise (including comic books, toys, food products, and video games), which made it even more popular.

#8 Garfield

Garfield is a comic strip created by Jim Davis. It first appeared in 1978. The strip follows the life of Garfield, a lazy orange cat, and his owner Jon Arbuckle.

Garfield is one of the most popular cartoon characters ever. He has starred in many TV specials and films, and his comic strip is still read by millions of people. Garfield is also a popular internet meme, and the Guinness World Records website has named him as the world’s most widely syndicated comic strip character.

#9 The Simpsons

The Simpsons is an animated TV series that first aired in 1989. It was created by Matt Groening. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and follows the lives of the Simpson family (Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie).

The Simpsons is one of the most popular cartoon characters ever. It has won dozens of awards, including 31 Primetime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. The Simpsons has also been translated into many different languages and aired in over 100 countries.

#10 Betty Boop

Betty Boop appeared in the cartoon Dizzy Dishes, which was released by Max Fleischer Studios in 1930. She is a cute and sassy character who made her debut as a caricature of singer Helen Kane. Betty was later redesigned and given a dog called Pudgy (her boyfriend).

Betty Boop is one of the most popular cartoon characters in history. She has been featured in many films and merchandises, and she has also inspired many singers (including Beyonce!)

Bartholomew JoJo “Bart” Simpson or simply Bart Simpson is a cartoon character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He first appeared in The Tracey Ullman Show before The Simpsons started airing on December 17, 1989.

Bart Simpson is the ten year old middle child of Homer and Marge Simpson and brother to Lisa and Maggie. He is a mischievous and rebellious child who has the tendency to violate rules. In the TV series, Bart is popularly known for his chalkboard gags in the opening sequence and his catchphrases such as “Eat my shorts,” “Ay, caramba!” and Hey, don’t have a cow man!” Bart will eventually become one of the most popular characters in the Simpsons, starting a merchandise featuring himself. He also earned a place in Time’s 100 most important people of the 20^th century and “entertainer of the year” by Entertainment Weekly in 1990. He also owns a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

BART SIMPSON ON THE TV SERIES

Bart lived with his parents in the Lower East Side of Springfield until the time that they move to their own house. He was jealous of Lisa initially but he eventually became a loving big brother when Lisa first learned to say his name. An incident in the school would mark his rebellious and mischievous behavior as the series progressed.

Bart loved skateboarding, watching TV, reading comic books, playing video games, and doing the occasional mischief. He also like Jaws and the Star Wars trilogy. Throughout the series, he would do some part-time jobs that included bartending, being Krusty Klown’s assistant, doorman, and a factory owner for a short while.

Popeye the Sailorman was a cartoon character who became popular both in comics and animated cartoons. In both the comic strips and the TV animated cartoons, there were no clear plots regarding the stories that were portrayed. Nevertheless, they always showed Popeye’s capabilities in solving problems even though he seemed to be ill-mannered sometimes. His signature pipe was also shown to be of many use. In many instances, it had been use as a cutting torch, jet engine, propeller, periscope, and as whistle which he used to make his signature toot.

Popeye’s adventures usually included preventing Bluto from stealing Olive Oyl which he did by surpassing unimaginable tests. Interestingly, Olive was the only character who could hurt Popeye.

POPEYE COMICS

The Popeye comic books were mostly about his adventures that involved beating the Mafia and thwarting Bluto’s evil deeds. In the coming years, various series of the Popeye comics were printed and some specials were also released including The Wedding of Popeye and Olive Oyl and the reprinted version of the “Classic Popeye.”

THEATRICAL ANIMATED POPEYE SERIES

The first Popeye cartoons aired in 1933. The animated cartoon would eventually elevate Popeye’s stardom much more than what he gained from the comics. The cartoon was usually about Popeye’s struggles, where he always got beaten before he took his can of spinach which gave him superhuman strength.

Since 1941, Popeye was transferred from various animations studios and production companies like Famous Studios, Paramount, Associated Artists Productions, Turner Entertainment and Warner Bros. Under these companies, various shorts including You’re Sap, Mr. Jap, Spooky Swabs, and other Popeye shorts were released. In 2001, The Popeye Show was aired in Cartoon Network.

POPEYE TV CARTOONS

Popeye the Sailor started airing in 1960. In the cartoon series, Bluto’s named was changed to Brutus. Most of the stories depicted in the show were lifted directly from the Popeye comic strips.

In 1978, The All New Popeye Hour came out where Bluto’s original name was retained. It changed its title into The Popeye and Olive Show in 1981 and ended in 1983. Other Popeye TV cartoons included Popeye and Son and a TV special entitle Popeye’s Voyage: The Quest for Pappy.

Frederick “Fred” Flintstone or Frederick J. Flintstone is a character in the animated sitcom The Flintstones. Fred played the head of his family which included Wilma Flintstone, his wife, and their daughter, Pebbles Flintstone. Their neighbors included his good friend Barney and Betty Rubble and their adopted son, Bamm-Bamm.

Fred lived in the prehistoric town of Bedrock, where cave people and dinosaurs coexist. The characters were also privileged with modern technology like telephones, automobiles, and washing machines. Fred became popular with his trademark yell “yabba dabba doo!”

WHO WAS FRED FLINTSTONE

Fred’s funny side came from his tendency to bad-mouth, be aggressive, and always search for ways to improve his life which more often than not, led to unwanted consequences. He’s also a bit ill-tempered and inclined to unknowingly irritate the other people that surrounded him. However, setting aside his negative behavior, Fred loved his family very much and was very close to his best friend Barney.

In the TV series, Fred was commonly seen playing bowling, pool, golf, and poker. He also earned the nickname “Twinkletoes” when he became qualified to play for a football team. In addition, he was a member of the Loyal Order of Water Buffalos Lodge and had a penchant for gambling.

Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character and serves as the official mascot of The Walt Disney Company. He looks like an anthropomorphic mouse wearing red shorts, large yellow shoes, and a pair of white gloves. He first appeared in the short film Steamboat Willie in 1928. Afterwards, he would be included in other movies that included The Band Concert, Brave Little Tailor, and Fantasia. One of his films, Lend a Paw, received an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film while he was the first cartoon character to own a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition, Mickey Mouse also starred in The Mickey Mouse Club which ran from 1955-1966. Aside from being a famous cartoon character, Mickey Mouse was featured in a comic strip that lasted for 45 years.

When Mickey Mouse filled the screen, he was accompanied by other characters such as Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pete.

MICKEY MOUSE’S BLACK AND WHITE FILMS

The earlier films of Mickey Mouse did not really portray him as a hero. Instead, he was the suitor of Minnie Mouse. His character was first turned down Minnie Mouse in The Barn Dance.

In The Opry House, Mickey first wore his white gloves which he would continue do so in his succeeding appearances. There were also Mickey Mouse films and shorts which had unusual stories and themes like When the Cat’s Away, The Barnyard Battle, and The Karnival Kid where Mickey first spoke.

COLORED MICKEY MOUSE FILMS

The first colored animation where Mickey Mouse was Parade of the Award Nominees in 1932 while his first official color film was The Band Concert. Adding colors to Mickey Mouse paved the way for his ever increasing popularity. However, the appearance of Donald Duck and Goofy would lead the collaboration of the trio in various films like Mickey’s Fire Brigade, Moose Hunters, Clock Cleaners, Lonesome Ghosts, Boat Builders, and Mickey’s Trailer.

Mickey Mouse’s first feature-length film was Fantasia where he played as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The story was about the sorcerer’s apprentice who tried using a magic hat to perform the tasks assigned to him by the sorcerer. Chaos would eventually commence when Mickey Mouse was unable to control the broom that he had brought to life.

MICKEY MOUSE’S TV CAREER AND OTHER FILMS

During the 1950s, Mickey Mouse became more prominent in television. His most popular TV show was probably The Mickey Mouse Club. Other television series that featured Mickey Mouse included Mickey Mouse Works, Disney’s House of Mouse, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Meanwhile, there were still theatrical animations and shorts that starred Mickey Mouse such as Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Get a Horse, Runaway Brain, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, and Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas.

Bugs Bunny is a popular cartoon character made Leon Schlesinger Productions and originally voiced by Mel Blanc. He appeared in various cartoons like Looney Tunes and a series of short animations of Merrie Melodies. Over the years, Bugs Bunny became an American cultural icon and has also served as Warner Bros. Entertainment’s corporate mascot.

Bugs Bunny is a very talkative, non-caring, and indifferent gray hare who cunningly hangs around with various characters and has become popular for his catch phrase “Eh…What’s up, doc?” which he says while chewing a carrot.

Bugs Bunny has appeared in a number of shorts, films, TV series, comics, video games, award shows, amusement parks, and commercials.

THE ORIGINS OF BUGS BUNNY

Bugs Bunny was an original member of Tex Avery’s cartoon unit. The first Bugs Bunny appeared in the Bugs Bunny comics in the Sunday pages and his first film appearance was in Porky’s Hare Hunt on April 30, 1938.

The rabbit portrayed in Porky’s Hare Hunt that it reappeared in Prest-O Change-O as the pet of Sham-Fu the Magician. His next appearance was in Hare-um Scare shown in 1939. It was the first time that a gray bunny was used and the name Bugs Bunny was penned.

A Wild Hare which first aired on July 27, 1940 was considered as the first official Bugs Bunny cartoon. It was also where Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny started the chase that would run for a very long time. In addition, the cartoon started using the popular catchphrase, “Eh…What’s up, doc?”

Elmer’s Pet Rabbit was the first film to use the screen name “Bugs Bunny” while Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt was the second Bugs Bunny cartoon to receive an Academy Award nomination.

During the Second World War, Bugs Bunny started appearing in a number of episodes of Merrie Melodies along with other cartoon characters such as Egghead, Inki, Sniffles, and Elmer. His first appearance in the Looney Tunes series was in the episode Buckaroo Bugs. His popularity continued rising as the war progressed and he eventually received his own special star billing.

Bugs Bunny also became the official mascot of Kingman Army Airfield in Kingman, Arizona and 530 Squadron of the 380^th Bombardment Group of the 5^th Air Force. He was also made an honorary Marine Master Sergeant when he wore a United States Marine corps uniform in the cartoons Super-Rabbit.

BUGS BUNNY’S CAREER AFTER THE WAR

After the war, Bugs Bunny still made a number of appearances and cameos in cartoons and short films. Some of these included Knighty Knight Bugs as well as Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Seasoning, and Duck! Rabbit! Duck! Bugs also became the famous rival of Daffy Duck for a long time.

In 1960, The Bugs Bunny Show was aired which included Warners cartoons made after 1948. During the 1970s until the early 1990s, Bugs Bunny starred in a number of animated specials for TV like Bugs Bunny’s Thanksgiving Diet, Bugs Bunny’s Looney Christmas Tales, and Bugs Bunny’s Bustin’ Out All Over. In addition, he had been included in theatrical compilation features such as Bugs Bunny: Superstar, The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie, The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie, Bugs Bunny’s 3^rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales, and Daffy Duck’s Quackbusters.

Aside from other Warner Bros. characters, Bugs Bunny shared the screen with characters from other studios like Disney’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit where he starred side by side with Mickey Mouse. He also appeared in the TV special Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue.

The film Box-Office Bunny marked Bugs Bunny’s 50^th anniversary. He also appeared in a number of movies later on including (Blooper) Bunny, Space Jam, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action.

Bugs Bunny returned to television when The Looney Tunes Show and Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Production. In 2015, he was in a film entitled Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run.