55 Most Iconic Cartoon Characters Your Child Should know about

Knowingly or unknowingly cartoons and respective cartoon characters have played an important role in mending our personality.

For instance, we learn our own language as well as a foreign language from a cartoon series or the great animations in it makes a person more creative.

Cartoons really influence us because, we have all started with cartoons.

Usually, cartoon characters are sticky to mind. Here are some of the cartoon characters that have created a space in some or the other corner of our memory

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1. Mickey Mouse

No one else can grab this position of the most enjoyed cartoon character. In fact, no other cartoon characters in the Disney era would have been as popular as they are today, without the favourite Mickey Mouse. Perhaps, he can be called as the ‘Jesus of Cartoon Characters’.

Creator or Artist of this cartoon characters: Walt Disney
Year of Release: 1928
IMBD Rating: 8.1
Rotten Tomato Rating: 67%

2. Homer Simpson

Simpson and his family has been our favourite entertainers since their debut in “The Trace Ullman Show”. He is best known for his epic exclamation of frustration-“D’oh!!!”.

Creator or Artist of the cartoon character: Matt Grogening
Year of Release: 1987
IMBD Rating: 8.7
Rotten Tomato Rating: 88%

3. Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown- the kid who always refuses to kick his football. He is one of the kinds of cartoon characters whose dog is more popular than him. His feelings for his secret crush- ‘Little Redheaded Girl’, steal our hearts.

He made his debut in a comic newspaper named “Lil Folks” in 1948, later on through certain makeovers; he got the chance to appear first in Television as “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.

Creator or Artist: Charles M Schulz
Year of Release: 1965(in TV)
IMBD Rating: 6
Rotten Tomato Rating: 94%

4. Fred Flintstone

Fred Flintstone-one who has made us tuck in front of our televisions, with a blend of comedy along with family issues. Fred is known for his voice loyalty and appetite.

Perhaps, ‘The Flintstone’ was the first ever animated show in prime time.

Creator or Artist: William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Year of Release: 1960
IMBD Rating: 6.9
Rotten Tomato Rating: 87%

5. Tom & Jerry

No other cartoon series can replace one of the longest running cartoon series in the history of America. They have made our childhood days funnier with their slapstick comedies and screams.

This mouse and the cat have entertained us through their household weaponry fight where Jerry always outsmarts Tom.

Creator or Artist: William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Year of Release: 1940
IMBD Rating: 7.8
Rotten Tomato Rating: 25%

6. Scooby-Doo

One of the most famous animated dogs ever-Scooby Doo and his investigating team including his owner Shaggy Roggers have made us laugh through their unending investigation of super natural monster crimes.

In a study in 2013, Scooby-Doo was ranked as the fifth greatest TV cartoon.

Creator or Artist: Joe Ruby and Ken Spears
Year of Release: 1969
IMBD Rating: 7.8
Rotten Tomato Rating: 90%

7. Sponge Bob Square Pants

The iconic cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pants, is an American animated comedy Television series in Nickel don.

He is a super-cute yellow porous sponge with square pants and many positive traits. He has always wondered children with the question that how can someone live in a pineapple under the sea.

Creator or Artist: Stephen McDannell Hillenburg
Year of Release: 1999
IMBD Rating: 8.1
Rotten Tomato Rating: 75

8. Winnie- The Pooh

The little fluffy bear- Winnie the Pooh, is a character with a mental obsession of having honey all the time. Winnie the Pooh has also created controversies in China in 2013, when it was used as a political satire.

Besides these issues, the character has bagged many awards including the 27^th rank in the list of 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time by TV Guide in 2002.

Creator or Artist: A A Milne
Year of Release: 1926
IMBD Rating: 8.3
Rotten Tomato Rating: 100%

9. Donald Duck

The cynical sidekick of Mickey Mouse- Donald Duck has conquered the audience through his eye-rolling attitude and vitality. He has been one of the shining stars in Disney Land for over 80 years. Donald is portrayed as a partially colour blind character in the series.

Creator or Artist: Walt Disney
Year of Release: 1934
IMBD Rating: 6.9
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

10. Alvin the Chipmunk

Alvin is a Chipmunk (basically a little squirrel), who is very enthusiastic, energetic, funny, charming and mischievous, accompanied by two other chipmunks. He is a singer as well.

They have together earned 6 Grammy Awards and 8 nominations. The cartoon characters were a success and have given life to many animated American movies.

Creator or Artist: Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
Year of Release: 1958
IMBD Rating: 6.7
Rotten Tomato Rating: 64%

11. Popeye- The Sailor man

This muscular American cartoon character has been entertaining us with his scientific ingenuity and diplomatic arguments. He is portrayed to get strength by having spinach. His efficient skills in finding out solutions to problems have been often unscientific but interesting for the audience.

Creator or Artist: Elzie Crisler Segar.
Year of Release: 1932
IMBD Rating: 7.7
Rotten Tomato Rating: 61%

12. Daffy Duck

The animated anthropomorphic cartoon character Daffy is a Black Duck. Since its debut in the late 1930’s, it has undergone a lot of change, of which only his sound by Mel Blanc and his black feathers with white neck ring has remained unchanged.

Creator or Artist: Tex Avery and Bob Clampett
Year of Release: 1937
IMBD Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: 71%

13. Superman

Superman is one of the many fictional super heroic cartoon characters with superpowers. He is actually an iconic character for kids since ages. He first appeared in comics and was portrayed to have super powers like incredible strength, X-ray vision, super speed etc.

Creator or Artist: Jerry Shiegel and Joe Shuster
Year of Release: 1938
IMBD Rating: 7.4
Rotten Tomato Rating: 100%

14. Power puff Girls

Power puff girls or Power puff sisters- Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup ; were accidentally born sisters created in a laboratory by Prof Utonium. The story is all about these girls saving their city-Townsville from anti-heroes like Mojo Jojo, the Gangreen Gang etc.

Creator or Artist: Craig Mc Cracken
Year of Release: 1998
IMBD Rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomato Rating: 62%

15. Dora- The Explorer

A seven year old Latin girl-Dora the explorer goes to several adventurous cities. She is always accompanied by her friend Boots- a monkey and many useful tools like bagpack, map, etc. It has been translated to over 30 languages around the globe.

Creator or Artist: Chris Gifford, Eric Weiner and Valerie Walsh Valdes
Year of Release: 1999
IMBD Rating: 5.7
Rotten Tomato Rating: 86%

16. Doraemon

Doraemon is a Japanese robotic cat who has the ability to even travel back to ancient times. It was first published in a Japanese manga series, in almost six different magazines with 1345 stories.

Creator or Artist: Fujiko F Fujio
Year of Release: 1969
IMBD Rating: 5.7
Rotten Tomato Rating: 86%

17. Barbie

Barbie Dolls is one of the most famous and popular fashion dolls of all times, which was produced by an American toy company Mattell. Barbie is named after the creator’s daughter.

Creator or Artist: Ruth Handler
Year of Release: 1959
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomato Rating: 67%

18. Cindrella

The animated short film based on a fairy tale- Cindrella, has always been one in the favourite cartoon list of kids. It is about a beautiful girl who lived with her step mother and sisters. And one day she wasn’t allowed by them to attend a Royal Ball, and gets some unexpected help. Thus the plot goes on.

Creator or Artist: Charles Parrault
Year of Release: 1950
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: 97%

19. Snoopy

Snoopy is a fictional cartoon character with good traits like loyalty and genuinity. He is always shown to be with his friend-Lucy.

Creator or Artist: Charles M Schulz
Year of Release: 1950
IMDb Rating: 7.1
Rotten Tomato Rating: 87%

20. Krishna and Balram

They are the two Indian animated cartoon characters based on Indian Mythology. Among them, Krishna has supernatural powers and Balram, his elder brother is very strong. These cartoon characters are more loved by Indian kids.

Creator or Artist: Rajiv Chilaka
Year of Release: 2008
IMDb Rating: NA
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

21. Goofy

Goofy is a dog with human features. He is pictured as a funny animal who wears a turtleneck and vest, with pants, gloves, shoes and a tall hat. He is a close friend of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

Creator or Artist: Walt Disney Productions
Year of Release: 1932
IMDb Rating: 6.8
Rotten Tomato Rating: 60%

22. Sylvester

Sylvester is a fictional anthropomorphic tuxedo cat, who is often shown to chase Tweety, Speedy Gonzales or Hippety Hopper. Sloopy voice is his trademark. Perhaps, he is one of the coolest cartoon characters ever.

Creator or Artist: Friz Freleng
Year of Release: 1939
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: 71%

23. Batman

He is a fictional superhero who originated from an unnatural incident, as part of which he was physically and intellectually trained and was crafted with a bat-inspired persona to fight against crimes.

Creator or Artist: Bruce Timm
Year of Release: 1992
IMDb Rating: 9
Rotten Tomato Rating: 93%

24. Shrek

He is a fearsome animated fictional cartoon character, but too kind at heart. He is pictured as a legendary character because of his heroic qualities to fight against evils.

Creator or Artist: William Steig
Year of Release: 2001
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Rotten Tomato Rating: 88%

25. Pikachu

Pikachu is a yellow coloured mouse or a species of Pokemon, who has the ability to store electricity in his cheeks. In fact, he is one of main species of the cartoon-Pokemon.

Creator or Artist: Atsuko Nishida and Ken Sugimori
Year of Release: 1996
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: 63%

26. Snow White

Snow white is a beautiful, young and charming princess who was exiled by her stepmother. But she runs to a forest and is rescued by seven little dwarfs and thus the plot moves on.

Creator or Artist: Wilhelm Grimm and Jacob Grimm
Year of Release: 1965
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Rotten Tomato Rating: 98%

27. Oswald

Oswald is a blue-coloured fun loving Octopus, who lives in an apartment amidst a city. He always helps others. He has many friends in the city like Daisy the Sunflower, Henry the Penguin, Madame Butterfly etc. He has a pet dog too.

Creator or Artist: Dan Yaccarino
Year of Release:
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

28. Bob-The Builder

Bob is an animated human cartoon character with a positive attitude of mind and he solves problems. He shows the positive traits like teamwork, positive thinking and problem solving skills.

Creator or Artist: Keith Chapman
Year of Release: 1988
IMDb Rating: 6.9
Rotten Tomato Rating:

29. Spiderman

He is a fictional superhero, who was bitten by a radioactive spider and then develops super powers like a spider. He uses these powers to save people and to fight against crimes.

Creator or Artist: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Year of Release: 1994
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomato Rating: 86%

30. Woody Woodpecker

Woody Woodpecker is an anthropomorphic cartoon character who is unlike the others, is an annoying character, yet loved by all.

Creator or Artist: Walter Lantz and Ben Hardaway
Year of Release: 1940
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: 34%

31. Courage- The Cowardly Dog

He is a character of an American animated horror comic Television series. This dog is too loyal to his masters but very timid. He always threatens his owners by paranormal elements.

Creator or Artist: John R Dilworth
Year of Release: 1996
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Rotten Tomato Rating: 90%

32. Dexter

He is the protagonist of the TV series- Dexter’s Laboratory. He is an extra brilliant genius with his own secret laboratory in his home.

Creator or Artist: Genndy Tartakovsky
Year of Release: 1995
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Rotten Tomato Rating: 59%

33. Iron Man

This is yet another fictional superhero who uses his heroic supernatural powers and strength to save the world from evil doers.

Creator or Artist: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Year of Release: 1994
IMDb Rating: 6.7
Rotten Tomato Rating: 66%

34. Richie Rich

Richie Rich is an extra rich teenage fictional Character who has everything under his fingertips. Yet he is too generous and good at heart. In this cartoon series, he has been portrayed as the world’s richest kid.

Creator or Artist: Warren Kremer and Alfred Harney
Year of Release: 1953
IMDb Rating: 6
Rotten Tomato Rating: 24%

35. Noddy

Noddy is a sweet and funny little boy who lives in the fictional world Toyland. He is famous for his red cap and car.

Creator or Artist: Enid Blyton
Year of Release: 1949
IMDb Rating: 5.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

36. Krypto

Krypto is a super dog with super powers. He is loyal and intelligent. He has the ability to bite steel. Apart from being a man’s best friend, he is superman’s best friend.

Creator or Artist: Otto Binder and Curt Swan
Year of Release: 1955
IMDb Rating: NA
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

37. Eric Cartman

Eric Theodore Cartman or popularly known as Cartman, is a fat, racist, foul-mouthed, sadistic cartoon character. He is a 10 year old student.

Creator or Artist: Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Year of Release: 1992
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Rotten Tomato Rating: 81%

38. Lola Bunny

The cartoon character Lola Bunny is an anthropomorphic female rabbit. She is Bugs Bunny’s girlfriend.

Creator or Artist: Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick
Year of Release: 1996
IMDb Rating: 7.1
Rotten Tomato Rating: 87%

39. Mojo-Jojo

Unlike the other heroic cartoon characters, Mojo-Jojo is a super intelligent chimpanzee, who is a troublemaker. He always comes up with attacking the city of Townsville where Powerpuff girls live.

Creator or Artist: Craig Mc Cracken
Year of Release: 1998
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomato Rating: 62%

40. Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman or Wondy is a protagonist in the super hero girls’s Web series. She is an independent and an action oriented female of modern era.

Creator or Artist: William Moulton Manston
Year of Release: 2009
IMDb Rating: 7.4
Rotten Tomato Rating: 82%

41. Tarzan

Tarzan is a human cartoon character, who is orphan as he lost his parents in an accident, and is raised by animals including a chimpanzee, a bear, a snake etc. He is popularly known as “Ape Man”.

Creator or Artist: Walt Disney productions
Year of Release: 1999
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Rotten Tomato Rating: 89%

42. Ben

Ben is a 10 year old school boy, who has a magical device which can turn him into 10 different alien like heroes with super powers.

Creator or Artist: Man by Action
Year of Release: 2005
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomato Rating: 100%

43. Shaktiman

Shaktiman is an Indian Hindi language super heroic cartoon character. Earlier it wasn’t animated.

Creator or Artist: Jeffrey Scott
Year of Release: 2011
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

44. Tin-Tin

Tin-Tin is a reporter and an adventurer who travels around the globe with his pet dog- Snowy. He is honest, compassionate, decent and kind.

Creator or Artist: Herge
Year of Release: 1929
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Rotten Tomato Rating: 74%

45. Thomas

Thomas is an anthropomorphized locomotive train, who lives in the fictional island of Sodor. Though he is a train Thomas and his friends can talk like humans.

Creator or Artist: Britt Allcroft
Year of Release: 1945
IMDb Rating: 6.6
Rotten Tomato Rating: 39%

46. Bean

He is a fictional cartoon character, taken from the American TV series- Mr. Bean. He plays the role of a comedian who makes us laugh with his slapstick comedies.

Creator or Artist: Rowan Atkinson
Year of Release: 2002
IMDb Rating: 8.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: 93%

47. Tyson

Mike Tyson, is the protagonist of the Television cartoon series- Beyblade. He is pictured as a boy who solves mysteries with the help of his beyblade.

Creator or Artist: Mike Tyson, Hugh Daulson and Lee Stimmel
Year of Release: 2001
IMDb Rating: 6.8
Rotten Tomato Rating: 71%

48. Ariel- The Mermaid

Ariel is the seventh and the youngest daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena. She becomes a human and marries a prince. Thus the plot moves on with interesting incidents.

Creator or Artist: Hans Christian Anderssen, Ron Clementes and John Musker
Year of Release: 1989
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Rotten Tomato Rating: 93%

49. Ninja Hotori

Ninja Hottori-kun or Ninja Hattori lives with a lazy and stubborn 11 year old kid, and always helps Kenichi the kid, whenever he faces difficult times.

Creator or Artist: Fujiko A Fujio
Year of Release: 1982
IMDb Rating: 6.8
Rotten Tomato Rating: 40%

50. Pingu

Pingu is a young and energetic penguin who lives in the polar region with his family. Pingu has a sister Pinga and a friend name Robby who is a seal. They are always fond of doing adventures.

Creator or Artist: Otmar Gutmann
Year of Release: 1986
IMDb Rating: 6.3
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

51. Johny Bravo

Johny Bravo is a muscular young man of around 20 years of age and is a fitness freak. Besides, he is an egomaniac and gets in love with pretty girls easily.

Creator or Artist: Van Partible
Year of Release: 1995
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Rotten Tomato Rating: 67%

52. Chotta Bheem

Chotta Bheem or Little Bheem is an Indian cartoon character who is famous for his extreme strength, bravery and intelligence. He is the one who solves the problems of people in his village. He loves laddoo.

Creator or Artist: Rajiv Chilaka
Year of Release: 2008
IMDb Rating: 4.6
Rotten Tomato Rating: NA

53. Elsa

Elsa is the lead fictional cartoon character of the animated film-‘Frozen’. She is a beautiful young princess. Her character throws powerful messages of acceptance, empowerment and hope into the minds of kids.

Creator or Artist: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Year of Release: 2013
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Rotten Tomato Rating: 77%

54. Aladdin

Aladdin is a fictional character of the animated film-“Aladdin and his magic lamp”. Aladdin is a thief who falls in love with the beautiful Princess- Jasmine.

Creator or Artist: Walt Disney Productions
Year of Release: 1992
IMDb Rating: 8
Rotten Tomato Rating: 95%

55. Nemo

Nemo is a young clownfish in the animated film-‘ Finding Nemo’. He lived with his parents, but gets lost due to his eagerness in exploring ocean.

Creator or Artist: Walt Disney Productions
Year of Release: 2003
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Rotten Tomato Rating: 99%

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Cartoons can never be kids-zoned. They make people of all ages to laugh, cry and even more.

Also Read: 12 Inspirational Animated Movies For Students

Hope this cartoon characters made you to recollect your childhood memories..