Top 10 Cartoon Best Friends on TV

Best friends don’t always act like it. Just look at “South Park’s” Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick. Cartman’s a total jerk, and hanging out with him is usually as much about arguing and dissing each other as it is about playing. But that’s the way friends are in life. Besides, it’s when they’re not getting along that they’re at their most entertaining.

Beavis and Butt-head are another duo that doesn’t always act like best buds. We mean, there’s the slapping, the insults, the general abuse. Sure, it’s all part of being a teen-age boy, but Beavis and Butt-head (especially Butt-head) take it to an extreme. They may be dumb slackers with no readily apparent social skills and some anger issues – but if they didn’t have each other, who else would they hang out with?

One’s a dog with an overly vivid imagination; the other’s a bird named after a 1960s countercultural landmark. Together, they fight, dance, hug, argue, and generally look out for each other. Woodstock gives Snoopy someone to look after, without burdening him with too much responsibility. And Snoopy gives Woodstock a sense of security and someone he can be himself with. Sounds like a good system to us.

Ash and Pikachu’s relationship started out as one of a master and pet, as the young Ash was given Pikachu as a “starter Pokémon.” But the relationship quickly became one of friends, as an intense bond of love and companionship developed over the course of their many adventures. The two would do anything for each other – and pretty much have.

Being best friends with Bart Simpson automatically means trouble. But, Bart’s fondness for Milhouse sometimes takes a backseat for his need for mischief – most best friends don’t get their buds placed on the FBI’s most wanted list. Despite this, nerdy Milhouse stays friends with his bad boy best bud; Bart couldn’t care less that Milhouse is a total nerd. Besides, he needs a good follower – and with Milhouse, that job is taken.

They say opposites attract, and that’s never been more true than on TV. “Futurama”’s Fry and Bender are a prime example of that: Fry is a basically a gullible, good-natured, not-too-smart lug. And human. Bender is a sociopathic robot who’s a braggart and a pathological liar to boot. And a bit too fond of the alcohol. But if Bender is in the relationship mostly out of convenience, it’s okay: Fry’s got enough genuine affection for both of them.

One of the great things about “Adventure Time” is that the viewer has to fill in a lot of blanks in terms of plot and backstory. But that’s not the case with the friendship between Jake the dog and Finn the human. The real feelings that these two bros have for each other are crystal clear. Whether fighting the Ice King, rescuing a princess or just chillin’, you always know there’s no place else they’d rather be than with each other.

Birds of a feather flock together, so it’s a good thing that the two least-intelligent denizens of Bikini Bottom were able to find each other. There may not be a lot of brains between SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star, but that doesn’t keep them from having fun. Whether laughing maniacally, screaming in terror, playing at sports or throwing a luau, SpongeBob and Patrick know how to have an inanely good time.

Forget about Timmy and Lassie, when it comes to a boy and his dog, nothing beats Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. Sure, Shaggy’s technically a bit old to be called a boy, but you sure wouldn’t call him a man would you? These two chowhounds like nothing more than hanging out and trying to satisfy their never-ending case of the munchies. But these two proponents of a stoner lifestyle do get their exercise by running from any of the million things that scare them witless. But they’re always fleeing together.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Mac & Bloo “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends” (2004-09)
- Tommy Pickles & Chuckie Finster “Rugrats” (1991-2004)
- Mordecai & Rigby “Regular Show” (2010-)
- Henchmen #21 & #24 “The Venture Bros.” (2003-)
- The Group “Recess” (1997-2001)

They may share Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton’s camaraderie, but Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble’s friendship is even deeper. Even more than their best bud wives Wilma and Betty, Fred and Barney are incomplete without each other. Fred’s blustery blather and hair-brained schemes need Barney’s easygoing chuckle and doubtful-but-game attitude. They’re the animated blueprint for countless other best buds that never left their childhood behind them.

Do you agree with our choices? What other animated best buds should we have added to this list? For more enthralling top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.