Top 10 Most Iconic Cartoon Families

By the time “Bob’s Burgers” hit the airwaves, the Fox network had already established a standard blueprint for their animated sitcoms: a flappy-chested father figure, a nurturing wife, and three mischievous kids. So at first glance, the Belcher clan didn’t seem like the most original of creations. Once viewers tuned in, though, they quickly found that these characters are anything but stock. Each family member brings something to the table that makes them one of a kind, from Tina’s erotic friend fiction, to Gene’s musical gifts, to Louise’s homicidal tendencies, to Linda’s obsession with Tom Selleck. Plus, how can you go wrong when H. Jon Benjamin voices your titular character?

“The Loud House” will make any only child wish they had a sibling or two… or ten in Lincoln Loud’s case. Lincoln not only has the distinction of being the middle child in his family, but also the only boy. All of his sisters have colorful personalities, ranging from bossy, to harebrained, to musical, to comical, to sporty, to gothic, to glamorous, to messy, to brainy, to well… poopy. Since every member of the family is so radically different, not a day goes by without confrontation. When push comes to shove, however, they all share a mutual love and respect for one another, making for an ensemble piece that’s as hilarious as it is heartwarming.

Timmy Turner not only has a set of biological parents, but two fairy godparents as well. Interestingly, Cosmo and Mr. Turner share the same voice actor, as do Wanda and Mrs. Turner. This creates a dynamic somewhat reminiscent of “Peter Pan” where Captain Hook and Mr. Darling are habitually played by the same performer. Likewise, Timmy is often confronted with the inevitability of growing up, which means his magical adventures will eventually come to an end. Through Cosmo and Wanda’s guidance, however, Timmy discovers that becoming an adult isn’t something to be feared, but rather embraced. He ultimately finds that his birth parents, despite their faults, would go to the end of the world for him.

Creator Alex Hirsch largely based the Pines on his own family. Hirsch grew up with a twin sister, which explains why the bond between the practical Dipper and the impulsive Mabel is so genuine. As for Grunkle Stan, Hirsch drew inspiration from his grandfather of the same name. Of course it’s probably safe to say that Hirsch’s childhood summers didn’t consist of any gnomes, mermen, or time travelers. In that sense, the Pines got to live out Hirsch’s wildest fantasies and it was a blast unraveling the mysteries of Gravity Falls with them. One mystery than remains unsolved is what exactly Dipper and Mabel’s parents look like, but perhaps that’s better left to the imagination.

This cartoon follows a routine formula: stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb build something extraordinary, big sister Candace tries revealing the creation to their oblivious parents, and their pet platypus provides a deus ex machina. You’d think this would get old after 104 days of summer, but it’s the unique characters that keep things fresh. Speaking of unique, it’s rare that you see a show about a blended family where blood relations are of little consequence. Phineas and Candace aren’t biologically related to Ferb, but they don’t treat him like an outsider. It’s never even revealed what happened to Phineas’ dad or Ferb’s mother. It doesn’t seem to matter because family is where the heart is.

“Rugrats” is an appealing show for kids and adults, primarily because it observes the world from the perspectives of babies and their parents. As a youngster, you probably identified with Tommy Pickles and his desire to explore life beyond the playpen. You also might’ve had a bratty cousin like Angelica who was always pushing others around or a younger sibling like Dil who you were responsible for. Now that you’re all grown up, however, chances are you gravitate more towards the older members of the Pickles family. Remember when Stu was forced to make chocolate pudding for Angelica at 4:00 am? Anybody with kids of their own can definitely understand his frustration.

They may be animated, but the Hills ironically feel more believable than most live-action families on television. Hank Hill is the definition of all-American, possessing a passion for mowing the lawn, barbecuing with propane, and rooting for the Dallas Cowboys. Given Hank’s old-fashioned outlook on life, he occasionally clashes with his more modern wife, Peggy, and naive niece, Luanne. He also never misses an opportunity to point out that his eccentric son, Bobby, “ain't right.” Even if they aren’t always on the same wavelength, Hank’s dedication to his loved ones can’t be denied and the family dynamic the Hills share is certainly a relatable one, especially if your home base is in Texas.

“The Flintstones” not only proved that a cartoon could succeed in primetime, but also marked a significant step in the evolution of animated families, which is fitting seeing how the series takes place in a prehistoric era. While the show borrowed more than a few notes from “The Honeymooners,” the temperamental Fred, the levelheaded Wilma, and the innocent Pebbles would set the standard for all the cartoon families that followed. Without their impact, it’s safe to say that we wouldn’t have “The Jetsons,” or any of the other characters on this list for that matter. What else can be said except, when you’re with the Flintstones you'll have a gay old time.

Some Seth MacFarlane fans might prefer the Smith family, but the Griffins have just left a more prominent dent in popular culture. Once again, this family has its fair share of overused archetypes. You’ve got a bumbling father in Peter, a supportive mother in Lois, an overdramatic daughter in Meg, and a dimwitted son in Chris. Sounds pretty conventional, right? Well, how many sitcoms have a talking dog with a left-wing agenda and a diabolical baby bent on world domination? That’s “Family Guy” in a nutshell. It’s formulaic while also being totally unpredictable. It’s traditional while also slapping conformity in the face. Its characters are familiar, but somehow they all stand out from the crowd.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

The Utoniums
“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)

The Possibles
“Kim Possible” (2002-07)

Dexter’s Family
“Dexter’s Laboratory” (1996-99, 2001-03)

The Fentons
"Danny Phantom" (2004-07)

The McDucks
"DuckTales" (1987-90) & "DuckTales" (2017-)

Yeah, you all saw this coming, but sometimes the most obvious pick is also the best one. If “The Flintstones” set the original standard for animated families, then “The Simpsons” set the gold standard, or perhaps yellow standard. Either way, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are the names that immediately come to mind when we think of cartoon families. From their rich personalities to their winning dialog and their unmatched chemistry, it’s hard to think of anything new to say about the Simpsons, especially since they’ve been on TV for almost 30 years. So let’s just say they’ve forever left their mark on society just as Homer has left a groove on his couch.