Top 10 Most Nostalgic Cartoon Characters

While there are plenty of characters in this blue franchise, Smurfette has consistently stood out as the most memorable member. She has an adorable and iconic design that made her stand out from the rest. But it’s Smurfette’s backstory that really made her interesting. Originally, she was created by franchise villain Gargamel as a tool to ruin the lives of the other smurfs. But the heroine eventually rebels against the twisted man and becomes a beloved staple of the village. Over the years, Smurfette has only become more complex and skilled. It’s impossible to imagine the franchise today without her.

A staple of newspaper comics and a TV series in the ‘80s and ‘90s, many of us grew up being entertained by this cartoon cat. Everyone laughed at Garfield because his laziness and sarcastic attitude reminded a lot of us of our own feline pets. And he was relatable to humans because he loved lasagna and detested Mondays. However, the reason we were so charmed by Garfield was because he did have a caring side underneath his annoyed expressions. Whenever he went out of his way to help others, we couldn’t help but smile along with him. This cynical tabby cat definitely left a big paw print on pop culture.

Cat chases mouse. Said feline is cartoonishly injured or punished for the chasing, either by the mouse or someone else. This is the essence of the Tom and Jerry relationship. Over the years, Tom the cat has failed to nab Jerry the mouse countless times. But that fact hasn’t made their endless game of pursuit and trickery any less entertaining. Their classic dynamic has been the basis for several TV shows and films over the years. As a result, generations of viewers have grown up watching their animated antics. Some of the duo’s stories have even picked up Academy awards! Over 80 years after their debut, their cat and mouse games still feel timeless.

Whether you’re familiar with him from his show, his line of chewable vitamins, or his marketing of edible pebble cereals, Fred Flintstone is a cartoon character we all grew up with. He is the ancestor, in more ways than one, of many of animation’s greatest family man characters. Fred is often grumpy and short-tempered. And he’s not always the sharpest stone tool in the shed. But at the end of the day, he still has a good heart and he loves his family and friends. And chances are, if you asked someone on the street if they recognized him, they’d probably say that they “yabba-dabba-doo!”

If you don’t know the answer to the question “who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” we have to question where you’ve been for the last few decades! SpongeBob is the relentlessly cheery and optimistic titular protagonist of this long running show. While he started as the yellow-character-that-could on Nickelodeon, he soon became the network’s biggest star. Kids and adults alike have been entertained by the happy-go-lucky character since his debut. It also helped that many of his show’s scenes has become the subject of popular internet memes. Although Spongebob might not always see the downsides of life, we can clearly see why he has such a wide appeal.

“The Simpsons” is jam-packed with iconic characters! At first, we were heavily considering picking Bart. [xref] But we ultimately had to give it to the lead patriarch Homer. The empty-headed Simpson dad is both everyone’s idiot cartoon dad and all our ids personified! He just wants what he wants, whether that’s food or his latest whims. As kids, and let’s face it, as adults too, we all find that quality very relatable. Homer’s dopey decisions frequently land his loved ones and even his town in heaps of trouble. But since he usually tries to make things right, we always forgive him. Even after 30 years of episodes, audiences are still interested in seeing new stories with the same old Homer Simpson.

Zoinks! These two mystery solving best friends have been appearing in various animated series for the last half century! Shaggy and Scooby generally share many of the same traits…despite one being a human and the other being a talking dog. They both have enormous appetites, and are generally cowardly. However, can also be convinced into bravery with the reward of Scooby Snacks or if their friends are in danger. These scaredy cats may not be the brains of their operation, but they’re definitely the heart of their group. It’s no mystery why this duo have won the hearts of kids for decades.

Arguably the two mascots of the long lasting “Peanuts” franchise, this duo is known to kids the world over. Charlie Brown is the ultimate every-kid. He’s nervous and often comes up short in life. But although he can get a little pessimistic and worry about his every move, Charlie still pushes through and keeps trying his best. On the other side of the coin, Snoopy is daring and surprisingly charismatic for being a non-talking dog. And his wonderful sense of imagination always pulls us into his stories. Regardless of the version you’re watching, these two will always remind us of the good old days of childhood.

The entire cast of “Looney Tunes” is packed with fantastic cartoon characters. And while we love Daffy Duck, we firmly believe it’s rabbit season right now. Bugs Bunny is far and beyond the most wascally of wabbits. His dry wit and clever schemes usually see him come out ahead of whoever he’s up against. And we’re pretty sure everyone can recite his classic catchphrase as a moment’s notice. Bugs has frequently emerged as the main attraction of several Looney Tunes shows and films. Whenever Bugs on screen, our minds take a left turn at Albuquerque and right down memory lane.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Rocky & Bullwinkle, “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends” (1959-64)
We Could Never Imagine Another Moose & Squirrel Duo

He-Man, “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (1983-85)
The Power of Greyskull Never Wanes!

Angelica Pickles, “Rugrats” (1991-2004; 2021-)
We’ve All Known Someone Who’s This Bossy & In Charge

Pinky & the Brain, “Animaniacs” (1993-98) & “Pinky and the Brain” (1995-98)
This Malicious & Moronic Mice Duo Makes Us Long For Simpler Times

Blossom, Bubbles, & Buttercup, “The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)
These Superheroic & Super Sweet Girls Remind Us of Everything Nice About Our Childhoods

This honey obsessed bear was an indelible part of many of our childhoods. When Pooh wasn’t going after the sweet substance, he was spending quality time with his friends. His kindness to everyone around him is an example we should all aspire to. Since Pooh’s adventures are set in the timeless land of the 100 Acre Wood, his stories never feel like they’ve aged. Whenever we look back at his stories today, we feel like we’re back in our childhood living rooms too. It’s heartwarming to know that kids still love him today. Generations of people can feel secure that Winnie the Pooh will always be around to welcome them back to the 100 acre wood with open arms.