Some movies and TV shows produce characters that are so universally beloved, they become staples of popular culture. Be it because of their writing, stellar performances, or being attached to a genre-defining film, these characters become so iconic that you know who they are just by a glance, even if you haven’t seen the media they come from. Some of the biggest examples include the likes of Darth Vader, Tony Soprano, and comic book heroes like Spider-Man and Superman.
Animated movies have their own long list of iconic characters as well, some of whom are relatively new. For this list, we won’t be exploring characters who appeared in theater shorts, such as Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny.
10
Po
From the ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Franchise (2008–2024)
When you hear the name Kung Fu Panda, it’s understandable to assume that the film would be something that only caters to young kids. Yet, fittingly, the movie presents a story about not judging books by their covers through its protagonist, Po. Voiced by Jack Black, this kung fu-obsessed bear goes on an emotional journey of self-worth and personal growth, which has resonated with audiences of all ages.
Po is a phenomenal protagonist because of how universal his story is, and for how happy he makes you thanks to his boundless enthusiasm. While he might enjoy the occasional bit of showboating in his fight sequences, Po is a character who is eager to learn and absorb as much knowledge and wisdom as possible, which gives him a good level of humility that ensures he never becomes unlikable. While he might be a chosen one, there’s an everyman appeal to Po, because what makes him the chosen one isn’t any supernatural gift, but the belief that he is worthy of the mantle of Dragon Warrior.
9
Dory
From the ‘Finding Nemo’ Franchise (2003–2016)
Pixar’s Finding Nemo is one of their most iconic movies thanks to its realistic portrayal of the underwater world, its story that appealed to parents and children alike, and its unforgettable characters. By far the most iconic is Dory, a blue tang brought to life by Ellen DeGeneres. In contrast to the overly cautious Marlin, Dory is an optimistic fish willing to try almost anything, held back only by her short-term memory loss.
Dory ranks high on Pixar’s list of iconic characters thanks to how infectiously positive she is, and DeGeneres’ outstanding performance. She is like an open book, presenting her thoughts and feelings in direct, hilarious, and heartfelt ways, and always finds the best in every situation. Most of the film’s most iconic moments and lines also come from her, including her catchy “Just Keep Swimming” song and her hilarious conversation with a blue whale.
8
Totoro
From ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
Studio Ghibli is perhaps the most well-known animation studio from Japan, and has produced some of the country’s most commercially and critically successful films on the global market. While their first film, Castle in the Sky, is a masterpiece, the one that became a global icon was My Neighbor Totoro. The titular Totoro has since become the mascot of Studio Ghibli and has been referenced in dozens of works.
It’s hard not to smile when you look upon Totoro’s round, friendly design. He perfectly captures the beauty of childhood wonder and imagination, as well as director Hayao Miyazaki‘s environmentalist themes, thanks to his representation of nature’s beauty. While in his movies, he invokes strong feelings of childhood nostalgia, seeing his face before each new Studio Ghibli film reminds us of their storytelling potential and gets us excited to see what the next film will bring.
7
Shrek
From the ‘Shrek’ Franchise (2001–2010)
Disney dominated pop culture in the 1990s with their animated musicals, so audiences were looking for something new going into the 21st century. They got this from Shrek, which parodied the Disney formula and classic fairy tales through clever writing and its titular ogre protagonist. Voiced by Mike Myers, Shrek quickly became a cultural juggernaut and spearheaded DreamWorks’ first major franchise, establishing the company as a worthy rival to Disney.
Shrek’s popularity comes just as much from his relatability as it does from his comedy. Orchestrated by others due to the fearsome reputation of his species, Shrek’s story is one about overcoming preconceptions, accepting yourself for who you are, and trying things outside our comfort zones, as they can lead to adventures we never even dreamed of. He’s also just such a breath of fresh air for a fairy tale protagonist: rather than a traditional knight in shining armor, our hero is an ogre who wallows in mud, kills fish with his farts, and uses his earwax for candles, yet is worthy of the title because of the compassionate heart found beneath it all.
6
Cinderella
From the ‘Cinderella’ Franchise (1950–2021)
When people think of iconic fairy tales, one of the first to jump to mind is Cinderella. This classic rags-to-riches story has had many film adaptations over the years, but the most well-known is the 1950 Disney classic that brought the company into its Silver Age. Originally voiced by Ilene Woods, and presently by Jennifer Hale, the titular heroine is the second member of the Disney Princesses, and remains one of the most well-known princesses in cinema.
There’s a lot that goes into Cinderella’s legacy, from her lifelike animation by Marc Davis and Eric Larson to her iconic dress. However, the greatest aspects of her character are her perseverance and kindness. Though she has little in life, Cinderella still does what she can to help the local animals and takes solace in the few things she can control, which is an inspirational message in today’s uncertain world.
5
Minions
From the ‘Despicable Me’ Franchise (2010–)
Illumination was one of several animation studios that formed during the 2000s and have since risen to challenge the likes of Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks when it comes to financial success. The face of Illumination are the Minions, voiced in all films by Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, and Jemaine Clement in the first two Despicable Me films. These silly yellow fellas became so popular that they got their own spinoff film, Minions, in 2015, and a sequel in 2022.
The Minions are perfectly engineered to appeal to kids, with their goofy round designs, their jibberish language that emphasizes seemingly random words like “banana,” and their infectious laughter. Yet they also draw people in thanks to their camaraderie with one another and Gru, which feels like a bunch of rambunctious siblings always getting into trouble but helping one another out. Throughout the Despicable Me franchise, they’ve become superheroes, brainwashed evil mutants, and even took over a prison, and given that Illumination is nowhere near done with the Minions, they’ll probably wear even more silly hats in the future.
4
The Genie
From the ‘Aladdin’ Franchise (1992–2019)
Have you ever wondered why so many animated films use celebrities to voice their characters over professional voice actors? The answer can be found in Disney’s 1992 classic, Aladdin, in the shape of its blue-skinned Genie. Voiced to perfection by Robin Williams, and subsequently by Dan Castellaneta and Jim Meskimen, this fast-talking, pop-culture-slinging shapeshifter had audiences howling with laughter, and his success encouraged other studios to hire their own celebrities for their movies.
While the Genie’s lines are hilarious, especially whenever Williams voiced him, he also has a very relatable story and a beautiful friendship with Aladdin. He genuinely cares for Aladdin’s well-being and offers him sound advice because he wants Aladdin to see the best in himself, and his desire for freedom and personal autonomy is something everyone can empathize with. Tying it all together is his design by Erig Goldberg, who is both mystical and friendly, and always remains recognizable even when he shapeshifts to match his jokes.
3
Elsa
From the ‘Frozen’ Franchise (2013–)
The biggest Disney film in recent memory was Frozen, adapted from The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, which introduced the world to Queen Elsa. Voiced by Idina Menzel, Elsa departs from the Snow Queen’s traditional depiction and is instead presented as a vulnerable young woman trying to understand her powers, maintain a relationship with her sister Anna, and be a good ruler for her country. As the film became a global juggernaut, Elsa and her signature song “Let it Go” were inescapable.
Elsa is such a nuanced character that everyone can find something about her to latch onto and love. Some of the common interpretations of her powers and flaws include coming out as queer, living with mental health issues, and coping with abuse. This makes Elsa a great character for young kids to admire, as when she overcomes her inhibitions thanks to self-confidence and familial support, it shows them that they can overcome the barriers in their own lives.
2
Buzz Lightyear
From the ‘Toy Story’ Franchise (1995–)
With the release of Toy Story in 1995, Pixar both created the first fully CGI animated film and introduced the world to the iconic animated duo of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, played by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, respectively. While both are phenomenal characters, Buzz has had a stronger impact on pop culture than his sheriff counterpart, getting a spin-off TV show and movie, and being named by NASA as the longest-serving astronaut in space when a Buzz Lightyear action figure was left on the International Space Station for 15 months. And who doesn’t know Buzz’s iconic quote, “To infinity and beyond!”?
All of this stems from Buzz’s fantastically written character, which has evolved over the course of each Toy Story film and short. He began as a toy who truly believed he was a space ranger and thus followed regimented protocol, but once he accepted the truth, he became a secondary leader of Andy’s toys, ready to stand with them through thick and thin. Then there is his relationship with Woody, which is everything you could hope for: the two treat one another as equals, throw a few playful jabs here and there, and are present to pull the other back from the brink of despair.
1
Snow White
From the ‘Snow White’ Franchise (1937–)
The modern landscape of animated films owes its existence to the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. At its heart is the titular princess, originally voiced by Adriana Caselotti and currently Katie Von Till, who more than earns her title of “Fairest One of All.” A kind-hearted individual who always sees the best in everyone, Snow White sets a high bar for all future Disney Princesses to follow.
Other princesses might be more complex in terms of their character writing, but there’s no denying that Snow White eclipses them in terms of global recognition. She set the standard for what an animated heroine looks like, and every princess that followed her, from Cinderella to Elsa, has some aspect of their character or story that ties back to the OG princess. She has been recognized by Hollywood several times over the years, with honorary Oscars presented to Walt Disney in 1939, and in 1987, she also became the very first fictional female character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
