Cartoon cats have been a staple of popular culture for decades, from the classic Felix the Cat to Garfield and Hello Kitty.
Cartoon cats have captured our hearts and minds for generations with their whimsical antics and funny personalities. Various mediums feature cartoon character cats, including books, movies, television shows, comics, and games.
In popular culture, cat characters have been around for generations and will remain for many years. Cartoon cats are here to stay whether you love them or hate them!
Cat Cartoon Characters
No matter what cat cartoon character you prefer, there is no denying that these beloved characters have been a part of the entertainment industry for years and will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.
Whether they are the stars of their show or simply part of the background, cat cartoon characters will always be remembered and cherished as beloved entertainment icons.
21Tom – Tom and Jerry
Tom is the grey tabby cat who is always at odds with the mouse, Jerry. Jerry is constantly being chased by Tom, the show’s main antagonist.
Despite his many failed attempts, Tom never gives up and is always ready for his next chance to catch Jerry.
20Snowball – The Simpsons
Snowball is a popular character from the long-running animated series, The Simpsons. The Simpsons’ pet cat, Snowball, belongs to Homer and Marge.
Snowball was originally Snowball I, but she ran away in “I Married Marge” (Season 3).
The family adopted Snowball II in her place. A blue bow was usually worn by Snowballs II, who was white with black markings.
19Tigger – Winnie The Pooh
Tigger is one of the main characters in the beloved Winnie The Pooh stories. He is a bouncy, Tigger-ish tiger who loves to bounce around and have fun.
As an optimist, Tigger looks for the good in every situation. Despite Tigger’s enthusiasm, he often finds a way out of trouble with his wit and good intentions.
Tigger is a loyal friend to all his pals, especially Winnie The Pooh. He enjoys singing, playing games, bouncing on furniture, and eating honey.
18Tony The Tiger
Tony the Tiger is an iconic mascot of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal brand. Since its introduction in 1952, Tony has been a prominent part of the brand.
Tony is known for his slogan, “They’re gr-r-reat!” He often says while advertising Frosted Flakes cereal.
The original voice of Tony was provided by Thurl Ravenscroft, followed by Dallas McKennon, Ted Carter, Tony Pope, and Jim Cummings.
17Meowth – Pokemon
The Meowth Pokémon is one of the original 151 Pokémon introduced in Generation 1. Meowth is a Normal-type Pokémon and belongs to the Meowth family.
Meowth has two evolutions; it evolves into Persian starting at level 28, and then Alolan Meowth, which can be found in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon games.
In terms of appearance, Meowth is a yellow bipedal cat with black stripes and glasses-like eyes.
16Mufasa – Lion King
The Lion King features Mufasa, a beloved character from the movie. Mufasa is the father of Simba and leader of the pride lands. He is a wise and loyal king who always puts his people first.
Mufasa teaches Simba valuable lessons about responsibility and courage throughout the film. His death at the hands of his evil brother Scar has become one of the most iconic moments in cinema history.
Mufasa’s spirit lives on in every viewer’s heart, reminding us to be brave and live life with purpose.
15Puss in Boots – Shrek
Puss in Boots is a character featured in the popular Shrek movie franchise. He is an orange tabby cat with boots and a large hat, voiced by Antonio Banderas.
Puss has become one of the most beloved characters from the Shrek movies due to his daring, adventurous personality and comedic charm.
Puss joins forces with Shrek on several occasions, helping him save Fiona and defeat Lord Farquaad. Fans around the world admire Puss’s loyalty and courage.
Puss in Boots continues to appear in various Shrek spin-off films, television shows, and other major motion pictures, such as Puss in Boots (2011).
14Penelope Pussycat
Penelope Pussycat is a beloved cartoon character who has been around for decades. She first appeared in the popular animated television series Looney Tunes as the love interest of Sylvester the Cat and has since become an iconic figure in pop culture.
Penelope is known for her sweet, innocent personality and signature pink bow. Penelope loves adventure, new experiences, and having fun with her friends.
13Felix the Cat
Felix is a black and white cat with a signature pair of gloves and a magic bag that can produce any object he desires.
He always comes out on top in almost every situation due to his mischievous and cunning personality.
12Scratchy – The Itchy & Scratchy Show
Scratchy is a simple-minded cat constantly being tormented by his arch-nemesis, Itchy the mouse.
Despite his suffering, Scratchy never learns his lesson and continues to fall for Itchy’s tricks time and time again.
11Garfield
Garfield is a lazy, overweight orange tabby cat who loves eating lasagna and sleeping. He is sarcastic and quick-witted and often makes fun of his owner, Jon Arbuckle.
Jim Davis created the iconic cartoon character Garfield, the cat. Garfield first appeared in a comic strip on June 19th, 1978; since then, he’s been loved worldwide.
10Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty is a white cat with a red bow and no visible mouth. She is known for her cute and bubbly personality and is often depicted participating in various activities such as playing sports, going to school, and having tea parties.
Hello Kitty is one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history. Created by Japanese artist Yuko Shimizu in 1974, Hello Kitty has become a global phenomenon with merchandise and media appearances everywhere from Asia to America.
9Sylvester – Looney Tunes
Sylvester is a tuxedo cat with a distinctive lisp who always tries to catch Tweety Bird. He is known for his cunning and sneaky tactics but is usually outwitted by the clever little bird.
Sylvester the Cat is one of the most beloved characters from Looney Tunes. Over 160 different animated shorts featuring Sylvester were produced between 1945 and 1964, with Mel Blanc and Joe Alaskey providing his voice.
8Cheshire Cat – Alice in Wonderland
The Cheshire Cat is a mischievous and enigmatic character known for his wide, toothy grin and ability to disappear and reappear at will. He often offers confusing and misleading advice to Alice during her adventures in Wonderland.
The Cheshire Cat is a memorable character from the Lewis Carroll classics Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. He first appears in chapter 4 of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when he grins at Alice from a tree branch. His Cheshire Cat grin is one of his most recognizable characteristics – it usually remains long after Cheshire disappears.
7Simba – The Lion King
Simba is a lion cub who is destined to become the king of the Pride Lands. He is brave, loyal, and determined, and he eventually learns to embrace his royal responsibilities and take his place as a pride leader.
Simba learns valuable lessons about leadership, courage, family, and friendship as he journeys through life. Simba is also well known for his classic catchphrase “Hakuna Matata,” which has become an instantly recognizable phrase.
6Salem – Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
Salem is a former witch who turned into a cat as punishment for attempting to take over the world. Despite his mischievous tendencies, Salem is loyal to his owner, Sabrina, and often helps her navigate the complexities of being a teenage witch.
Salem, the cat, is an essential character in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Salem was a 500-year-old witch trapped in the form of a black cat as punishment for trying to take over the world.
5Luna – Sailor Moon
Luna is a talking cat mentor and advisor to the series’ protagonist, Sailor Moon. She is wise and intelligent and can transform into a human-like form to assist Sailor Moon in her battles against evil.
Her sharp wit and gentle guidance have earned Luna a place in the hearts of fans worldwide.
4The Cat in the Hat
Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat is one of the most beloved children’s stories. The book follows The Cat, whose real name is not revealed, as he visits two children on a rainy day and creates chaos with his mischievous antics.
The Cat in the Hat is a mischievous and playful character who brings chaos and adventure wherever he goes. He is known for his red and white striped hat and love of causing trouble, but he always manages to clean up the mess.
3Oliver – Oliver & Company
Oliver is a young kitten featured in the Disney film Oliver & Company. He was abandoned as a young kitten, but he eventually finds an adoptive home with Jenny Foxworth and her family. When Oliver meets Dodger, a street-smart dog who helps him survive on the streets, his life transforms.
Together Oliver and Dodger form a close bond, embarking on mischievous adventures around New York City. With his sweet and innocent demeanor, Oliver wins the hearts of everyone he meets.
2Lucifer – Cinderella
The classic fairytale Cinderella features Lucifer as its main character. Lucifer is an evil and malicious cat who is the story’s villain, responsible for all of Cinderella’s misfortunes.
Throughout the novel, Lucifer repeatedly attempts to harm or drive away mice, demonstrating his hatred for them.
After the Fairy Godmother turns Lucifer into a harmless, silly-looking coachman’s rat, he gets what he deserves.
1The Aristocats (The Aristocats)
The Aristocats is a 1970 animated film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The story revolves around a kind and wealthy Madame, Adelaide Bonfamille, whose pet cats are inherited by her butler Edgar when she passes away.
The cats, Duchess, and her three kittens – O’Malley, Berlioz, and Marie – flee the butler’s evil intentions and set out on an adventure with the help of a street-wise alley cat named Thomas O’Malley.
Why Are Cats Popular Cartoon Characters
Cats have long been famous in cartoons because of their natural charm and appeal.
Cats make great comedic characters with many facial expressions and body language. Furthermore, cats often share many of the same characteristics and behaviors as humans, making them easy to relate to.
Whether it be a classic cartoon like Tom & Jerry or one of the more recent shows such as Adventure Time, cats continue to capture our imaginations with their unique personalities and appearances. Their charm, mystery, relatability, and independence make them ideal characters for any story or situation.
Finally, cats can often represent independence, making great protagonists for stories where the character must overcome obstacles independently. All of these traits add up to why cats are popular cartoon characters.