30 Cartoon Characters with Big Heads and Foreheads

You can’t have a list of cartoon characters with big heads without the Boy Genius himself. Jimmy’s head is so large that it defies gravity, largely thanks to his chocolate-swirl hairstyle. I always wanted a robot dog like Goddard, but I definitely didn’t envy the neck pain Jimmy must have had.

If you are searching for a blue cartoon character with a big head, this is the guy. Megamind is a parody of the classic “big-brained alien” trope. His cranium is massive, blue, and pulsating. I love that his head size actually makes him an outcast, driving his desire to be a supervillain just to fit in somewhere.

Their distinct personalities are emphasized by their contrasting head sizes. Brain’s large head represents his intellect and megalomania, while Pinky’s small head emphasizes his innocence (and lack of thoughts). Brain’s head is so big it actually hinders his movement, which is a brilliant bit of physical comedy.

Dexter is the poster child for cartoon characters with big heads and small bodies. He is a bespectacled boy-genius whose head is roughly the same size as his torso. This design choice emphasizes that he is all brain and no brawn, which makes it even funnier when he has to do anything physical.

The “Stylized” Big Heads

Sometimes the head is big just because it looks cool, cute, or weird. These are the stylistic icons.

I can’t write this list without mentioning the OG football head cartoon character. Arnold is defined by the shape of his head. Helga Pataki even uses it as a term of endearment (and insult). The show acknowledges it constantly, making it a core part of his identity in the urban jungle of Hillwood.

Tweety is 90% head and 10% feet. This design was chosen to make him look incredibly innocent, which makes it so satisfying when he outwits Sylvester. He is the ultimate example of “cute but deadly.”

Introducing Betty Boop, the trailblazing female cartoon character with a big head. Her oversized head was a nod to the iconic flapper style of the 1920s, emphasizing her big eyes and small features. She paved the way for the “bobblehead” style that is still used in cartoons today.

Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are iconic for having no fingers, no noses, and absolutely massive heads. This design choice was revolutionary in the 90s. It allowed for incredibly expressive faces, which was necessary since they spent half the show punching giant monsters in the face.

Meet Doraemon, another blue cartoon character with a big head (technically he is a robot cat, but he has no ears, so he looks like a ball). His big head highlights his gentle and endearing personality. He is one of the most famous characters in Asian animation history.

The “Weird” Big Heads (Foreheads & Aliens)

Some characters don’t just have big heads; they have strange heads. This category is for the oddly shaped and the forehead-heavy.

This show stands out the most regarding cartoon characters with big heads because the head is the plot. Created for MTV in the 90s, it’s about a guy named Jim whose cranium enlarges to house an alien named Roy. It’s weird, it’s gross, and it’s totally unique.

Mike Judge created this duo with specifically exaggerated features. Butt-Head has a massive upper lip and gums, while Beavis has a giant forehead (and underbite). They are the kings of the big forehead cartoon character trope. Their designs are ugly on purpose, reflecting their gritty, heavy-metal lifestyle.

Another popular character with a big head is Glenn Quagmire. His head is shaped like a peanut, with massive cheeks and a chin that could cut glass. The visual joke is that he looks like a classic 1950s comedian (like Bob Hope), but behaves terribly.

Squidward has a massive, bulbous head that often wrinkles when he is annoyed (which is always). His head size is emphasized by his baldness. It fits his personality perfectly—he thinks he has a “big brain” for the arts, but he’s surrounded by idiots.

The Genie is another iconic blue cartoon character with a big head (and big everything else). Being a shapeshifter, his proportions change constantly, but he often manifests with a large, expressive face to match Robin Williams’ incredible voice acting.

Edna Mode is a cartoon character with big eyes and glasses (and a big head to match). Her diminutive stature makes her head look even bigger, symbolizing her massive intellect and dominance over the fashion world. “No capes!”

He is a baby, so having a big head is anatomically correct, but The Boss Baby takes it to the next level. His head is huge to accommodate his adult brain and business acumen. It creates a funny visual contrast when he wears a tiny suit.