12 Cartoon Characters With Money: From Scrooge to Stark

From Mr. Burns’s vast energy money to Richie Rich and Scrooge McDuck’s gold mountain, these are the best cartoon characters with money.

These iconic figures, draped in luxury and oozing with opulence, aren’t just about showcasing affluence. I’ve always found that they serve as mirrors to our society, exaggerating our values, playing up stereotypes, and sometimes offering profound critiques on the meaning of power.

Beyond the chuckles, these rich characters taught me about the balance between wealth and happiness. They make us wonder: is it all about the gold coins, or is there more to the story? Here are the 12 wealthiest characters that defined animation.

Top Cartoon Characters With Money

Princess Morbucks (The Powerpuff Girls)

In the colorful, high-paced world of The Powerpuff Girls, few characters stand out quite like Princess Morbucks. With her ostentatious display of wealth and an unwavering desire to be one of the superheroines, she brings a unique flavor to the series.

I always loved to hate her. She is the definition of entitled; she genuinely believes her allowance can buy her way into the Powerpuff Girls. Since she lacks Chemical X, she uses her vast resources to fund numerous gadgets and costumes. Her jealousy of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup drives her, making her the perfect foil to their genuine heroism.

Gideon Gleeful (Gravity Falls)

In the mysterious and quirky realm of Gravity Falls, no character combines affluence and enigma like Gideon Gleeful. With his flamboyant style and taste for the exquisite, Gideon stands as one of the most memorable rich villains.

Gideon’s cherubic appearance hides a cunning and often malevolent nature. I find him fascinating because he uses his money as a means to an end—specifically to exert influence and pursue supernatural power. Beneath that confident exterior and expensive suit, however, he harbors deep insecurities.

Sir Topham Hatt (Thomas & Friends)

Sir Topham Hatt, often referred to as “The Fat Controller,” is the head of the railway on the Island of Sodor. While the show never shows his bank account, his wealth is obvious.

He manages multiple engines, stations, and personnel, hinting at a massive operation under his control. To me, he represents the classic industrialist: strict, focused on efficiency, but ultimately caring about his “useful engines.”

Carter Pewterschmidt (Family Guy)

In the satirical world of Family Guy, Carter Pewterschmidt stands out as a character whose obsession with wealth is his defining trait. A representation of the ultra-wealthy elite, Carter provides some of the show’s best social commentary.

Carter is greed personified. He is consistently portrayed as elitist, often dismissing Peter simply for being “poor.” Despite his age, he is cunning and ruthless, proving that money doesn’t buy kindness—it just buys you the ability to do whatever you want.

Mom (Futurama)

In the universe of Futurama, Mom is a towering figure of economic might. She symbolizes unchecked capitalism in the 31st century. I love the duality of her character: to the public, she is a sweet, plump grandmother; behind closed doors, she is a chain-smoking tyrant.

She is ruthless, aggressive, and manipulative, willing to go to any length to ensure her profits are maximized. She is the ultimate warning about trusting corporate branding.

Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

In anime, few characters exemplify the combination of wealth and ego like Seto Kaiba. As the CEO of KaibaCorp, his resources seem almost limitless. I mean, the guy built a space elevator just to play a card game.

He uses his financial power not just to further his corporate empire but to dominate the world of Duel Monsters. Known for his arrogance, Kaiba is fiercely competitive, yet beneath that cold exterior, he has a strong sense of duty toward his younger brother, Mokuba.

Tony Stark (Iron Man)

In Marvel’s vast pantheon of superheroes, Tony Stark stands out for his armored suit and flamboyant lifestyle. Throughout various cartoons, Tony’s affluence is as integral to his character as his heroics.

What I admire about Stark is his journey. He starts as a weapons manufacturer but shifts his focus to sustainable energy and global defense. His story emphasizes the accountability that comes with having that much influence.

Lex Luthor (Superman)

Lex Luthor is one of the most iconic antagonists in history. While his wealth is massive, it is his brain that makes him dangerous. Luthor’s wealth isn’t merely a result of inheritance; his razor-sharp intellect propelled him to the top.

Despite having everything a human could want, he is consumed by envy of Superman. It is a fascinating look at how money can’t buy you the one thing you really want: to be a god.

Bruce Wayne (Batman)

In the annals of animation, Batman: The Animated Series is definitive. At the heart of this universe is Bruce Wayne. His wealth funds the Batcave, the Batmobile, and the gadgets, but it is his trauma that drives him.

Bruce is unique among rich cartoon characters because he views his wealth as a tool for justice rather than a lifestyle. He is the ultimate philanthropist, both with his checkbook and his fists.

Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)

Mr. Burns is not just a staple of The Simpsons; he is the most memorable representation of the evil billionaire. As the owner of the Nuclear Power Plant, he holds the town of Springfield in the palm of his withered hand.

He is known for his ruthlessness, miserliness, and completely out-of-touch views (often confusing the current year for the 19th century). He epitomizes the stereotype of the old, wealthy industrialist who cares more about his hounds than his employees.

Richie Rich

Richie Rich is a classic. Despite being introduced decades ago, his tales of opulence remain iconic. He is the only child of billionaires, yet he is surprisingly well-adjusted.

Despite his affluence, Richie is kind-hearted. He is always looking for ways to help others and, ironically, often encounters problems that money cannot solve. He represents the innocent side of wealth—the fantasy of having a roller coaster in your backyard.

Scrooge McDuck (DuckTales)

One character stands head and wings above the rest: the inimitable Scrooge McDuck. Renowned for his Money Bin, Scrooge is the gold standard for cartoon wealth.

The image of him swimming in gold coins is legendary. Fans have spent years trying to estimate his net worth (accounting for the volume of the Money Bin and the price of gold), often reaching figures that rival the GDP of entire countries. But unlike others on this list, Scrooge made his money “square”—he earned it!