35+ Iconic Red Hair Characters In Cartoons (Ranked by Sass)

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When it comes to redheaded cartoon characters, there are a few that stand out from the rest: Wilma Flintstone, Daphne Blake, and Princess Fiona. But the list goes much deeper than that.

You know those fiery redheads we all love and adore? The ones with all the spunk and sass? The human world isn’t the only place where they exist. It’s also common to see cartoon characters with that beautiful red hair dominating the screen.

While they come in all shapes and sizes, one thing is for sure: redheaded cartoon characters are never dull. They’re always full of life, energy, and personality. Whether they’re the protagonist or the comic relief, these characters always add something special to the story.

I decided to comb through animation history to find the best red-haired cartoon characters that defined our childhoods. From classic Disney princesses to gritty anime warriors, here is the definitive list.

The Classic Queens of Animation

These are the ladies who set the standard for redheads in cartoons.

1. Wilma Flintstone

You’ll love Wilma Flintstone, the striking redheaded cavewoman from The Flintstones. As the wife of Fred Flintstone, she expertly balances her roles as a stay-at-home mom and socialite. Not only is Wilma a gorgeous redhead, but she’s also the smartest member of the Flintstone family. Her level-headed nature is valuable as she helps her often trouble-prone husband out of jams. She proves that behind every loud caveman, there is a smarter woman with great hair.

2. Jessica Rabbit

Jessica Rabbit is the ultimate animated bombshell. With her shimmering red dress and cascading red hair (which famously covers one eye), she is an icon of character design. Despite her appearance as a femme fatale, she is fiercely loyal to her husband, Roger. She taught us all that you can’t judge a book by its cover—or a toon by her curves.

3. Daphne Blake

Meet Daphne, the stylish member of Mystery Inc. For years, she was dismissed as “Danger Prone Daphne,” but modern adaptations have turned her into a badass. She’s not just a pretty face; she is often the one picking locks or using her karate skills. Her vibrant orange hair and purple headband are one of the most recognizable color combinations in pop culture history.

4. Jane Jetson

Jane leads the Jetson household with panache. Her short, white-streaked red hair is a futuristic take on the classic 1960s bob. She is the perfect counterpoint to Wilma Flintstone—while Wilma dealt with rocks, Jane deals with robots. She is tech-savvy, fashionable, and infinitely patient with George.

5. Pebbles Flintstone

Like mother, like daughter. Pebbles inherited Wilma’s fiery locks, usually tied up with a bone. As a baby, she was adorable, but in later spin-offs where she is a teenager or adult, she becomes a successful career woman. She represents the next generation of Bedrock.

6. Lois Griffin

Lois Griffin is the matriarch of the Family Guy clan. Her short red hair is simple, but her personality is anything but. She is intelligent, musical, and has a dark side that comes out when she’s pushed too far. She is the modern, cynical version of the TV housewife.

7. Helen Parr

Elastigirl proves that moms can be superheroes too. Her short, practical red haircut fits her no-nonsense personality. Whether she is stretching across the city to save a train or stretching her patience to deal with Dash and Violet, she is the glue of the Incredibles family.

The Disney Princesses (and Queens)

Disney has a long history of giving their most spirited heroines red hair to match their fiery personalities.

8. Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Ariel is arguably the most famous Disney character with red hair. Her thick, floating red mane is iconic. Disney animators specifically chose red because it was a complementary color to her green tail. Her hair represents her vibrant curiosity and rebellion against her father’s rules.

9. Merida (Brave)

Merida’s hair is a technological marvel. Pixar had to create entirely new software just to animate her 1,500 individual curls. Her wild, untamed orange hair is a direct reflection of her spirit. She refuses to be stuffed into a corset or a marriage she doesn’t want. She is wild, free, and undoubtedly Scottish.

10. Anna (Frozen)

While Elsa is the platinum blonde queen, Anna is the strawberry-blonde (read: redhead) heart of the franchise. She often wears her hair in playful pigtails, symbolizing her youthful optimism. Even with the white streak she gained from Elsa’s magic, her warm hair color reflects her warm ability to love.

11. Giselle (Enchanted)

Giselle starts as a 2D animated character before entering the real world. Her long, flowing strawberry-red hair is the epitome of “fairytale princess.” She remains steadfast in her optimism, showing the cynical world of New York what it means to be truly kind.

12. Princess Fiona (Shrek)

Get to know Princess Fiona, the fiery-haired beauty. Whether she is in her human form or her green ogre form, her signature red braid remains constant. She subverted every princess trope in the book—she knows kung fu, she burps, and she chose the ogre life over the palace.

13. Anastasia

Often mistaken for a Disney princess (though Disney bought Fox, so she is now!), Anastasia Romanov has rich auburn hair. Her journey from an orphan named Anya to discovering her royal heritage is one of the best animated stories of the 90s. She is stubborn, independent, and unwilling to take nonsense from anyone.

The Action Heroes & Anime Stars

Red hair in action cartoons usually signifies power, aggression, or magical ability.

14. Kim Possible

A sporty figure and long, flowing orange hair distinguish Kim Possible. She defied the stereotype that cheerleaders were airheads. Kim could save the world before dinner and still maintain a 4.0 GPA. Her hair is iconic—so much so that “Kim Possible hair” is a legitimate style request at salons.

15. Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)

Erza stands out with her fiery, long scarlet hair (which is literally her last name). She is an S-Class Mage of the Fairy Tail Guild and arguably the strongest female character in the series. Her hair represents her warrior spirit. She is strict and scary, but she loves her friends fiercely.

16. Gaara (Naruto)

Gaara is the red-haired anime character everyone loves to love. With his signature spiky red hair and the kanji for “Love” tattooed on his forehead, he commands attention. His hair matches the red sand he controls. His journey from a villain to the Kazekage (leader) of his village is one of the best redemption arcs in anime.

17. Misty (Pokémon)

With extreme mood swings comparable to a Gyarados, Misty embodied the fiery redhead trope perfectly. The Water-type trainer adores her spiky orange hair, usually worn in a side ponytail. She was the first crush for an entire generation of anime fans.

18. Blossom (The Powerpuff Girls)

Blossom is the “commander and the leader.” Her long orange hair is tied back with a massive red bow. She represents the “Type A” personality—organized, smart, and a little bossy. Her red color scheme matches her hair perfectly.

19. Starfire (Teen Titans)

Starfire is an alien princess with hair made of literal fire (in the comics) or bright magenta-red hair (in the cartoons). It trails behind her like a comet when she flies. She combines immense power with a sweet, naive personality.

20. Poison Ivy

Dr. Pamela Isley is a fierce eco-terrorist who poses a significant threat to Batman. Her flowing red hair is a stark contrast to her green skin (in some versions) or green outfits. She uses her stunning appearance to lure victims, but her intellect is her true weapon.

21. Mary Jane Watson

“Face it, Tiger… you just hit the jackpot.” With her striking red locks, Mary Jane steals Peter Parker’s heart. In the 90s animated series, her hair was voluminous and vibrant, making her stand out against the gloomy backdrop of New York City.

22. April O’Neil (TMNT)

In the original 80s cartoon, April O’Neil was defined by her yellow jumpsuit and her big, 80s-style red hair. She wasn’t just a damsel in distress; she was a competent reporter who often helped the Turtles get out of jams. Her look is iconic to the franchise.

The Guys (Yes, Redheaded Men Exist!)

It’s rarer to see male characters with red hair, but when they appear, they are usually memorable.

23. Philip J. Fry (Futurama)

Fry is the heart of Futurama. His messy orange hair sets him apart from the aliens and robots of the 31st century. He represents the “everyman”—not particularly smart or strong, but possessing a huge amount of heart (and luck).

24. Phineas Flynn

Phineas has a distinctive triangle-shaped face and bright, wild red hair. He is the embodiment of summer vacation energy. His hair matches his boundless creativity and refusal to be bored.

25. George Jetson

Before Fry, there was George. George Jetson is the futuristic father figure with bright orange hair. He faces the stress of pushing buttons all day, but he remains a lovable family man.

26. Yosemite Sam

Yosemite Sam is mostly hair. His red mustache is so large it covers his entire face and body. As a rival of Bugs Bunny, Sam is known for his short temper, which fits the “fiery redhead” stereotype to a tee.

27. Dexter (Dexter’s Laboratory)

Dexter is a boy genius with a thick mop of curly red hair. It contrasts with his lab coat and purple gloves. His hair seems to emphasize his brainy nature, almost like it’s trying to contain his massive intellect.

28. Chuckie Finster (Rugrats)

Chuckie is beloved for his wild, messy red hair and purple glasses. He is the timid soul of the group. His hair reflects his chaotic, anxious energy. I always just wanted to give him a hug.

29. Hercules (Disney)

Disney’s Hercules is a departure from the classic myth. They gave him golden-orange hair to make him look like a sun god (and to differentiate him from the dark-haired Superman archetype). It works perfectly for his “farm boy to hero” journey.

The Quirky & Unique

These characters prove you can be weird and have great hair.

30. Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Sally is a rag doll monster with long, straight red yarn hair. It contrasts beautifully with her pale blue skin. She is the quiet, thoughtful soul of Halloween Town, proving that even monsters can be sweet.

31. Jessie (Toy Story)

“Yodel-ay-hee-hoo!” Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl, has a yarn braid made of bright red thread. Her high energy and tragic backstory (the “When She Loved Me” scene still makes me cry) make her one of Pixar’s best characters.

32. Eep (The Croods)

Eep stands out as a red-haired Disney/Dreamworks character who is physically strong. She has broad shoulders and messy, sun-bleached red hair. She defies her father’s cautious ways and seeks the light.

33. Flame Princess (Adventure Time)

Her hair isn’t just red; it is literal fire. Flame Princess has a volatile personality to match. She can destroy the world if her emotions get out of check. She represents the intensity of first love.

34. Candace Flynn

“MOM! Phineas and Ferb are making a title sequence!” Candace is the queen of stress. Her long red neck and orange hair are iconic. She represents the anxious teenager in all of us who just wants things to be normal.

35. Frankie Foster

Frankie manages the bustling Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. With her simple red ponytail and green t-shirt, she is the grounded, hardworking human in a house full of chaos. She is the big sister we all wanted.

36. Vicky (Fairly OddParents)

Finally, the villain. Vicky’s red ponytail is as sharp as her personality. She is a selfish, mean babysitter who terrorizes Timmy. Her catchphrase “Icky Vicky” is etched into the brains of millennials everywhere.

37. Roxanne (A Goofy Movie)

Roxanne is the ultimate “girl next door.” With her long, thick red hair and beauty mark, she was Max Goof’s dream girl. She is kind, patient, and likes Max for who he is (even with his embarrassing dad).

38. Darla

The dentist’s niece. She is a tiny terror with pigtails and headgear. While she isn’t “beloved,” she is certainly memorable. Her chaotic energy is the stuff of nightmares for fish everywhere.

39. Bloom

Bloom is the leader of the Winx Club and the Fairy of the Dragon Flame. Her long, bright orange-red hair is a symbol of her fire powers. She is brave, stubborn, and the heart of the magical dimension.

40. Betty Boop

Wait, Betty Boop? Yes! While traditionally black-haired, Betty Boop was given red hair in the 1930s to show off the new “Technicolor” technology. It was a brief phase, but a fascinating piece of animation history.