Some iconic monster cartoon characters are Jack Skellington, Sparky from Frankenweenie, Shrek, and Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc.
Get ready to be spooked and entertained because the world of cartoon monsters is vast and exciting!
You might think that cartoons are all about cute and cuddly creatures, but think again because even kids’ cartoons have their fair share of terrifying monsters.
In fact, monsters are often the go-to choice for representing evil and destruction in films and animated series. When it comes to cartoon monsters, there’s no limit to the creativity and imagination that goes into their design.
From Dracula to Frankenstein: Iconic Monster Cartoons That Stole Our Hearts
For me, a perfect cartoon monster is a gigantic, mindless creature with razor-sharp claws, huge fangs, crooked horns, and, of course, a few creepy tentacles.
But there are so many other types of monsters out there, and I’ve picked the 25 most monstrous ones to share with you.
25B.O.B. from Monsters vs. Aliens
B.O.B. is the weirdest monster you’ve ever seen in an animated movie!
Voiced by the hilarious Seth Rogen, B.O.B (Benzoate Ostylezene Bicarbonate) is a blob-like creature made by infusing a tomato with radioactive ranch dressing. Gross, right? But don’t let that turn you off because B.O.B. is an absolute gem.
Despite his slimy appearance, B.O.B. has a personality that will win you over in no time. He’s a goofy, lovable creature with a unique worldview that’ll leave you in stitches.
24Sparky from Frankenweenie
Prepare to have your heart stolen by the cutest creature on this list, none other than Sparky from Frankenweenie!
Though he doesn’t utter much, his adorableness speaks for itself. When Sparky meets an unfortunate end, his loving owner Victor Frankenstein is unwilling to let him go.
So, he sets out to bring him back to life through whatever means. And against all odds, he manages to pull it off!
But the resurrected Sparky is a bit different than before – he’s now a zombie with some stray bolts here and there.
23Pain and Panic from Hercules
Pain and Panic are two of the most iconic cartoon monster characters ever to grace the silver screen, appearing in Disney’s animated classic, Hercules.
These two grotesque minions of the underworld god, Hades, are known for their distinctive personalities and physical traits.
Pain and Panic are two small demons who resemble humanoid bugs with exaggerated physical features such as bulging eyes and razor-sharp teeth. Their constant squabbling and bickering make them a comedic duo, each trying to one-up the other at every turn.
22Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas
In Tim Burton’s dark fairy tale that mixes Halloween and Christmas, the main character, Jack Skellington, is weary of his frightening persona.
Despite being the Pumpkin King with a gaunt face and bony legs, he desires to spread joy and happiness. His trip to Christmas Town motivates him to import the holiday to his eerie domain, but things go poorly.
Ultimately, he finds solace in the company of his beloved ragdoll, Sally, and reconciles with his true passion for Halloween.
21Space Mutant from the Simpsons
The Space Mutant is an extraterrestrial entity whose sole objective is to consume the inhabitants of planet Earth.
As a shape-shifter, the creature can take on human form to launch surprise attacks on unsuspecting individuals.
In the episode Principal Charming, the Space Mutant is depicted attacking a couple on the verge of intimacy.
While some sources suggest that the Space Mutant may attack other creatures, it is said that it does not devour them whole as it does with humans.
20Gargoyle from Inhumanoids
As soon as Gargoyle hatched from his egg, he began his gruesome behavior by murdering and eating the other hatchlings.
Viewers witnessed Gargoyle rip the arm off one of his siblings and consume it, leaving no doubt about the monster’s savage nature.
Gargoyle’s terrifying appearance adds to the horror, with a massive tooth-filled jaw, a single eye, and an exposed digestive system.
His insatiable appetite drives him to seek out anything he can eat, a characteristic that fascinates and terrifies those around him.
19Aku from Samurai Jack
Aku, a monstrous demon of immense power, was born from the Black Mass of Darkness in the depths of space.
This malevolent being wields various dark magical abilities, including necromancy and the power to materialize objects.
Despite being the embodiment of pure evil, Aku occasionally serves as a source of comic relief, which diminishes his intimidation factor.
18The Lich from Adventure Time
In the Cartoon Network series, the primary antagonist, The Lich, is a powerful cosmic monster endowed with numerous abilities.
This immortal being is over a millennium old, and it is said that death and decay encompass him constantly.
His presence is lethal to humans and animals, instilling fear in even the most monstrous creatures. To make matters worse, The Lich has a persistent habit of returning to life no matter what happens.
He has survived unimaginable events, such as having his skull torn apart twice and falling into the sun, yet he still returns.
17Blorgulax from Futurama
Blorgulax is an extraterrestrial shape-shifter from an unknown planet first appearing in the episode Murder on the Planet Express.
After picking up a hitchhiker named Dan McMasters in space, the crew discovers that the passenger is a man-eating monster who devours McMasters.
The remaining crewmembers must evade the deadly creature while also repairing the ship. Unfortunately, the Blorgulax proceeds to feast on all the occupants of the Planet Express ship.
However, it is eventually revealed that the Blorgulax killed nobody except for Dan, who Bender and Fry mistakenly disintegrated.
16Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon
Prepare to enter a world where dragons and humans coexist on the island of Berk.
They were once bitter enemies, but everything changed when a young teenager named Hiccup formed an unbreakable bond with the rarest dragon of them all – a Night Fury.
And let’s remember the most important part – his name! Toothless, named for his endearing toothless grin, is the most lovable creature you’ll ever lay eyes on.
15Mr. Link from Missing Link
If you’re looking for a relatable movie monster, look no further than Mr. Link – a creature who shares a lot in common with the lovable “Everest” from Abominable.
As a Sasquatch, or “Bigfoot,” Mr. Link stands out with his towering 8-foot frame and shaggy fur in the Pacific Northwest. But don’t be fooled by his appearance, as he’s like any of us.
He’s articulate, witty, and full of heart, making him a total sweetheart.
Mr. Link even convinces the adventurer Sir Lionel Frost to join him on a quest to reunite with his long-lost family, learning important lessons about the value of family along the way.
14The Tar Monster from Scooby-Doo
The episode “The Tar Monster” in season 3 of the popular cartoon series “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” introduced one of the show’s most memorable monster villains.
The Tar Monster, a green-eyed, one-eyed monster made of simulated tar, can produce fluid tar from its body to envelop its victims, constricting or suffocating them.
Scooby pretended to be a photographer in one particularly strange moment and extended an invitation to the Tar Monster to take pictures in his studio. To everyone’s surprise, the Tar Monster accepted the invitation.
13Cthulhu Monster from Rick and Morty
In every season’s intro of Rick and Morty, Cthulhu appears as a relentless pursuer of the duo, although the character never actually appears in an episode.
With a head resembling an octopus and six eyes, Cthulhu has massive wings that allow it to fly and a dragon-like tail.
Despite its menacing appearance, it is unclear whether Cthulhu is male or female, as it appears to be protecting its offspring in one season.
However, it is not conclusive evidence, as even some fathers would go to great lengths to protect their children from the likes of Rick.
12Count Dracula from Hotel Transylvania
Hotel Transylvania’s portrayal of Count Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) differs from other famous vampire depictions. Rather than thirsting for human blood, he actively avoids contact with humans.
His motivation for creating the Hotel Transylvania is to provide a sanctuary for monsters and allow his daughter, Mavis, to live a normal life.
However, when a human traveler stumbles upon the hotel and falls in love with Mavis, Count Dracula becomes the classic overprotective father, causing angst for every teenage girl.
11Beast from Beauty and the Beast
Hold onto your seats because when it comes to character development, no movie monster goes through a transformation as dramatic as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast!
He starts as a snarling and fearsome creature, but with the help of the compassionate Belle, he gradually learns to let go of his ferocious ways.
And let me tell you, the beast has got it all when it comes to selfless acts of true love!
He proves his worthiness to be human once again by sacrificing himself in a heart-wrenching finale. Move over Prince Charming because the beast is the real catch here.
10The Creature from The Real Ghostbusters
In my opinion, a giant, shapeless creature composed of tentacles, eyes, and mouths is the ideal cartoon monster. In the episode “Ain’t NASA-Sarily So,” this extraterrestrial being infiltrated a space station and began devouring its energy sources.
The Ghostbusters had to employ four ghost traps to ensnare the creature completely.
While Egon Spengler noted that the creature was not a genuine ghost but rather a space monster, it was still extremely perilous and ignorant of the consequences of its actions, necessitating the Ghostbusters’ containment efforts.
9The Goozim from Phineas and Ferb
The rectangular creatures known as Goozims are native to Drusselstein, a Germanic country where the infamous Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz was born.
These large, hairy, flesh-eating beasts are about the size of a two-car garage and can be found not only in the 1st dimension but also in the 2nd dimension.
In Drusselstein, a popular game called “Poke the Goozim with a Stick” involves locking up a Goozim and having civilians poke it, although the game’s objective remains unknown.
8Pizza Monster from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Are you a fan of pizza and monsters? Then you’re in for a treat! Have you heard of the Pizza Monsters from Dimension X?
These unique creatures are born from meatball-like eggs and made their debut in the episode “The Case of the Killer Pizzas” of the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.
Krang, the evil villain, brought three of these Pizza Monster eggs from the alternate dimension and gave them to the notorious Shredder. Their mission? To destroy our beloved Ninja Turtles!
Now, what do these Pizza Monsters look like? Well, they do have a striking resemblance to the terrifying Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, but with a fun twist: they’re yellow!
7Inter-Dimensional Monster from Dexter’s Laboratory
A young, ambitious inventor named Dexter creates an Inter-Dimensional Doorway to summon a giant monster from another dimension. But what happens when the monster he summons is too powerful for him to handle?
The Inter-Dimensional Monster destroys Dexter’s lab, forcing him into a life-or-death struggle.
Despite his best efforts, Dexter cannot defeat the monstrous beast and is quickly swallowed. As fate would have it, Dexter leaves a note to his future self warning him not to turn on the Inter-Dimensional Doorway.
However, in doing so, he creates a mind-bending time paradox that leaves us all scratching our heads.
6Marshmallow From Frozen
Marshmallow, a Disney cartoon monster, is arguably one of the most famous monsters on this list. He is a giant snow monster created by Elsa to force Anna and Kristoff to leave her ice palace.
Later, he served as Elsa’s protector and kept out unwanted visitors like Prince Hans and Duke’s Thugs.
As demonstrated in “Frozen,” this massive snowman possesses immense strength, easily uprooting a large tree and throwing it a great distance.
Marshmallow is also highly durable and able to withstand spears and arrows without sustaining damage.
5Shrek from Shrek
Get ready to talk about an iconic movie monster – none other than the legendary Shrek himself! To most people he meets, he’s a terrifying ogre. But don’t be so quick to judge, because there’s much more to him than meets the eye.
It takes a snarky and chatty donkey, as well as a fierce and spirited red-headed princess, to bring out the softer side of Shrek.
As it turns out, ogres are like onions – they have many layers, and there’s more to them than what’s on the surface.
4The Monster from SpongeBob SquarePants
In “Mutiny on the Krusty,” a terrifying sea monster emerges from the ocean’s depths and attacks everyone in the Krusty Krab. With its six yellow eyes, six tentacles, and menacing spikes on its back, this monster is a force to be reckoned with.
Things turn for the worse when the monster devours our favorite grumpy octopus, Squidward.
But all hope is not lost! When Mr. Krabs steps up to fight the beast, the monster spits Squidward out, much to everyone’s relief.
3HIM from Power Puff Girls
If there’s one thing scarier than a powerful monster, it’s a monster with a sense of humor. And HIM from Powerpuff Girls fits the bill.
This devilish demon is easily one of the scariest foes the girls have ever faced, but he also knows how to bring the laughs while he’s at it.
Unlike some of the other villains who rely solely on brute force, HIM prefers to use psychological tactics to bring the trio of pint-sized heroes to their knees.
Whether driving a wedge between the girls or scaring them witless, HIM knows how to make his opponents squirm.
2Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc.
Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, the two main characters from the 2001 Pixar animated film “Monsters, Inc.,” are indeed popular monster cartoon characters.
The movie, which tells the story of a world of monsters that scare children to generate energy for their society, has become a beloved classic in animation.
Mike is a small, green, one-eyed monster who is extremely clever and hardworking. He dreams of becoming a top scarer, but his diminutive size makes it difficult for him to be taken seriously by his colleagues.
Despite this, Mike is very determined and never gives up on his goals, even when things get tough. He is also known for his witty humor, which adds to his charm as a character.
1Te Ka from Moana
Te Ka is a powerful villain monster character featured in the Disney animated film Moana. This character is visually striking, with an imposing and formidable appearance that makes it one of the most memorable monsters in modern cartoon history.
Te Ka is a lava monster with a massive and muscular body of molten lava.
It has a frightening countenance, a fiery red body, and a gnarled, twisted appearance that exudes an air of danger and aggression.
In the movie, it serves as the primary antagonist and stands in the way of Moana’s quest to save her island from destruction.