We always fondly remember cartoon characters because they were a massive part of our childhoods. Adult people who spent their time watching cartoons before going to bed as children, today talk about and reminisce on how some cartoon characters influenced their lives immensely. One of those characters is cartoon bears, which are not lacking in animated media. Inspired by pure nostalgia, we already brought you a list of the most popular cartoon characters. So we decided to list the 10 most famous cartoon bears we all loved as kids.
We will include only cartoon bears, so Pokémon, Digimon, and other anime bear-like characters won’t be included. The same goes for video games, only if their characters were adapted to cartoons. If you are interested in awaking your childhood memories, stick with us until the end of the list. Let’s start!
10. Boo Boo
We are starting this list with a bang, and presenting you Boo Boo Bear, companion of Yogi, who is constantly getting into trouble with his outrageous ideas. Even though he is not a star of The Yogi Bear Show like his buddy Yogi, he is a prominent character who is keeping Yogi out of trouble nonstop. Most of the time he gets in trouble with his friend but always sticks around to bear the consequences with his friend.
One of the most notable cartoon bears in the 20th century, and part of the very popular Hanna-Barbera show The Yogi Bear Show, Boo Boo definitely deserves to be on this list.
9. Care Bears
Another blast from the past is The Care Bears, a TV series that marked the 1980s and 1990s. This show was aired everywhere, and even today, you can sometimes see it as a part of the TV program. Care Bears were originally painted and used on greeting cards in the U.S. and later made into plush teddy bears. Their popularity spread really quickly and it was decided that The Care Bears TV show will be made. They did not make a mistake, and since 1985, Care Bears stayed relevant even today.
The show got a revival in 2007, so newer generations can live through the hype and beauty of the Care Bears.
8. Brother Bear
One of the most underrated Disney animated movies for kids in the 2000s, Brother Bear definitely deserves to be on this list. Its amazing animation and beautiful story made this movie one of the most popular Disney projects in 2003, and today is sometimes forgotten in the sea of new animated movies. However, today’s adults who live through the hype of the movie, fondly remember it because it can compete with the best Disney movies even today. The Brother Bear follows the story of Alaskan native boy Kenai who pursues a bear and kills it, but the Spirits, change Kenai himself as a punishment.
As a bear, Kenai meets other bears and learns about the bond and love these animals share, which can be compared to humans. A beautiful story about love and acceptance, and everyone should watch it.
7. Bosco
Anyone who watched Avatar: The Last Airbender religiously remembers Bosco, Earth King Kunei’s pet bear, and best friend. Bosco lived with his master in the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace when Gaang arrived in the Earth Kingdom, on their journey to help Aang learn earthbending. King Kunei and Bosco even went on a tour to perform in various places. Bosco is truly one of the fan favorites in Avatar fandom.
Unfortunately, we find out about his fate in The Legend of Korra where the Earth Queen talks about eating him, not very subtly. As we did not like her enough already. Regardless, Bosco is always going to be in our hearts.
6. Baloo
Probably one of the most notable cartoon bears ever, Baloo found himself on this list as well. Baloo is a deuteragonist (secondary character) in Disney’s The Jungle Book, an animated feature film that was released in 1967. Personally, I do not know a single person that does not know about Baloo, and his helpfulness and funny side are what makes him so cool and one of the best friends of the main character Mowgli.
The Jungle Book is an essential part of the fictional media and needs to be put on every must-watch list for children. We need more Baloos in our lives.
5. Yogi
After mentioning his most loyal companion Boo Boo, it is Yogi’s time now. Yogi the Bear is one of the most notable cartoon bears of the 20th century. His tendency for mischief which includes stealing picnic baskets, and other misadventures in Jellystone Park, drives Ranger Smith insane. Yogi appeared in various different media like books, movies, and more, and still is one of the most notable cartoon characters today.
4. Po
Kung Fu Panda is a recent movie, from 2008, but young adults today love it really dearly. Po is a typical cartoon protagonist who at first clumsy and laughed at for wanting to become a Kung Fu Master, he perseveres in that challenge and learns that the source of limitless power is within ourselves. Po became an inspirational character for many children at that time, and still is a prominent animated character in the media.
We will see him again in the Netflix series called Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, and enjoy Po’s adventures once again.
3. Little John
A tale of Robin Hood had a lot of adaptations and one of the most famous ones was definitely Disney’s 1973 animated feature film called Robin Hood. That movie has animals as characters, and Little John, one of the most loyal Robin Hoods companions and right hand, is a bear. He is Robin Hood’s best friend and most of the time, his voice of reason since Robin always goes headfirst into things. He is cool, lovely, and a friend we all want to have.
2. Winnie-the-Pooh
The “oldest” entry on this list and one of the most famous characters in fictional media ever, Winnie-the-Pooh is the next one on this list. There are no quotable characters more than Winnie-the-Pooh, and his stories are just so lovely. Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in fictional media in 1924, and since then is making childhoods so much happier. We mostly know him from cartoons and his naivety is really endearing. His friends Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Roo, and Owl are always there to watch his back and act on his rare great ideas.
This honey-loving goofball definitely deserves to be on this list, and we love him very much. Here is one of his great quotes:
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
1. Paddington Bear
In the first place is Paddington Bear. Another British bear on this list is considered by some as the most famous cartoon bear ever (Winnie-the-Pooh is in that conversation as well), and they are not wrong. At first, a fictional character in children’s literature in Great Britain, who first appeared in 1958, today is a world-known bear, who makes us happy even today. Paddington Bear’s books are classic, but his movies from 2014 and 2017 respectively, are amazing pieces of media made for every age group.
With his signature red hat, battered suitcase, blue duffel coat, and unconditional love of marmalade, combined with his kindness and wisdom, Paddington Bear is truly the most famous cartoon bear today.
