From suave foxes and winking dragons to naked mole rats and a terrifying shark, these are 10 animated characters who have inspired some truly questionable levels of admiration.
And yes, before you point fingers: we know they’re cartoons. That’s the point.
10. Dragon – Shrek
Fairy-tales reduce dragons down to fire-breathing monsters who mainly serve the purpose of terrorising villages or protecting castles. But Shrek features a dragon whose wink is as lethal as her breath. No wonder Donkey fell under the spell of this sultry, scaly and sassy queen.
9. Bruce – Finding Nemo
Bruce the great white shark is kind of terrifying – but isn’t that half of the appeal? And for those who love an accent, Barry Humphries’ booming Aussie tones give him a sophisticated charm.
8. Basil – The Great Mouse Detective
Basil is an intelligent, eccentric detective living in Victorian London. Mouse or not, I dare you to swipe away from this absolute catch on Hinge.
7. Rufus – Kim Possible
A naked mole rat? I know what you’re thinking: this list has gone off the rails quickly. But you’re dead wrong.
That being said, I won’t provide any further analysis or elaborate justification, other than that I find naked mole rats extremely cute.
6. Hopper – A Bug’s Life
Hopper is an intimidating grasshopper with a ridiculous amount of charisma.
Is he a terrible person? Absolutely.
Would we ever trust him? Absolutely not.
Would we still hear him out? Unfortunately, yes.
5. Remy – Ratatouille
How many men do you know who are as intelligent, passionate, creative and determined as Remy? This rat would hijack a human to impress you and then cook you a meal that would leave your knees weak.
4. Rocky – Chicken Run
That smile, that damn Aardman Animations smile. Pair it with Mel Gibson’s voice and a shed-load of bravado, and we can forgive this rooster for being a bit too cocky.
3. Robin Hood – Robin Hood
Disney took one of the world’s most famous legendary outlaws and turned him into a fox, or rather, one foxy hunk.
He’s charming, witty, confident and effortlessly cool – oh, and he risks it all to help the poor.
2. Lola – Shark Tale
Lola is the quintessential 2000s animated crush.
She’s glamorous and confident with a character design that seems specifically engineered to make our jaws drop.
And much like Tigress from Kung Fu Panda, being voiced by Angelina Jolie seals the deal.
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox – Fantastic Mr. Fox
What is it about foxes?
Assign one of Hollywood’s most recognisable voices to a sharply dressed vulpine with sophistication, intelligence and a bad boy streak, and suddenly we’re swooning so hard we can’t even concentrate on Wes Anderson’s whimsy.
This final pick could have easily been another fox, Zootopia’s Nick Wilde, but George Clooney’s voice work just takes the edge over Jason Bateman.
Honourable mentions: Kovu (The Lion King 2) and
The Wolf (Puss in Boots)
So… who’s your “hear me out” animated crush?
