Cartoon characters with large ears, such as Dumbo and Shrek, instantly capture attention because their distinctive ear designs effectively enhance their personalities and emotions. Big-eared characters can amplify humor, cuteness, expressiveness, or even wisdom, helping audiences connect with the character instantly.
From adorable cartoon animals to quirky sidekicks and legendary heroes, these characters prove that exaggerated ears can make animation more memorable.
This guide highlights some of the most popular big-eared characters and why they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
40+ Big Ears Cartoon Characters Names
Here are some of the most popular animated characters known for their oversized ears:
- Dumbo
- Shrek
- Mickey Mouse
- Jerry (Tom & Jerry)
- Pikachu
- Goofy
- Stitch
- Yoda
- Bugs Bunny
- Max Goof
- Pooh’s Piglet
- Timmy Turner
- Donkey
- Ears Bear (Care Bears)
- Arthur Read
- Angelica’s Cynthia Doll (big plastic ears)
- Mort
- Bambi
- Thumper
- Scrat
Male Cartoon Characters with Big Ears (Men/Guy/Boy)
Dumbo (Dumbo)
Dumbo is the most iconic big-eared cartoon character, known for his massive floppy ears that not only make him adorable but also give him the magical ability to fly. His expressive ears often reflect his emotions, from excitement to sadness, and add depth to his journey of self-discovery.
Dumbo’s innocence, combined with the visual comedy of his oversized ears, makes his story both heartwarming and unforgettable.
Voiced by: Multiple (mostly non-verbal)
First Appearance: Dumbo (1941)
Creator: Walt Disney
Known for: Flying, innocence, oversized ears
Dumbo’s big ears symbolize uniqueness and self-acceptance, showing that differences can become extraordinary strengths. His timeless design remains a staple of Disney’s most emotional and beloved films. He’s as cute as some other grey cartoon characters in animation.
Shrek (Shrek Series)
Shrek’s green, tube-shaped ears are instantly recognizable and perfectly complement his loud, brash, yet lovable personality. They often move to emphasize his reactions, making even subtle emotions visible and comedic.
From furious roars to tender moments, Shrek’s ears add expressive power to every scene, making him both funny and endearing.
Voiced by: Mike Myers
First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
Creator: DreamWorks Animation
Known for: Humor, bravery, big ogre ears
Shrek’s ears are more than just a physical trait; they amplify his personality, heighten comedic timing, and make him stand out as one of the most iconic modern animated characters.
Mickey Mouse (Disney)
Mickey’s large, circular ears are among the most recognizable in animation history. The simplicity of their design allows for instant recognition, and even a silhouette of his ears is enough for anyone to know it’s Mickey. His ears never change perspective, which adds a timeless, magical charm to his classic design.
Voiced by: Walt Disney / Others
First Appearance: Steamboat Willie (1928)
Creator: Walt Disney & Ub Iwerks
Known for: Cheerfulness, optimism, iconic ears
Mickey’s ears have become symbolic of Disney itself. They highlight the character’s cheerful personality and continue to be an enduring part of global pop culture.
Jerry Mouse (Tom and Jerry)
Jerry’s round, expressive ears add charm and personality to his tiny but clever character. They help exaggerate his reactions from fear to triumph and emphasize his playful, mischievous nature.
Every twitch or perk of his ears amplifies the humor and storytelling, making his silent antics universally understandable.
Voiced by: Mostly silent
First Appearance: Puss Gets the Boot (1940)
Creator: William Hanna & Joseph Barbera
Known for: Mischief, humor, big, round ears
Jerry’s oversized ears make him both cute and expressive, perfectly complementing the classic slapstick comedy of his adventures with Tom. Jerry is one of the funniest brown characters in the animation.
Pikachu (Pokémon)
Pikachu’s long, pointy ears with black tips define his adorable and energetic look. They also serve as emotional indicators, standing straight when alert or excited and drooping when sad or tired. Combined with his bright yellow body and rosy cheeks, his ears make him instantly recognizable to Pokémon fans around the world.
Voiced by: Ikue Ōtani
First Appearance: Pokémon (1997)
Creator: Game Freak
Known for: Electricity, cuteness, a yellow character with long expressive ears
Pikachu’s ears enhance his emotional range and personality, helping him communicate his feelings nonverbally and connect deeply with audiences.
Goofy (Disney)
Goofy’s long, floppy ears perfectly match his clumsy, lovable persona. They bounce and swing with his exaggerated movements, often emphasizing comedic moments in every cartoon. The flexibility of his ears enhances his physical comedy, making every reaction—from surprise to embarrassment- more dramatic and humorous.
Voiced by: Pinto Colvig / Bill Farmer
First Appearance: Mickey’s Revue (1932)
Creator: Disney
Known for: Goofiness, humor, floppy ears
Goofy’s ears are an essential element of his charm, helping define him as one of Disney’s funniest and most endearing characters.
Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
Stitch’s bat-like ears are large and expressive, helping him convey a wide range of emotions. From curiosity to mischief to affection, his ears act almost like additional eyes, enhancing his communicative power. They also highlight his alien uniqueness while making him irresistibly adorable.
Voiced by: Chris Sanders
First Appearance: Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Creator: Chris Sanders
Known for: Mischief, cuteness, expressive ears
Stitch’s ears are central to his design, making him visually unique and emotionally engaging for audiences of all ages. He is a cute little character with large eyes.
Yoda (Star Wars Animated)
Yoda’s large, pointed ears give him a wise, mystical appearance. They are instantly associated with his species and amplify his age, knowledge, and otherworldly wisdom. The subtle movement of his ears in the animated versions emphasizes his emotions, helping convey empathy, surprise, or curiosity.
Voiced by: Frank Oz
First Appearance: Animated & film versions vary
Creator: George Lucas
Known for: Wisdom, intelligence, large pointed ears
Yoda’s ears are more than a visual trait; they highlight his experience, wisdom, and enduring appeal across generations.
Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)
Bugs’ long rabbit ears are iconic, expressing his every emotion from mischief to surprise. They often stand straight up, flop, or twitch to enhance comedic timing.
Combined with his sly smile and clever personality, the ears help define Bugs as one of the most recognizable and enduring cartoon characters.
Voiced by: Mel Blanc
First Appearance: A Wild Hare (1940)
Creator: Tex Avery & Bob Clampett
Known for: Humor, cleverness, long expressive ears
Bugs’ ears are essential to his identity, providing both visual appeal and additional comedic storytelling. Bug’s is one of the famous rabbit characters in animation.
Piglet (Winnie the Pooh)
Piglet’s large, pink ears emphasize his shy, gentle personality. They often perk up or droop depending on his emotions, visually enhancing his timid and adorable behavior. His expressive ears help make him a relatable, lovable pink character in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Voiced by: John Fiedler / Others
First Appearance: Disney’s Pooh (1966)
Creator: A. A. Milne
Known for: Timidity, sweetness, big pink ears
Piglet’s ears contribute significantly to his charm, making him one of the most beloved side characters in Disney animation.
Donkey (Shrek Series)
Donkey’s large ears move constantly, emphasizing his talkative, energetic, and comedic personality. Their flexibility helps convey fear, excitement, or mischief, adding more life to his already exuberant character. His ears, combined with his expressive mouth and gestures, make him one of the funniest animated sidekicks.
Voiced by: Eddie Murphy
First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
Creator: DreamWorks Animation
Known for: Humor, chatter, large, expressive ears
Donkey’s ears are central to his charm and comic timing, making him unforgettable to audiences worldwide.
Arthur Read (Arthur)
Arthur’s rounded ears give him a distinctive and approachable design. They accentuate his youthful innocence, curiosity, and playful expressions as he navigates school life and adventures. The simple design makes Arthur relatable while allowing subtle emotions to show clearly.
Voiced by: Multiple voice actors
First Appearance: Arthur (1996)
Creator: Marc Brown
Known for: Curiosity, school life, big round ears
Arthur’s ears help create a gentle, friendly look, supporting his status as an educational and beloved animated character.
Mort (Madagascar)
Mort’s oversized ears, paired with his big eyes, make him hilariously expressive. His ears often jump or twitch dramatically, reflecting his extreme reactions to King Julien or other events. They amplify both his adorableness and comedic energy, making him a fan favorite.
Voiced by: Andy Richter
First Appearance: Madagascar (2005)
Creator: DreamWorks
Known for: Cutness, humor, oversized ears
Mort’s expressive ears are key to his personality, helping convey excitement, fear, or obsession in memorable ways.
Bambi (Bambi)
Bambi’s soft, large ears reflect his innocence and alertness in the forest. They perk up when he’s curious or startled and droop when he’s sad, enhancing his emotional storytelling. Combined with his gentle eyes and graceful movements, his ears add realism and charm to his design.
Voiced by: Bobby Stewart / Donnie Dunagan
First Appearance: Bambi (1942)
Creator: Walt Disney
Known for: Innocence, nature, big soft ears
Bambi’s ears help convey his journey of growth, learning, and emotional development, making him one of Disney’s most timeless characters.
Thumper (Bambi)
Thumper’s long, rabbit ears emphasize his energetic and playful nature. They move along with his bouncing, hopping antics and enhance his expressive communication with Bambi and friends. His ears are key to portraying his lively, humorous personality.
Voiced by: Peter Behn
First Appearance: Bambi (1942)
Creator: Walt Disney
Known for: Energy, humor, expressive ears
Thumper’s ears visually amplify his fun and charm, making him a quintessential sidekick in Disney animation.
Female Cartoon Characters with Big Ears (Women/Girl)
I found limited stuff on this topic over the entertainment, but here are the popular female characters with expressive ears, including Babs Bunny, Anais Watterson, and Lola Bunny.
Channel-Wise Categorization of Big Ears Animated Characters
Disney Channel / Pixar:
- Mickey Mouse
- Dumbo
- Stitch
Nickelodeon:
- Chuckie Finster
- Eliza Thornberry
- Rocko
Cartoon Network:
- Dexter
- Courage
- Ed
Anime:
- Pikachu
- Chopper
- Totoro
Classic / Comics:
- Bugs Bunny
- Goofy
- Snoopy
Final Words
Big-eared cartoon characters prove that distinctive physical traits can define a character’s personality, emotions, and charm. Whether funny, cute, or heroic, their ears add expressiveness and create a lasting visual impression.
From Dumbo’s magical ears to Donkey’s hilarious antics, these characters have shaped animation history with their design, humor, and heart. For aspiring creators, big ears can be a powerful tool to generate characters instantly recognizable and emotionally engaging.
FAQs
Who are male cartoon characters with big ears?
Dumbo, Goofy, Arthur Read, and Pinky (from Pinky & The Brain) are famous male characters with big ears.
Which cartoon characters with big ears are female?
Minnie Mouse (classic versions), Nanny from Muppet Babies, and Gadget Hackwrench are notable big-eared female characters.
What Disney cartoon characters have big ears?
Dumbo, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Stitch are the most iconic Disney big-eared characters.
Which big-eared cartoon character is from Noddy?
Big Ears himself is the well-known character from the Noddy series.
Who is a rat cartoon character with big ears?
Remy from Ratatouille and Rizzo from The Muppets are popular big-eared rat characters.
Which cartoon character has big ears and a big nose?
Goofy, Squidward (long nose + big head features), and some versions of Pinocchio match this look.
What are some big-eared character names?
Dumbo, Stitch, Arthur, Big Ears (Noddy), Goofy, and Remy are among the most iconic.