Cartoons About Best Friends: Exploring the Most Iconic Animated Friendships
Friendship is one of the most beloved themes in animation, with many cartoons centering around the adventures, struggles, and joys of best friends. These relationships shape the heart of many shows, teaching audiences valuable lessons about loyalty, trust, and companionship. From classic duos to modern-day animated friendships, let’s explore some of the best cartoons about best friends.
1. SpongeBob SquarePants (SpongeBob & Patrick)
One of the most famous cartoon friendships is between SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star. Their bond is built on their shared enthusiasm for life, their wacky adventures in Bikini Bottom, and their unwavering support for one another. Despite Patrick’s occasional cluelessness and SpongeBob’s over-the-top energy, they always have each other's backs.
Why It Works: The show highlights the importance of embracing silliness, enjoying the little things in life, and standing by your friends no matter what.
2. Adventure Time (Finn & Jake)
Finn the Human and Jake the Dog are one of the most dynamic duos in animation. Jake, the shape-shifting dog, acts as a loyal, fun-loving, yet wise companion to Finn, a brave warrior with a strong sense of justice. Their friendship is tested throughout their many adventures in the Land of Ooo, but their brotherly bond never wavers.
Why It Works: Their relationship exemplifies a perfect balance of wisdom and youthful enthusiasm, showing that true friends help each other grow.
3. Rick and Morty (Rick & Morty)
While unconventional and often dysfunctional, the relationship between Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty still embodies an odd form of friendship. Although Rick is often manipulative, he does show moments of care for Morty. The series explores their bizarre adventures across dimensions and the consequences of their bond.
Why It Works: The show takes a darker look at friendship, showing that even toxic relationships can contain moments of genuine connection.
4. Phineas and Ferb (Phineas & Ferb)
Stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb share a bond that revolves around their creative genius and summer-long adventures. They work seamlessly together, never arguing or competing, and their ultimate goal is always to make the best of every day while supporting each other.
Why It Works: Their friendship is based on mutual respect and teamwork, proving that best friends can inspire each other to dream big.
5. Tom and Jerry (Tom & Jerry)
Although often seen as rivals, Tom and Jerry share a friendship hidden beneath their endless chases. Despite their constant battles, they have moments where they team up to face common enemies or simply show kindness to one another.
Why It Works: The show demonstrates that even frenemies can share deep bonds and moments of camaraderie.
6. Gravity Falls (Dipper & Mabel Pines)
Twins Dipper and Mabel Pines have one of the strongest sibling friendships in animation. While they have different personalities—Dipper being more analytical and Mabel more carefree—they always support each other and navigate the mysterious town of Gravity Falls together.
Why It Works: The show portrays the depth of sibling friendships, emphasizing trust, adventure, and unconditional support.
7. Regular Show (Mordecai & Rigby)
Mordecai and Rigby are two best friends who work as groundskeepers but often slack off, getting into bizarre and supernatural adventures. Their friendship is filled with humorous banter, occasional conflicts, and genuine moments of support.
Why It Works: It’s a realistic depiction of male friendship, showing that even with ups and downs, true friends always come through for each other.
8. The Amazing World of Gumball (Gumball & Darwin)
Gumball Watterson and his adopted brother/best friend Darwin have an inseparable bond. Their relationship is full of fun, mischief, and brotherly love as they navigate their school and family life together.
Why It Works: The mix of humor, loyalty, and absurdity makes their friendship both entertaining and heartwarming.
9. My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Twilight Sparkle & Friends)
Rather than a single friendship, this show explores a whole group of friends who learn valuable lessons about loyalty, kindness, honesty, and generosity. Twilight Sparkle and her friends—Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity—face challenges together, proving the power of friendship.
Why It Works: It’s an ideal example of how diverse personalities can come together and form meaningful friendships.
10. South Park (Stan & Kyle, Cartman & Kenny)
While South Park is a satirical and often controversial show, it also portrays deep friendships, particularly between Stan and Kyle. Their bond is tested through their adventures and conflicts, but at the core, they care about each other. Even Cartman and Kenny, despite Cartman’s bullying nature, share an unusual but lasting friendship.
Why It Works: It shows the messy, complicated, yet unbreakable nature of childhood friendships.
The Power of Animated Friendships
Cartoons about best friends remind us that true friendships come in many forms—whether it’s through humor, adventure, rivalry, or teamwork. These animated duos (and groups) resonate because they reflect real-life relationships, teaching audiences of all ages about the value of loyalty, trust, and shared experiences.
Which cartoon friendship is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!