Ask your friends who their first childhood crush was, and chances are it’ll be a cartoon character. Being animated never stopped these icons from connecting to people young and old.
From classic cartoon couples who are still together decades later to the couples who have defined modern relationships, these romantic duos from the small screen might be more lifelike than you think. Find out which one most closely mirrors your relationship!
Bob & Linda Belcher: Opposites Really Do Attract
Bob and Linda Belcher from Bob’s Burgers are the ultimate cartoon example of opposites attracting. Bob, with his deadpan delivery, humble aspirations, and true middle-aged dad vibe stands in stark contrast to Linda’s vivacious, quirky attitude.
They’re the couple you probably wouldn’t have paired together but can’t imagine being with anyone else. If you and your partner complement each other’s idiosyncrasies, then you’re definitely a Bob and Linda Belcher.
Fred & Daphne: The Couple That’s Got Hidden Layers
Fred and Daphne from Scooby Doo are the quintessential “it” couple. The stylish, popular girl pairs off with the charismatic, handsome boy and the rest is history. But over the many series, movies, and live adaptations we’ve gotten a deeper look into their relationship.
On the surface, they seem perfect for each other because of stereotypes, but they’re actually made for each other in spite of them. And it’s this quality of being able to look beyond the surface and to see what’s underneath that makes them such an iconic couple. No matter what your relationship looks like, if you both rely on each other for that deep emotional support, you’re a total Daphne & Fred.
Muriel & Eustace Bagge: The Old Married Couple Who Acts Like It
Listen, we’ve all known a Muriel & Eustace Bagge couple. For me, it was my own great-grandparents. I can still hear them shouting each other’s names across their small living room. This duo from the legendary surrealist cartoon Courage the Cowardly Dog is the greatest example of growing too comfortable with each other.
After being together for 40+ years, you can’t help but drop the pleasantries and go straight for the cantankerous back-and-forth. You’ve been in it this long, and both of you know there’s no going back. It’s this devotion in the face of some real prickly behavior that’s the marker of one hell of a relationship. We sure hope everyone gets the chance to turn into Muriel & Eustace.
Mrs. Puff & Mr. Krabs: The One That Got You Back in the Game
Not every romance is this mythical, star-crossed lovers kind of affair. Sometimes, it’s just a hint of something, a little dalliance that lights that signature spark after a really long time. Mr. Krabs and Mrs. Puff from Spongebob SquarePants might not have been long-term material, but their sweet, short-lived connection was incredibly charming to watch.
If you’ve had and lost loves, you’ve probably gone through a romantic dry spell or two. After that time, feeling the butterflies of a new crush is exhilarating. So, here’s to all the people rediscovering love again!
Kim Possible & Ron Stoppable: Everyone’s Favorite Best-Friend-Turned-Lovers Trope
Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable are the ultimate best-friends-to-lovers story. They’ve known each other since they were preschoolers and all that shared history makes them a powerhouse couple if there ever was one. It’s rare to hear of childhood friends staying connected through those stepping stones of life and somehow finding their way back to each other. So when it does happen, it’s super special.
If you have photos of you and the love of your life when you were both in diapers, then you’re a Kim Possible & Ron Stoppable combo.
Aang & Katara: The Childhood Crush That Matured Into Something More
Avatar: The Last Airbender features world-building and lengthy storylines the likes of which Western animation wasn’t entirely used to in the 2000s. But watching Aang and Katara’s adolescent crushes mature into a deeper love over several years was a beautiful change of pace.
Not many people’s childhood crushes go beyond a week or two of “dating” and then a quick breakup carefully staged at recess. Yet, a handful of people are blessed with finding their person as a kid and not having their feelings requited until they’ve developed into more independent individuals.
Gomez & Morticia Addams: The Couple Whose Chemistry Is Off the Charts
You probably know Gomez & Morticia Addams from the incredibly popular 60s TV series The Addams Family. But at several different moments throughout the years, studios have created animated series that have taken that signature style from the original comic and mixed it with the comedic sensibility from the live-action show.
We can confidently say that the cartoon versions of Gomez and Morticia are just as devoted as their live-action counterparts. It doesn’t matter how long they’ve been together – their passion is as fresh as the first time they connected. If just one glance from your love is enough to rev your engines, you’re probably a Gomez & Morticia Addams type.
Art Imitates Life: Relationships and All
Romantic love comes in so many shapes and sizes that it’s ripe for picking apart in the writer’s room. Just as how we look to movies and TV as ways to process our own experiences, they reflect many of the ones we’ve already marked off the list. Here’s to the cartoon couples that perfectly match you and your boo; we think picking out your couples Halloween costume just got a whole lot easier.
