Animation is as old as filmmaking itself; the pioneers of animation started their craft about the same time the earliest filmmakers were shooting their films. From the first chalkboard cartoons to the most sophisticated 3D motion pictures today, animation has entertained and amazed countless viewers for several generations. The industry of animation isn’t complete without the best cartoons that defined it. These cartoons greatly contributed to the development of animation and helped make it one of the most profitable industries in filmmaking today. Here is a list of the top ten best animation shorts in history, as considered by top artists and cartoonists in the industry.

10. King Size Canary (MGM, 1947)

A starving alley cat finds a small canary and a container of “Jumbo Gro” fertilizer, which gives him the idea that leads to gigantic cats, canaries, mice and dogs chasing each other in an ever-shrinking world. Directed by prolific animation director Tex Avery, this film is noted for its inventive use of animation as a license to defy the laws of physics and real life.

9. Gerald McBoing Boing (UPA, 1951)

This animation is created in 1950 by Theodor Geisel, more popularly known as Dr. Seuss. It tells the story of a little boy named Gerald McLoy, who cannot speak words or sentences but through sound effects and noises. Ridiculed and scorned by people around him, he finally found his place: providing special-effects for a radio station. Memorable for the creative use of sound effects and Dr. Seuss’ inventive rhyme, Gerald McBoing Boing won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject in 1950.

8. Porky in Wackyland (Warner Bros., 1938)

This black-and-white cartoon starring an early version of Porky Pig is celebrated for its highly-surreal humor. The story follows the Porky’s quest to capture the last living dodo, deep in the heart of “darkest Africa”. Porky finds himself in a strange realm called Wackyland, inhabited by weird and bizarre creatures. Inspired by the cartoons of the Fleischer brothers and the paintings of surrealist Salvador Dali, this film was included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress on 2000.

7. Red Hot Riding Hood (MGM, 1943)

Red Hot Riding Hood is directed by Tex Avery and produced by MGM studios. This animated short retells the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood in a jazzed-up, urban setting. The animation begins in the conventional manner of the fairy tale, but is quickly interrupted when the Wolf declares he wants to tell the story in his own original manner. The forest backdrop then changes into a nightclub, with Red Hot Riding Hood as the star performer, being constantly wooed by an aggressive patron, none other than the Wolf himself.

This animation is noted for its numerous gags, fast pacing, and original presentation of the Little Red Riding Hood story. The character of the Red Hot Riding Hood will later be named as one of the inspirations for Jessica Rabbit for the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

6. Gertie the Dinosaur (Winsor McCay, 1914)

Gertie the Dinosaur is widely believed to be the first animation film ever made. In fact, several animated shorts have been made before, and its creator, Winsor McCay, actually made two animations before this one. This short is originally made by McCay as part of a live presentation – he will give specific instructions which the animated Gertie will follow. For example, McCay will pretend giving an apple to Gertie, and the audience will see an animated apple being eaten by the dinosaur. Gertie proved to be very popular that it is considered as a pioneer of animation both as an art form and as an industry.

5. One Froggy Evening (Warner Bros., 1956)

A man discovers a singing frog among the remnants of a ruined building. Sensing it as an opportunity to get rich, he determines to stage a concert, wasting all his savings in the process. His gamble proved to be disastrous, as the frog sings only for the man, and only croaks innocently whenever someone else is around. A humorously tragic story directed by Chuck Jones, it is considered one of the most effective animated films made, with Steven Spielberg calling it “the Citizen Kane of cartoons”. The amphibian will later be named as Michigan J. Fox, eventually becoming the official mascot of the Warner Brothers’ television network.

4. Duck Dodgers in the 24 and 1/2th Century (Warner Bros., 1953)

In this animated short, Daffy Duck parodies the early space opera serials, searching for the elusive Illudiom Phosdex, the “shaving cream atom”. With his assistant Porky Pig, Daffy reaches Planet X (located after Planet W), and tries to claim the planet as his own. Trouble is, the Martian Commander X-2 also arrives to try to take over the land, inviting mayhem in the process. This outrageous space satire will be later used by George Lucas to precede his Star Wars in the film’s original 1977 premiere.

3. The Band Concert (Disney, 1935)

This cartoon chronicles Mickey Mouse’s attempts to let his band perform “The William Tell Overture”, all while Donald Duck, with a unlimited number of flutes, tries to disrupt it by playing “Turkey In The Straw”. Add a very annoying bee into the scene and all havoc breaks loose, in rhythmic Walt Disney fashion. This Disney classic is also notable for being the first Mickey Mouse cartoon in full color.

Although Mickey Mouse ranked #3 in this lists, unfortunately, Mickey Mouse dropped 4 spots in our Top 10 Most Famous Characters in Coloring Pages.

2. Duck Amuck (Warner Bros., 1953)

Can a cartoon character still maintain its identity even if everything about it is altered? Duck Amuck is a hilarious experiment on the possibilities of animation. This animation short features Daffy Duck facing an unlikely (and bizarre) adversary: an off-screen animator. The all-powerful animator makes Daffy’s life miserable by completely modifying the cartoon, like changing the background, turning Daffy’s voice into sound effects, and finally altering Daffy’s entire appearance itself, As Daffy endures the antics of his unseen opponent, we get a study of what animation is capable of. Duck Amuck’s ending is also considered by critics as one of the best punchlines of the genre.

1. What’s Opera, Doc? (Warner Bros., 1957)

Using the conventional Elmer Fudd vs. Bugs Bunny formula, but with a twist of German opera, director Chuck Jones effectively combined classical art and slapstick animation into one hilarious classic. Elmer Fudd (as the German hero Siegfried) uses his magical spear and armor to capture Bugs Bunny. Bugs, as always, foils Elmer’s plans with his wit and cunning, including an unforgettable sequence where he pretends to be Siegfried’s love interest, Brunhilde. Featuring wisecracking humor characteristic of Bugs Bunny cartoons, excellent voice acting by Mel Blanc, meticulously drawn backgrounds, and good use of classical music, What’s Opera, Doc? has easily become one of the most beloved cartoons of all time.

Bugs Bunny made his way on top of our lists. so, its not impossible for him and us to ranked him #2 in our Top Ten Cartoon Icons.