Top 20 Famous Rabbits in Literature and Film

Top 20 Famous Rabbits in Literature and Film

The entertainment industry has been one of the fastest evolving industries in the world with literature and film being on top of the list. These two categories have had a series of different talents and characters that made people fall in love with the art. Some of the most thrilling characters are the rabbits. These small, and clever animals have changed the literature and film industry in a way that humans could never do. Characters who have embodied the rabbits have displayed the highest levels of creativity showing the world how clever, and curious the rabbits can be.

One example is the determined Judy Hopps from the film ‘Zootopia’ who showed the world that people are gifted differently and that with resilience and determination, they can achieve anything. Other rabbit characters include Lewis Carrol’s White Rabbit in ‘Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland’ whose curiosity makes the story more interesting. Generally, rabbits are known for being timid, curious, clever, and fast in their actions. These characters in literature and on the silver screens have emulated the rabbits’ behavior to make the entertainment industry more interesting. Looking into literature and film shows us some of the best rabbit characters that have existed in the industry, hopping up and down on the big screens and several pages of literature.

The following are the twenty most famous rabbits in literature and film:

1. The White Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland

John Tenniel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of Lewis Carroll’s bestselling novels ‘Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland’ features the most famous rabbit, the White Rabbit. He leads his friend, Alice through his rabbit hole to the wonderland where Alice gets trapped. The White Rabbit is remembered for his sense of humor as he complained about being late as he moved around in Wonderland. The rabbit’s role in the novel popularized the story and attracted many people who made different film versions of the novel.

2. Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Jennifer Petrie / Peter Rabbit Statue at Lingholm

After being published in the early 1900s, Peter Rabbit became a sensation both on screens and in written literature. Peter Rabbit is famous for his iconic jacket and mischief as he steals vegetables. The story was created by the English author Beatrix Potter and later modified by several writers and film producers. Peter Rabbit has also appeared on screen in different films in the twenty-first century making him a multi-generational entertainer.

3. Snowball, The Secret Life of Pets

Snowball must be the cutest bunny that ever appeared on screens in the history of rabbit characters. He appeared on screen in 2016 in the film ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ voiced by the famous comedian and actor Kevin Hart. Snowball begins his story by disliking humans for their nature to dominate the world. However, Snowball’s stance on human beings changes when he meets a new friend, Molly. The bunny becomes friends with the little girl who promises to love him forever.

4. Roger Rabbit, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Daniel Capilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Roger Rabbit in the film ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ is an example of a reconciliation expert. Roger suspects his wife of having an affair with a rich man in town, Marvin, and hires a detective to find out. However, Marvin is found murdered and Roger is blamed for the crime. The rabbit, Roger Rabbit, voiced by Charles Freischer escapes injustice and makes the Toontown a better place by improving the relationship between humans and animals. He changed the animations in the film industry.

5. Thumper, Bambi

Walt Disney Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Do you remember the ‘Thumper Law’ which states that ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all?’ the rabbit character in the film Bambi must have been one of the most famous people to use the phrase. The rabbit got the name Thumper from his habit of thumping his hind feet when he was terrified. He teaches Bambi several things including ice skating, talking, and choosing the right food. According to him, blossoms taste better than grass.

6. The Velveteen Rabbit, The Velveteen Rabbit

Margery Williams, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When Margery Williams wrote the children’s book ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’, in 1922, few people would imagine the heights to which the story would rise. The story of a young boy and his favorite toy who became a real bunny, the Velveteen Rabbit. The rabbit’s heartwarming story makes him famous attracting film producers who made films on the same story.

7. Bugs Bunny, Looney Tunes

MSGT Jose Lopez Jr., USAF photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bugs Bunny became famous in 1940 before appearing in several other movies and literature. He has been on screen since 1940, making people happy because of his unique behavior. Bugs Bunny’s mischief, wit, and cleverness are his strongholds. He uses his talent to get out of trouble as he outsmarts most of his opponents. Bugs has appeared not only in movies but in literature books, television series, and video games because of his dynamic characteristics. The bunny has been voiced by many famous actors but Mel Blanc stands out.

8. Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh

Ernest Howard Shepard (illustrator), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Rabbit is the famous character in all Winnie the Pooh works including books, television shows, and movies. The character was first created in the 1920s and has continued to be one of the best in Disney. Rabbit has a huge carrot farm which he protects with his life. He is strict and wants everything to work perfectly, which makes some people resent him. However, he also has a kind heart and is willing to help his friends whenever they need him. He has continued his fame since the early 1920s to date.

9. Skippy, Robin Hood

Skippy in Robin Hood film is a unique character who makes few but memorable appearances. He has two sisters, Tagalong and Sis making an inseparable trio. Skippy is a mischievous character who often gets in trouble for his reckless actions. He is remembered for throwing an arrow into Little John’s courtyard which landed him in trouble. Skippy evades payment of taxes which leads to his arrest and eventually taken to jail. He is a loveable character for his little and impactful appearances in the movie Robin Hood.

10. Peter Cottontail, The Adventures of Peter Cottontail

BFS Man from Webster, TX, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Peter Cottontail was created by Thorton Burgess back in 1914 about the story of a little rabbit that moves in the green forests and makes several discoveries. Peter’s adventure helps him to find reasons to change his name as well as learn valuable lessons about nature. The character has inspired writers, actors, and singers in the past and present, including Gene Autry who released the song ‘Here Comes Peter Cottontail’ in the 1950s.

11. Judy Hopps, Zootopia

Zootopia could not have been so exciting if it wasn’t for the rabbit character Judy Hopps. Judy is a small bunny who has an ambition to become a police officer. However, she was bullied and told she was too small to make a difference and that she would not become a police. However, she goes against all odds to become a police officer in Zootopia. She goes on to solve one of the biggest cases in the city, making her famous and recognized by the top officials in the city. Her story and character made Zootopia one of the most popular animations in Disney.

12. Hazel, Watership Down

Richard Adam’s debut novel ‘Watership Down’ turned out to be one of the best books in England and across the world. One of the best characters in the novel is the antagonist rabbit, Hazel. Despite being young and small, Hazel has leadership qualities and leads a group of bunnies from their home to find a new warren. Even after he dies in old age, Hazel transitions to the rabbit’s afterlife. The gods assure him that the warren and the rest of the rabbits will thrive. Hazel’s leadership skills can be replicated in human society where people need bold leaders who are willing to help the citizens.

13. March Hare, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

March Hare is another one of Lewis Carroll’s characters created in the film ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ March appears for the first time at a tea party as he enjoys tea with a newly found friend Mad Hatter. March Hare has a character that makes people around him call him mad. The phrase ‘as mad as March Hare’ originated in this book because people believed March’s behavior made him look like a mad rabbit. He has also made several appearances in books, television shows, and films in history because of his unique character.

14. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney Character

Sarecud, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is a Disney character that was created by Walt Disney back in 1920. The long-eared, round-face rabbit became popular very fast appearing in several films and books before it was sold to Universal Pictures. Oswald is the modern-day’ Mickey Mouse, arguably the greatest cartoon of all time. Despite changing names and ownership of the character, Oswald remains one of the best rabbit characters that ever appeared on television.

15. Brer Rabbit, African Folklore

Jerimee, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brer Rabbit, also known as Brother Rabbit is a fictional character that is told in African traditional stories. The tales of a clever rabbit that used his behavior to outsmart other animals regardless of their sizes are told in African nations. The character has also been used by authors such as Joe Chandler to write several stories about the rabbit. Brer is the oldest character in the African traditional stories that originate back in the eighteenth century.

16. Lola Bunny, Space Jam

Laura Von S, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lola Bunny is a female bunny character that made her first appearance in the comic book ‘Bug Bunny’. She has evolved with time and appeared in several modern movies including the recent Space Jam. Voiced by actress Kath Soucie, Lola Bunny in Space Jam: New Legacy is a hero who uses her talent and skills in basketball to defeat the alien team. She becomes the second-best player on the team after Michael Jordan. The character continues to change with time to fit in every generation.

17. Buster Baxter, Arthur

One of the best television series in the late twentieth century was Arthur. The movie is about Arthur Read who takes his best friend, Buster Baxter to his adventures. However, Buster steals the show with his funny character. He loves food so much that would stop his friend several times to take a bite. He is also a friendly bunny whose unquestionable friendship makes him an icon in the animations. Buster was the best rabbit character of his time.

18. Rabbit of Caerbannog, Monty Python

The only true editor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rabbit of Caerbannog is one of the most astonishing rabbit characters on the screen. Most bunnies are protagonists and loved by viewers but this type of rabbit stands out for being a serial killer. He appears in the movies ‘Monty Python and Holy Grail’ in which he executes his evil plan as he kills the King’s guards. However, the bunny does not get away with murder as he is eventually hunted down and killed in the end. He is remembered on screen and in books for being a dangerous rabbit character.

19. Harvey, in the film Harvey

Harvey is a unique character in the film Harvey because of his size and appearance. He a huge bunny measuring more than six feet tall making him taller than his human friends. Harvey is a friend to Elwood Dowd and he is also invisible. His character was played by James Stewart who would later on be nominated for an Emmy award. Harvey’s size makes him a unique character that cannot be easily replicated.

20. Bunnicula Rabbit

Cory Doctorow from Beautiful Downtown Burbank, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bunnicula is a name that translates as a vampire, which is the character of this bunny. However, the vampire rabbit does not feed on blood, but on vegetable juice. However, he is accused of being a vampire and the cat and dog detectives take up the case to investigate the bunny. The story takes place in his adopted family, the Monroe family. The story was first written by James and Deborah Howe.

From the history of literature and film, the famous characters embodying rabbits have had lifelong lessons in human life. These characters have found ways through which they evoke people’s emotions, making films and literature extremely interesting. The rabbit characters have taught us to be true to ourselves and bring out the best of our personalities. Learning from the mischievous Peter Rabbit, we are taught how to employ wit and a sense of humor to make life worth living. We can also look at the determined Judy Hopps, who against all odds became one of the most admired police officers in ‘Zootopia’ despite coming from a small village. The famous rabbit characters can stay in different environments which shows that they are adaptive and can live freely with humans. These characters continue to be significant in the literature and film industries.