When Disney dropped it’s arguably hottest new series, The Mandalorian, the world went absolutely gaga over The Child, affectionately dubbed “Baby Yoda.” With his large green ears, deep heart-melting eyes, and impressive force sensitivity, the little creature soon found his way into the collective affections of fans across the galaxy.
That all being said, Baby Yoda isn’t the only adorable infant creature viewers have come to know and love. From J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World to snow-laden lands of Westeros, there are plenty of small and adorable critters for fans to adore. Here are our picks for ten infant fantasy creatures cuter than Baby Yoda.
Monsters Inc. Daycare (Monsters Inc.)
They might not beat Baby Yoda by much, but we thought we’d give them a spot simply due to the variety Monsters Inc.’s daycare kids have to offer. Creature fans have their pick of wide-eyed and expressive, round and cuddly, or even squishy and bug-like if they so desire. Points to the animators for their different design choices.
We’re honestly not surprised how well Boo fits in with her disguise. The group of little monsters is definitely a menagerie of adorable, Pixar-made lifeforms we’ve seen, at least until we see a kid version of Mike Wazowski in Monsters University.
Ghost (Game of Thrones)
The lands of Westeros are not always the warmest and most inviting places in the realms of fiction and fantasy, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be a few things here and there to make us smile. And since Tyrion Lannister’s rapier wit isn’t always readily available as we’d like, we have this puppy version of Ghost.
Ghost is one of the Direhounds that the Stark children adopt in the first season of Game of Thrones. Like his owner, Jon Snow, Ghost is the outcast of the litter. Jon is a bastard son, Snow is the albino runt of the pack. They were obviously made for each other.
Werewolf Kids (Hotel Transylvania)
We simply had to include Wayne and Wanda’s werewolf brood from Hotel Transylvania. Despite their fangs and appetite for destruction, they are still some of the most adorable representations of their species. After all, since real puppies like to bite, claw, and chew, why would werewolf pups be any different?
Though they’re all one thriving mass of fur, fangs, and snarling, we can’t say we don’t have a special place in our heart’s for them. They might lack Baby Yoda’s calm and collected nature, but they’re so lively and animated we’re willing to overlook a few bite marks.
Nippet the Ewok (Return of the Jedi)
Call us out for staying in the Star Wars universe if you must, but don’t the Ewok’s look like they’d be more at home in something like The Dark Crystal than on the forest moon of Endor? Even their home planet sounds like a fantasy world. Sure Wickett and his clan are cute and cuddly, but how about Nippet?
Before we had Baby Yoda, we had the adorable ball of fur that was Nippet. With her enormous eyes and fluffy exterior, how could early Star Wars fans not fall head-over-heels with her otherworldly sweetness? We certainly still find her ridiculously cute.
Norbert the Norweigan Ridgeback (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
Norbert, later Norberta, is one of the first iconic magical creatures a young Harry Potter is introduced to in this first entry in the famous fantasy series. In a world of magic hats, potion classes, and flying broomsticks, of course, there’s bound to be at least one dragon or two.
Fortunately for Harry, his first interaction is with a cute, but fire breathing, infant rather than a gigantic adult. Norbert is definitely Hagrid’s pride and joy, and would have no doubt thrived at Hogwarts had the ministry not intervened. A giant three-headed hellhound is safe enough, but a baby dragon is a step too far?
Despereaux (The Tale of Despereaux)
Based on the book by Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux is an enchanting fairytale film concerning a misfit mouse, a villainous rat, and lots and lots of soup. When we are first introduced to the titular Despereaux, he’s born the smallest member of his family, as well as possessing enormous round ears.
Naturally, a small furry creature with cute and innocent eyes paired with gigantic soft, pink, ears is bound to get some major points on the cute scale. Before Despereaux can take up his sword and pursue his heroic status, we have to get our adorable aww machine first.
Pegasus (Hercules)
A little cirrus, a touch nimbostratus, and a dash of cumulus give us that oh-so-famous flying stallion, Pegasus. Though we only see him in this adorably cute foal form for a mere few minutes, he’s definitely one of the most adorable critters on our list. With his blue mane, flittering wings, and chirping voice, how could we possibly leave this little guy off our list?
If you think about it, how many adorable creatures are there really in classical mythology? Sure, you’ve got things like gryphons and nymphs, but definitely not something on Pegasus’s level. But what else can you expect from Disney?
Baby Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)
We know what you’re thinking, isn’t Guardians of the Galaxy more sci-fi? Well, considering Groot shares a universe with both wizards and gods of Norse mythology, we’re willing to let it slide and give him a high spot on our list. Whether he’s trying his best to be intimidating and powerful or just uttering his catchphrase in a squeaky little voice, Baby Groot is easily top-tier-worthy.
Before Baby Yoda had viewers wrapped around his little green finger, Groot had us all wrapped up in his vines. His wide-eyed stare and small, adorable stature were enough to even melt a Ravager’s heart.
Mogwais (Gremlins)
Though they might not look it, the Mogwais from Joe Dante’s masterpiece Gremlins are essentially the infant stage of the titular monster of this awesome creature feature. We don’t know about you, but there’s just something about the big eyes, ears, and pleasant aura that both Gizmo and Yoda share that draws us in every time.
They’re cute, they’re cuddly, and they’re some of the most adorable creations to ever be spawned from the ’80s. The Mogwais are some of the most iconic and adorable critters the world has ever known, just as long as they aren’t fed after midnight.
Cheshire Kitten (Alice Through the Looking Glass)
We can totally understand if you’ve forgotten this hodgepodge of psychedelic sludge, but if it’s one thing the live-action Alice in Wonderland movies did right, it’s the visuals. And no such visual is so ethereally adorable than the Cheshire Kitten. Burton’s Cheshire Cat already has the whimsical voice of Stephen Fry, but now it has an adorable kitten form.
While Alice is on her absolutely-not-in-the-book time travel adventure, she takes a trip to the past where she meets younger versions of the Hatter, the Tweedles, and even the Cheshire Cat. Though he’s not grown into his stripes yet, he still has that adorably unhinged grin which gives him our top spot any day.
