These 6 Most Huggable Pop Culture Characters of All Time
Every year, National Hug Day is January 21st, and this year isn't any different. The holiday reminds us all to hug our family and friends when we see them. After all, hugging releases oxytocin, a natural hormone related to love and connection that's great for your health.
We're celebrating National Hug Day with a list of our six favorite huggable fictional characters. Did your favorite make the countdown?
6. Emmet from The Lego Movie
Technically, hugging Emmet would probably not be super comfortable, as he's a plastic Lego man, but he's so lovable you wouldn't be able to resist. He may be totally average in every way imaginable, but he did come up with a pretty sweet double-decker couch, and he's the special. Plus, he's voiced by Chris Pratt. What's not to love?
(The Lego Movie via Warner Bros. Pictures)
5. Groot from Guardians Of the Galaxy
Groot may not initially look huggable (he's a big, spindly tree creature), but he's the sweetest flora colossus you'll ever meet. He definitely has a soft side and a sense of humor, even if all he says is "I am Groot", but he can also kick butt in a pinch. He's definitely someone you'd want on your side, particularly on National Hug Day.
(Guardians of the Galaxy via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
4. The Minions from Despicable Me
The minions are mini, banana-like creatures in blue overalls and goggles that serve as assistants to the former evil mastermind, Gru. Not only are these minions small and squishy, making them perfect for hugs, but there are dozens and dozens of them, meaning there will always be enough hugs to grow around.
(Minions: The Rise of Gru via Universal Pictures)
3. Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon
Toothless the Night Fury dragon is precious and playful or fierce and fearless, depending on the situation at hand. He's an ever-dependable companion to his best friend, Hiccup, and proved to the people of Berk that dragons aren't evil. In fact, they're supremely huggable.
(How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World via Universal Pictures)
2. Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro
Totoro is a large, fluffy magical wood spirit who resembles a rabbit mixed with an owl. When a little girl named Mei stumbles upon Totoro in the forest, he's lying on his back asleep. Immediately she climbs up onto his giant furry belly, and the two are essentially introduced to each other with a giant hug.
(My Neighbor Totoro via Toho)
1. Baymax from Big Hero 6
The robotic Baymax was built to nurse the sick and injured back to health, but he was clearly also created with hugging in mind. He's big and inflatable, with massive squishy arms for the perfect caring embrace. As Fred says, hugging him is "like spooning a warm marshmallow." He might be one of the most huggable characters ever created.
