What Was the First Funny Cartoon?
Animation has come a long way—from hand-drawn stick figures to today’s digital masterpieces. But what was the first funny cartoon that started it all? The answer isn’t just one name, but a tale of two groundbreaking pioneers: one American, one French. Each brought unique techniques and humor styles that helped define the very beginning of animated comedy.
The First Animated Film on Standard Film: Humorous Phases of Funny Faces (1906)
The earliest known example of a cartoon-style animation is “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces”, created in 1906 by American filmmaker J. Stuart Blackton. Using a chalkboard and stop-motion techniques, Blackton made characters laugh, cry, and dance. While the animation was simple—more of a moving doodle than a plot-driven cartoon—it made audiences laugh and marvel at the magic of motion.
- Creator: J. Stuart Blackton
- Year: 1906
- Technique: Chalkboard drawings and stop-motion
- Notable for: Being the first animated content recorded on standard film
- Watch: Humorous Phases of Funny Faces
Though not fully hand-drawn frame by frame, this short film marked a critical turning point in how art could become entertainment through movement.
The First Fully Hand-Drawn Cartoon: Fantasmagorie (1908)
Two years later, in 1908, French artist Émile Cohl premiered “Fantasmagorie”. Regarded as the world’s first fully hand-drawn animated cartoon, it featured over 700 whimsical drawings filmed frame by frame.
- Creator: Émile Cohl
- Year: 1908
- Technique: Hand-drawn on paper, negative film
- Notable for: Being the world’s first fully animated cartoon
- Watch: Fantasmagorie (1908)
It was whimsical, absurd, and visually playful. Fantasmagorie didn’t just entertain—it inspired generations of animators to use illustration as a medium for humor, storytelling, and social commentary.
So, What was the first funny cartoon—Really?
It depends on your criteria. If you’re asking “What was the first funny cartoon on film?”, the answer is “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces”. But if you’re looking for the first fully hand-drawn funny cartoon, then Fantasmagorie claims that title. Both represent key milestones in the birth of animated comedy.
Why It Still Matters Today
The techniques pioneered in these two early cartoons shaped the future of visual humor. From Looney Tunes to Tom and Jerry, and even modern meme culture, the DNA of those first giggle-inducing shorts is still present. They showed that animation could be more than moving pictures—it could be joyful, expressive, and funny.
Conclusion: The True Origins of Animated Laughter
So, what was the first funny cartoon? It’s a two-part answer: Blackton’s 1906 film introduced animation to the big screen, and Cohl’s 1908 cartoon gave us the first taste of fully drawn visual comedy. Together, they laid the foundation for the funny cartoons that shaped our childhoods—and our sense of humor.
Whether you’re a cartoon historian, a meme lover, or just someone who appreciates a good laugh, knowing where it all began adds a deeper appreciation to every giggle that comes from a simple sketch in motion.
