The Most Famous Monkey: Recognizing the Primate Icons

Voting rules: Choose the Monkey you think is the most famous!

By Gregor Krambs

Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 1, 2023 14:50)

Who Is the Most Famous Monkey?

1

52
votes
Curious George

Curious George is a popular children's book character that has been adapted into various media, including an animated TV series and a movie. He is beloved by many children and has become a cultural icon.
Description

Curious George is a beloved animated television series based on the popular children's books written by Margret and H.A. Rey. The show follows the adventures of a curious and mischievous little monkey named George, who is always eager to explore and learn about the world around him. George often finds himself in funny and sticky situations, but with the help of his friend, the Man with the Yellow Hat, he learns valuable lessons along the way.

Genre: Children's animated series

Target audience: Preschool children

Country of origin: United States

Original language: English

First aired: September 4, 2006
Curious George in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular PBS Kids show
2

36
votes
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0

Donkey Kong

Shigeru Miyamoto

Donkey Kong is a video game character that has been around since the 1980s. He is a giant ape that throws barrels at his enemies and is one of the most recognizable video game characters.
Description

Donkey Kong is a classic arcade game released in 1981. It is a platform game where the players control a character named Jumpman (later renamed to Mario) who must rescue a damsel named Pauline from the giant ape Donkey Kong. The game features multiple levels of increasing difficulty, with Donkey Kong throwing barrels towards Jumpman, who must navigate platforms to reach Pauline.

Release Year: 1981

Genre: Platform

Platform: Arcade

Players: 1-2

Controls: Joystick + Jump Button
Donkey Kong in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most iconic video game character
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular arcade game
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular game made by Nintendo
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Smash character
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous donkey
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Nintendo franchise
3

23
votes
King Kong

King Kong is a fictional giant ape that first appeared in the 1933 film of the same name. He has since become a cultural icon and has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and other media.
King Kong in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous monster
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous legends
4

18
votes

Rafiki

Rafiki is a character in the Disney film The Lion King. He is a wise old baboon who serves as a mentor to the main character, Simba. He is known for his memorable lines and his iconic scene holding up Simba.
5

19
votes

Abu

Abu is a character in the Disney film Aladdin. He is a loyal and mischievous monkey who is Aladdin's sidekick. He is known for his humorous antics and his loyalty to Aladdin.
6

4
votes

Marcel

Marcel is a character in the TV show Friends. He is Ross's pet monkey and is known for his mischievous behavior and his love of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
7

8
votes
Bubbles

Bubbles is a chimpanzee that was owned by Michael Jackson. He became famous for his association with Jackson and was often seen with him in public.
Description

Bubbles is a popular Roomba model known for its efficient cleaning capabilities and user-friendly features. It is designed to effortlessly clean various types of flooring, including carpets, hardwood, and tiles. With its sleek and compact design, Bubbles can easily navigate through tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring no dirt or dust is left behind. This Roomba model offers a range of advanced technologies that enhance its cleaning performance and convenience for users.

Cleaning System: 3-stage cleaning system

Navigation: iAdapt navigation technology

Connectivity: Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control and scheduling

Brushes: Dual multi-surface brushes

Sensors: Dirt Detect sensors for concentrated cleaning
8

10
votes
Mojo Jojo

Mojo Jojo is a character in the animated TV series The Powerpuff Girls. He is a super-intelligent evil genius who is also a monkey. He is known for his iconic helmet and his plans to take over the world.
Mojo Jojo in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular Powerpuff Girl
9

3
votes

Grape Ape

Grape Ape is a character in a Hanna-Barbera animated TV show from the 1970s. He is a giant purple gorilla who travels around in a van with his friend Beegle Beagle. He is known for his catchphrase, "Grape Ape, Grape Ape!"
10

5
votes

Zoboomafoo

Zoboomafoo is a character in a children's TV show from the 1990s. He is a lemur who hosts the show with his human co-hosts. He is known for his colorful appearance and his educational segments about animals.

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Ranking factors for famous monkey

Popularity

How well-known is the monkey among the general public?
Media Exposure

How often is the monkey featured in movies, TV shows, and other forms of media?
Cultural Significance

Is the monkey a symbol of something important in a particular culture or country?
Historical Significance

Has the monkey played a significant role in history or science?
Public Appeal

Is the monkey generally viewed in a positive light by the public?
Influence

Has the monkey influenced popular culture or had an impact on society in any significant way?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous monkey. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Monkey is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1109 views
178 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Monkey once every 24 hours. The rank of each Monkey is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous monkey

Background Information: Who is the Most Famous Monkey? Monkeys have fascinated humans for centuries, with their playful antics and human-like features. From classic children's stories to scientific research, monkeys have been a popular subject across different cultures and disciplines. But who is the most famous monkey of them all? One strong contender is Curious George, the beloved character from the children's book series by H.A. and Margret Rey. First published in 1941, Curious George has captured the hearts of generations with his mischievous adventures and endearing personality. The character has since been adapted into an animated TV series and several movies, solidifying his status as a cultural icon. Another famous monkey is King Kong, the giant gorilla from the eponymous film franchise. First appearing in the 1933 movie, King Kong has become a symbol of the beauty and terror of the natural world. The character has been referenced in countless movies, books, and other media, cementing his place in popular culture. Other notable monkeys include the wise and benevolent Monkey King from Chinese mythology, the mischievous Abu from Disney's Aladdin, and the intelligent and resourceful Caesar from the Planet of the Apes franchise. Ultimately, the title of "most famous monkey" is up for debate and subjective to personal opinion. However, it is clear that monkeys have left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness and will continue to captivate us for generations to come.