First created by Charles Addams in the 1930s as a series of cartoon panels for The New Yorker, the Addams family is a “satirical inversion of the ideal American family”. This particular family became so popular that even after many decades, there seems to be an unlimited flow of reboots. From cartoons to films to series, The Addams Family keeps returning to the big screen, and they never fail to give the audience a good laugh. Martin Chilton regards them as “One of the most iconic families in American history, up there with the Kennedys.”
Each family member is unique and differs from one another. Thus, they have their own audience. However, when looking at the overall reviews, it can be argued that the following is how the Addams family members can be ranked.
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8 Pugsley
Paramount Pictures (North America) & Columbia Pictures (International)
Pugsley Addams might be the last on the list, but he is still very much loved and adored by viewers. Pugsley Addams is the oldest child in the family, and initially, in the cartoons, he was portrayed as a young boy who has a brilliant mind, but is also devious. In the American TV series, Pugsley was portrayed by Ken Weatherwax and was a more cheerful character than the previous incarnations. One thing that hasn’t changed in Pugsley’s character variation is his striped t-shirt and short attire. In the musical and the upcoming Tim Burton series that focuses on Wednesday Addams, Pugsley is younger than his sister and is seen as her sidekick. He’ll add humor to the show and is also the other half of the dynamic duo.
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7 Grandma Addams
Often appearing with frizzy and disorganized hair and a fringed shawl, Grandma is an interesting character. Even though Charles Addams considers her to be Morticia’s mother, there has been confusion as to whether she is the maternal or the paternal grandmother of Wednesday and Pugsley. Either way, what makes her noteworthy is her witchcraft, as we see her constantly concocting potions and spells. Her sense of humor is also quite applaudable, as is her sarcasm. She’s a dark and silly character that fits right in with the nature of the family.
6 Thing
Also known as Thing T. Thing, this character is one that we all wish we had in our lives. Even though it’s just a disembodied hand, Thing performs the household tasks of the family and is like a creepy and weird servant. Thing might also be a representation of the family’s spooky nature, as well as a symbol of their wealth. Regardless of whether Thing is just a hand, it is one lovable character simply due to its loyalty to the family. This is often reflected through Morticia’s appreciation of it.
5 Lurch
Yet another loyal “helper” of the Addams family, Lurch somewhat resembles Mary Shelley’s Creature in Frankenstein (Frankenstein is now a reference to the Creature in the novel). In fact, the animated version of Lurch is very much a copy of the Creature. Extremely tall and strong, with a deep, coarse voice, Lurch might come off as a creepy monster, but he is much more than the family’s butler. What makes a creepy figure like Lurch lovable is his parental attitude towards Wednesday and Pugsley. He also seems to be a jack of all trades. Lurch is incredibly funny, as his super-human size and strength tend to get in his way, almost always resulting in him making a mess.
4 Uncle Fester
Easily recognizable due to his bald head, buldging eyes, and the large black coat with massive collars, Uncle Fester’s best portrayal is seen in the 1991 film, as well as its sequel, Addams Family Values, where Christopher Lloyd takes over the character. Lloyd’s take on Fester is quite interesting, as we see Fester dressing himself up due to amnesia, and trying to trick his own family. Either way, the character is an important addition to the family, as his quirky, morbid, and weird acts, like having falcons on the roof, or fishing using dynamite, enhance the dark nature of the family, while making the viewers scratch their heads.
3 Gomez Addams
The patriarch of the family, Gomez Addams might be a bit scary looking, but he is a jovial man who is quite enthusiastic and carries a vibrant smile. He is also very optimistic and seems to be worry-free (perhaps due to the enormous wealth he has). Gomez seems to be quite lucky in his investment strategies, as they lack the logic and strategies many investors take. Gomez is definitely the character that lights up the family, as his friendliness invites strangers that the viewers take a liking to into the family, despite their quirkiness. The most recognizable version of Gomez Addams was played by Raul Julia.
2 Wednesday Addams
Paramount Pictures / Columbia Pictures
Undeniably one of the fan favorites, Wednesday Addams has become so popular that Tim Burton’s new series is focused on her, with Jenna Ortega taking over the character. Of course, Christina Ricci’s version of Wednesday remains a historical portrayal of the character, as her sarcasm along with her deadpan personality and sadistic ideas were perfectly captured by the actress. Wednesday’s name was a reference to the nursery rhyme line “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” She is intelligent, very pessimistic, and her character remains one of the best creations in cinematic history due to her unique traits and ability to be hilarious, without showing a smile on her face.
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1 Morticia Addams
The matriarch of the family, Morticia remains the number one Addams family member, as fans cannot stop loving her. What makes this character so special, is that she seems to be the mastermind behind the family, and is the glue that holds them together. Her caring and loving nature was captured in Anjelica Huston’s version of the character, and her performance is a key reason as to why she remains one of the best maternal figures seen in film. Morticia is super loyal and calm, making up for all the crazy tactics her family pulls. Her unique appearance makes her look like a beautiful ghost. Catherine Zeta-Jones is to play Morticia’s role in the upcoming Tim Burton adaptation. There are still many good things to come for this iconic character.
