We said it before and we’ll say it again: there is no doubt that Disney has made an impact in everyone’s lives with their extraordinary movies, and their charming, lovable characters are often one of the main reasons why. As such, we’ve set out to choose the best Disney characters ever created. The truth is, everyone has their own list of favorites, but we wanted to offer our own unique take on the subject and compile our own list. This is definitely a hard goal to achieve, but not an impossible one.
Over the last nine decades since it released its first short films in the 1920’s, followed by its first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Disney has released hundreds of films, including animated features, dozens of live action movies, documentaries, and hybrid productions. Beginning in 1995 with Toy Story, Disney has also started releasing animated films with other subsidiaries, like Pixar, and more recently, Marvel Studios, as well as other associated studios, like Ghibli. If you’re interested, we’ve already narrowed down which are our favorite films in our previous feature on the 50 Best Disney Movies Ever Made.
But if you’re curious about which we think are the best Disney characters ever created, keep reading to find out!
10. Mulan
She is a Chinese warrior and the reincarnation of the Hua Mulan legend, which centers on a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take the place of her elderly father in the army to fight the Huns. She wants adventure, but is nonetheless forced into it to protect her loved ones. Like Belle, she is strong, and a dreamer, but she wears much more comfortable clothes, rides horses, and has a sword, while still being feminine. And her best friend is a dragon. What more could you ask for in a character? Mulan, you’re the best (well OK, the 10th best, sorry Mulan).
9. Belle
She wants adventure, she wants to get away. She is a dreamer. She is strong. She doesn’t let herself get bullied by anyone. She stands up for what she believes in, and she does so for both her father and the Beast. But, let’s be honest, the real reason we love her is because we all want to be the owner of that magnificent library!
8. Dory
She’s forgetful, totally crazy, but enthusiastic and perceptive. She’s also taught us one of life’s most valuable lessons: “just keep swimming, just keep swimming!”. Thanks, Dory!
7. Timon & Pumba
They’re two, but neither could exist without the other – best duo in the history of Disney! Timon is the only one who doesn’t care about Pumba’s gas problem, and he never gets tired of repeating his great ideas. They’re hilarious and carefree, yet caring and endearing characters.
6. Genie
A best friend that grants you wishes – what else to say?
Keep reading to find out which are the five best Disney characters ever created.
5. Thomas O’Malley
He was smooth and he most likely invented swag. Who can’t love and let oneself be seduced by a smooth-talker who lives a life of freedom in the open, with no rules or responsibilities? He sounds like trouble, but don’t worry, he turns out to be a nice guy nonetheless, and after falling in love with Duchess and bonding with her kittens, rises to the occasion to protect them.
4. Prince Eric
Let’s tone it down a bit before we all start crying again. Who better to do that than innocent and dreamy-eyed Prince Eric? If those weren’t enough reasons to think he is one of the best characters, here are a couple more: he loves dogs, he is musically talented, he’s romantic, he’s a little timid (but in a cute way), and he is totally in love with the Little Mermaid. Oh, I almost forgot, he is definitely the hottest Disney character ever made!
3. Scar
This escalated quickly, but if we’re going to talk about evil, Scar is definitely our guy. This guy got invited to the little lion prince’s christening, and simply didn’t care to show up. He is the ultimate Disney villain, if not the ultimate villain of all time, and the first character from this animated studio to ever commit an explicit murder. Voiced perfectly by Jeremy Irons, Scar’s violence, dark appearance, and personality will be very hard to match.
2. Maleficent
Okay, yes: she is evil. But who couldn’t love such a stylish, fierce, self-proclaimed, Mistress of All Evil? Greenish-hued (sometimes purple-hued) skin and a high collar have never looked better on anyone else (not that many others have greenish skin aside from The Hulk, who is definitely not fashion-conscious). Also, we should be a little more compassionate to her since she seems to be a little insecure. Let’s not forget that what prompts her curse on baby Princess Aurora – the famous “prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!” – was the fact that she wasn’t invited to her christening. Poor Maleficent, so magnificent and malevolent, she just wanted to belong too!
1. Mickey Mouse
Probably the world’s most recognizable cartoon character – and the oldest! Mickey was born in a 1928 short film, and has made it into our homes and become a part of our lives ever since. He’s cheerful and pleasant, but we love him because he’s a John Doe but nonetheless a mischievous, adventurous hero!
