Disney is one of the largest and most popular companies in the world. The studio has been known for family entertainment, particularly its animated film projects, which are part of the company's DNA from founder Walt Disney. In the 100 years since Disney began, the company has reimagined fairy tales, folklore, classic literature, and many more to create their own unique interpretations, and in many ways, those versions become the hallmarks of how popular culture imagines them.
Update July 8, 2023: This article has been updated with even more iconic Disney characters from across the company's rich history.
Disney has no shortage of amazing characters, stretching from across their animated films and television series. Without including other animation subsidiaries like Pixar Animation, there are still plenty of Disney characters to choose from. These characters are all over the merchandise in the Disney theme parks and just have become part of the common lexicon.
Making a list of the best is certainly difficult, but factoring in their contributions to animations as well as both Disney and popular culture as a whole, these are the best Disney animated characters.
26 Gaston
Most fans should make the case that Gaston should win the award for "biggest jerk in an animated Disney film." The character gained attention in the 1991 film Beauty and the Beast. He is completely full of himself and just wants to find a wife who can adhere to his needs. He is not considerate, nor is he the lovable type, despite his good looks. He could never be the hero because all he cares about is himself. In a tale as old as time, Gaston is one of the most hated antagonists in Disney's history.
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24 Baymax
One of the stars of the film Big Hero 6 and loosely based on the Marvel Comic superhero, Baymax is an adorable plush android designed to care for others. With his soft voice, visually appealing design, and clever character writing that feels very close to a real responsive artificial intelligence, Baymax has been a great addition to Disney and recently starred in his own Disney+ series.
23 Ursula
Ursula is the main antagonist in The Little Mermaid and is one of Disney's most iconic villains. Inspired by actor and drag queen Divine, Ursula is a Disney villain unlike any other and helped set a template many future villains would follow. Her tentacles are an achievement in animation, and her song "Poor Unfortunate Soul" is one of the best villain songs in the studio's history.
22 Cruella de Vil
Cruella de Vil's song says it all; if she doesn't scare you no evil thing will. The main villain of One-Hundred and One Dalmatians, the villain has a bold iconic look and a sinister voice provided by Betty Lou Gerson, the character stands as one of the evilest characters in Disney's history just on the sheer fact she wants to kill innocent puppies. Cruella de Vil is so popular she has been translated into live-action multiple times.
21 Tigger
The wonderful thing about Tigger is that he is the only one, and that has made him a fan-favorite character since his introduction in Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. Tigger is energetic, brave, and joyful and is certainly one of Disney's most merchandisable characters. He was so popular he was the first Winnie the Pooh character to get his own feature film, The Tigger Movie.
20 Ariel
Ariel is the perfect representation of a young mermaid and/or girl who longs for adventure. Think of a high school graduate taking a gap year or someone quitting their job to see what else is out there. She longs to see something other than her underwater kingdom that is being run by an over-productive father. In her effort to find that adventure above the ocean, she falls in love and finds a place where she believes she belongs too. Her ability to be headstrong and brave has inspired Disney fans for over three decades after her debut in 1989 in The Little Mermaid and most recently delighted audiences with the live-action remake.
19 Dumbo
Dumbo was the fourth animated film Disney released, and the story of this poor baby elephant with giant ears that allow him to fly has captivated audiences for generations. Dumbo is cute, vulnerable, and a character any audience can see themselves in. His status is more solidified due to the character being one of Disney theme park's most iconic rides.
18 Kim Possible
The only character on this list to not originate in the film but instead on television, Kim Possible was Disney's attempt at making an action television series that paid homage to spy stories and superhero adventures.
Kim Possible herself is a breakout character in a cast full of them, being a basic average girl with standard teenage problems but also constantly saving the world. Even without a major animated film, Kim Possible is a cultural touchstone for an entire generation.
17 Moana
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Moana has become a fan favorite Disney character since her introduction in her 2016 film. The story of a young girl's journey across the ocean to save her island as well as a journey inside to find out who she wants to be is an incredibly reliable story to anyone. Combine that with a wonderful vocal performance by Auliʻi Cravalho and Moana stands tall in the pantheon of Disney heroes.
16 Jiminy Cricket
Easily one of the most iconic characters in Disney history, Jiminy Cricket first appeared in the early Disney version of Pinocchio and has been used in a wide variety of media across Disney. His recognizable stylist outfit, can-do spirit, and many iconic catchphrases have made their way into popular culture. He also gets the distinction of singing "When You Wish Upon a Star" which is the song most commonly associated with Disney.
15 Mulan
Disney princesses have been the center of a lot of pop culture discussions, and Mulan feels very much like the company trying to correct some of its past mistakes. Mulan is the noble, brave warrior of China, but notably, her strength comes from embracing her femininity and not seeing it as a weakness. Mulan is a hero that reminds kids to be true to their hearts, and their reflections will show who they are inside.
14 Jack Skellington
While a moderate hit at the time, The Nightmare Before Christmas has grown into a holiday classic and one of Disney's most profitable merchandise efforts. At the heart of that is Jack Skellington, a character whose story of finding purpose in his stagnant life has spoken to audiences for years.
Jack's speaking vocals are provided by Chris Sarandon and an iconic singing voice by Danny Elfman, Jack Skellington might not look like a classic Disney character, but he is one of their most famous.
13 Minnie Mouse
Minnie Mouse has been part of Disney for as long as Mickey has. The loving girlfriend of Mickey Mouse, she is kind, sweet, and an icon in her own right. She has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her headband style of mouse ears is just as popular at Disneyland as Mickey Mouse ears. It is hard to imagine Disney without Minnie, and we wouldn't want to have it without her.
12 Rapunzel
Rapunzel was the star of Tangled, and both the character and the movie were a major turning point for Disney Animation. Rapunzel's hair is a technical marvel of animation, but her character work as a young girl who aspires to break away from her normal life felt both in keeping with the classic Disney traditions and also a fresh update. Mandy Moore's A-list voice acting work gave the character a modern feel. Even after all these years, Tangled continues to be a modern Disney classic.
11 Baloo
It is very hard to find a character in Disney's history that lives in the jungle yet is as kind, lovable, warm-hearted, and funny as Baloo. The character debuted in Disney's 1967 film The Jungle Book. The loyal sloth bear comes along to help the young "man cub" Mowgli as he is trying to survive a tiger who has his eyes on harming Mowgli. Baloo is the epitome of what all kids dream about in terms of animals being their best friend.
10 Cinderella
It is fair to say that Cinderella is one of the most beloved characters in the history of Disney. Living in a horrible family environment, her two step-sisters and her godmother make Cinderella do everything for them. She cleans, makes their food, does laundry, and much more. All of a sudden, fate steps in to give her a chance at a new life with her prince, as she goes to a magical ball, loses her slipper, and eventually falls in love with the prince. In doing so, she escapes her life as a maid and lives the life she always dreamed about.
9 The Genie
Genie is the breakout character of the hit film Aladdin, and with Robin Williams' voice, he made Aladdin legendary, and arguably changed how actors approached voice work. Before Robin Williams' Genie, big-name stars rarely did animated movies, but after Aladdin, they became a major selling point for all animated films in a practice that continues to this day. Business aside, Genie is the ultimate Robin Williams character, as animation is able to keep up with Williams' trademark comedic energy in a way that reality never could.
8 Maleficent
When it comes to Disney villains, there is none more iconic and powerful than Maleficent. The main villain of Sleeping Beauty, this sinister dark witch, and her equally amazing dragon form have been the ultimate symbol of evil for Disney as the company has used her as the main showcase in their Fantasmic theme park show and the game Kingdom Hearts. Even with a popular live-action depiction that paints her as a hero, Maleficent is a name pop culture associates with villains the same way it does Darth Vader or Hannibal Lecter.
7 Stitch
If one were to look at merchandise, one would guess that Stitch is one of the most popular characters in the world. Ever since 2002's Lilo and Stitch, this little blue alien who is designed to be a weapon of mass destruction but learns the value of family was and still is a Disney character unlike any other. He is so popular he has been featured in multiple animated films and series, even taking place in other countries showcasing the global appeal of the character.
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