Disneyis 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 the100 years since Disney began, the company has re-imagined 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 June 28, 2025: In honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary celebration and the release of Once Upon a Studio, this article has been updated with even more great Disney characters.
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 inthe Disney theme parksand 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.
Most fans should make the case thatGastonshould win the award for “biggest jerk in an animated Disney film.” The character gained attention in the 1991 filmBeauty 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.
Disney made history withTiana, who was the first-ever African-American Disney Princess. InThe Princess and the Frog, her goal is to open up her own restaurant in 1920s New Orleans. However, she works so hard as a waitress that she has no time for a love life. This all changes when she comes across a prince-turned-frog named Naveen, whom she falls in love with and eventually marries. Of course, this comes after she turns into a frog after kissing Naveen the first time. What makes her unique is her integrity and desire to want to work hard for her late father, whom she vows and succeeds at opening up a restaurant for in the end. She stands up for herself and others when they are in peril, which viewers witness many times throughout the film.
One of the stars of the filmBig Hero 6and loosely based on the Marvel Comic superhero,Baymaxis 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.
Ursulais the main antagonist inThe Little Mermaidand is one ofDisney’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.
It is fair to say thatSimbais the most famous lion in all of cinema. In one of the mosthistoricDisney stories ever,The Lion Kingfranchise showcases life in the African savannah. What makes fans fall in love with Simba is how he comes face to face with his past. Despite Mufasa’s death turning him into more of a fearful lion than a playful and adventurous one from his youth, he can overcome his pain.
25Cruella de Vil
Cruella de Vil’ssong says it all; if she doesn’t scare you no evil thing will. The main villain ofOne-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 beentranslated into live-action multiple times.
The wonderful thing aboutTiggeris that he is the only one, and that has made him a fan-favorite character since his introduction inWinnie 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.
Arielis 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 inThe Little Mermaidand most recently delighted audiences with the live-action remake.
Dumbowas 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.
21Kim Possible
The only character on this list not to originate in the film but instead on television,Kim Possiblewas 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 Possibleis a cultural touchstone for an entire generation.
