The 50 best Disney animated characters of all time
From squeaky-clean mascots like Mickey Mouse to villains like Maleficent, these are Disney's most unforgettable stars
Film Features Disney
It started with a mouse—and thank God they didn’t name him Mortimer. Walt Disney may have whiffed it with the name he originally proposed for Mickey, but his eye for character design was clear from the start. And it’s a tradition that Disney, as a company, has continued in the 100 years since Walt founded his studio. Of course, beautifully drawn characters would still fall flat without great writing to back them up, but Disney tends to excel there, too, with complex antagonists like Hades and protagonists worth cheering for, like Ariel. Here are our picks for the 50 best Disney animated characters of all time, from heroes to villains to sidekicks and everything in between.
As Disney celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, The A.V. Club marks the occasion with a series of lists, essays, and more.
62 Comments
A dead-on perfect pick for #1. I was hoping that you wouldn’t default to Mickey. Mickey was too boring, but he had no flaws. There was nothing more enjoyable than seeing Donald melt down in a temper tantrum.
Donald is the best Disney character in the same way that Daffy is the best WB character.
Which is why this is the most iconic scene in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”:
Wow, my #1 is yours. Donald rocks! I don’t get into these lists but I’d rank Tigger much higher.Gotta add big shout-outs to Lambert, the Sheepish Lion, and Chernabog, the demon from Fantasia (Night on Bald Mountain).
I’m here for the Chernobog callouts.
Yeah, #41? Tigger, please!
Sorry not to see Shere Khan from The Jungle Book. One of my favorite George Sanders performances.
Don’t worry: the AV Club has shown that their lists are not to be taken seriously. They had a “14 most anticipated games of 2023″ list and Hogwarts Legacy was nowhere to be found.
How they feel about JK Rowling is irrelevant, it’s hard to believe they feel Street Fighter 6 is more anticipated than HL.
Counterpoints. Yes it is and no it isn’t.
Also great in TaleSpin.
Disney doesn’t have the balls to try and capture the goddamn majesty that is a Golden Agouti Gerbil in animation.
Do you guys feel parts of your soul die when you make these huge slideshows? I can’t imagine any of you think this is the best use of your time and skills.
I default to just looking at the list itself rather than the rationale for each thing positioned in it. I love the real articles on this family of site, but this kind of stuff (though providing fodder for strong opinions) feel one step up from “YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE NOW!!!” ad driven nonsense.
I disagree with most of this list. But you nailed #1.
Was really hoping WALL-E was going to be top 10, and maybe get Scat Cat somewhere on the list.
I’d have Wall-E top 10, but I’d also take just swapping him with Dory, who I think is way too high.
Bugs > Mickey every single time.
(pushes up glasses) Goofy actually peaked in the 1940s with his “How to..” series and the Art of Skiing. The series is peak comedy that can be appreciated by all ages unlike the Goofy Movie who I can’t imagine appealing to anyone over the age of six.
I think “Hockey Homicide” is the best.
These guys haven’t seen any Disney cartoons. How would they know that?
He did How To Set Up Your Home Theater in 2007 and it’s hilarious.Also A Goofy Movie is awesome.
So basically you’re wrong on all counts.
The home theater short was a fantastic throwback to classic Goofy, and Disney animators should look for other modern “how to” scenarios for him. I doubt “how to back up your smartphone” is as fertile ground as setting up a home theater, but professional writers and animators can probably come up with better ideas than me.
Several years back I worked in marketing strategy for Parks & Resorts and we produced this sweet silly video – it’s the work I am most proud of from any point in my career ever and even though I’m long gone from WDPR I still have a print of the hand drawn map on my office wall
How To Use Dating Apps. Goofy swipes right so hard he falls out a window. It writes itself!
Scrolled through 50 slides to not see Goliath OR David Xanatos and feel both filthy and disappointed
Basically any cartoon character voiced by TNG alumni
I’ve got three words for Disney: live-action Gargoyles movie. Let’s make it happen, people!
Jordan Peele is willing to write and direct it. COME ON DISNEY
I just want to say Daffy Duck is greater than any character Disney ever wishes they could make!
Gotta agree and actually, most of the “classic” WB cartoon universe is better than the Disney “cartoon” (i.e. not movies) characters. No need to list ‘em. You know the ones. I don’t think you can top Daffy and Porky in Sherwood Forest, full stop, although “Duck season!” “Wabbit season!” comes close.
Yeah all of those, my friends in the 90’s bought me a Chuck Jones signed Superior Duck Cell that I have in my living room. For a few generations, those WB cartoons was must viewing.
For the sake of reducing arguments lets call this list “In No Particular Order”
That’s how I approach all lists like these
For once I actually agree with your number one pick on a countdown! Donald forever!
This is a terrible list; prepare for the onslaught of pissed off Disney Adults.
Thank you for embedding two Paul Rudish shorts for Mickey and Minnie.
Foo on you for using Have a Laugh edits for Donald and Goofy.
Cinderella and Ariel before Belle? I don’t know about that, far as the 90s go you won’t find a better rounded female lead in animation. Plus that voice, I swear people don’t talk enough about how good Paige O’Hara was, the way she holds notes in the opening Belle song is simply magical.
No Rafiki? List invalid.
Rafiki is an Osamu Tezuka character. He’ll be on next year’s list.
I’ve never much cared for (non Pixar) animated Disney films, not even as a kid, and yet I love the hell out of Lilo & Stitch. I was in college when it came out and saw it opening night. It delivered even more than the trailers promised.
“As Disney celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, The A.V. Club marks the occasion with a series of lists, essays, and more Slide shows. Just a fuckton of slideshows lol”
But Aurora, with a memorable assist from Prince Phillip, is able to defeat the evil queen (and her dragon form) due in large part to the princess’ virtuous grace and kindness.With a memorable assist from Prince Phillip? Aurora literally SLEPT THROUGH that entire fight.
If anything the memorable assist is from the fairies.
One major omission if you ask me.
EVERY character from Robin Hood belongs on that list.
Baymax from Big Hero 6 is the best Disney animated character.
Tigger 13 places below fucking Tiana tells you everything you need to know about this listicle.
How Yzma and Kronk from the Emperor’s New Groove are not on this list I will never know. In spite of the fact that I sorta loathe David Spade that movie was legit funny, and Eartha Kitt just hit the shit out of the park as the villain. For shame!
I know it’s pretty standard to ignore Disney’s TV division at this point, but come on. No Darkwing Duck? No Goliath? No Eda Clawthorne? NO GRUNKLE STAN? It’s amazing how Disney TV Animation has been plugging away for 40 years now, telling some of the company’s best stories, and even diehard Disney fans seem to routinely forget it exists.Donald Duck still belongs at #1 though. But it’s also worth noting that DTVA’s recent Ducktales reboot gave gave us one of the best screen portrayals of Donald since Walt was still around.
I’d go with Mabel over Grunkle Stan. But TV point taken.
Critical omission: Dug from Up.
“I have just met you, and I love you!”
“I was hiding under your porch because I love you…”
Perfect example of how a very, very good boy would think and talk.
But who could we lose to fit him in? Easy: Bambi.
Sure, deer are cute and all at first, but once you hit one with your car because the stupid mother******* won’t get out of the way and your insurance company won’t pay because they consider it an “act of God,” deer ain’t so lovable anymore!
They’re also covered with ticks. *Ticks*
Serious take: I’d swap out Olaf for Moana.Hot take: I’d add Elliot from “Pete’s Dragon.” My mom says I’d cry at the end every time.
Personally, Sebastian is in my Top 10, but I think this list was kind of fun!I like Anna more than Elsa because she’s funnier, but I can’t deny Elsa’s popularity. It was sweet of you to rank them side by side, when we all know they should be slotted pretty far apart ;)I probably would have found some love for The Emperor’s New Groove, Darkwing Duck, and Chip & Dale, but at least we recognize how awesome Maleficent is.Donald on top feels right.
No Tinkerbell!?
Wow, I’m delightfully surprised that Ursula ranked so highly! 🙂
It blows my mind that this is from 1938. Cartoons from this era feel so ahead of their time.
I like Jasmine better in the live-action remake.
I’m here for the Eeyore love.
How is Hercules on this list but Megara isn’t?! (Hades is a good catch, though.)
How about Rumple from Once Upon a Time?
When you say slideshow, I say “no go.”