Among the best characters that Disney has given the public throughout the years, several were animals. Some have been confined to the role of sidekicks. Others, however, ended up being the stars of the story. Not every film has to be centered around humans for the characters to be relatable, and some of the best Disney animated movies prove it. From comedies to emotional stories, Disney films will get you emotionally attached to lions and fish.
Maybe animals are a crafty and subtle way to explore the complex nature of people through a mask, using their charm to tell deeper stories about friendship, family, and adversity. Sometimes, downturned ears and soft paws make a character appear more sympathetic to the audience, allowing them to recognize their behavior and emotions from an unusual perspective. Whether for esthetical or more profound reasons, not all animals were crafted to be the Disney princesses’ sidekicks. Some were meant to be the protagonists and left a lasting impact on the minds of the audience.
You are watching: 10 Best Disney Animal Protagonists, Ranked
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Lady
Lady and The Tramp
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As the leading character of the 1955 Walt Disney film Lady and the Tramp, Lady connected with millions of people around the world. The fact that she is the “man’s best friend” might have helped establish her iconic status, but the journey and personality of this young cocker spaniel have also earned her a spot in the heart of the audience.
As she delves deep into a different and scarier reality, Lady becomes the protagonist of an inspiring coming-of-age story.
As a sheltered dog living in a proper neighborhood and spoiled by a loving family, Lady certainly does not expect to have to go through all the challenges she is faced with in the movie. If her inherent loyalty and protectiveness make her immediately a fan favorite, as she is forced out of her comfort zone and bravely faces dangers her previous life did not prepare her for, Lady becomes even more admirable. As she delves deep into a different and scarier reality, Lady becomes the protagonist of an inspiring coming-of-age story.
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Bambi
Bambi
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Bambi is a film that made generations of children and adults desperately cry. The murder of the main character’s mother is one of Disney’s most heartbreaking moments to this day. Although the somber tone of the movie, along with the dramatic events that take place in it, earned the 1942 masterpiece mixed reviews when it first came out, it is now considered a timeless classic.
Bambi’s tumultuous journey throughout the movie captures universal experiences of change that affect both animals and humans. Through the innocent eyes of the sweet fawn, viewers are drawn into a dramatic story of growth. Bambi’s naivety and wonder at the world are not dissimilar to people’s open and vulnerable approach to their surroundings earlier in their lives. The loss of Bambi’s mother is a pivotal point for the plot and the character, representing an abrupt awakening to the harsh reality of life, marking the fawn’s transformation and making him one of the most fascinating Disney animal protagonists.
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Dumbo
Dumbo
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Dumbo, the Disney 1941 fantasy film that features the titular elephant as its protagonist, is a story of empowerment. The leading character is not simply an adorable young elephant but a timeless symbol of resilience. Dumbo’s journey from an underdog to a triumphant hero that changes the course of his life is an inspiring lesson for children.
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Initially bullied for his oversize ears and confined to being a sideshow attraction in a grotesque circus, Dumbo ends up using what was deemed as a weakness and a motive for ridicule as a skill that guides him toward a better destiny. Dumbo does not merely accept his differences. In the end, he learns to embrace them and manipulate them to his advantage. The character stands as a symbol of hope and bravery in the face of adversity. The most famous fictional elephant deserves a spot among the best Disney animal protagonists of all time.
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Robin Hood
Robin Hood
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There is something deeply ingenious about borrowing legendary characters from popular folklore stories with an undercurrent social message and reimagining them as anthropomorphic animals in a fairytale for children. And the 1973 Disney adaptation of Robin Hood is an excellent example of this. Although when it first came out the film was met with mixed reviews, it is now considered a classic.
Robin Hood, the king of thieves in the guise of an astute fox, is a hero that it is impossible not to root for.
His sharp mind and noble heart pay a beautiful tribute to the revolutionary and political figure he represents. Robin uses his ability to outsmart his opponents to help the inhabitants of Nottingham. As a true defender of the weak and protector of the oppressed, Disney reutilized the iconic figure of a gallant outlaw to create a timeless and peculiar hero that provides a meaningful lesson to children.
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Basil
The Great Mouse Detective
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If Sherlock Holmes is one of the greatest fictional characters ever written, his mouse counterpart who lives in the underground of Baker Street is equally fascinating. The Great Mouse Detective, released in 1986, gave the world the most brilliant animal investigator in the history of Disney, Basil. The name of the character is an homage to Basil Rathbone, one of Sherlock’s iconic interpreters.
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Basil has the sharp wit and intellectual charm of the hero created by Arthur Conan Doyle, but with a slightly clumsier demeanor that makes him a more endearing version able to capture the interest of viewers of different ages and generations. With his fearsome arch-enemy Ratigan, whose clear inspiration is professor James Moriarty, and Dawson, the Afghanistan veteran who serves as his personal Watson, Basil established himself as one of the most charismatic, even if nowadays perhaps underrated, animal protagonists in the history of Disney.
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Tod and Copper
The Fox and The Hound
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It would be unfair to list the best animal protagonists of Disney and ignore Tod and Copper- or even simply include only one of the two. Regardless of the finale, Tod and Copper remain inseparable in the minds of the audience. When it first came out in 1981, The Fox and the Hound defied expectations and depicted a beautiful story of friendship and loss whose bittersweet resolution left a lasting impact on viewers.
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The unlikely bond between the mischievous and loyal red fox and the curious hound made them a couple of charismatic and adorable protagonists of a tale much more nuanced than what appearances might suggest. As the story unfolds, Tod and Copper grow apart, and the movie takes an unfortunate turn. Through these two characters, the film explores profound themes of love, loyalty and society’s expectations. With The Fox and The Hound, Disney made a timeless movie about friendship that defied prejudice and societal impositions.
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Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh (Franchise)
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The most famous bear in the world could not simply be excluded from the ranking of the greatest Disney characters in history. Winnie the Pooh is a character that will always have a spot in the hearts of the audience. His legacy is emphasized by the fact that, in 2006, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
With his companions Tigger, Rabbit, Pigglet, and Eeyore, the honey-loving bear became the star of countless Winnie the Pooh stories. His kindness and positivity, coupled with a clumsy and occasionally naive attitude, turned him into a beloved figure in the world of Disney and beyond. Winnie the Pooh’s tales are a gentle reminder of an innocent and quiet joy that is rare in the adult world, making his stories a beautiful and magical place to escape.
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Stitch
Lilo & Stitch
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Perhaps not what people think of when they talk about traditional animals, Stitch is nevertheless one of the most beloved non-human characters in the history of Disney. As a genetically modified experiment, the protagonist of Lilo & Stitch is a chaotic yet adorable presence who is nowadays a legendary figure.
This Disney’s lovable troublemaker deserved third place in the ranking.
The story of this alien life form that ends up on Earth by accident and is mistaken as a dog by an orphaned, sweet child, Lilo, is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. Stitch is a destructive and unstoppable force of nature that provides the audience with laughter and entertainment, but he is also a lost creature in need of affection. Lilo and Stitch complement each other and their bond is what makes the movie truly special. This Disney’s lovable troublemaker deserved third place in the ranking.
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Simba
The Lion King
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Living up to Mufasa’s name is no easy feat. However, Simba succeeds in doing so behind the screen and in the heart of the public. For this reason, the main character of The Lion King deserves second place on the list of Disney’s best animal protagonists. Simba starts as an overly eager and shiny-eyed lion cub trying to impress his father. His clumsy attempts at appearing confident and brash in the face of danger are deeply endearing, making the darker turn his story takes even more tragic. The death of Mufasa is one of the most heartbreaking moments in Disney.
As the proud lion who once sang “I just can’t wait to be king” runs away burdened by the unjustified guilt of his role in the fate of his father, unexpected friendships with improbable creatures emerge, helping him grow and transform. With Timon, Pumbaa, and, later, Nala, Simba learns valuable lessons until he is finally ready to accept his past and face the life he was destined for. With his innocence, courage, and remarkable development, the Little Lion King conquered children and adults, becoming one of the most iconic characters in the history of Disney.
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Marlin
Finding Nemo
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He might not be the funniest clownfish in the sea, but Marlin certainly deserved the title of father of the year when Finding Nemo came out in 2003. The tiny and anxiety-ridden aquatic creature crossed unspeakable dangers in the deepest points of the ocean to find his son. Armed with a will of iron and a forgetful companion, he has stolen the heart of the public.
Marlin’s absurd adventures, from his encounter with vegetarian sharks to his almost ending up being the accidental dinner of a whale, conceal a beautiful story of fatherly love. His refusal to surrender and unwavering hope made him an iconic character. Despite all the threats that, as a coral reef fish, he is unprepared for and the reasonable doubts about his son’s survival, Marlin goes through the movie as an unstoppable force motivated by his mission to find Nemo. That not only makes him the best father in the history of animated movies but also the greatest animal protagonist of Disney.
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