All 7 John Goodman Disney Movies, Ranked

John Goodman is a recurring actor for the 2000s era of Disney and Pixar movies, with some titles emerging as smash hits and others as mediocre installments. Goodman’s recognizable voice is perfect for big and friendly characters, namely several of Disney’s best animated fathers or paternal figures. The characterization provided by Goodman at least improved if it did not entirely transform the movie into something worthwhile.

After making his Disney debut in The Emperor’s New Groove, Goodman got the attention of Pixar, then still in its era of an uninterrupted streak of hits with a history of casting well-known actors. However, Goodman has not entirely escaped being in unnecessary Disney sequels or spinoffs, predictably resulting in lackluster installments. Goodman’s Disney career of main characters and cameos, some of the best Pixar movies and the worst, illustrates how he became someone Disney loves to work with.

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Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
The Emperor’s New Groove	86%	70%	84%
Monsters, Inc.	96%	79%	90%
The Jungle Book 2	18%	38%	30%
Kronk’s New Groove	0%	N/A	44%
Cars	75%	73%	80%
The Princess and the Frog	85%	73%	74%
Monsters University	80%	65%	81%

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7 The Jungle Book 2 (2003)

Character Played: Baloo The Bear

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The Jungle Book 2 essentially repeats the plot of the original, minus the true sacrifice on the part of several characters to bring the movie to a bittersweet ending. Mowgli again longs for life in the jungle despite the threat of Shere Khan, sings “The Bare Necessities” with Baloo, and is forced to return to the human village. However, The Jungle Book 2 ends with the new status quo of Mowgli and his adopted family visiting Baloo occasionally, robbing the movie of any real impact from Mowgli having to say goodbye.

The emotion of him giving up life in the jungle for the possibility of a family among his own kind is gone when he can have it all. Shanti goes from being the promise of Mowgli’s future to a nagging sister figure, while the dialogue, in general, is clunky. Perhaps this sequel’s biggest redeemer is Goodman himself, whose bellowing and welcoming voice is a natural replacement for Baloo’s original voice actor Phil Harris, who passed away in 1995.

6 Monsters University (2013)

Character Played: James “Sulley” P. Sullivan

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This prequel to Monsters, Inc. takes viewers back to a time before James P. “Sully” Sullivan and Michael “Mike” Wazowski formed the most successful “scarer” team in Monsters, Inc. history. The film chronicles the pair’s Monsters University origins, where 18-year old Sulley and Mike first meet and become competitive rivals. However, as the two monsters go head-to-head, a larger dilemma forces them together, forging a lifelong friendship.

Director Dan Scanlon Release Date June 21, 2013 Writers Pete Docter , Andrew Stanton Cast Billy Crystal , Jennifer Tilly , John Goodman , Kelsey Grammer , Steve Buscemi , Frank Oz , Helen Mirren , Peter Sohn , Joel Murray , Sean Hayes , Dave Foley , Charlie Day , Nathan Fillion Runtime 104 minutes

Monsters University is an origin story for Mike and Sulley that they didn’t particularly need when their casual references to past events in their friendship in the original movie are enjoyable all on their own. The Monsters, Inc. prequel is built out of so many narrative clichés, featuring iconic best friends who used to be enemies and other general prequel tropes. The final act also takes suspension of disbelief too far with the main duo’s adventure into the human world that somehow has no lasting consequences.

Finally, Mike and Sulley get expelled from university but manage to work their way up the hierarchy of Monsters Incorporated anyway, undermining why any of the movie’s plot needed to happen at all if they can pursue their dream career without a formal education. Monsters University is a pretty basic adventure with some funny moments and heartwarming interactions, which might be enjoyable enough for some viewers. However, Pixar’s pattern of taking one of its classics and producing a new movie with a supporting character as the protagonist usually results in something not quite as good as the original.

5 Kronk’s New Groove (2005)

Character Played: Pacha

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Kronk’s New Groove is a sequel to The Emperor’s New Groove, focusing on the affable character Kronk. Directed by Saul Blinkoff and Elliot M. Bour, the film explores Kronk’s attempts to impress his father while managing a series of challenges in his personal and professional life. Voices are provided by returning cast members, including Patrick Warburton and Eartha Kitt, contributing to the continuation of the light-hearted and humorous narrative.

Director Saul Blinkoff , Elliot M. Bour Release Date December 13, 2005 Writers Tom Rogers Cast Patrick Warburton , Tracey Ullman , eartha kitt , David Spade , John Goodman , Wendie Malick , John Mahoney , John Fiedler Runtime 75 minutes

The last of Goodman’s technically not-needed sequel/prequel/spinoff movies, Kronk’s New Groove at least has originality going for it. This direct-to-video follow-up to The Emperor’s New Groove follows the villainess Yzma’s former henchman. Kronk is perfectly happy with his life as a very popular chef but fears disappointing his father with his lack of traditional success. Kronk’s New Groove tells a resonant story about what a parent wants for their child vs. what they want for themselves, keeping alive the clever humor of its predecessor.

Kronk’s New Groove tells a resonant story about what a parent wants for their child vs. what they want for themselves, keeping alive the clever humor of its predecessor.

This sequel flies under the radar because of its direct-to-video status and its unconventional format, comprising a series of episodic flashbacks as Kronk recounts his life to his coworker on the day his father is meant to visit. Yet this structure works surprisingly well, providing context for the final confrontation and happy ending. Of course, a large part of the reason this movie works is the participation of the original voice actors, including Patrick Warburton as Kronk, Eartha Kitt as Yzma, David Spade as Kuzco, and Goodman as Pacha.

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4 The Princess And The Frog (2009)

Character Played: Eli “Big Daddy” La Bouff

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Based on the classic fairytale, The Princess and the Frog follow Tiana, a hardworking New Orleans waitress in the 1920s who has big dreams of opening her own restaurant. When she becomes involved in a curse set upon a foreign prince by a witch doctor, however, Tiana must figure out a way to help the prince break the curse before time runs out. The film features the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, and John Goodman. 

Director John Musker Release Date December 10, 2009 Writers John Musker Cast Anika Noni Rose , John Musker , Keith David Runtime 97minutes

The Princess and the Frog was the last attempt at a 2D animated smash hit before Disney fully committed to 3D; its moderately disappointing reception cemented this future. The Princess and the Frog still received decent reviews and features some spectacular musical numbers, elevated by the vocal talents of Keith David and Anika Noni Rose. New Orleans is a promising setting, especially when the movie does a lot to showcase the culture of this city. Tiana herself is one of the most inspiring and realistic Disney princesses, working as a waitress to finance her dream of owning a restaurant.

Where The Princess and the Frog fails is not following through on its deeper themes. It starts a discourse about the wealth gap, as the villain Dr. Facilier and his accomplice Lawrence detest the upper class who have everything handed to them. However, this point doesn’t come through when the only major characters who are wealthy are the friendly and considerate Lottie and her father “Big Daddy” (Goodman’s minor character).

Tiana also spends most of the movie as a frog (something widely complained about) with a big musical number from Mama Odie telling her owning a restaurant isn’t important. Tiana is a princess given a raw deal by her own movie when her human life would have made for a more interesting story. On the other hand, The Princess and the Frog has beautiful set designs and bittersweet conclusions to some subplots; its redeeming moments of music and love are very satisfying.

3 Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Character Played: James “Sulley” P. Sullivan

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Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. tells the story of Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sully” Sullivan, two monsters who work for the titular organization. Their job is to collect and harness the screams of children using inter-dimensional technology that allows them to briefly enter the supposedly dangerous human world. However, when a human child finds her way into Monsters, Inc., Sully and Mike begin to question everything their employer has ever told them, and work in secret to get her home safely. 

Director Pete Docter Release Date November 2, 2001 Writers Andrew Stanton , Daniel Gerson Cast John Goodman , Billy Crystal , Steve Buscemi , James Coburn , Jennifer Tilly , Mary Gibbs Runtime 92 Minutes

Monsters, Inc. is not quite the best of the best when it comes to Pixar but is still a strong addition to the company’s early era of movies. Technologically speaking, the biggest accomplishment for Pixar with Monsters, Inc. was animating Sulley’s fur. On the other hand, Monsters, Inc. has a surprisingly nuanced story covering a lot of bases, including realizing the corrupt foundations of success, friendships being strained by different priorities, responsibility for those who can’t protect themselves, and unofficial parent/child relationships.

The concept is a clever play on the idea of a monster hiding in the closet or under the bed, distorted by making it so the monsters are also terrified of the children. Mike and Sulley have it all as the top employees keeping their struggling company afloat, content living together in their bachelor pad. Goodman is paired up with Billy Crystal as Mike, who is the foundation of this movie’s comedy, while Sulley is its heart. Mike and Sulley find themselves in a realistic interpersonal conflict when Mike still laments the career success they lost.

Meanwhile, Sulley’s relationship with Boo is also at the forefront, as he is the first to realize she is just a little girl who needs help. The one problem with Monsters, Inc. is that it glosses over the consequences for Boo back in her real life of having had this adventure, as well as staying in contact with Sulley. Its themes also don’t hit quite as hard as some of Pixar’s other movies.

2 The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

Character Played: Pacha

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The Emperor’s New Groove is an animated comedy film released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Mark Dindal, it follows the story of Emperor Kuzco, who is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor Yzma. Journeying with a humble villager named Pacha, Kuzco must reclaim his throne while navigating humorous and unexpected challenges. The film features voice work by David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, and Patrick Warburton.

Director Mark Dindal Release Date December 15, 2000 Writers Chris Williams , Mark Dindal , David Reynolds , Stephen J. Anderson , Don Hall , John Norton Cast David Spade , John Goodman , eartha kitt , Patrick Warburton , Wendie Malick , Kellyann Kelso Runtime 78 Minutes

The Emperor’s New Groove is the poster child for being an underrated Disney movie, loved by everyone who has had the chance to watch it. It tells a typical flawed protagonist story where the spoiled Emperor Kuzco realizes his faults after he has already been punished for them, finding himself dependent on someone he would have hurt. Spade and Kitt are hilariously sassy cast members; the movie’s humor in general breaks the fourth wall just the right amount, with other fantastic jokes appearing throughout.

Goodman is not the movie’s comedic foundation, as he rarely is.

Goodman is not the movie’s comedic foundation, as he rarely is. Like with his other best movies, he provides an indefinable kind of stability while other actors run wild with the humor. Goodman is perfect as Pacha, the conflicted, kind-hearted village leader who can’t bring himself to leave Kuzco to die, despite what it may cost him. Pacha and Kuzco are a strong pairing whose respective arcs complement each other, leading to their life-long friendship.

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1 Cars (2006)

Character Played: Sullivan Truck (Cameo)

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Cars is a 2006 animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. Directed by John Lasseter, the film follows Lightning McQueen, a race car who ends up in the small town of Radiator Springs on his way to a major racing event. As he repairs the damaged road, he forms unexpected friendships that teach him valuable life lessons. The movie features the voices of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, and Bonnie Hunt.

Director John Lasseter , Joe Ranft Release Date June 8, 2006 Writers John Lasseter , Joe Ranft , Jorgen Klubien , Dan Fogelman , Kiel Murray , Phil Lorin Cast Owen Wilson , Paul Newman , Bonnie Hunt , Larry the Cable Guy , Cheech Marin , Tony Shalhoub Runtime 116 minutes

Technically speaking, Goodman’s best Disney movie is one in which he only cameos. During the credits, the cars of Cars are shown at a drive-in movie theater watching car versions of Pixar’s biggest hits, including Monsters, Inc., using Goodman and Crystal’s voices as Sulley and Mike once again. However, Cars certainly surpassed Goodman’s other Disney movies in terms of acclaim and impact. The new anthropomorphic premise is used as a vehicle for a powerful story about the pitfalls of fame blended with nostalgia for Route 66.

Lightning McQueen is another flawed protagonist who realizes through a strange misadventure how selfish he has been, and how cruel the industry he has made his career in is. Purely delightful characters like Mater make the movie enjoyable, while melancholic ones like Doc make it profound. Cars’ combination of design, soundtrack, and stellar story with a tear-jerking ending makes it Goodman’s best Disney movie to date.

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