We often hear about the top Disney movies of all-time and the top songs, but what make those movies and songs? The characters of course. Therefore, I have decided to countdown the top characters of all-time in Disney. For this countdown I have included all universes (except Star Wars since Disney just acquired them and have done nothing with the franchise to date other than in the parks) and movies as well as television, but I do have one rule for this countdown...
No humans will be included on this list. It opens up too many possibilities and it is too difficult to compare princesses, pirates, people from non-animated movies, and with Marvel added this comparison proves difficult. In addition characters that are borderline were taken off. This will include any character that turns into a human such as any character in the Beauty and the Beast.
I have also decided not to include any fairies or genies, because they are too similar to humans. I did include the toys resembling humans though because they are toys.
This list will be based on the greatness of the character and what they meant for Disney and I will try to take out my personal biases. So instead of putting Megavolt in the top 20 because I love him as a Disney villain, I have him as an honorable mention because I realize many don't know him if they didn't see Darkwing Duck.
I will start with the honorable mentions, which are those characters that just missed the list that were on at some point of the process of making the list. Those furthest from the list are listed first. Each character included will have a link on their name connecting to their DisneyWiki.
So here is the list..
Honorable Mention
Top Disney Characters 101-91
I originally had Kit Cloudkicker as a top 40 character because he is absolutely awesome. However, I had to admit that many do not know who he is. As one of the main characters in the 90s cartoon Talespin, Cloudkicker was Baloo's sidekick and beloved by all fans. Many do not know of him today, but since he was so big in the 90s he belongs on this list. My son watches the Talespin cartoon on DVD as well confirming his awesomeness.
I originally had Brer Bear much higher, but realized two things. One, he is still just the sidekick to Brer Fox. Two, he is unknown by anyone who has never been to a Disney Park. Once, you get over that and realize that he is often in parades and is a main character in one of Disney World's biggest attractions, you get over all of that though. Brer Bear belongs on this list.
As Roo's mom on Winnie the Pooh, Kanga is a great character and a fantastic mom for Roo. However, despite her being a big character she is rarely involved in the main storyline other than being the mom for Roo. She doesn't really have any other defining characteristics. That kept her from having a much higher spot on the countdown like other Pooh characters.
Miss Bianca is one of the leading heroines in Disney history which is why she made this list and not her partner, Bernard. She is the brains of the operations in the Rescuers movies as well. Had they been a little more popular, she would be higher on the list. However, she is a great character deserving of this spot on the countdown.
Perdita is best known for being Pongo's wife in the 101 Dalmatians series. However, she is also the female lead of the movie and one of its main characters. While not as famous as Pongo, she is an excellent combo to Pongo making them a great pair. She also is often considered one of the great heroines of Disney.
Gopher has not been seen in a Disney movie for a little while now, which knocks him back from quite a few other Winnie the Pooh characters. However, he is one of the most beloved characters from the series. Growing up, I only liked Pooh and Tigger more. He was Walt's own creation and idea to inject an American character into the series. It was done brilliantly and we have one of the greatest Disney characters to thank for it. Hopefully, Gopher makes a comeback soon.
Figaro was Geppetto's pet cat in the movie Pinocchio. He was loved from that and a solid character, but probably would have missed the list if that was his only role. However, over the years, Figaro has also appeared as the pet cat of Minnie Mouse and is known by millions.
94.
Sarabi
Sabari is Simba's mother in the Lion King movies. While she doesn't have the largest role in the movie, she is mother to one of the greatest characters in Disney history. She is a vital part of the most popular Disney movie in history. Simba has to have a mother and Sarabi is a great role in the story.
93.
Henry Hugglemonster
Henry Hugglemonster has only been on TV for one year which prevents him from being higher on the list. However, during that year, Henry has already become one of the most beloved Disney characters. There are not many American families with young children who have not seen this show. Most of those kids, such as my son, think this is as good as it gets on Disney Jr. Henry certainly belongs on this list.
92.
Cri-Kee
Cri-Kee is the second most famous Cricket in the World of Disney, but he is a huge character. He of course, is the lucky pet bug of Mulan. He can't speak which prevents him from being too high, but he is always with Mulan and always entertaining. Cri-Kee is right at home at #92 on the countdown.
Pongo is the main character of Disney's 101 Dalmatians and the most famous character of the movie (other than Cruella of course). He is the loyal dog of Roger and what most people consider a good dog to be. He is a solid character and a good fit at #90 on this countdown.
Stay tuned for more of the countdown, including my next installment, #'s 90-81.
-Noland
There is really no good reason for not having mater in the 1st countdown. The only reason he was not in that countdown is because I am not a fan of the Cars franchise. That franchise though has two movies and merchandise galore. People love Mater and he is the 2nd most popular character from the movie. You can also see him at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Mater absolutely belongs on this countdown and an argument could be made for him being higher than he is.
Cogsworth is the clock that turns into a human in Beauty and the Beast. He was a major character in the film, but not as major as his best friend Lumiere. He was like Lumiere's side kick/rival of sorts. However, he is not as memorable which is why he is much lower on the countdown. That being said, he certainly belongs and fits nicely at #82.
