For more than 90 years, Disney has dazzled fans of all ages with its poignant stories and magical worlds. And, for many people, Disney's appeal lies in its gorgeous animation with memorable characters. With princesses, talking animal sidekicks, and evil yet adorable villains, Disney characters have played a vital part in pop culture.
People said that the characters designed by the House of Mouse are exceptional because you can recognize them merely by looking at their silhouette. The Walt Disney Company has certainly excelled countless times with truly everlasting works. Perhaps it's because of the character's ability to express emotion or because of the distinctive appearances that make them stand out in film history. Whatever the reason, these Disney designs have stood the test of time.
There are many Disney characters that give a timeless feel but in this post, we have gathered the 10 best of them all. Who is your favorite character? Let us know in the comments below!
#1 Mickey Mouse
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"It all started with a mouse." That is the standard phrase Disney uses, and it is partly accurate. Mickey's original design was a touch different from what fans know and love today, but once the company had landed on the traditional three circles, the sky was the limit. Since his introduction, Mickey Mouse has seen several cartoon iterations and several redesigns. Though the character's design hasn't changed, it's the simplicity of Mickey and his friends that makes them so easy to recognize.
#2 Ariel
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"The Little Mermaid" seems to be one of the most successful fish-person films ever made. Folklore makes it simple to create a generic mermaid that simply symbolizes the mythology that prior audiences would have previously seen. But with the colors used on the clothing and her bright red hair, Ariel has always stood out. It's a timeless design that encapsulates what people think of when it comes to mermaids. Since then, every mermaid variety has been largely characterized by Ariel. It's difficult to imagine a creature representing that same name but looking quite different.
#3 Cinderella
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"Cinderella" is said to be the most princess movie Disney has successfully landed. Despite other films in the genre, Cinderella's tale of attending the ball is still regarded as a classic. Her transition into her gown is a significant moment in movie history. Much like Mickey Mouse, Cinders has been changed today, but she still possesses the essential elements of her original design. That's because it works in every era, with a gracefulness that reflects her kindness, a magic dress, and those monumental glass slippers. Once again, can a version of Cinderella be imagined that in a way that doesn't adhere to Disney's choice?
#4 Pinocchio
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Creating a puppet seems like a challenge. How could someone create a wooden puppet that feels alive without being spooky? Disney had done it. They created Pinocchio, a wooden puppet who had a cheeky personality both with and without his strings. The growing nose defines the creation, with the component playing into the story itself. From his German-inspired attire to his huge blue bow, his tiny hat, and even Mickey Mouse gloves and even Mickey Mouse gloves, make him an unmistakable puppet.
#5 Tinkerbell
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Though Tinkerbell was a sidekick of Peter Pan, Disney couldn't help but focus on that pixie. Her design was so flawless and classic that it ended up in the Disney emblem. Nowadays, Tinkerbell flies across the castle to sprinkle a little pixie dust at the start of every Disney film. She has a large film franchise to herself, several spin-offs, and the live-action version will certainly follow the same trend. Her form of the wings, the hairdo, and the green outfit all contribute to an unforgettable character.
#6 Genie
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The Genie in "Aladdin" became a cultural icon because of Robin Williams' incredible voice acting. But the design of the character had to match the actor's chaotic energy. Genie appears to be a powerful magical entity, but how the character can be transformed and manipulated plays into the humor of movie "Aladdin". Although the costumes are straightforward, the tale itself places a lot of importance on those golden bands. Another important detail is Genie's whispy silhouette, which resembles smoke rising from the lamp.
#7 The Beast
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"Beauty And The Beast" is a timeless story and the Beast himself thus had to stand the test of time. There are several images that Disney might have used to create a beast, some of which would have been commonplace. But when they created the Beast, they took a slightly different approach. Not quite based on one animal or mythological creature, the Beast is a perfectly balanced collection of characteristics that enable him to seem both well... monstrous, and rather gentle. It's a hard case but the talented artists pulled it off, to make the love story possible.
#8 Dumbo
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Like characters on this list, Dumbo is another character that should have been difficult to fully realize. What makes this little elephant stand out? The elephant is enduringly endearing, and Dumbo has always been known for his huge ears, whether in this animated film or his live-action premiere. Given how ingrained this picture has become, it is difficult to imagine what an adult Dumbo might look like.
#9 Mulan
Source: Disney
Mulan was a completely different kind of princess from what audiences were as familiar with Disney Princesses. She is certainly not a passive leader; rather, she is a warrior who took the place of her father and proved to all of China that she was capable. Throughout the film, Mulan shows a variety of styles, all of which are strongly influenced by her culture. It's rare for a cartoon character to have multiple costume changes and yet be iconic in all of them; whether they are military uniforms or ceremonial attire.
#10 Simba
Source: Disney
Though Simba from the live-action variation of "The Lion King" struggled to express emotion, Simba in particular always stands out in cinema history. With plenty of lion-based characters lined up, audiences would still recognize Simba at a glance. Simba's emotion sells in every period, perhaps because of his large eyes and cartoony appearance.