Only 30% Of Disney Fans Can Name Every One Of These Characters
- by Rhiannon-Skye Boden
- – on
- in Movies and TV
When it comes to creating beloved children's characters, Disney just cannot be beaten. Olaf and Rapunzel, Captain Hook and Baymax - these are characters loved by kids (and, let's face it, plenty of adults too!) around the world. Even their classic characters, such as Dumbo, Peter Pan and Bambi, still have an incredible fanbase now, either because the characters still feel new and exciting, or just because they're downright adorable.
With that said, an empire as big as Disney's includes a LOT of characters, and even if a person who grew up with the movies can have trouble remembering them all. Whether they're an old soul and the new movies have passed them by, or a brand new fan who hasn't gotten around to watching the classics yet, it's no wonder that people struggle to name every Disney character on the roster.
Don't worry, we're not about to ask a question on every character in existence, but I have cherrypicked some of the best. This quiz challenges fans to identify these beloved heroes, sidekicks, and villains, just by seeing them and hearing a brief description of their character. Sound like a breeze? Well then, click ahead and test the depth of your Disney knowledge!
Who is this?
This character is the main heroine in the 2013 movie Frozen. She is a princess and the oldest of two sisters, making her heir to the throne of Arendelle. She has the power to conjure snow and ice, and is strong enough to change the weather patterns and temperature of her entire kingdom. Even more surprising than that, she is capable of creating life, since the snowmen and snow creatures she creates go on to have a life and personality of their own. Though initially insecure, she is now the most confident and powerful of the Disney princesses, and the greatest love in her life is her sister.
Who is this?
This character is the villain's primary sidekick in the 1992 movie Aladdin. As a parrot with above average intelligence, he is just as pre-occupied with scheming as his master Jafar. However, his main ambition is not taking over the kingdom - he just wants to collect wealth, usually in the form of jewels or precious metals. He is sarcastic and condescending, both to humans and other animals, but he's not actually all that malicious. In fact, when it comes to either saving his treasure or another person, he usually chooses to do the right thing, even if he resents his own streak of goodness.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist in the 1994 movie The Lion King. He is brave and a little headstrong, thanks to being brought up with full knowledge as his position as prince of the pride lands. However, when his father passes away he loses most of his bravado, and chooses instead to hide away and live a carefree life. It's only when he grows up and faces pressure from his childhood friend and crush that he realises what is most important, and makes the hard decision to return home and take his rightful place as king. In later sequels, we see him both as a ruler and a father, who is more like his own father every day.
Who is this?
This character is one of the mascots of the Disney company, and also one of their most enduring creations. She is a mouse, usually portrayed as the longtime girlfriend of Mickey, and a fast friend to both Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow. In the early years of her comics and cartoons, she was shown to be flirtatious and even a little mischevious, but settled into a more conservative and shy personality later on. Despite this, she is always shown to have a strong opinion and desire to be independent: often taking charge in making plans, planning parties, and advising Mickey when he is unsure of what to do.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist of the 2009 movie The Princess and the Frog. In the movie, she is shown to be a strong working woman, working two jobs in order to make ends meet while also saving any extra money that she can. The goal of her saving is to buy a small building, with the dream of turning it into a restaurant, just as her father always wanted to do. When her plans are derailed by her being magically turned into a frog, it is her independence, work ethic and self-sufficiency that gets her out of trouble, and also leads the prince to fall in love with her.
Who is this?
This character is the primary villain in the 1953 movie Peter Pan. He is the captain of his own ship and an accomplished pirate, with a crew of loyal followers who are more than a little bit afraid of him. This is because he is a very emotional person, prone to fits of both anger and sadness. Not only that, but he is capable of great affection too - seeing both Tinker Bell and Wendy as people who he would love to get to know and have around on a daily basis. He only has one phobia: the crocodile who took his hand.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist of the 1995 movie Toy Story. In the film, he is a cowboy who is aware of his status as a toy, and has been the favourite of his owner for many years. Both these things put him in a leadership position, and he is loved and respected by all the other toys in the house. When another toy challenges his leadership, the two start as rivals, but quickly learn to respect each other's differences and even become fast friends. Though he is not a real cowboy, he does have many cowboy qualities, such as being able to ride a horse.
Who is this?
This character is one of Disney's oldest and most enduring creations, and is also basically a mascot for the company. He is a mouse with a cheerful personality, who at first was portrayed as a cheeky trouble maker. In early cartoons, this character was always looking for a partner, and often tried to make his target fall in love with him. As time went on, he was shown to have a steady girlfriend in Minnie, and he became the smart and sensible advisor of the friend group. Now he is the de facto leader who all the other Disney classic characters come to for advice.
Who is this?
This character is the villain of the 1994 movie The Lion King. In the movie, this character is shown to be the king's brother, who was shunned from the kingdom for some unknown reason. Instead of in the Pridelands, he hangs out in the elephant graveyard, and is surrounded by hyenas rather than other lions. He is filled with delusions of grandeur and believes he has the right to the throne, and he will do anything to get it. However, as well as being sly and ruthless, he is also capable of being sharp and witty, and outsmarts his foes just as often as he overpowers them.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist of a classic 1942 Disney movie. In the film, he is introduced as a newborn, who will grow up to become the prince, and later king, of the forest. In the beginning, he is timid and clumsy, with a stumbling walk that has become iconic in its own right. Many of the other animals are in awe of him even when he is young, but he befriends a rabbit who is completely unafraid of him. Personality-wise, he is curious and playful, but grows up to be strong and stoic, a trait that he emulates from his father.
Who is this?
This character is the secondary protagonist in the 1995 movie Toy Story. He is a toy space ranger given to his human owner as a birthday present, but he has no idea he's a toy. Instead, he believes himself to be a real life space ranger, whose job it is to protect the galaxy from Emperor Zurg. Not only that, but he becomes his owner's favourite toy, making the other toys feel jealous. Eventually though, his loyalty, determination and even kindness make him well liked among the whole family of toys, as well as allowing him to save the day.
Who is this?
This character is one of Disney's oldest creations, and is considered one of the "fab five" of classic Disney characters. He technically debuted in 1934, and since then has become famous for his jaunty sailor outfit, as well as his distinctive speech. Even though he can technically speak fluent English, his duckbill gives him a strong comedic accent, which only two Disney voice actors have ever fully mastered. This distinct voice, as well as his uniquely mischievous personality, make him the go-to comic relief character in Disney storylines, which normally involve him getting exasperated or frustrated in some comedic way.
Who is this?
This character is the central villain in the 1989 movie The Little Mermaid. In the film, she is portrayed as a powerful sea witch, who used to rule the waves but has been forced into hiding by the king, Triton. She works as a spellcaster, granting wishes for anyone who asks, provided they pay the hefty price she asks for in return. She also has the ability to change her own shape, even appearing as a human or growing to several times her normal size. There is a famous Disney rumour that her garish make-up and short hair were inspired by a famous drag queen known as Divine.
Who is this?
This character is one of two protagonists in the 2001 movie Monsters, Inc. In the movie, he is portrayed as a lovable and kind monster, with a normal life revolving around his job, his best friend/roommate, and his girlfriend. That is all turned upside down when he allows a human child to escape into the factory, and from then he acts as the more risk-averse and panicked of him and his friend. Despite this, he softens up and shows real affection for the human child when he realises she is not a threat, even going so far as to become protective of her.
Who is this?
This character is the central love interest of the 2008 movie WALL-E. She is a robot tasked with finding vegetation on Earth, a job which she takes very seriously. She moves with the help of antigravity technology, and is equipped with a variety of scanners, as well as a laser which she can use when threatened. At the beginning of the movie, it is unclear whether she has independent emotions, but across the film she grows to understand why her mission is so important, and also understand and care about the creatures she is helping by completing her mission, both human and robot.
Who is this?
This character is the secondary protagonist of the 2013 movie Frozen. In the movie, she is shown to be a kind and bubbly Princess, as well as the youngest of two daughters, who wants nothing more than to see both her sister and the outside world around her. Unlike her sister, she has no magical powers, but she does have extraordinary determination and courage, which helps her to save the day even without the power to command snow and ice. She befriends everyone she comes across, from the Prince of the Southern Isles, to an ice farmer, to a living snowman.
Who is this?
This character is one of several secondary heroes in the 1991 movie Beauty and the Beast. He is one of the castle inhabitants turned from human to object by the witch's curse, and he is also the youngest to have been transformed. His mother works as the castle cook, which led to her being turned into a teapot, and so he has been turned into a teacup in order to match. He has a curious personality, and grows very attached to Belle, seeing her as some combination of friend and big sister. He consistently helps her in any way he can, even if his small size sometimes puts her at a disadvantage.
Who is this?
This character is the secondary protagonist in a classic 2002 Disney movie. He is an alien created by a genius alien scientist, who intended to use him to cause mayhem across the galaxy. Instead, he escaped to Earth and masqueraded as a dog, leading him to be adopted by a human girl. Though his destructive personality at first made him a bad friend and pet, he soon grew to love his owner and his Earth life, and even toned down his mischevious personality in order to better fit in. When it came to it, he even found the courage to protect his owner and her family, against both human and alien authorities.
Who is this?
This character is the primary antagonist in the 1959 movie Sleeping Beauty. She is a villainous fairy with almost limitless power, who even other fairies are nervous and careful around. Though she is mostly content not to get involved in human business, she is very easily offended, which is why she becomes spiteful when not invited to the Princess' Christening. She has numerous powers, including the ability to enchant objects such as spinning wheels, and can transform herself into a giant imposing dragon at will. Later Disney movies have however shown her backstory, which makes her appear less like a villain and more like a sympathetic character.
Who is this?
This character is the primary comic relief in the 2013 movie Frozen. He is a living snowman, brought to life by Elsa's snow powers when both her and her sister were very young. He has a bubbly and friendly personality that never wavers, even when faced with situations that are difficult or even risky. Often, this is because he is unaware of things that could potentially be harmful to him. For example, his biggest wish is to see the summer and feel the sun on his skin, even though this would cause him to melt. By the end of the movie, his wish is granted, and Elsa even gives him his own personal snow cloud to ensure he stays safe.
Who is this?
This character is the star of a classic 1992 Disney movie. In the film, he is shown to be an orphan who is forced to look out for himself on the street, avoiding the authorities and swiping food to survive. Despite this, he is a kind and optimistic person, who will share his resources with the less fortunate even when he doesn't have much himself. At the beginning of the movie, his one dream is to improve his status so that people will like him more, but he soon learns that status can't actually make you happier than you were before.
Who is this?
This character is a member of the ensemble cast in the 1970 movie The Aristocats. She is one of three siblings, as well as being the only girl, and this means that she is especially close to her mother. Not only that, but appearance-wise she is essentially identical to her, and the two share similar mannerisms. However, this character's personality is far more exaggerated - rather than being measured and dignified, she is imperious and judgemental. With that said, although she can be prissy and (pardon the pun) catty, she cares deeply for her mother and brothers, and does her best to help keep them safe.
Who is this?
This character is the primary sidekick in the 1942 movie Bambi. While most other characters are in awe of the young prince of the forest, this character is unfazed and excited about meeting him - so excited that he can't help but remark about how wobbly he is. Despite this, the two become fast friends, with this character even teaching him to talk and ice skate. Maybe his most famous line is about how "if you can't say anything then you shouldn't say anything at all", a principle which many people have adopted over the years, and even named after him.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist of the 2012 movie Brave. She is a headstrong and determined princess, whose favourite pastimes include horseriding and archery. By contrast, she has no interest in her duties to do with ruling, which upsets her mother and strains their relationship. When this character accidentally curses her mother to become a bear, she learns another side to both her and herself, and learns to appreciate the power and responsibilities her mother has. The two of them reach a compromise and way of ruling that suits them both, and they both become all the closer for it.
Who is this?
This character is the villainous sidekick from the 1953 movie Peter Pan. In the movie, he is shown to be a smart but bumbling pirate, whose main responsibility is to carry out orders without question, and keep the rest of the crew in line. Despite this, he is more of a friend to the captain than just a crew member, as he is the only one who can calm the captain's anger and even change his mind. His other defining character trait is that he is actually much kinder than the other pirates, going out of his way to soften their plans and make things easier on the victims.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist of the 1993 movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. This character is basically a celebrity, since all the other residents in Halloweentown are in awe of him, and even the town's elected officials come to him for help and advice. He sometimes goes by the name of the Pumpkin King, and spends most days helping to prepare for the next Halloween. However, he does become demoralised by the idea that he's just doing the same thing every year, and it takes the new perspectives of both Sally and Santa Clause to make him realise his purpose again.
Who is this?
This character is the central villain in the 1961 movie One Hundred and One Dalmatians. In the film, this character is shown to be an old school friend of the protagonist, even though the two seem to have nothing in common. She is preoccupied with fashion, always wearing red lipstick and red heels, and constantly acquiring new animals to turn into fur coats. She will go to any lengths to possess an animal once she has set her heart on them, and flies into aggressive rages when she doesn't her way, both against the heroes and against her own villainous sidekicks.
Who is this?
This character is the primary sidekick in the 1994 movie The Lion King. This character works for the king in the Pridelands, with his official title being majordomo. This means he is tasked with supervising the prince, a job which he doesn't love as it often leads to him pretending to be prey. He is easily exasperated, and has a dry and sarcastic sense of humour, but he also cares very deeply for the family he works for. However, his dry personality means that even when captured by the villains of the movie, he seems more bored and inconvenienced than he does intimidated.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist of the 1953 movie Peter Pan. She is the oldest of three children and the only girl, which leads her parents to encourage her to grow up and act like a lady. However, she resists their plan for her as she loves storytelling and imagination, things she knows she will be encouraged to leave behind. When in Neverland, she becomes a kind of mother to all of the Lost Boys and even Peter Pan, telling them stories and ensuring they take their medicine. In fact, even the villains want to have her as a mother.
Who is this?
This character is the primary antagonist of the 1950 movie Cinderella. She is the step-mother of the protagonist, and has two daughters of her own, who are both harsh to and dismissive of Cinderella. This character takes pride in teaching her two daughters valuable skills like music and literacy, and ensures they are always dressed in the best clothes. By contrast, she forces Cinderella to clean while the others take classes, and doesn't allow her to wear anything pretty. By the end of the movie, this character's villainy has escalated, as she even goes so far as to lock Cinderella away in the attic.
Who is this?
This character is the protagonist's primary sidekick in the 1989 film The Little Mermaid. In the movie, this character works for the king as the royal court composer and is in charge of any and all musical performances in the kingdom. He is a stickler for the rules and tries many times to bring Ariel into line, not understanding her boredom with his way of life. However, over time he grows to understand her and be loyal to her, and even goes out of his way to stop her from getting into trouble with the King. This character goes by his last name, but his first names are Horatio Thelonius Ignatius Crustaceus.
Who is this?
This character is one of the main cast in the many movies in the Winnie The Pooh franchise. He has the appearance of a tiger, but is actually a stuffed toy, with a felt body and a spring in his tail. This is what causes his love for bouncing, and his ability to jump higher than both Roo and Rabbit, two animals that actually have the ability to hop. Personality wise, this character is fun-loving and exuberant, sometimes so much that he gets on the nerves of other characters. He is also quite careless and reckless, but is the main motivation for other characters to step out of their comfort zones.
Who is this?
This character is one of two namesake characters in a 1955 Disney movie. In the film, he is shown to be a streetwise dog who lives wild without a home, although he is recognised and loved by many humans. This allows him to live fairly comfortable, as he goes from place to place securing food and other luxuries. Though he is a lone wolf and is seen as friends with but separate from the other street dogs, he immediately takes under his paw those who need help, ensuring they can navigate the outside world without trouble. This kindness eventually leads him to get adopted.
Who is this?
This character is the title character of a 2016 Disney movie. She is the daughter of the leader of her tribe and is expected to follow in her father's footsteps, leading her people and ensuring the island she lives on remains a safe and peaceful place. However, she is shown to have an adventurous streak that she's possessed since birth, leading the ocean itself to choose her as its champion. This means she must go on a quest without her father's approval and initially, her naivety and carelessness set her back and endanger her. Overall though, her commitment to the cause make her a better leader when she returns home.
Who is this?
This character was originally the primary sidekick int he 1953 movie Peter Pan, but she proved so popular that she also spawned her own franchise. In Peter Pan, she was a rude and almost villainous character, whose jealousy led her to put her own allies and friends in danger. However, in instalments of her own series she is shown to be a no-nonsense adventurer and problem-solver, whose main issue is that she won't take no for an answer and is committed to finding the truth at any cost. However, she is shown to be kind and compassionate, and is the only fairy with a sibling that we know of.
Who is this?
This character is one of an ensemble cast in the 1937 movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. In the film, he is one of the seven dwarves who work in the mines and rescue Snow White, and who all have identifiable personality traits (making this question a pretty easy one!). Though he is apparently old enough to work with the others, he has childish mannerisms and a childish disposition, wearing clothes that are too big for him and often tripping over things. He is loveable and emotional, if a little too prone to daydreaming, and is many people's favourite due to his unique personality.
Who is this?
This character is one of two primary sidekicks in the 1967 movie The Jungle Book. In the film, he is introduced as a lazy and happy-go-lucky bear, who is content just to sit and watch the world go by. When he meets Mowgli, he passes on this philosophy of living simply and happily, and even makes him an honorary bear. However, his care for Mowgli leads him to temporarily abandon his philosophy, as he leaps into action to rescue him when he's in trouble - facing off against an orangutan and even a tiger in order to keep him safe.
Who is this?
This character is the primary antagonist in the 2010 movie Tangled. In the film, she is shown to be a very old woman, who has survived for an untold amount of time by using the energy of a magic flower. When that magic is passed into a princess, she takes the girl from the castle and conceals her, using that same magic to keep herself young. She is cunning and manipulative, acting loving to Rapunzel only when it suits her, and using subtle methods of keeping her confidence and knowledge about the outside world limited. This is proven to be necessary, as when Rapunzel realises her true identity and power, this character is soon defeated.
Who is this?
This character is the namesake and protagonist of a popular 2008 Disney movie. He is a robot left behind on Earth to clean up and, though is one of millions of the same model tasked with doing the job, it seems as though he is the last one operating. This age has led to some unique quirks, such as his love of old movies and plants, and his tendency to collect and invent beautiful things. He cannot speak, but has big expressive eyes, and is intelligent enough to understand the motives of both humans and other robots. He is even capable of falling in love.
Who is this?
This character is also the namesake of her own Disney movie, which was released in 1951. In the film, she is shown to be a girl prone to daydreams, and being more interested in imagination and storytelling than she is the lessons her family want to teach her. This leads to her emerging into a fantasy world called Wonderland, which seems at first to be thrilling to her, but soon grows intimidating and even downright tiresome. In the end, she learns that the real world has its own appeal, although she never fully loses the spirit of whimsy she has.
Who is this?
This character is one of the ensemble cast in the 1995 movie Toy Story. In the film, this character is portrayed as a simple plastic dinosaur, with exaggeratedly short front arms and a large head. His main personality trait is to act as the foil of the group, doubting their ideas and fantasizing about ways they could go wrong. This is because is a very nervous character, prone to recoiling and retreating, which is made funnier by the ferocious species he is based on. However, he is also very loyal to his friends, and willing to support them on their missions despite his misgivings.
Who is this?
This character is the main sidekick in the 1992 movie Aladdin. He is a magical being with almost unlimited power, who can create objects out of thin air, influence people's minds and hearts, and even change the memories of entire countries. However, he can only use this magic for others, and his own magic is limited to changing his own appearance and voice. He is the only Disney character to have knowledge of worlds outside his own too, as he references celebrities, places and situations that do not exist in Aladdin's universe. He does, of course, live inside a lamp.
Who is this?
This character is one of two namesake characters in a popular 1992 Disney movie. She is a young orphan, whose only surviving relative is her older sister, and the two of them live together alone. She is very determined, sticking rigidly to habits (like taking pictures of tourists or throwing sandwiches in the ocean) even when they seem odd to others. When she accidentally adopts an alien, she does her best to train him, and her forceful personality is what eventually earns his respect. Though she struggles to fit in with her peers, her bravery and creativity ensure she is loved by her new family, however unconventional.
Who is this?
This character is the primary sidekick in the 2014 movie Big Hero 6. He is a robot, created by the protagonist's big brother to work as a nurse, assisting with communities to keep them healthy and safe. When the protagonist's brother passes away, this character takes it on himself to ensure the protagonist is also happy and safe, and prescribes a treatment of becoming a superhero. Despite being only a superhero, this character cares deeply for the protagonist, and tries his best to keep both him and his friends safe from threats. He also loves cats, referring to them as "hairy babies".
Who is this?
This character is the primary sidekick in the 2013 movie Frozen, as well as being the only legitimate love interest. He is actually an orphan who was brought up by rock trolls, and whose best friend is a reindeer who helps him to make deliveries of ice. He is a very solitary person who at first is closed off and sarcastic, but he soon warms to Anna and agrees to help her. His survivalist skills are the reason they make it to Elsa's castle, and his determination and pragmatism are what lead him to discover how best to help Anna.
Who is this?
This character is one of the ensemble cast in the Winnie The Pooh franchise, and has appeared in several of the movies, TV shows and shorts. He is a stuffed toy donkey with a tail tied with a ribbon, that often comes loose thanks to it being attached to his body with a pin. He has the most downtrodden personality, often feeling morose or melancholy, and not wanting to bring the other toys down by being around them. However, he is always included and asked to participate, and he does whatever he can to ensure the others are as happy as can be.
Who is this?
This character is the main antagonist in the 1992 movie Aladdin. He works as the Sultan's chief advisor but is secretly jealous of him, wishing that he could rule the kingdom instead. He tries many different strategies to gain power, from ruling in the shadows to attempting to marry the princess, to sending Aladdin into the cave of wonders to get the magical lamp. He is sly and manipulative as well as outrightly malicious, and he is also capable of pride and boredom with other people. He is even mean and neglectful to his own sidekick, who ends up becoming less villainous as a result.
Who is this?
This character is the title character of a popular 1998 Disney movie, set in China. This character is the daughter and only child of an aged warrior, who she takes the place of in order to defend her village. To do this, she is forced to cut her hair and hide her gender, even changing her name to Ping in order to not raise suspicion. Personality-wise she is very resourceful, thinking her way into out of the box solutions that ensure she excels in her training. She even teaches others to come up with creative solutions to their problems, which is how they win in the end.
Who is this?
This character is the primary sidekick in the 1951 movie Alice In Wonderland, as well as the 2010 live-action remake of the same name. In both cases, the character is a whimsical and sometimes completely nonsensical hat maker, who loves nothing more than passing the time with a tea party or an 'unbirthday' party. In both cases he is a very emotional person, switching from joy to confusion and even suspicion incredibly quickly. Despite this, once he decides he likes someone he remains a fast friend, and his exuberance and quick wits are just as useful against enemies as they are with friends.
Who is this?
This character is the namesake of a popular 1953 Disney movie. Known as the child who refused to grow up, this character is the leader of a band of children called the Lost Boys, who get into spats with pirates and go on adventures together. His nemesis is the leader of the pirates, who is jealous of his ability to think happy thoughts and thus fly. As well as flying, this character has a living shadow, who is mischievous and often trying to get away from him. He can be childish, reckless and jealous, but his main personality traits are bravery and excitement.