Disney movies have wonderful parents and others that fall short; some are the films' villains, like Mother Gothel or Lady Tremaine. However, the good Disney parents are great and show their kids nothing but love and support.
The best Disney parents encourage their kids to follow their dreams while protecting them and doing anything to keep them safe, even at their own risk. They love their children unconditionally, even through their mistakes, and are there to pick them up when they fall, like any good parent.
10 King Triton Tries To Protect His Youngest Daughter (The Little Mermaid)
In The Little Mermaid, King Triton has seven daughters, the youngest being Ariel. The world above water fascinates the adventurous and outspoken young girl who falls in love with a human. However, Ariel and her father get into a blow-up fight when she admits to wanting to visit the land.
Ariel is only sixteen years old and still a young child. As kids, many viewers feel that Triton is unreasonable and unnecessarily controlling, but as they grow older and their perspective shifts, they realize he's right. Through an adult's eyes, Triton is just a father trying to protect his very young daughter from a world that could hurt her.
9 Simba And Nala Love Their Daughter In Different Ways (The Lion King II: Simba's Pride)
Simba and Nala raise their daughter Kiara with different parenting styles. Simba wants to shield her from every little thing that could harm her, while Nala allows her the freedom to become who she wants to be. Simba's overprotectiveness is annoying for young Kiara, but as she grows, she realizes it's because he loves her so much.
Nala, however, gives Kiara the freedom to make mistakes, knowing that she and Simba made plenty as kids. While the two parenting styles differ, they balance each other out, and Kiara grows up extremely loved and protected.
8 Goofy Wants Nothing More Than To Spend Time With Max (A Goofy Movie)
Goofy is a somewhat clingy parent, refusing to let his son Max grow up. Max lies about knowing the superstar Powerline to impress his crush, Roxanne. However, Goofy hijacks Max's concert plans to go on a cross-country road trip together.
While Goofy initially seems annoying and overly attached to his son, it becomes clear that he's simply cherishing the time he still has with Max before he inevitably grows up and moves out. From this perspective, Goofy's clinginess isn't irritating; it's sweet, endearing, and relatable for parents and adult children.
7 Chief Powhatan Trusts His Daughter's Instincts (Pocahontas)
Chief Powhatan runs Pocahontas's tribe with dignity, honor, and bravery, which doesn't leave as much time for his daughter as he'd like. However, he teaches her valuable life lessons and how to trust her guy. He shows her nature's beauty and to be a good person, which ultimately stops the oncoming battle.
Pocahontas uses her knowledge to persuade the tribe and John Smith's colonizers. She reminds her father of the importance of love and respecting nature and other people, leading to a ceasefire. Chief Powhatan listens to his daughter and trusts her instincts like any good parent should, which saves countless lives.
6 Maurice Is Selflessly Devoted To Rescuing Belle (Beauty And The Beast)
Maurice is Belle's brilliant inventor father in Beauty and the Beast, who, although a little eccentric, would do anything for his daughter. When Belle takes his place as the Beast's prisoner, Maurice risks his life to rescue her despite his ailing health. He attempts to rally the villagers, but they see him as an eccentric older man and refuse to help.
Maurice goes to her rescue alone, willing to fight the Beast if necessary. He's a selfless, loving father who always encourages Belle to read and learn, despite the stigma surrounding young women at the time. The two put intelligence above anything, regardless of how the villagers see them, which is inspiring.
5 Ming Has Her Faults, But She's A Great Mother (Turning Red)
In Turning Red, Ming Lee loves her daughter Mei fiercely. However, as Mei grows up, she realizes that her mother is more overprotective and controlling than most, which leads to contention in their relationship. Despite Ming's faults, she's a great mother who does slightly irritating things out of love.
Ming controls her daughter to keep her safe from herself and the spirit that lives inside. When she believes Mei is going through puberty and body changes, Ming educates the girl better than some real-life mothers. She may not be perfect, but neither is anyone, and her faults come from a place of love.
4 The Andersens Try To Navigate Riley's Changing Emotions (Inside Out)
Jill and Bill Andersen are Riley's parents in Inside Out who love their daughter unconditionally. The eleven-year-old deals with starting a new life across the country and the typical emotional shifts kids go through. Riley's parents also have a lot on their plates, between a big move's challenges, uprooting their lives, and navigating a changing daughter.
While some have criticized their inattentiveness, their behavior is normal for people with so much going on. In addition, they're incredibly relatable for parents with pre-teens who understand having an emotionally sensitive child. They do their best to learn how to interact with Riley and keep her happy, and they love her no matter what, regardless of her attitude and mood swings.
3 James And Eudora Encourage Tiana To Follow Her Dreams (The Princess And The Frog)
James and Eudora are Tiana's loving and hard-working parents who teach her about life, ambition, and achieving dreams. Tiana and her father cook together throughout her childhood, where she develops her plan to open a restaurant. When James dies, Tiana begins working multiple jobs to save up for a deposit on a building.
Eudora continues encouraging Tiana to work hard while making time for her personal life. James and Eudora's influence on Tiana is evident in every facet of her personality, her drive and ambition, and her fierce love for her friends, family, and Naveen. While James doesn't get to see his daughter's dream come true, she carries on his memory through her food.
2 Pongo And Perdita Rescue And Adopt Dozens Of Puppies (101 Dalmatians)
Pongo and Perdita are the parents of fifteen dalmatian puppies kidnapped by the evil Cruella De Vil. The parents travel across England to rescue their children, and in Cruella's mansion, they discover 99 puppies she intends to use for fur coats. They could easily save their babies and escape quickly; instead, they do the selfless thing and free all the pups.
When they return home, Pongo and Perdita adopt and raise the additional pups as their own, filling the house with more laughter, love, and noise. Luckily Anita and Roger are more than happy to house 101 dalmatians, and the brave and loving parents get to raise their giant new pack.
1 Mufasa And Sarabi Teach Simba How To Be A King (The Lion King)
Mufasa and Sarabi are Simba's adoring parents in The Lion King, and though they love him equally, they raise their son in very different ways. Unfortunately, Sarabi doesn't play a massive role in the film, but when she's on screen, she treats Simba with love and respect. Unlike her husband, she allows her son to be a kid, express himself, and have fun.
Mufasa, loving as he is, raises Simba to be a king. He keeps the boy more subdued, teaching him the Pridelands' ways and what it means to rule. He loves his son more than anything, as he gives his life to save Simba from the stampede without a second thought. Simba adores his father so much and rules the Pridelands in a way that makes Mufasa proud.