The animated film industry is saturated with conventionally attractive heroes and ugly villains. While animation comes in different forms of drawing styles, mainstream media affects public opinion and perspective. Whether it's about representation or body image, these factors can impact children's self-esteem and how they view beauty standards.
To its credit, Disney has produced a number of movies that challenged societal norms. Instead of the usual attractive princes and princesses, they have major characters who break every mold and feel good about it. By introducing protagonists with different appearances and body types, production giants like Disney can use their platform to promote body positivity and inclusivity.
10 Merida's Hair Is Curly, Not Messy
Brave
Brave offered a breath of fresh air by changing up the Disney Princess formula. Merida went against the grain of royal traditions and refused to seek out a Prince Charming. There's nothing wrong with a princess being independent and opinionated, viewers even find her rebellious personality charming.
Merida embraces her natural hair texture and wears clothes she feels comfortable in. In the past, princesses were expected to "tame" their hair or dress a certain way. However, Merida sees her hair as an extension of herself. She won't let anyone tame it or her soul.
9 There's Nothing Taboo About Maui's Tattoos
Moana
In Moana, Disney Introduced its first Polynesian Princess and continued expanding its royal lineup to different parts of the world. It even included the mythological trickster and folk hero Maui as the film's resident demigod.
Maui's big and strong but he doesn't have almost no body fat like Gaston or even his voice actor, The Rock. He spends the entire film clad in nothing but a floral loincloth, though, and clearly has no trouble loving the skin he's in. While his self-absorption obviously isn't great, the way he decorates his body with culturally significant tattoo art invites everyone to study him, flaws and all.
8 Fa Mulan Embraces Her Warrior Bod
Mulan
Mulan was the first Disney Princess of Asian descent and the film was praised for its groundbreaking character arc. At the beginning of the film, being a bride was the only way a woman could bring honor to her family, but Mulan's determination proved everyone wrong.
To help her father, Mulan changed her appearance and joined the army. During her time as a soldier, her skin darkened in the sun and her legs got bulkier. Obviously, Mulan's still a feminine character but she also expanded the options for Disney princesses, in terms of ethnicity and body types.
7 The Sultan's Height Doesn't Matter
Aladdin
Aladdin has received multiple film adaptations but the 1992 Disney animated feature is the most well-known version. The Sultan's a major character and, unlike King Triton, he's not a stereotypically impressive specimen but he's clearly having a good time.
As Agrobah's leader, the Sultan has some obvious shortcomings. his height and his belly aren't on the list of his problems. Instead of obsessing about his weight, the Sultan clearly cares about his people, giving him the kind of foundation as a political leader that can't be taught.
6 Mama Odie Doesn't See Blindness As Weakness
The Princess And The Frog
The Princess And The Frog is a brilliant reimagining of a classic fairy tale that deserves its upcoming animated series on Disney+. In this story, Mama Odie takes on the fairy godmother role for Tiana and Naveen's journey. She teaches them that there's more to solving their problems than true love's kiss alone.
As a blind 197-year-old woman living alone in the deep swamps of Louisiana, it's possible that Mama's too independent. Given her magical prowess, it feels like she could have healed her eyes easily. However, Odie doesn't seem to care about that. Her lack of sight doesn't stop her from living life and loving herself the way she is.
5 Ralph Looks Like A Villain, But He Doesn't Have To Be One
Wreck-It Ralph
Wreck-it-Ralph follows the story of video game villain-turned-protagonist, Ralph, who just wants to make a heroic name for himself. Ralph's creator gave him the stereotypical look of a so-called bad guy. Despite his bad reputation, Ralph didn't let other people dictate who he wants to be.
Ralph wants people to see him as a good guy, and he didn't think that his appearance was the problem at all. Having a heavy build and not being conventionally handsome was the least of his concerns. Instead, he made it his mission to win the hearts of other video game characters by saving the arcade from shutting down.
4 Fairy Mary Challenges Fairy Body Norms
Disney Fairies
Disney has portrayed its iconic fairies in many different lights. Fans have grown accustomed tho younger fairies who look like the Enchantress from Beauty and the Beast or the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio. Disney's older fairies typically have plump bodies like Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty.
Fairy Mary challenged Disney's norms as the first fairy who fit into neither category. She made her debut in the Tinker Bell film as Tinker Bell's guardian. Unlike the other fairies with petite bodies, Fairy Mary has no problem with her appearance and she's respected by the tinkers she supervises.
3 Russell's Physique Doesn't Affect His Success As A Wilderness Explorer
Up
Apart from its iconic movie soundtrack, Up has a number of life lessons that audiences of all ages can learn from. The narrative is so well-written that even its supporting characters are memorable. Russell is a Korean-American boy whose appearance is based on one of Pixar's storyboard artists as a young boy.
On a mission to earn his "Assisting the Elderly" Wilderness patch, he went all the way to South America to help the film's hero, Mr. Fredricksen. Russell doesn't have a lot of strength or stamina but his courage, knowledge, and helpful attitude earn him the recognition he deserves.
2 Nani Pelekai Never Needed A Flat Tummy
Lilo & Stitch
Lilo and Stitch pioneered the sisterhood genre in children's cartoons. Nani deserves more love and respect in the story and the audience. She represents the sacrifices involved in being forced to grow up at an early age, even if it means no dating and working multiple jobs.
Raising a younger sister alone comes with a lot of responsibilities, and keeping up appearances is the least of Nani's priorities. Her athletic build shows her history as a pro surfer, but she's not a tiny-waisted waif. Fortunately, she's confident about her looks, wearing a crop top and low-rise jeans to show off her figure.
1 Tanana Stayed Healthy For Her Age
Brother Bear
Brother Bear is a little bit like Turning Red. It's about brotherhood, family, and with transformative magic. It talks about a hero's journey to self-discovery and how family bonds can be formed without being blood-related. Tanana is his tribe's shaman, giving young people their totems when they come of age.
Tanana helped Kenai complete his mission and follow his bear totem's virtue. Despite her elderly and small physique, she has a strong body capable of healing others and taking care of others. Even her hair remained long, thick, and luscious. Like Mama Odie, she didn't abuse her magic, but allowed herself to age gracefully.