The Best Disney Fathers from Your Favorite Disney Movies
Much like your own father (or the father you’re becoming), the dads in beloved Disney films are equal parts cheesy and kind-hearted.
While your children tune-in to these many films, they probably see more of their old man in the characters than they even realize.
This is true especially when they listen to the words of wisdom and laugh along at those awesomely-terrible jokes from these Disney fathers.
While you’ll always be the apple of your child’s eye, you can rest-assured that when your kiddos are tuning into these films, they’ll getting a dose of fatherly love.
To get excited for your upcoming trip to Disney, let these fathers from feature films make you laugh, cry and remember your lifelong love for animation:
Marlin from Finding Nemo
He’s a *tad* overprotecting (read: overly) but it’s all in good spirit. Forever worried about Nemo’s adventurous spirit, he holds him close to his fin until the worst happens.
Though the pair are eventually reunited, it’s only because of Marlin’s persistence that his son finds his way back to the coral he calls home.
Best Marlin quotes:
Marlin: Hey. Guess what?
Nemo: What?
Marlin: Sea turtles? I met one, and he was a hundred and fifty years old.
Nemo: Hundred and fifty?
Marlin: Yup.
Nemo: Oh. ‘Cause Sandy Plankton said that they only live to be a hundred.
Marlin: Sandy Plankton? You think I would travel the whole ocean and not know as much as Sandy Plankton? He was a hundred and fifty, not a hundred!
Mufasa from The Lion King
Warm-hearted, wise and strong, Mufasa’s legacy lives throughout this Disney classic.
Though a bittersweet story about a father and son, it’s those powerful words that stick with Simba as he grows, eventually leading him to victory.
Best Mufasa quotes:
Mufasa: Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.
Mufasa: A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king.
Maurice from Beauty & the Beast
The father-daughter relationship is an important and impactful one. This treasured Disney film that’s been made over-and-over again tells the story of Maurice and Belle, who have only had each other for decades since the passing of their mother and wife.
It’s because of their love that all of the magic in the film can happen: Beast see’s Belle’s inner beauty and Maurice helps to save Beast’s life.
Maurice: [about his machine] I’m I’m about ready to give up on this hunk of junk.
Belle: You always say that!
Maurice: I mean it this time! I’ll never get this boneheaded contraption to work!
Belle: Yes you will, and you’ll win first prize at the fair tomorrow.
Belle: And become a world famous inventor.
Maurice: You really believe that?
Belle: I always have.
Maurice: Well, what are we waiting for? I’ll have this thing fixed in no time!
King Triton from The Little Mermaid
This ruler of the sea was more of a tough-love kind of papa, but once he realized his daughter’s unhappiness, he quickly sought to make her dreams come true.
The protecting, loving nature of a parent is one that no one ever outgrows, but rather, changes as a child grows into their own adult.
Sebastian: Like I always say, Your Majesty, “children have got to be free to lead their own lives.”
Triton: You always say that, Sebastian?
Sebastian: [nervous] Tee-hee.
Triton: Well I guess there’s one problem left.
Sebastian: And what’s that, Your Majesty?
Triton: How much I’m going to miss her.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!