10 Underrated Disney Heroes Who Deserve More Recognition
Sure, we remember the main characters of our favorite stories, the ones who save the day, and maybe even our favorite villains! But very often, the sidekicks and minor characters get forgotten even though they underratedly save the day in their own ways. Check out the list below of the most underrated Disney characters that definitely deserve more recognition.
1. Rajah (Aladdin)
How could anyone forget about Rajah! One of Disney’s biggest (and most cuddly) cats is a pet to beloved Disney Princess, Jasmine. Although he plays a minor part in the movie, he plays a major part in Jasmine’s life. Not only is he a companion to her while she is trapped behind the walls of her palace waiting for a prince to marry, he weaned out the weak ones that weren’t worth her time. Without Rajah, Jasmine might have given a chance to someone other than Aladdin, and the story would be completely different!
2. Jaq (Cinderella)
Not only was Jaq cute, but he helped save the day! The helpful and intelligent mouse friend of Cinderella definitely deserves a spot on this list. Jaq helps fight off Cinderella’s evil cat, Lucifer, while she attempts to make her dress for the ball. After that plan fails and Fairy Godmother arrives, Jaq is turned into a horse and pulls the carriage to the castle. Most importantly, Jaq steals the key from Lady Tremaine when Cinderella is locked in the attic, hauls it up the stairs and helps set her free to prove she is the mystery girl from the ball. Without Jaq, Cinderella might still be locked in the attic!
3. Nigel (Finding Nemo)
Our favorite bird from down under definitely deserves some love on this list. Nigel was a featured character in Finding Nemo, where he met Marlin and Dory in Sydney. By helping them get out of a sticky situation, Nigel saved Marlin and Dory and helped lead them to Nemo. Also a friend to Nemo while he was stuck in the aquarium at the dentist’s office, Nigel relayed the story of Marlin crossing the ocean to him, not only giving him the information, but also giving him hope. Without that hope, Nemo might not have been reunited with his father!
4. Bing Bong (Inside Out)
Arguably the most heartbreaking storyline for a character, Bing Bong is definitely the unsung hero of Inside Out. Sure, Joy and Sadness saved the day in the end, but that never would have happened without Bing Bong. After Joy and Sadness were locked out of headquarters, Bing Bong tried to showed them the way around the long term memory, but not before he and Joy were stuck in the memory dump. If Bing Bong hadn’t sacrificed himself for Joy, she would have never made it back to headquarters and helped save Riley.
5. Pleakley (Lilo and Stitch)
Poor Pleakley! This guy went through a lot of trouble and rarely gets any credit for it. When inmate Jumba is sent to Earth, Pleakley is sent with him to keep him out of trouble. Unfortunately for him, Jumba creates a lot of trouble while he’s on Earth trying to catch Stitch and take him back to space. Pleakley constantly ensured that the safety of Earth (and Lilo) were first priority. Through spaceship races, laser beams and intergalactic nonsense, Pleakley is definitely an unsung hero. Not to mention, he had the best disguises too!
6. Zazu (The Lion King)
Zazu is another protector who deserves some serious credit. Although he is technically the right hand man of Mufasa, Zazu did a lot to help keep Simba away from trouble. Zazu was the one who spotted young Simba and Nala away from the pridelands and in the hands of the hyenas. Thanks to his fast flying, Mufasa was able to come and rescue them. Tragically, Zazu was the one who spotted Simba trapped in the middle of the stampede and also looked to Mufasa for help. Unfortunately, things ended grim for Mufasa after this event, but thanks to him, Simba was saved.
7. Scuttle (The Little Mermaid)
Boy, what is there to say about Scuttle? Another lovable bird character, Scuttle was a dear friend of Ariel. Although his knowledge of things from the human world wasn’t exactly accurate, his information meant a lot to Ariel in her search for Prince Eric. If he hadn’t told her the untrue information, Prince Eric probably wouldn’t have fallen for Ariel. Although her looks were definitely a playable factor, Eric fell for Ariel because of her quirky traits (that came directly from Scuttle). Plus, Scuttle stepped in to help fight off Ursula. Scuttle’s loyal friendship to Ariel definitely earns him a spot on this lst.
8. Trixie (Toy Story 3)
Although Trixie had a minor part in Toy Story 3, she was key in helping make it back to the daycare center, where his friends still remained. She was the first one to welcome Woody to Bonnie’s room when she found him on the sidewalk and brought him home. If it weren’t for her computer skills that she mastered while nobody was around. Trixie helped Woody find directions on how to get back to the daycare center online, without which, Woody never would have made it in time before Andy left for college.
9. Roz (Monsters Inc)
In one of the biggest Disney plot twists ever, Roz earned herself a spot as an unsung hero of Monsters Inc. Sulley and Mike went on a whirlwind adventure to get a human child out of the monster world, and in the process uncovered some shocking secrets about their boss, Mr. Waternoose. Turns out that Roz, the administrator for the scare floor, was an undercover agent for the CDA (Child Detective Agency) and had been keeping an eye on Sulley and Mike the entire time. She rarely appears in the film, but you know she’s always watching!
10. Grimsby (The Little Mermaid)
Grimsby is definitely one of my favorites on this list. More affectionately called “Grim” by Prince Eric, Grimsby is a caretaker and friend. After the boat explosion separates them, Grimsby searches the beaches to find Eric immediately. After Ariel shows up at the palace without a voice, it’s Grimsby who suggests that she should see the kingdom. On that carriage ride throughout the kingdom, Eric and Ariel slowly fall in love. In the end, Grim really just wants to see Eric happy and married to the girl of his dreams. When he realizes that’s Ariel, he is so supportive and is thrilled to see Eric so happy.
Do you know of any more unsung heroes? Leave them in the comments below!
Special thanks to Molly Kelly for writing this article! Molly Kelly is a loyal Disney fan of 22 years who aspires to become every Disney princess combined into one. She is a recent graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh in Upstate New York with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Marketing. Some of her lifetime goals include being an annual pass holder to Disney, to own many dogs, and to incorporate Disney magic into her day, every day.