The beautiful thing about Disney movies is that they appeal to just about everybody. Most have positive messages, like the social commentary in movies like Zootopia, and the stories are always inspiring regardless of the bumps in the road that the characters face. And what helps some of these characters on their journey are their strong Disney moms.
While Disney is notorious for giving characters a single parent (or no parents), these animated moms have pulled on fans’ heartstrings over the years and became heroes in their own ways. From saving their kids to saving the day — Disney knows how to create iconic cartoon moms.
The Incredibles: Helen Parr
Although Helen Parr is also called Elastigirl—due to her incredible superpowers in The Incredibles—her most effective role is arguably her one as a mom. As the mother of three children, Helen had her hands full while chasing them around and dealing with an entire secret identity.
As a superhero laying low, Helen tried adjusting her children to normalcy in the human world. The act was harder than she realized due to the struggles of adolescence, and the fact that her husband wasn’t ready to stop being a superhero, but Helen Parr held the fort down while life unfolded around her and always adapted to the many fantastical problems thrown at her.
Aristocats: Duchess
Being raised by a wealthy older woman in the heart of Paris, Duchess and her three kittens were living a life of privilege in Aristocats. That is until their madam’s butler became jealous of them and sought to dispose of them. Seeing the cats separated from their owner was by far one of the saddest moments in the movie.
With Duchess and her three kittens lost on the streets of Paris, Duchess did everything she could to get her and her babies home. She became friends with an alleycat who was able to protect them on their travels, and she made sure her kittens came first. Duchess was the ultimate protector.
Beauty And The Beast: Mrs. Potts
Belle didn’t have a mother in, but there was a mother present throughout the animated film — Mrs. Potts. Mrs. Potts was a teapot and one of the most likable characters in Beauty and the Beast. She was a mother to her child (a teacup) named Chip, and not only did she take care of her child, but she also did everything she could for the Beast as well.
More than that, she took Belle into their castle as if she were her own. Mrs. Potts wasn’t just doing her job or being hospitable. She was a mom, doing what moms do best — taking care of those around them.
Brave: Queen Elinor
Merida was the protagonist of Disney’s Brave, but her mother, Queen Elinor, wasn’t far behind. As her only daughter, she wanted Merida to obey orders and to get married so that she was protected – but Merida had other plans. As a queen, Elinor was seen as overbearing to Merida but it wasn’t out of hate, it was done for love.
Along with being a mother of four, Elinor took on most of the important political roles because of her strong yet calm demeanor and had a lot of patience and understanding for her daughter.
Inside Out: Jill Anderson
Inside Out shows the world from the perspective of a little girl named Riley. The movie takes place inside Riley’s head through the actions of her emotions as the main characters. And while fans love Joy, Sadness, Anger, and Fear, it’s Riley’s mom that deserves a standing ovation.
Riley becomes upset when she is forced to move away from her home, her friends, and her hockey team. Meanwhile, her mom sees the changes Riley is going through and does her best to give her daughter purpose again. She’s empathetic, compassionate, and truly tries to get inside her daughter’s head.
101 Dalmatians: Perdita
One Hundred and One Dalmatians hit screens in 1961, showing fans that love and family really do conquer all. After a sweet courtship, Pongo and Perdita found out they were expecting a lot of puppies. What was supposed to be a joyful affair turned into a breaking and entering, when Anita’s boss—Cruella De Vil—stole the puppies.
But Perdita and Pongo didn’t sit around hoping the humans would find their pups. They escaped their home, followed their noses, and spoke to other dogs in the city to do everything they could to save their puppies from becoming next year’s fashion piece. And they did! Perdita is one dedicated mom.
Lion King: Sarabi
Sarabi is one of the most underrated animated Disney moms. Not only did she lose her husband to her evil brother-in-law in The Lion King, but she also lost her son and her kingdom at the same time. Everything she knew was taken from her in the blink of an eye.
Instead of escaping the horrendous lifestyle she was forced to live, thanks to Scar being king, she stayed with her fellow lions and tried to hold down the fort until things became better. Little did she know, her son was actually alive the whole time and was able to get his kingdom back with Sarabi’s help. She never truly gives up hope, and that’s very commendable.
Tarzan: Kala
The mama gorilla in Tarzan has been through the literal trenches. After wanting to care for a baby that wasn’t taken by the wild leopard who terrorized them, she found an infant Tarzan needing desperate help. Knowing he was a human who could one day hurt them, she took the risks head-on and raised him anyway — even when her husband and the group thought she was wrong.
She loved her little boy Tarzan so much that she was even willing to let him go to be with fellow humans like himself. In short, she’s one of the most selfless characters in Disney with one of the best quotes in Disney’s Tarzan.
Toy Story: Mrs. Davis
Mrs. Davis is one animated mama that shouldn’t be ignored. Although she plays a minor role in the Toy Story franchise, it’s obvious that she’s a single mother, raising a young boy and girl on her own.
It’s not clear what Mrs. Davis does outside of being a full-time mom but viewers can hear the sweet nature through her voice. From birthday parties to yard sales to packing Andy up for college, she’s been alone this whole time and has done everything to make her kids’ lives good ones. She’s made some of the saddest moments in Andy’s life tolerable by showering him with care and affection.
Princess And The Frog: Eudora
The Princess and the Frog hit screens in 2009 and broke the mold by giving fans Disney’s first Black princess. She was thoughtful, generous, and a hard worker — she was everything a young child could aspire to be. But Tiana wouldn’t be where she is today without the amazing help from her mother, Eudora. In the early part of the film, Tiana is loved by both her mother and father. But as the movie goes on, her father passes away and leaves Eudora a widow and single mother.
Eudora’s one of the best seamstresses in New Orleans and is very well respected. She wanted Tiana to settle down and have a family but at the same time, she’s also incredibly encouraging of Tiana and her dreams of one day opening a restaurant.
Bambi: Bambi’s Mom
Bambi was released in 1942 making it one of Disney’s oldest films. In the movie, fans see a lonely Bambi find his way through life in the forest without his mom. This is because, earlier in the movie, Bambi’s mom is killed by a hunter, leaving him an orphan.
Prior to her death, the two made it through winter together and they were excited about spring. Her short time in the film shows how much she cared for her only child and that she would do anything to get the two through the harsh winter. Bambi wouldn’t be where he was by the movie’s ending without his mother’s teachings.
Moana: Sina
Moana was a huge hit in 2016, and while everyone fell in love with Moana and Maui, Sina is one animated mom who deserves some praise. She teaches her daughter early on to love the island and to make it her home, but she still understands her daughter’s urge to find out what’s beyond the reef.
With an endangerment to her home on the rise, Sina accepts the fact that her daughter sailed off to find a cure. Moana is the woman she is in the movie because of her mother’s strength. And fans loved the film so much that Disney+ is turning Moana into a series.
Tangled: Queen Arianna
Queen Arianna and King Frederic are left mystified when their baby girl was taken from their kingdom in Tangled. The highly-underrated Disney villain Mother Gothel kidnapped Rapunzel for her magical hair and held her captive. After search parties came up empty, the king and queen decided to honor her memory (and hope for her return) by releasing lanterns in the night sky on her birthday.
Queen Arianna isn’t on screen for long, but after 16 years, she never gave up on her daughter. Deep down, she always knew Rapunzel was alive, which is why she always released the lanterns. Once she came face to face with Rapunzel, she immediately knew that was her child and viewers could instantly feel the mother-daughter bond.
Dumbo: Mrs. Jumbo
Dumbo brings the tears no matter how much time passes or how many times fans have seen it. In the film, Mrs. Jumbo’s son, Dumbo, has massive ears. They’re so big that he trips over himself and his tiny frame. But once Mrs. Jumbo hears other kids picking on Dumbo, she goes to bat for her son.
Unfortunately for her, this got her locked up in solitary confinement at the circus for her behavior, but she would have done anything for Dumbo and that love has stuck with fans for generations.
Lilo & Stitch: Nani
Nani isn’t Lilo’s mom, but she’s the closest thing she’s got. In Lilo and Stitch, Nani is the legal guardian to Lilo after their parents passed away.
Nani is a young woman who not only had to deal with the death of her parents, but now she has to worry about raising her little sister, working, and running a household; things that she had to do overnight. Although she and Lilo bump heads from time to time, her sole reason for living is to give Lilo and a happy and healthy home. That’s a lot to take on for a young woman but she does it with grace.
