Describing Disney as a film studio seems disingenuous. Mickey Mouse’s influence extends beyond theatres or cheap direct-to-video animated sequels seemingly designed solely to annoy fans of the original projects. Sure, Disney is Frozen, The Lion King, and Sleeping Beauty. Stepping away from animation, Disney is also Mary Poppins, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Fantasia. Recently, Star Wars and Marvel have pledged allegiance to the Happiest Place on Earth. We are merely tenants in a world owned by Disney.
Introducing audiences to a magical universe governed by Donald Duck and Goofy, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs established Disney as the leading animation studio. Over the decades, Walt’s company has and continues to produce countless memorable movie-going experiences laced with idealized princesses and infectious songs that burrow into a viewer’s memories for eternity.
Fictional characters are stuck in limbo, but this goes double for Disney’s roster. Ariel and Cinderella cannot change. Art imitates reality; consequently, art adapts to changes in society. As the years roll by, new meaning can be associated with older projects. Rather than timelessness, this makes them relevant. Disney’s cartoons tend to age gracefully, but they are static. Regardless of the era, Ariel remains a rebellious teenager fascinated by the unknown and plagued by daddy issues.
Destined to feature at Disneyland until the Sun decides to bow out, Aurora and Snow White will remain untouched by the passage of time. Happily ever after leaves little room for maturity. While Mickey forbids growth, fans are free to embrace the future! Here are 25 Disney characters turned into parents by the community!
25 Pocahontas’ Pride
Pocahontas tends to divide audiences. Many blame the film for ruining Disney’s momentum during the 1990s, while others rank it among the studio’s best work. Honestly, the truth resides somewhere in the middle. Pocahontas’ animation and music are generally quite solid, but the story leaves something to be desired. Regardless of whether someone likes the characters or not, there is no denying Disney completely disregarded historical accuracies in favor of crafting an unchallenging love story that frames a tragic cultural invasion as entertainment.
Closer to a model than a 10-year-old girl, Pocahontas’ eponymous heroine is a symbol rather than a genuine character. Perhaps, Pocahontas’ child will possess a touch more substance.
Art by ncfwhitetigress.
24 Rapunzel Is Simply Glowing!
Tangled saved Disney. As hyperbolic of a statement that may seem to be, Rapunzel’s 3D computer-animated adventure proved Mickey had a place in a post-2D world. As the last to employ traditional animation, The Princess and the Frog demonstrated the studio’s desperate need to adapt. Simply put, the winds of change threatened to shift Disney off course.
Tangled sparked a renaissance. Aided by strong male and female protagonists, Tangled manifested Disney’s trademark magic in a fresh coat of paint. Rapunzel and Flynn deserve a lot of credit for the cartoon’s success, with the couple’s banter coming across as authentic. They complete each other!
Art by XxUkarixX.
23 Who Needs Woody?
That’s what happens when complacency takes hold! Toy Story 2 introduces Jessie, a cowgirl who is practically a female version of Woody. If another studio handled the sequel, Jessie might have formed an inseparable bond with the cowboy, leading to a potential romance.
A tale as timeless as John Wayne.
However, Pixar is not merely any other studio. Rather than opt for the obvious pairing, Jessie finds a personal kinship in Buzz Lightyear, with the couple making it official in Toy Story 3. With a fourth sequel expected in 2019, the Toy Story family may be set to welcome an adorable new face!
Hang on! Can toys reproduce? As per usual, fan-art invites the tough questions.
Art by DarkmatterNova.
22 Agrabah’s Future Leader
Rfr67gal’s Jasmine is refreshing! By all accounts, childbirth seems to be quite a taxing experience. Obviously, this comment is not based on personal experience, but one does not need to break their foot to understand that a snap may be painful. Common sense should more than suffice.
Back to the art piece, Rfr67gal presents Jasmine with a semi-realistic post-pregnancy physique. After giving birth, Agrabah’s princess understandably requires some time before returning to her best, and that’s completely up to her. Assuming Genie resisted the urge to streamline the birthing process, Jasmine could not even depend on modern medicine to expedite the delivery.
21 A Fox’s Paternal Side
For those who have yet to watch Zootopia, alysantwanet’s tribute presumably comes across as a touching moment between a father and son. First things first; please, watch Zootopia! 2016’s crime drama is comfortably Disney’s most important project of the last decade. Crucially, Zootopia also happens to be the studio’s best.
In the film, Nick is a petty conman who charms people out of their hard-earned food and money. Even though undoubtedly charming and hilarious, the fox cannot be trusted. Adorably camouflaged as a baby elephant, Finnick works alongside Nick to trick unsuspecting folks. This entry is a lie! Quickly, check your pockets to make sure nothing has gone missing!
20 Snow White’s Happily Ever After!
Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Think about that for a second. In less than two decades, the studio’s feature will celebrate its hundredth birthday. Has anyone recently watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? The cartoon is absolutely gorgeous! Walt Disney understood the importance of creating an unforgettable first impression.
The cartoon’s animation remains as mind-blowingly awesome as the day it was released; however, the same cannot be said for Snow White. As a character, Disney’s original princess is a blank canvas. Luckily, Snow White found a guy who can match her blandness. Together, they should be able to produce the dullest babies!
Art by cenicyenta.
19 Rapunzel Handles The Dirty Work
Isaiah Stephens is back and more provocative than ever! Why are these creations so interesting? Diaper swapping is an unavoidable component of child rearing. Nobody said being a parent was easy or clean, and many people should be able to relate to such a scene. Yet, there is something strange about seeing a Disney princess in such a predicament.
Where is the whimsy?
Stephens’ art reimagines the studio’s idolized characters after the glitter fades. For all intents and purposes, Rapunzel’s essence survived the adaptation process in one piece; however, Stephens removed the Disney shine. Rather than Princess Rapunzel, Stephens concentrated on just Rapunzel. More often than not, that is enough!
Art by IsaiahStephens.
18 Street Rats Groomed For Royalty
Dated CGI notwithstanding, Aladdin is a testament to Disney’s brilliance. Sandwiched between two unbelievably popular productions in Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, Prince Ali faced the risk of being overshadowed by its older and younger siblings. The middle child tends to be suspended in limbo. One thing separates Aladdin from obscurity, and his name is Robin Williams.
That’s not to say the Genie carries the entire film, as Jasmine and Aladdin’s relationship works better than most. If nothing else, they have more chemistry than Simba and Nala, although the latter’s species forbid Disney from earnestly pursuing their romance.
Art by AgiVega.
17 Mowgli Leads His Own Pack
The Jungle Book tackles abandonment, fostering, and identity. Misplaced by his adventurous parents, Mowgli is found and raised by wolves. Engrained into the pack and adjusting to the life of a wolf, the child becomes a son of the jungle. As he grows older, Mowgli grows aware of his uniqueness and, ultimately, seeks out the human world.
Now, in all fairness, Disney’s adaptation primarily focuses on Mowgli’s time in the jungle, with the human village only coming into play at the very end. While it might be somewhat naive to expect Mowlgi to seamlessly assimilate into a completely different way of life, that’s what friends are for.
Art by Fairloke.
16 Papa Frollo, Seriously?
The Hunchback of Notre Dame attempts to adapt Victor Hugo’s influential novel for a modern Disney audience. The results are uneven, to say the least. Whenever the focus is squarely on Quasimodo, Frollo, and Esmeralda; the cartoon borders on being a masterpiece. Unfortunately, Disney could not resist adding a couple of comedy relief characters to entertain the children. The gargoyles are evil.
Regardless of personal preference, we can appreciate the appeal behind most fan-driven pairings. That being said, baikin-germ’s creation is baffling! Now, in all fairness, the author is hardly the only one to present Frollo as a “loving” father. Apparently, The Hunchback of Notre Dame was too subtle.
15 A Walk On The Tangled Side
Unsurprisingly, Disney’s most recent projects tend to feature prominently in the community. With the advent of the internet bestowing access to nearly everything, children are free to watch the classics at any moment; nevertheless, every generation gravitates towards contemporary art. Beauty and the Beast’s magnificence transcends the 1990s, but the cartoon is a byproduct of its era. Tangled and Frozen are more relevant in the current decade.
Rapunzel and Flynn are too adorable. Like any unbreakable romance, these two initially hated each other! Flynn comes across as a thug, while Rapunzel attracts trouble like moths to a flame. Luckily, Flynn has some moth blood running through his veins.
Art by Lokotei.
14 China’s Disney Dynasty
Is that a boy or a girl? The answer may seem apparent, but, when it comes to Mulan, nothing should be taken for granted. In 1998, Disney hired Eddie Murphy and set out to metaphorically scale the Great Wall of China. Despite garnering a warmer reception than The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, or Pocahontas; usually, Mulan tends to be perceived as B-tier Disney.
D-tier Disney demolishes any Illumination cartoon.
With the Huns out of the picture, Mulan and Li Shang are free to explore whether there is something between them. Considering the latter spends the majority of the film believing the former is a guy, they are practically strangers! Going by this tribute, things eventually work out!
Art by FreeWingsS.
13 Big Shoes To Fill
Frequently contributing to Cosmopolitan’s pages, Isaiah Stephens has an eye for Disney families. Artistically, the author’s creations capture the source material’s visual style, but the studio’s iconic characters are used as chesspiece to comment on socially relevant movements. Beyond a change of environment, Stephens subverts expectations by humanizing Disney’s idols.
Cinderella’s glass slipper symbolizes unrelenting hope, one not restricted by arbitrary rules or influenced by riches. For all intents and purposes, the shoe is untainted. Presented in a new context, suddenly, Cinderella’s footwear seems almost like a weight. Will the slipper help or hinder Cinderella’s daughter? Perhaps, she might be more comfortable in a pair of sneakers.
12 The (Super) Little Mermaid
Following a decade of misguided dark live-action films, a return to traditional animation was more than welcome. The Little Mermaid got several things right; Ursula, a catchy soundtrack, and Ariel’s picture-perfect design comprising the film’s greatest hits. As a protagonist, Princess Ariel holds more in common with the likes of Aurora and Cinderella than Belle or Jasmine.
Sending audiences home with a wedding, The Little Mermaid concludes with Princess Ariel literally marrying the first (human) guy she ever meets. True love sounds fabulous, but the honeymoon period cannot last forever. Hopefully, Ariel does not approach motherhood with the same naivety.
Art by atomicseasoning.
11 Please, Do Not Give Disney Any Ideas!
Recently, Disney has been buying studios like they are going out of style. The acquisition of 21st Century Fox adds various beloved franchises to Mickey’s collection, including Planet of the Apes and Alien. A joke-filled sequel to Prometheus sounds absolutely terrible, which would be a slight improvement over Alien: Covenant.
The future is bright! The future is Disney!
Helping to tide over Tangled fans until Frozen’s release, Rise of the Guardians is a delightful cartoon packed with quirky renditions of identifiable mythological beings. Due to the films coming out in close proximity, Disney and DreamWorks’ teenagers frequently find themselves involved in unofficial crossovers. For some reason, Anna and Elsa are always subjected to the Dragon Ball GT treatment.
Art by cosom.
10 Hopps & Nick Rebel Against Nature
Zootopia comments on racial tensions without relying on blatant imagery. Essentially, Disney’s cartoon is a decent version of Bright. In this universe, predators and prey share a fragile state of peace, but prejudices stemming from centuries of conflict continue to linger. Along with their species, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde live on opposing sides of the law.
Opposites attract and all that.
Clawhausersdonuts’ wholesome portrait raises the question: what happens when a rabbit and fox fuse? Surely, Hopps and Nick cannot be the first to blur the lines separating two species! Zootopia must be laced with anthropomorphic anomalies.
9 Beauty And The Beast (+1)
Beauty and the Beast holds the distinction of being the first animated film to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Disney’s masterpiece did not take home the prize, but that does not diminish the film’s accomplishments. Flaws exist in everything. Whether talking about Citizen Kane or Transformers, there is no such thing as a perfect film. Nevertheless, Beauty and the Beast flew extremely close to the sun!
With the curse lifted, the Beast returned to his human form and wedded Belle. Considering true love was the requirement to break the spell, Beauty and the Beast’s iconic lovers are as good as married.
Art by Mareishon.
8 Lady And The…
A picture can only contain so much cuteness before things start to become painful. Apparently, puppies are the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp garnered a lukewarm initial reception, but a cult following steadily grew surrounding the film.
“Cult” for Disney, anyway.
Based on Ward Greene’s “Happy Dan, The Cynical Dog,” Lady and the Tramp is a love story for the ages. Disney was hardly the first to discern the potential of pairing two individuals from opposing social backgrounds, but this particular premise is common for a valid reason. Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure introduced the couple’s son, and the film was one of the better sequels produced by Disney. Now, in all fairness, that means very little.
Art by Grincha.
7 Tangled Sees The Light
Speaking about Disney’s magic, TheNamelessDoll opted to recreate Tangled’s beautiful I See the Light sequence. Some authors prefer to teleport timeless characters into culturally relevant situations; on the other hand, others choose to amplify the source material’s fantastical tone. Personal preference aside, both methods can produce fascinating renditions capable of subverting expectations.
Older and wiser, Tangled’s irresistible couple seem to be adjusting relatively well to living in the lap of luxury. As a former thief, Flynn’s rise to the throne presumably attracted quite a bit of scrutiny, although Disney tends to not care for that sort of thing. These two look too perfect together for anybody to care!
6 Aladdin’s Wish
Growing up on the dangerous streets of Agrabah, Aladdin learned that hesitation could lead to a future behind bars or a swift end. The life of a street rat is filled with hardship and pain. Aladdin’s fortunes take a turn for the better when the protagonist discovers a magical lamp containing a wish-granting Genie. In a matter of hours, Ali transforms from a street rat into a prince!
Following an animated series and another sequel, Aladdin and the King of Thieves finally permitted Aladdin and Jasmine to tie the knot. As the wedding serves as the entire franchise’s climax, the cartoon does not specify whether children are added to the equation. Considering Jasmine is only 16 in Aladdin, they have all the time in the world.
Art by InTwilight.
