Top 10 Best Disney Dads of All Time
![Top 10 Best Disney Dads of All Time](/uploads/blipthumbs/MM-Film-Top10-Best-Disney-Dads-of-All-Time_U1F6F0-720p30-2_480.jpg)
Your hearts will be warmed because we're counting down our picks for the top ten best Disney dads of all time. For this list, we're looking at those animated fathers who taught their children (and us) some of the greatest lessons in life. To be clear, we are only including those who are truly fathers; father figures don't count. With that in mind, get ready to call your dad after this list.
#10: Geppetto
“Pinocchio” (1940)
A lonely old carpenter living a simple life with his pets, Geppetto carves out a little marionette of a little boy and names it Pinocchio. He loves his creation so much that, late one night, he wishes the puppet was alive, and lo and behold, the wish comes true! Despite the unique circumstances of their relationship, Geppetto treats Pinocchio as though he were his real son, and their time together, brief as it may be, is full of heartwarming – and heartbreaking – moments. If Pinocchio is a real boy, then Geppetto is a real dad and then some.
#9: King Triton
“The Little Mermaid” (1989)
At first, it may be a little hard to love King Triton. He is quick to anger and a bit of a bigot when it comes to humans. Though we find out in later instalments of the series that he hates humans because they killed his wife, we can’t help but be angry toward him in the original film. Still, Triton’s fierce nature comes mostly out of an intense love for his daughters - especially his youngest, Ariel - and eventually, he comes to learn the error of his ways and even helps Ariel be with the man she loves.
#8: Zeus
“Hercules” (1997)
From the start of this film, we can see that Zeus truly cares about his son. The booming laughter and big smile when he first discovers Hercules’s strength is evidence enough of that. However, when his baby is stolen and there’s almost nothing he can do to bring him back, he does the next best thing: guide him with words of advice that are filled with love. An ultimately optimistic god, he truly believes in his son and sees all the good the young Hercules has done and can do. And not unlike King Triton, he even loves him enough to let him go.
#7: Fa Zhou
“Mulan” (1998)
What is that old saying? Still waters run deep. Well, that saying could not be more true for Mulan’s father, Fa Zhou. The man holds his family close to his heart; close enough to know when to be strict out of cultural respect, but also close enough to know what is best for them, even if that means letting go of control. He is also filled to the brim with loving wisdom that he doles out when he feels it’s needed. He may not be able to lift a sword, but he knows how to lift Mulan’s spirits, and in the end, that’s where his true strength lies.
#6: Maurice
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
When it comes to inventing, this father’s brain seems to be everywhere at once. When it comes to his daughter Belle though, he shows an almost single-minded devotion. While Belle may be more of a parent to him than he is to her, Maurice also supports his daughter in being whomever or whatever she wants to be. He may just be “crazy, old Maurice” to the townsfolk, but to Belle, he is a genius, and a wonderful, loving father. And it’s that opinion that matters most, isn’t it?
#5: Goofy
“A Goofy Movie” (1995)
Can you ever love your children too much? To ask Max Goof, yes. Yes, you can. But maybe that’s because his father, Goofy, is… well, goofy, All that goofiness can be embarassing, especially when you’re a teenager, and as a result, Max and Goofy have a bit of a strained relationship. However, it’s clear that despite his shortcomings, all Goofy wants is to spend more time with his son. Luckily, a cross-country road trip full of hilarious hijinks and sweet bonding moments builds a bridge between Max and Goofy, and by the end of the film the pair finally see “I2I.”
#4: Pongo
“One Hundred and One Dalmatians” (1961)
From the moment Pongo’s pups are born, you can see paternal love emanating from his eyes. But not only did he save his own pups from a horrid fate; he saved tens more. He stands by the children, helping them through driving snow, despite his own tired paws. He’s a clever one too, getting them past Cruella with just a bit of soot. And when all are in the safety of his pet’s home, he’s happy to adopt them all! Don’t let that one go, Perdy!
#3: Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible
“The Incredibles” (2004)
Bob Parr might start off craving superheroics over domestic bliss, but he finds the balance eventually. Despite his general lack of commitment to dealing with the tougher aspects of family lfe, you can still see the love and excitement on his face during the happier moments. Perhaps this is why he’s so easy to forgive when he finally admits his faults and begins to turn his life around. By opening himself up to his wife and kids, Bob proves that he’s not only Mr. Incredible; He’s an incredible dad too!
#2: Marlin
“Finding Nemo” (2003)
Throughout this adventurous story, there are two styles of parenting used. And while Crush is completely hands-off with Squirt, allowing the little turtle to find his own way through the big blue, Marlin is much more neurotic and overbearing. However, it is Marlin’s need to protect Nemo that carries him across the ocean and back, opening him up to new experiences, albeit a little forcefully. These experiences ultimately help Marlin realize that he can let Nemo go off on his own once and a while, without sacrificing any of his love for the little fish.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Professor Porter
“Tarzan” (1999)
The Sultan
“Aladdin” (1992)
Chief Powhatan
“Pocahontas” (1995)
#1: Mufasa
“The Lion King” (1994)
Whose childhood wasn’t destroyed by this proud lion’s death, and the gut-wrenching cries of his cub that followed? Mufasa’s deep, wise voice taught not only Simba, but all of us, about bravery and fear. Mufasa always had the right words to say, and knew exactly when to say them. Even his traumatic death managed to teach us about the importance of the circle of life. Though he didn’t live to see Simba reach adulthood, Mufasa’s wisdom, knowledge, and love continued to live on through his son. Now, that is one kingly father.
![User](/my/images/anonymous.png)
![Like](/images/upN2.png)
![Dislike](/images/down2.png)
![Report](/images/flag_r.png)
![Like](/images/up2.png)
![Dislike](/images/downN2.png)
![Report](/images/flag.png)
![Like](/images/upN2.png)
![Dislike](/images/downN2.png)
![Report](/images/flag_r.png)