Top 10 Best Disney Sidekicks

Up next, we have the anxiety-ridden tropical fish that always overcomes his fears to assist his much more adventurous best friend, Ariel. No matter how nervous, Flounder has always been completely supportive of Ariel’s dream to walk on the shore. This unwavering support and genuine friendship isn’t quite something Ariel gets from her other sea companion, Sebastian. Although Scuttle shares an interest in the human world with Ariel, this not-so-knowledgeable bird only becomes a true sidekick to the mermaid princess once she gets her land legs, unlike Flounder who has been inseparable from Ariel since childhood. When a friend is willing to overcome their penchant for panic to help battle a sea witch with you, that’s how you know they’re truly your BFF.

You would think every snowman had a fear of heat–but not this guy! Olaf approaches the concept of a fiery summer with childlike wonder, due to his affinity for the tender warmth of hugs. Serving as the physical manifestation of Anna and Elsa’s childhood bond, this optimistic goof constantly places himself in peril in order to reunite these royal sisters. Although the reindeer Sven is also responsible for rescuing Anna multiple times, he doesn’t serve as the reminder of the sisterly bond that ends up unfreezing Elsa. Armed with overwhelming innocence and a constantly re-arranging body, Olaf manages to not only to help save the kingdom, but also teach Anna the meaning of true love.

She may be small, but she’s the feistiest fairy you’ll ever meet. Although she’s stubborn and prone to jealousy, once you’re on Tinkerbell’s good side, she’s one of the most loyal friends you could ask for. Serving as Peter Pan’s right-hand gal and partner in crime, Tinkerbell produces the fairy dust he needs to fly and to get him out of tough situations. Yes, she became so over-protective of Peter that she tried to have Wendy killed, but that was only because of her devotion to her best friend. And she completely redeemed herself by sacrificing her own life to save Peter from Captain Hook’s bomb. Eventually, she mends her relationship with Wendy, proving that she only has Peter’s best interests at heart.

The comical self-assurance of an over-compensating dragon combined with all the wit and charm of Eddie Murphy, makes Mushu one of the funniest sidekicks to come out of Disney. He may only be the size of a lizard, but his ego knows no bounds. Mushu is the bottom rung of guardian spirits, and upon first meeting Mulan, he selfishly puts the young warrior in danger just to improve his status with his fellow ancestors. Mushu shows his true colors though, when he admits his wrongdoings to Mulan and stays by her side to fend off the Huns. Mushu may be a tad self-centered, but he has guarded Mulan’s family for generations and refuses to abandon her no matter what.

Who could ever forget the impossibly optimistic and forever sociable blue tang fish, Dory? Well, I guess Dory could... you know, because she suffers from short-term memory loss. Dory completely owns her disability and remains resourceful, creative, and strong throughout her adventures fleeing from sharks and escaping through the blowholes of whales, accomplishing what most fish could not. Using her language skills, Dory helps Marlin traverse the ocean to find his son, while also teaching this pessimistic father to stop being so overprotective and take a risk. Whether on the sidelines or starring in her own story, Dory reminds us all to believe in ourselves and just keep swimming.

There are two kinds of people: rule-followers and rule-breakers. That’s the perfect way to sum up the iconic duo Lumière and Cogsworth. The strict, no-nonsense clock, Cogsworth follows orders verbatim, while the rebellious womanizing candelabra, Lumière, is more focused on having a good time. While polar opposites in personality, Lumière and Cogsworth remain the best of friends and loyal supporters of their master… even though their master caused them to be cursed and turned into household objects. Now that’s dedication! Both provide love advice to the big, bad Beast, and take up arms to defend him when an angry mob arrives at the door. No two sidekicks will show you a better evening with world-class service than Lumière and Cogsworth.

The most fun-loving, carefree duo on the savannah, Timon and Pumbaa live a life filled with nothing but relaxation and delicious grub. Pumbaa, the sweet, noble warthog, and Timon, the sarcastic, self-absorbed meerkat with a heart of gold, take Simba under their wing and teach him to live a life unrestricted by responsibility. Unlike Simba’s other caretaker, Zazu, these two never push the young prince into being something that he’s not; they merely love him unconditionally. Despite their problem-free philosophy, however, Timon and Pumbaa will throw themselves into any dangerous situation to save each other and their beloved ward. Sure, they can be overprotective at times, but they’ll always pick you up when you’re feeling down. Hakuna Matata, am I right?

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Pegasus
“Hercules” (1997)

Terk & Tantor
“Tarzan” (1999)

The Gargoyles
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)

Ray & Louis
“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)

Thumper & Flower
“Bambi” (1942)

Pascal & Maximus
“Tangled” (2010)

This larger-than-life Genie of the lamp possesses phenomenal cosmic powers and the frantic comic energy of Robin Williams, which makes him not only a world-class impressionist, but also the most powerful being in Agrabah. Even more defining than his power, though, is the genie’s kind heart and selfless nature. He wants nothing more than to see Aladdin succeed, and is willing to sacrifice his own freedom for all eternity just to make his friend’s wish come true. Aladdin may have Abu, his monkey partner in crime, and the magic carpet, but Genie is the only one that offers him pure friendship, as well as a whole new world of possibilities. Don’t you wish you had a friend like him?

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite Disney sidekick? For more magical Top 10s every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.