Over the years, Disney has shown that their distinctive characters are what make their movies what they are. This extends beyond fictional humans, like Elsa and Moana, to non-human characters, whether they're animals or something more mythical.

In releases solely by Disney or through the Pixar company, non-human characters give their films an alternative point of view, which can be used to great effect to explore themes and emotions that may otherwise be overlooked. The distance that non-human characters give the audience from a narrative can help them to pick up themes more clearly, which is a great storytelling tool for the studio.

Updated on November 17th, 2022 by Stacie Rook:

Non-human characters continue to be an integral part of Disney and Pixar's stories, as they have been throughout its history with icons like Mickey Mouse. Some of the best non-human characters have featured in their own Disney+ series in 2022, with Baymax returning in a collection of shorts titled Baymax!, and the cast of Zootopia telling new tales in Zootopia+.

Dug - Up (2009)

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Dug and Carl in Up

Up is a notoriously heartfelt film, and alongside Carl and Russell for the journey is Dug, a golden retriever with a collar that translates his thoughts to words and who has all the earnestness and love that's associated with his breed.

Dug's energy and humor helps to balance out the tone of the movie, which deals with serious issues, whether he's gaining instant affection for Carl or being distracted by a far-off squirrel. Additionally, his own journey from being surrounded by dogs who don't understand him to finding a master that grows to appreciate him makes for a satisfying secondary plot.

Robin Hood - Robin Hood (1973)

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Robin Hood dreamily stirring a stew

The titular protagonist of Robin Hood remains a hugely likable character, whether he's proving his archery prowess or pulling off heists to provide for the poor. His combination of wits and heart means he speaks some of the movie's best quotes, and the dynamics he shares with those he loves and those he opposes are equally fun to watch.

The choice to make the characters of this Robin Hood adaptation into animals only adds to its charm, using each species' perceived traits in order to emphasize something about the characters. In Robin Hood's case, the slyness of the fox helps cement his personality as a cunning and intelligent trickster.

WALL-E - WALL-E (2008)

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WALL-E on top of a pile of garbage looking up at the sky

WALL-E follows a robot of the same name, the last of his kind, made to clean up litter on a planet crowded with it. WALL-E's sentience makes him have a curious nature, and the story also follows his budding relationship with a robot named EVE.

Set on Earth in the distant future, the fact that WALL-E is a non-human protagonist helps show how the world has changed, and how people responded to the mess. WALL-E's perseverance in the face of so much carnage makes viewers root for him and shows the impact just one figure can have on the world.

Simba - The Lion King (1994)

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Simba in the animated Lion King

Simba's story in The Lion King is a coming-of-age narrative, following him from birth through to adulthood as the dangers of life and the plotting of his uncle Scar disrupt his journey to becoming king.

As a brave individual, Simba's reaction to the heartbreak of his father's death, fleeing the scene, and his later return home are moments heavy with emotional resonance. The use of the animal kingdom in the movie is a parallel to hierarchies in human society, and the use of the circle of life as a way to explain the natural order of things only adds to the film's surprising relatability.

Joy - Inside Out (2015)

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Joy from Inside Out

Dealing with emotions in the most literal sense, Inside Out personifies five feelings that oversee protagonist Riley's actions and personality, one of which is Joy.

As the embodiment of her name, Joy's approach to every situation is one of optimism, but over the course of the movie, she learns to better value other emotions and their utility, particularly that of Sadness. Though characters being used to represent a single emotion could seem one note, Inside Out uses their relation to one another as a way to explore the complexity of feelings.

Sisu - Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)

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Sisu and Raya in Raya and the Last Dragon

Sisu is the last living dragon in Raya and the Last Dragon, and she aids Raya in her quest to reunite the five pieces of the powerful dragon gem.

Though she is revered by humans for her power and has a noble appreciation for the act of forgiveness, Sisu is also loving and hilarious, often making self-deprecating jokes that contrasts her with Raya's personality. Her fullness of character helps carry the message of the film whilst also providing further insight into the movie's setting.

Judy Hopps - Zootopia (2016)

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Judy Hopps in Zootopia

Zootopia is a movie that broke the Disney fairytale formula, and it positions many of its characters at odds with a viewer's expectations of them, using the tropes that often fill animal-centric stories and then turning them on their heads.

Rabbit protagonist Judy Hopps is no exception to this exploration, as the movie revolves around the perception others have of her and her abilities, as contrasted with her own knowledge of what she's capable of. Framed in this way, Judy headlines a story that examines prejudice through the structure of its animal society, clearly and concisely explaining complicated topics to great effect.

Baymax - Big Hero 6 (2014)

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Baymax standing with different face emojis projecting on his belly

Big Hero 6 has a narrative that is propelled by Hiro's grief for his brother Tadashi, and during that process, he develops a friendship with Baymax that helps him significantly.

Baymax is key to some of both the movie's funniest and saddest moments, whether it's through trying to understand why Hiro is upset when showing no physical symptoms of injury or learning how to fist bump. Infused with Tadashi's warmth and patience, Baymax provides Hiro with both comfort and curiosity, and that's largely what makes him a likable main character in Disney+'s Baymax!.

Mike Wazowski - Monsters Inc. (2001)

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Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc.

Monsters Inc. is full of fantastic non-human characters, but Mike Wazowski's strong sense of humor makes him stand out even in that world.

His interpretation of humans is a great source of laughs in the movie, whilst his charming approach to romance with his girlfriend Celia provides a needed counter to Sulley's more introverted personality. Additionally, his pursuit of comedy at the movie's conclusion highlights the movie's message, that fear isn't the best method for achieving your goals.

Genie - Aladdin (1992)

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Genie in animated Disney Aladdin

Disney's Aladdin would not be the same without Robin Williams' performance as the Genie, with his trademark snark and showy powers, often used to manifest delightful visual gags full of pop culture references.

Far from being solely a comic relief character though, the Genie acts as a warning of the shortcomings that come from having vast amounts of influence over the world. Whilst he can grant others' wishes that can have a massive impact on reality, he's always reliant on the whims of other people. Ultimately, Jafar's failure to see these same downfalls is what leads to his own defeat.

NEXT: 10 Non-Disney Movies That Feel Just Like Disney