Typical Disney sidekicks provide comic relief or cuteness, often both, and they almost always prove to be valuable assets. Always there to help and comfort the protagonist (or serve the villain), Disney sidekicks are often loyal, whether out of choice or following orders.
Regardless of their motives, Disney sidekicks come in all shapes and sizes, from adorable animal helpers to clumsy evil henchmen. And more importantly, each Disney sidekick has a unique personality. Thus, it's certain that there is at least one Disney sidekick to represent each sign of the Chinese zodiac.
Rat - Mushu
Mushu the dragon is undoubtedly one of the most popular Disney sidekicks out there. Wisecracking and with some great quotes, Mushu's motives were initially selfish but he soon grows fond of Mulan and soon chooses to help her out of loyalty and friendship.
Rats are known for their quick-witted thinking and Mushu certainly demonstrates this, whether it's helping Mulan to pass as a male soldier or covering his tracks when he accidentally destroys the Great Stone Dragon. What's more, Rats are charming and very likable, and whilst Mushu isn't well-received by the ancestors, he is very much adored by fans.
Ox - Sergeant Tibbs
An underrated Disney sidekick is Sergeant Tibbs, the well-meaning cat from One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Following orders from his superiors, Captain the horse and old sheepdog Colonel, Tibbs single-handedly rescues all ninety-nine puppies from Jasper and Horace.
Tibbs is an honest and hard worker who doesn't seek any reward or praise for his rescue mission, qualities associated with people born in the year of the Ox. What's more, Oxes are logical thinkers and as he is a successful 'soldier' who must answer to the old and rather absent-minded Colonel, Tibbs certainly must have brains on duty.
Tiger - Tinker Bell
Tinker Bell may be small and silent but her personality is arguably the biggest and boldest out of any character in Peter Pan. This and her iconic status as one of Disney's staple characters has undoubtedly made her one of the best movie fairies ever.
Her big and fiery personality is what makes Tinker Bell a perfect fit for the year of the Tiger. Tigers are not only fierce and think with emotions but they are very independent and loyal, just like Tinker Bell. This is especially evident through her jealousy of Wendy and loyalty to Peter.
Watch Peter Pan on Disney+ now.
Rabbit - Jiminy Cricket
Another iconic Disney character is Jiminy Cricket, the wise conscience of Pinocchio. Appointed by the Blue Fairy to guide the wooden boy, Jiminy Cricket proves to not only be a good teacher but a loyal friend.
People born in the year of the Rabbit are smart, kind, and sincere, which Jiminy most certainly demonstrates these characteristics no matter what the situation, especially sincerity. What's more, Rabbits have great skills in reasoning, and who better to have this quality than an officially pointed conscience?
Dragon - Genie
Thanks to marvelous character animation and fantastic voice acting from Robin Williams, the Genie remains one of the most beloved Disney characters to this day. This isn't just down to his excellent sense of humor but also his heartwarming friendship with Aladdin.
Because of his warmth, endless charisma, and energy and the Genie couldn't be a more perfect Disney sidekick to represent the year of the Dragon. What's more, Dragons are supposedly work-orientated and until he was freed from the lamp, Genie was technically this by default due to being bound to the lamp.
Snake - Sir Hiss
Sir Hiss is the sniveling sidekick of the childish Prince John in Robin Hood. But because of his constant mistreatment despite easily being the most competent of the movie's villains, Sir Hiss is something of a sympathetic Disney villain.
Hiss being a snake is not the only thing that makes him befitting of the sign. People born in the year of the Snake are known for being intelligent, alert, and observant, exactly like Hiss when it came to Robin Hood and Little John's disguises. Additionally, Snakes are supposedly sophisticated and there's no denying Hiss's etiquette (in partial thanks to his voice actor Terry-Thomas.)
Watch Robin Hood on Disney+ now.
Horse - Pegasus
Pegasus is the flying steed and loyal friend of Hercules, who sticks by him from the very start of his quest to become a true hero and beyond. His loyalty and comic relief have made him a delightful character to watch, not to mention he made an adorable baby.
Horses are said to have a lot of energy and a love of traveling, a perfect fit for a flying horse that is also Hercules' main mode of transport. What's more, Horses have a sense of humor, are selfless, and are willing to help others no matter what, just like Pegasus is, especially to Hercules.
Sheep - Mr. Smee
With his lack of physical strength and kind-hearted demeanor, it's something of a mystery as to how and why Mr. Smee became the sidekick of Captain Hook, one of Disney's notorious villains. Regardless, it makes Smee a great representative for the year of the Sheep.
In addition to his soft nature, what also makes Smee suitable for the year of the Sheep is how he looks after Captain Hook as well as the ship. Smee is never seen fighting but rather making sure the ship is, well, shipshape, and taking care of his frazzled Captain, no matter what state the latter is in.
Monkey - Morph
Morph is the sentient shape-shifting blob from the underrated Disney gem Treasure Planet. Extremely mischievous yet adorable, Morph is the pet of cyborg Long John Silver but he quickly grows fond of Jim Hawkins and becomes more his sidekick than the former.
Morph's endless energy, intelligence, and mischief make him a perfect fit for the year of the Monkey. Additionally, Monkeys are flexible and can adapt to any environment. Morph not only demonstrates this with his shapeshifting skills but with the ever-changing situation when the pirates declared mutiny.
Rooster - Maximus
The captain of the Royal Guards' loyal horse, Maximus ended up being one of the standout stars of Tangled. In fact, because of Maximus, it can be said that Tangled is one Disney movie where the sidekick is better than the main character.
Maximus is a very driven horse when it comes to his duty, whether he's on his own or leading the other guards' horses, so his hard work ethic, leadership and independence make him a suitable fit for the Rooster. What's more, Roosters don't give up easily, can be fierce, and criticize upon those whom they see unfit. All of this comes to mind when Maximus is pursuing Flynn Rider.
Watch Tangled on Disney+ now.
Dog - Flounder
Despite being something of a coward, Flounder the fish is never far from his best friend Ariel's side in all of her adventures in The Little Mermaid. It is his loyalty to Ariel that not only outdoes his cowardice but also makes him befitting for the year of the Dog.
As well as loyalty, Flounder often shows doubt and is nervous in certain situations (such as exploring a sunken ship) and people born in the year of the Dog can be anxious in certain situations. However, like Flounder (with goading from Ariel), Dogs do not let this stop them and will overcome any obstacle no matter what.
Pig - Meeko
Meeko is the mischievous yet adorable raccoon friend of Pocahontas. Motivated by his ravenous appetite, Meeko is often getting himself into trouble, particularly with Governor Ratcliffe's spoilt pet pug Percy.
Pigs are said to be motivated by materialism to work hard, no matter what the job, and when food is involved, Meeko shows no fear and will do what it takes to get it. Furthermore, people born in the year of the Pig are often enthusiastic and have lots of energy, just like Meeko is.