It's an unwritten rule for every Disney movie that there must be at least one impossibly adorable animal. This holds even more true in the case of the beloved princess films, which find the central princess characters accompanied by trusty animal sidekicks that guide them on their journeys.

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In just shy of a century of making beloved animated movies, Disney has created hundreds upon hundreds of adorable animals. Whether they're background characters in nature scenes, cherished family pets, spiritual mentors, gifts, or anything else entirely, Disney's animated animals rank among the best friends any fictional character could hope for — and the cutest.

Pua (Moana)

Pua in Moana

Though he may not be the animal sidekick that gets to go along on Moana's seafaring adventure, her childhood pal, Pua the pig, still ranks high among the all-time list of Disney's cutest animal friends. No offense to Hei Hei, who is cute in his own right, but it's hard to beat Pua's wide-eyed stare and adorably clumsy antics.

From Moana's earliest days, Pua is right at her side, even when she eats pork in front of him to his horror. He tries his best to brave the wild sea, but soon develops a fear of the water. Thus, he remains on land, content to drink from coconuts and hide under carpets.

Cri-Kee (Mulan)

Cri-Kee from Disney's Mulan

He may not be quite the lucky cricket in the way that Grandmother Fa had claimed, but Cri-Kee is still one heck of a trusty bug in Mulan. Accompanying Mulan and her ancestral dragon guide Mushu on the battlefield, Cri-Kee more than proves his talents as a lucky charm for Grandmother Fa and Mulan alike, even if he inadvertently sabotages her meeting with the Matchmaker.

He's a skilled typist, an excellent drummer, and a gifted negotiator, as he manages to lift Mushu out of a bad mood on multiple important occasions.

Abu (Aladdin)

Abu with a piece of bread in 'Aladdin'

Aladdin isn't the only character who lives like a "street rat" in the classic animated film Aladdin; he has his trusty sidekick, the tiny monkey Abu, to accompany him on that journey. Though faithful to Aladdin through thick and thin, Abu still manages to be one of Disney's more jaded and selfish animal counterparts, all while remaining equally lovable and downright hilarious.

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Accustomed to having things for himself and himself alone, Abu is reluctant to give up his scraps of bread and causes trouble by seeking out giant rubies that are off-limits. But Abu helps Aladdin no matter what, especially in his wooing of Princess Jasmine — even though he makes fun of Aladdin's crush, too.

Baby Pegasus (Hercules)

When he grows into an adult-size winged horse, Pegasus is Hercules' most faithful companion and means of transportation. But in his infancy, Baby Pegasus is just too cute for words, more than worthy of being considered one of Disney's cutest creatures, despite how little screentime he actually has.

Baby Pegasus is created by Zeus from "a little cirrus, a touch of nimbostratus, and a dash of cumulus" clouds as a gift for his newborn son, Hercules. From the moment the two babies meet, it's love at first sight, and their brief mischievous playtime and adorable naps together are just a glimpse of what's to come.

Bruni (Frozen 2)

Frozen 2 Bruni Fire Salamander

Olaf and Sven may have been the star sidekicks in Frozen, but Frozen 2's cutest character award undeniably belongs to the Fire Spirit himself, the tiny salamander Bruni.

Bruni is another character who is seldom used in the film, but his cuteness far outweighs his brief screentime. Though a fire creature by his elemental nature, Bruni is much like Olaf and loves the opposite temperature. In his case, he has a particular fondness for eating snowflakes and an adorable dynamic with Elsa, who happily feeds them to him whenever she can.

Little Brother (Mulan)

Little-Brother-Mulan

Just as Pua is Moana's childhood pet and friend, Little Brother fills that same role in Mulan — and easily steals the show in much of the film's first act. Little Brother is not exactly the brightest dog ever depicted in a Disney movie, but he just might be the cutest and most lovable one because of that.

Known for causing chaos wherever he goes, Little Brother loves to help Mulan out, especially if it means he gets to chase chickens around. He also inadvertently loves to bother Mulan's father, Fa Zhou, in the process.

Meeko (Pocahontas)

Though Meeko might technically be one of Pocahontas's best friends, the trouble-making and always hungry raccoon is perhaps even better remembered and even more beloved because of his unexpected friendship with the persnickety and proper dog, Percy.

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Meeko loves to cause trouble and roam the wilderness, eating whatever he can find in the process and offering his own cheeky wordless commentary on Pocahontas' life. But he also loves to bother the decidedly not outdoorsy Percy, with the two of them frequently fighting, whether over food or in the bath.

Marie (The Aristocats)

Marie in The Aristocats

The Aristocats might feature an entire family of cats and kittens, as well as countless other alley cats and dogs who roam the streets of Paris, but it's clear that the film's real animated animal star is none other than the self-professed lady, Marie.

A true diva and a trained singer, Marie is the belle of the ball in every scene she's in, even though she's also not afraid to get down and dirty and fight her troublemaking brothers Berlioz and Toulouse. She's a sensitive lady who's eager to learn more about the wide world around her, but also comfortable to remain in her life of luxury.

Figaro (Pinocchio)

Figaro next to Cleo's tank in Pinocchio

Perhaps one of the most underrated animals in the entirety of the Disney canon is Ge0petto's adorable kitten, Figaro. With unforgettably hilarious reactions to the slightest interruption, whether sleeping or awake, Figaro is one of the earliest Disney pets and also one of the most expressive.

Figaro's interactions with Geppetto's pet fish, Cleo, also feature some of the film's funniest moments. Though Figaro is a relatively small part of the movie overall, he goes on to become Minnie Mouse's pet cat in later films, showing just how much staying power he really has.

Gus Gus (Cinderella)

Gus Gus in Cinderella

Cinderella is a movie filled with adorable tiny animals, both birds and mice. But after all these years, the most beloved and undeniably most adorable of them all is still the chubby, goofy, clumsy mouse best known as Gus Gus.

Though not an original member of Cinderella's group of mouse companions, Gus (full name Octavius) quickly becomes Jaq's right-hand man. With an over-eager appetite, a love of beads and shiny things, and a willingness to fight even the meanest of cats, Gus is a larger-than-life personality in a very small package.

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