8 Best Disney Baby Characters, Ranked

Disney characters come in all ages so it’s only natural to find baby characters among its many animated movies. Although the baby characters of Disney are usually in the infant stage of the protagonist, they often help set up the premise and action of the movie through their actions or what is happening around them.

Equally, some baby characters stay babies throughout and make an impact regardless, whether it’s who they are, what they do to move the plot or simply being cute and making the audience laugh. From baby gods to baby deer, the best of the Disney babies both impact the movie and entertain the audience.

8 Baby Simba (The Lion King)

It is fair to say that The Lion King is one of Disney’s most critically acclaimed and beloved movies ever made. One reason is because of its fantastic music numbers, such as “The Circle of Life.” The opening scene is one of the timeless moments of The Lion King that is still iconic to this day.

And it is during “The Circle of Life” that the animals of the savannah, and the audience, are first introduced to the next lion king, Simba. Although baby Simba is only on screen for a few minutes, it is the birth of Simba that sets off the events of the movie. Furthermore, it sets off the movie in one of Disney’s most iconic opening songs and scenes ever, and it brings the movie in a full circle, ending with the introduction of Simba’s newborn cub.

7 Baby Tarzan (Tarzan)

Although most recognizable as the strong tree-swinging ape-man, Tarzan is first introduced in the movie as an adorable baby. When Kala, the matriarch of the gorilla troop, hears the cries of an infant, she leaves the troop to investigate, and finds the baby Tarzan hidden in the wreckage of a treehouse.

This first interaction between baby Tarzan and Kala, who had lost her own baby, is funny, endearing, and heartwarming. Although Kala is initially confused and curious, her maternal instincts quickly kick in and it starts one of Disney’s most loving parent-child relationships. It’s partly because of this strong bond that “You’ll Be In My Heart” is one of the movie’s most beautiful musical moments.

6 Baby Herman (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Perhaps Disney’s most unusual baby, and one of the funniest, is Baby Herman, the cartoon star of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The audience first sees the hapless Roger trying to rescue Baby Herman from the perils of the kitchen in the style of a traditional slapstick animated cartoon.

At first glance, Herman seems like a cute and innocent baby. But it is soon revealed that Herman is in fact a gravelly-voiced, cigar-smoking middle-aged man trapped in an infant’s body. The juxtaposition of an adorable baby and a grouchy gruff man is extremely hilarious and unexpected. The funniest moment is when Herman starts bawling over his dropped cigar with a silly man-baby cry.

5 Bambi (Bambi)

Disney’s fifth animated classic is Bambi, the story about a fawn who grows up to become Prince of the Forest. Although perhaps not the most linear in plots, Bambi has remained one of Disney’s most iconic movies.

Baby Bambi is very cute and an utter delight to watch. From the moment he tries to stand up to his attempts at ice skating, young Bambi is both adorable and funny, particularly when he’s spending time with his friend Thumper. It is perhaps because of Bambi’s endearing and lovable nature that the death of his mother is still so impactful after many decades. It’s one of the most heartbreaking deaths in Disney movies to this day.

4 Dumbo (Dumbo)

Dumbo recently received the Disney live-action treatment under the helm of gothic director Tim Burton. But it just didn’t live up to expectations and it doesn’t hold a candle to the original traditionally animated 1941 movie.

Despite its controversial and outdated depictions of the crows, Dumbo is a charming and heart-warming movie and one key reason is the titular baby elephant himself. With his adorable appearance and sweet nature, Dumbo easily wins the hearts of anyone who watches him, all without uttering a single word, and the moment he starts to fly is true Disney magic. There is little doubt that Dumbo is one of Disney’s most adorable and iconic characters.

3 Baby Moana (Moana)

Moana is one of Disney’s more recent addition to their princess movie line-up but it is also one of their most refreshing. One reason is that the eponymous heroine grows greatly as a character as she sets out on a soul-searching quest to become a great sea voyager.

One of the opening scenes sees Moana as a baby playing by the sea. Moana is already a really cute baby but it is when she starts to interact with the ocean spirit that the scene truly comes to life. Baby Moana’s awe and joy at the ocean is endearing, reflecting that of the audience as well, and it already sets up just how strong Moana truly is.

2 Baby Hercules (Hercules)

Hercules is not only one of the best animated Disney himbo characters but also one of the company’s best babies. Like Simba, it is the birth of Hercules that sets off the events of the movie. But unlike Simba, baby Hercules gets a bit more screen time.

Baby Hercules is certainly cute but what makes him an enjoyable character is that he is already demonstrating his great strength. He very easily breaks Hades’ finger (so he essentially broke a god’s finger), and he single-handedly defeats Pain and Panic, two immortal imps of the Underworld. Both moments are hilarious and already prove how strong Hercules really is, even when he becomes mortal. A special mention should also go to baby Pegasus, who is simply adorable to watch.

1 Jack-Jack (The Incredibles)

During the events of The Incredibles, Jack-Jack, the son of Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, is seemingly a normal baby born without powers. But that all changes towards the end of the movie when Syndrome kidnaps him and the Parr infant demonstrates a number of superpowers in a number of hilarious and jaw-dropping seconds.

The second movie really makes full use of Jack-Jack not only as a baby but as a superhero, and it’s one of the best features of The Incredibles 2. In fact, Jack-Jack is partially responsible for saving the day in the end. Jack-Jack is Disney’s best baby not only because he is adorable and funny but he seems to be able to take care of himself.

About The Author