With so many animated features under its domain, Disney’s been hard at work crafting meaningful stories for each new generation. Some focus on an adventure of self-discovery, while others highlight interactions between complex characters.
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As far as escapist fantasies go, there are some relationships between characters that feel real despite the cartoony aesthetic and settings. Disney has its fair share of iconic duos that feel perfect together, but some couples just have a more meaningful impact on-screen. Witnessing their love unfold feels endearing and reinvigorates hope for a pure world where love triumphs over all.
10 Li Shang And Mulan
As unconventional as their pairing initially seemed, Li Shang’s acceptance of Mulan’s rebellious nature and growth as a character made him love her even more as a person and eventually redeemed him of his prior issues toward finding out her real identity.
Both of them went through quite the journey together and showed character development by the end of their arcs. They pair up fairly well together on-screen and feel like a legitimate couple in the sequel to Mulan.
9 Milo And Kida
Name a more iconic duo than Milo and Kida from the underrated gem Atlantis: The Lost Empire. A nerdy history buff with almost no combat skills paired up with a warrior princess capable of decimating a horde of foes. It was a match-up that shouldn’t work, but somehow the writing made it happen, and it felt fairly organic.
They have real chemistry with each other, and it shows regardless of whether you’re watching the sequels or the spin-off animated series.
8 Bernard And Bianca
These two were a team way before they even felt like they were meant to be romantically entwined, and that contributed to their synergy and chemistry. Bianca’s charm and Bernard’s clumsy yet brave demeanor work surprisingly well together, making them such a viable duo when it comes to helping out people.
Even though Disney’s The Rescuers failed to captivate audiences as much as the rest of Disney’s lineup of animated films, it still gave us one of the cutest anthropomorphized couples to hit the big screen.
7 Flynn And Rapunzel
You wouldn’t expect a traveling con artist to find some redemption and true love while he’s at it, but somehow Flynn managed to pull it off after saving a girl stuck in a tower. Flynn and Rapunzel'sr adventures together helped them bond better, and they felt like a real couple by the time the story reached its climax.
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They’re both charming, hilarious, and fairly cute together on-screen. Since they both kick-started their journey not entirely trusting each other, it felt nice seeing them transition into a power couple.
6 Tiana And Naveen
A sassy jazz-loving New Orleans waitress falling in love with a cocky has-been prince who’s been transformed into a frog was perhaps one of the weirdest ways to present an unconventional relationship, but somehow it eventually worked.
Despite not being very fond of each other at the start of the film, by the end of The Princess and The Frog, they wind up growing close and fall in love with each other. It’s heartwarming to see love persevering under any circumstances.
5 Belle And Beast
Although Belle, the bookworm, was beautiful enough to captivate all the surrounding men, an unsightly Beast –and his kind nature– eventually wooed her despite her not knowing it. Beauty and the Beast is a tale about not judging someone by the way they look but rather by their merits and character.
The bond both Belle and Beast share is priceless and adorable. They share many romantic and powerful scenes throughout the movie, which never fail to tug at your heartstrings.
4 Tarzan And Jane
A posh British biologist travels to Africa with his only daughter to study Silver-back Gorillas. Jane and her father wind up making a huge discovery as she eventually falls for a man who grew up among the apes named Tarzan.
From their first interaction on-screen to Jane teaching Tarzan what it means to walk and talk like a man, they are adorable together and complement each other in every scene. Their love for each other transcends boundaries and transforms their lives.
3 Lady And Tramp
Who knew a love story between two canines would become one of the most romantic stories to ever unfold on-screen? The bond and chemistry between Lady and Tramp is a refreshing reminder that love transcends all boundaries and flourishes when sensitivity is at the forefront.
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Their adorable spaghetti dinner date under the moonlight is one of the most iconic interactions between animated lovers. Their dedication to each other throughout the film has you yearning for something as real as their love. Good luck finding a VHS copy for it, too, since they usually cost a mint despite the medium having died off.
2 Jasmine And Aladdin
Although it started off based on a lie, Aladdin redeemed himself when he came clean and told the princess the truth about his humble origins. That act itself brought them close, but saving her father, the Sultan, was the cherry on top that cemented their bond.
Aladdin and Jasmine play off each other fairly well in the film, and even in the spin-off animated series, they have a synergy that helps them overcome any uncomfortable situation. They’re both kind and courageous when it comes down to it.
1 Megara And Hercules
From wonder boy to the man she came to love and respect, Hercules earned his place in Meg's heart and showed her that it's okay to fall in love again despite being afraid. Meg's previous relationship was a dumpster fire that cost her the freedom she desperately sought.
Hercules risked everything for her despite finding out she was trying to betray him. He disregarded all of his negative feelings and put his life on the line to save her from Hades, even though he lost his god-like abilities. In the end, that's what made him a hero worthy of the powers Zeus gave him, worthy of becoming a god.
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