Top 10 Disney Mothers

One element that has always been a topic of conversation amongst movie buffs and Disney buffs in particular, is Walt Disney's lack of a mother in his films. Of course the common theory is that as a result of Walt's relationship with his mother Flora, and the fact that her death resulted from a furnace leak at the house he had recently purchased for them in the 1940s, was directly to blame for his lack of mother roles or deaths of mothers in his pictures. However I really don't put much faith in this theory, Dumbo has a very endearing relationship with his mother, Wendy and her little brothers have a great mother and the movie features a song purely dedicated to what it means to have a mother. Therefore I really think the point of Disney's lack of mother figures is sort of baloney. There were and always have been several very important and dedicated mother characters in Disney history and this list is dedicated to some of the best ones (in my opinion of course!)

10. Kala (Tarzan 1998)

As I've previously talked about in a blog post, the opening of the underrated Tarzan where both a baby gorilla and a pair of human parents are brutally killed is such a heartbreaking and intense Disney sequence. Kala, the mother Gorilla is a true example of Altruism. She rescues our baby protagonist and raises him to the best of her ability, which it turns out is pretty darn impressive. Her sweet and very motherly disposition make you completely forget that she and Tarzan are a different species, and their scene together where she explains how alike they really are is one of the most tender moments ever on screen.

9. Momma (The Good Dinosaur 2015)

Speaking of underrated Disney films. In 2015 my boyfriend and I went to see Inside Out, and while we thought it was obviously a fantastic animated movie, several months later we went to say The Good Dinosaur and for us it was by far a better, sadder, funnier and more enjoyable experience. This is probably an unpopular opinion but at the end of the day it's all subjective really! When young Dinosaur Arlo goes missing, the love and respect he has for his family and his mother in particular becomes particularly evident when he talks to his new friend Spot about being seperated from them. Frances McDormand is one of my favourite actresses so add to it that she voices the character of Momma, and you've got a truly wonderful Disney mother character.

8. Mrs. Darling (Peter Pan 1953)

If anybody wanted to see what a classic Disney princess would be like as a mother, well here you have it. She may not have the royal title, but Mrs. Darling is animated, has the personality, mannerisms and lovely speaking voice of a classic Disney Princess. I adore the opening scenes of the movie in which she and Mr. Darling are getting ready to attend a party. It's so reminiscent of all of our childhoods, watching our parents get ready to go out while we play around with our toys and siblings. I particularly enjoy the dry humour Mrs. Darling shows while she remains calm as her husband, the "animated" Mr. Darling loses his patience with the children and the adorable Nana. She must be a good Mother to her kids, as they dedicate an entire song to just what a good mother is, I'm guessing they have had a lot of experience with one!

7. Helen Parr (The Incredibles, 2004)

What a super mom! As Elastigirl, Helen Parr has the ability to reach broad distances and stop criminals in their tracks. As a mom she had the ability to reach across the kitchen to catch a glass of orange juice before it hit the floor. A lot of mothers would say how truly heroic both of these abilities are on a hectic day. I love The Incredibles, the premise is so original and fun and as the matriarch of the Parr family, Helen really shines as a woman trying to keep her heroic family safe. She also has some truly funny moments, like the one where she realizes how her figure has changed since having kids, now I don't know many mothers that can't relate to that experience.

6. Eudora (The Princess and the Frog, 2009) 

With the warm voice talent of Oprah Winfrey and the realistic mixed feelings about her daughter's need for success and lack of a social life. Eudora is one of the most loving and real life mothers of all of Disney's movies. She has a very sweet and tender way with her daughter and despite being widowed young, she raised her daughter to have a strong work ethic and to never give up on her dreams. She is a real role model for all single mothers out there.

5. Mrs. Banks (Mary Poppins, 1964)

This is probably a controversial decision, because she is not the most "hands on" mother. But Mrs. Banks is a true example of a mother of her time. She may have required a nanny to look after her children, but to be honest back in those days most mothers probably did. And, there are several times throughout the movie that we see Mrs. Banks really show her affection towards her children and how she will humour them with what they have to say, particularly during the scene in which they tell her and Mr. Banks about their advertisement for a new Nanny. She is also a wonderful example of a working mother as she is so devoted to the good cause of Votes for Women!

4. Bambi's mother (Bambi 1942)

The ultimate heartbreaking moment for many a Disney person, is of course, the death of Bambi's mother by the hands of hunters. I really think this moment hits a nerve with so many people because it involves a little boy scared and alone without his only guardian and that is just a gut wrenching image. However I think it's also so strong because Bambi's mother was portrayed as the ultimate in knowing, loving and protective mothers. Her instant instinct to tell Bambi to run out of the meadow as soon as she sensed the hunters nearby was a real example of altruism and a truly protective Mother.

3. Mrs. Potts (Beauty and the Beast 1991)

What's more comforting that a mother who wants to sing you a soothing song while she offers you a hot cup of tea and a biscuit? Mrs. Potts is one of the best Disney mothers because even though she and her son Chip were turned into inanimate objects, she never let that stop her from taking the best care of him and raising him well while making the most of a tough situation. Which, lets face it is what many moms out there have to do. Plus she's voiced by Angela Lansbury, you can't get more motherly than that!

2. Duchess (The Aristocats 1970)

She's beautiful, she's protective and she teaches good lessons to her kids. The Aristocats is one of my favourite ever animated movies and I absolutely adore the stunning Duchess and her little kittens. When she and the kittens are kidnapped by the conniving Edgar, her first instinct is to gather her kids in the morning and try to get home. Luckily she meets up with the King of the Highway, Thomas O'Malley (the alley cat!) and the two take the kittens home. What I think is so great about Duchess as a single mom is that although she does fall for O'Malley, it's completely clear that she wouldn't bother with him at all unless she thought he would make an excellent Dad for her kittens, which thankfully, he really does. 

1. Sarabi (The Lion King 1994)

Well basically, I can relate to Sarabi, she was the mother of a Simba, I was the mother of a Simba. But seriously, watching The Lion King 2 the other day really made me want to do this list, I love the portrayal of Sarabi and Nala as mothers. I think Sarabi in particular is such a regal character, and her and Mufasa's love and devotion to each other and their son is such a beautiful part of the story. I also love the strength she exhibits when confronting Scar and her reaction to realizing her son is still living is a really emotional and heartwarming moment. Also I think she is animated just beautifully. She is my favourite portrayal of a Disney mother. 

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