Not all of Disney’s many redhead characters are equal in their importance in pop culture. To make an order of things, we compiled a list of the top sixteen iconic Disney redheads. Only less than 2% of the world’s population has natural red hair. However, Disney fans must be under the impression that red is one of the most common hair colors.
Seriously, the redhead community is fantastically well-represented in Disney films and TV series. It might be because ginger hair is an easy way to make a character stand out, or because having red hair says something about a character’s personality right away.
So, just sit back and prepare to be totally fascinated by the awesomeness of Disney characters with red hair.
16/16. Thomas (Pocahontas, 1995)
Thomas is John Smith’s (the deuteragonist of the film) best friend, fellow soldier, and sidekick. He loves accompanying John on his adventures and spending time with him, and is very loyal to him, especially because John saved his life. He usually has a cheerful attitude and likes helping along in any way he can.
John seems to be very inexperienced in life and fairly incompetent in many tasks. However, by the end of the film, he can take the lead among the settlers. Thomas appears to be a fairly young man, which explains his childlike behavior and innocence. He is handsome and a redhead with red eyebrows. His parents are both redheads too.
15/16. Ellie (Up, 2009)
At the beginning of the film, Elizabeth “Ellie” Fredricksen is an 8 years old girl who becomes best friends with Carl, a boy who wandered into her clubhouse. The children share their dreams of traveling the world and having great adventures. Years later, Ellie and Carl marry.
Although things turn out differently than they planned, they live happily together and their love story is one of the most touching ever written. Ellie has a great thirst for adventure and a fun-loving personality. As a redhair Disney character, she is very confident, even a bit too rough and assertive at times, but always kind-hearted.
14/16. Anastasia Tremaine (Cinderella, 1950)
Number fourteen on this list, Anastasia Tremaine is the youngest daughter of Lady Tremaine, aka the “Wicked Stepmother”, and Cinderella’s younger stepsister. She is an ugly character (both internally and externally).
After the death of Cinderella’s father, Anastasia and her older sister, Drizella, (and of course, their wicked mother) became cruel and forced Cinderella into servitude within her own home. Just like her mother and sister, Anastasia is selfish, spoiled, and greedy.
She is ugly on the inside just as she is portrayed on the outside. It should be noted that traditionally the daughters of Cinderella’s wicked stepmother characters are called “The Ugly Sisters.” There’s nothing she likes more than seeing Cinderella’s slave under her.
13/16. Jessie the Cowgirl (Toy Story 2, 1999)
First appearing in Toy Story 2, Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl is a vintage pull-string cowgirl doll from the 1950s.
Since abandoned by her original owner, a girl named Emily who gave Jessie away in her teenage years, Jessie is sensitive to being left behind. However, despite her abandonment issues, she’s also very optimistic and friendly and has a habit of yodeling when happy or excited.
Jessie has red hair braided with a yellow bow, green eyes, and a matching felt hat with white lace. It’s kind of implied in the films that Buzz and Jessie have a romantic relationship, although as it’s a kids’ film, they don’t go into it much. Since Jessie and Woody are something like brother and sister, it only makes sense that Woody would be the best man at the wedding.
12/16. Hercules (Hercules Animated Film, 1997)
One of the most iconic Disney characters with red hair is Hercules the son of Zeus and Hera.
Born with all the might of a god on Mount Olympus, Hercules was taken away from his home as a baby and turned mortal by his evil uncle Hades, who wants to take control of Olympus and the world with all of creation. However, Hercules maintained his mighty strength and sets out on a journey to prove himself a true hero and reclaim his place among the gods.
Hercules is portrayed as awkward, but mostly clumsy because of not have control of his godly strength which tends to accidentally cause destruction.
11/16. Phineas (Phineas and Ferb, 2008)
The son of Linda Flynn-Fletcher and the stepson of Lawrence Fletcher. He has a step-brother named Ferb and a sister named Candace.
Every day, Phineas embarks on some grand new project together with Ferb, which annoys Candace, who frequently tries to reveal their shenanigans to her parents. Phineas shares a solid bond with the family pet, Perry the Platypus, who lives a secret double life as a secret agent. Phineas is an undying optimist.
He is also extremely smart, creative, and able to endeavor in immensely large projects and activities with the help of Ferb. Phineas has a triangle-shaped head with a large pointy nose, with short, spiky deep red hair. He only has a cluster of hair. But it’s red.
10/16. Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)
Making it to the top ten on this list is Quasi. Quasimodo was born deformed, possessing a hunched back among other deformities.
Because of his upsetting appearance, he was isolated to the Notre Dame cathedral’s highest tower by his cruel caretaker, Frollo. From the tower, where he works as a bell-ringer, Quasimodo developed a yearning to be a part of the outside world and live a normal life amongst the people of Paris.
Despite his muscular and deformed appearance, Quasimodo is kind-hearted and gentle. He is also a very talented artist, who carves miniature figurines, toys, and decorations of hung shards of stained glass.
9/16. Kim Possible (TV Series: Kim Possible, 2002)
Kim possible is a teenage girl who embarks on globe-trotting adventures against a slew of villains to protect the world from global domination. In addition to her freelance hero activities, she also needs to handle the problems of being a high school student, including the regular teenage insecurities and relationships.
Kim has a very confident character whose motto is, “I can do anything”. She is usually the captain of each cheerleading squad that she participated in. However, she has a kind and caring heart and she is very protective of others and extremely kind, sweet, and generous.
She is most iconic in her short blacktop which exposes her midriff, green cargo pants, black shoes, and gloves.
8/16. Name: Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, 1988)
Jessica Rabbit is the hottest cartoon babe ever! She is an actress and singer in The Ink and Paint Club, a joint run by cartoons and with a human clientele. Jessica is a tall, voluptuous girl, and seductive woman. She has long, luxurious red hair, with side bangs that usually cover her right eye. Her eyes are green and seductive, with long dark lashes.
Despite her femme fatale look and her flirtatious demeanor, she makes it clear that she only has eyes for Roger and would do anything for his sake. This is not just a statement, as she knowingly puts herself at risk to save him. When asked what she found attractive about Roger, she replied that “he makes me laugh”.
Jessica gets all the fame for being remarkable but it is noteworthy that her beloved husband Roger is part of the red club, too.
7/16. Mufasa (The Lion King, 1994)
Perhaps one of the most famous Disney redhead characters. Mufasa is the lion king of the Pride Lands, a large African Savannah inhabited by numerous species of animals. He is not the king of the lions, minds you, but king of all the animals in his realm. He is the father of Simba, the protagonist of the film, whom he tries to groom for the throne.
Mufasa’s love for his cub is very deep and he would do anything for him. Despite his royal and powerful exterior, Mufasa is kind-hearted and has respect for all the animals and creatures in his kingdom. He has amber-gold fur and bears a thick mane of dark red that extends down to his middle chest, the tip of his tail matching it in color.
Sadly, Mufasa was killed by his envious brother, Scar, to steal the throne. Hopefully, we’ll get to see him in Lion King’s prequel.
6/16 Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Black Widow, 2021)
Natalia “Natasha” Romanoff is an extremely talented Russian spy and lethal female assassin who became a core member of the Avengers. Code name Black Widow, Natasha was considered both by the KGB and S.H.I.E.L.D as one of their most dangerous operatives.
Her red hair frequently changes style with every film she appears in. She has steely blue eyes and usually wears black leather or other figure-hugging suits which may or may not show the prominence of her cleavage.
She’s alluring and dangerous, yes. She relies on seduction, true. But that’s not all there is to her! Black Widow is a truly interesting character, who is there to have her own life, her relationships, and her character arch. That is why we love her.
5/16. Peter Pan
From the magical world of Never Land, he comes to London just to hear Wendy Darling spin tales about him and his adventures.
Peter is no ordinary boy, he can fly and fight even against the most skilled pirates with nothing more than a dagger. He is also the leader of the lost boys, a group of ragtag young boys. Together they battle against Peter’s arch-nemesis, the bloodthirsty pirate Captain Hook who commands the most dreaded pirate ship in the universe, The Jolly Roger.
Peter has short red hair, brown eyes, and thick red eyebrows. His thrilling adventures in Neverland with the Lost Boys, the Pirates, and a ticking croc is one of the most beautiful tales ever told.
4/16. Anna (Frozen, 2013)
Coming in at number four on the red hair Disney characters countdown is Anna of Arendelle. She is the daughter of King Agnarr and Queen Iduna, rulers of Arendelle, and the younger sister of Elsa. During their childhood, an accident involving Elsa’s magic abilities generated a crack between the two sisters, leaving Anna devoid of love for many years. However, Anna never lost hope to reconnect with her beloved sister.
When Elsa accidentally unleashes a magical secret that locks the kingdom in an eternal winter, Anna bravely embarks on a dangerous adventure to make things right. Anna has a caring and optimistic attitude towards her family and kingdom. She is willing to sacrifice herself for her sister, whom she believes in even when everybody else doesn’t.
3/16. Giselle (Enchanted, 2007)
At the beginning of the film, Giselle represents the prototypically perfect Disney princess. She lives in the flawless magical kingdom of Andalasia, where there is a lot less trouble than in the real world.
Giselle dreams of falling in love with her own Prince Charming and living happily ever after. However, when she is thrust from her perfect world into ours, she realizes her experiences in Andalusia have left her naïve and blind to complexity.
Throughout the live-action Disney film, her experiences on Earth introduce her to new emotions she has never felt before. She tries to find her way home and, of course, finds love on the way.
Giselle is a beautiful young woman with long wavy strawberry-red hair that reaches below her back.
2/16. Merida (Brave, 2012)
Merida is the teenage daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, who reign over the kingdom of DunBroch, located in the Scottish Highlands. However, Merida is no ordinary princess. She’s a wild and brave archer, who never waits around for Prince Charming.
Her fiery nature puts her in permanent conflict with her mom, and the two often disagree about how a princess should act, dress and talk. The clash heats up when Merida is told she must marry a prince she has never met.
Merida the fantasy medieval warrior has long curly red hair and light blue eyes. She has a round face with a light dusting of freckles. She usually wears a dark blue dress.
1/16. Ariel (The Little Mermaid, 1989)
Unquestionably among the most famous Disney redhead characters, Ariel is our top pick for this list.
The seventh and youngest daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena, rulers of the undersea kingdom of Atlantica, Ariel is a young mermaid. She has deep love and fascination with humans, having longed to become human.
At the age of 16, she becomes deeply infatuated with a handsome human prince named Eric and sacrifices all things dear to her for the chance of being with her one true love. Ariel is a headstrong princess with a great passion for adventure and exploration.
She is Rebellious and romantic and in all probability the most recognizable of Disney’s redheads. Maybe the reason is that she was Disney’s first redhead princess.
