10. The King of Arendelle from Frozen
Sure he meant well, given the circumstances, but Elsa and Anna’s father ultimately discourages Elsa and unwittingly sentences her to a life of solitude. Rather than consider Elsa’s situation, the King panics and not only manages to shut out his perplexed and hurting daughter, but he drives a giant wedge between his two daughters. “Conceal it, don’t feel it, don’t let it show.” Yeah Dad, that’s the way to handle misunderstood superpowers and teen angst.
9. King Stefan from Sleeping Beauty
The King was probably in a high state of panic once the most powerful witch in the kingdom cursed his baby. However, he had 16 years to think of a solution to defeat Maleficent and bring his daughter home. King Stefan sacrifices his time with his daughter by sending her into the woods with three incompetent fairies. Despite his insufficient and lackluster efforts, Aurora still ends up pricking her finger, after coming to the shocking realization that she is a princess and that her whole life is a lie.
8. King Triton from The Little Mermaid
So your daughter falls for a human, contacts a sea witch and makes plans to abandon her family, all in the name of blind love. While anger is a natural response to spontaneous teenage rebellion, throwing a petrifying shit storm is not. While Triton ultimately sacrifices himself to protect his daughter, and then voluntarily grants her legs, the King could have easily had a homicide on his hands.
7. The Sultan from Aladdin
Jasmine’s face pretty much sums up this one. The Sultan is a good-hearted and bubbly guy, but he should spend less time on matchmaking for his daughter and more time getting to know the people of his country.
6. Chief Powhatan from Pocahontas
The Chief is a wise guy who is a decent single parent to his daughter. However, he is terrible at matchmaking and almost kills her boyfriend. But he gets extra points because he listened to his daughter at the end of the movie and stopped the war.
5. Fa Zhou from Mulan
Fa Zhou is loving towards Mulan and makes touching flower analogies (“the flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all”) but he isn’t lower on the list because of his sour and selfish outlook on his daughter’s willingness to step up and save both China and her family.
4. James from The Princess and the Frog
Although he isn’t a huge presence in the movie, James plays a large role in his daughter’s life. Tiana has her dad to thank for her worth ethic and goal of opening a restaurant. He talks a big game, lives morally and dies a hero.
3. Pongo from 101 Dalmatians
Pongo is the father of fifteen puppies, then has the heart to adopt 84 more. He has one hundred and one kids and he doesn’t flip a shit once. Plus, on top of all the responsibility, he has to use his quick-wit and courage to save each puppy from becoming a fur coat, even when he had plenty to spare.
2. Mufasa from The Lion King
Mufasa is the classic example of a Disney dad. He is brave, wise, and kind. Not to mention he’s the total DILF of the animal kingdom.
1. Marlin from Finding Nemo
Marlin battled sharks, raced around a maze of jellyfish, was swallowed by a whale and sat in a pelican’s mouth, all because his kid just had to touch the butt. Marlin wins, hands er… fins down.
Honorable Mention: Carl Fredricksen from Up
Technically, Carl is not a father, however he successfully and nobly takes on the role of one for Russell. It was a shame that Ellie and Carl couldn’t have children of their own, but in the end, Carl is able to come through and prove that he is a rad dad.