So now it’s my dad’s turn. This is a list of the most notable dads in animated movies. Like the moms list, these have to be actual fathers and not father figures. Villainous dads will also be excluded (though there are 2 formerly villainous characters on this list).
#10: Grug Crood- The Croods
The overprotective dad trope is not always my favorite but there are times where it is absolutely hilarious. Grug is one of those times. The only thing on this man’s mind is his family and their safety (minus the grandma’s), which can be both a strength and a weakness. He will do anything to keep them alive. But unfortunately this does cause him to become a little too secluded from the world. This becomes a huge problem when the continental drift happens and his normal methods of safety are useless. This (as well as Eep’s attraction) was a main source of Grug’s jealousy towards the free-spirited Guy. Grug may be a bit much, but he does mean well. And there is no denying that he loves his family. Also he does lighten up to Guy eventually as well as the world. So, at least there’s that.
The only 2 things in this world that matter to Mr. Ping, Po and noodles. Though his obsession with noodles is very concerning, his love for Po is adorable. Even though he wasn’t too fond of the whole “Dragon Warrior” thing, he still gave Po advice when he needed it and became his biggest supporter. His constant gushing over his kid reminds me so much of my own father, who will waste no time gushing about me or my sister when it comes to pretty much anything that involves me or my sister. We do see Mr. Ping’s jealous side when Po’s biological father comes into the picture, but he warms up to him eventually. It’s just hard not to love Mr. Ping. It also helps that he’s voiced by James Hong, who’s always hilarious (or at least memorable).
Hector was just an unlucky dude. When we first meet him, he appears to be a self-centered trickster Hell-bent on getting to the land of the living. But it turned out to be more complicated than that. It is revealed that his former best friend and partner Ernesto poisoned him and stole his music when he attempted to leave their music act. Hector is left to be forgotten in both the land of the dead and the living. It turns out the only reason he quit and is so determined to get to the land of the living is to see his little girl again. Like my last pick, Hector also reminds me of my dad due to his genuine loving and at times playful nature towards his daughter. And you can tell he always wants his little girl to know how much he loves her. My dad will waste no time letting his little girls (and his son) know how much he loves them. And we love him too.
#7: Geppetto- Pinocchio
The funny thing about this pick was that it was originally going to the Disney version of Geppetto. What set del Toro’s version over Disney’s was that this version was (as well as his relationship with his son) more fleshed out than Disney’s. Geppetto created Pinocchio as a replacement for his deceased son Carlo. What Geppetto didn’t understand was that Carlo and Pinocchio are very different people and no matter how hard he wants to duplicate the relationship he had with Carlo, Pinocchio is not Carlo. I never really thought that I would be so compelled by a slightly more grizzled version of Pinocchio’s dad, but it happened. I guess only someone like Guillermo del Toro can pull that off (though this is my first del Toro movie so I’m probably not the best to judge).
I think it’s safe to say that Bob Parr LOVED being a superhero. I wouldn’t say he was arrogant, but he definitely loved the glory. So when the superhero ban took that away from him, he didn’t really know who he was anymore. Though it is apparent that there is one thing that Mr. Incredible loved even more than being a super, and that’s his family. Losing his right to use his powers was one thing, but when he thought his ENTIRE family was dead, Bob was completely destroyed. He nearly crushed the HELL out of Mirage when his family’s plane got struck by Syndrome’s missiles. Seriously, DO NOT mess with this man’s family, or you will most likely end up dead. I know Bob resisted killing Mirage in the movie, but I have a strange feeling that if something like that happened again, he won’t hold back this time.
There is no one in this world that matters more to Goofy than his son Max. Max is his absolute world. While that’s adorable, sometimes it can be a little overbearing. I’m not saying that Max is correct for how he treats Goofy, Max is a little BRAT. But there are times when Goofy tries a little too hard. But there’s no denying that Max is extremely lucky to have a father who loves him very much, and he does eventually realize that and they grow closer. Goofy is another character on this list that reminds me of my own father due to his gushing nature similar to Mr. Ping’s as well as always letting his child know how much he loves him like Hector. Of all the characters on this list, Goofy probably reminds me the most of my dad. So I think it’s safe to say that Goofy’s entry is the most personal and most meaningful for me.
Stoick is 1 of 2 dads on this list that started off as an antagonist (or villainess). At the start of the HTTYD series, Stoick was obviously ashamed of his son Hiccup as he didn’t really live up to the typical viking standards. When Hiccup surprises everyone by succeeding in dragon training, Stoick is delighted, until he finds out that he befriended a dragon and disowned him (his worst action). It had to take Hiccup saving his butt and nearly dying for him to finally accept his child. Yes Stoick wasn’t the greatest dad, but I do feel that he not only got to know his son better, but he learned to respect him as well and become somewhat of a better father, which is what ultimately got him on this list. That and Stoick more than made up for it by sacrificing himself to save Hiccup. Unfortunately that did cost him his life.
Gru also started off as a villainess character as he originally had alternative reasons for adopting sisters Margo, Edith and Agnes. He’s basically using them as a distraction for Vector to steal his shrink ray, which he intends on using to steal the moon. But as time passes, Gru develops a soft spot for the girls, which eventually turns into love. I think it’s safe to say that Gru would do anything for his “Gurls”, he did dress up as a giant fairy princess for Agnes to keep her party from getting ruined. His love for them is absolutely adorable to watch. Do NOT mess with Gru’s girls or you will be sorry. Vector found this out the hard way as by the end of the first movie (after kidnapping the girls), he was stranded on the moon and it is unknown what happened to him after that.
Like Grug, Marlin is another example of the overprotective dad trope. However, unlike Grug, I find Marlin's protectiveness more justified. Marlin went through the trauma of having his entire family eaten by a barracuda shark. All except 1 fish, whom he names Nemo (at his wife’s suggestion before she died). Because of this, he goes a little overboard with keeping Nemo safe. His worst fears come to tuition when Nemo is taken by humans. Marlin goes through Hell and high water to bring his son home to the point where it becomes an underwater national story. His determination to find Nemo is beautiful and we all can’t help but root for him. This also shows that you should never underestimate a father’s love and what he will do for his child. Marlin was an extremely close pick for #1, but my next pick is more iconic.
King Triton- The Little Mermaid 
King Harold- Shrek
King Fergus- Brave 
Sultan- Aladdin
Maurice- Beauty & The Beast 
Zeus- Hercules
Professor Porter- Tarzan 
Jefferson Davis- Spider Verse
And for the second time in a row, Mufasa tops my list. It’s hard not to admire Mufusa. He literally oozes what it means to be a king. But he’s a father first. He is very caring towards Simba and is not afraid to get tough on him when he needs to. He’s so dedicated to Simba that he even appeared to Simba as a heavenly version of himself after dying to console him. That’s dedication. I think that his status as king is what makes Mufasa so cautious over Simba. Animals outside the pridelands will want to harm Simba (especially Scar) probably because of this, and Mufasa will waste no time giving him warnings about these dangers. Mufasa is truly the MAN and Simba is extremely lucky to have him as a father. And Simba knew that (which makes his death even sadder). Mufasa: A True Dad, A True Icon, And Today’s #1.
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