10. The Disney Orphans
Disney is obsessed with orphans and it's difficult to decide which is the definitive one because there is literally dozens of them. From Snow White, Mowgli, Cinderella through to Aladdin through to Flynn Rider from Tangled. Disney is so keen on orphans they even steal them from other films (see 'Oliver & Company' and 'Tarzan'). There's definitely something weird going on there . . . Background Some parents never make an appearance and some are offed in the middle of the story. Honourable mention to Bambi who was actually raised by his Dad but who lost his mother in a way that kicked us all right in the childhood. Importance of being orphaned It varies. For some it means a rough upbringing (Cinderella) and for others the development of strong independence (Aladdin) and for others still it results in weird inter-species adoption (Simba with Timon and Pumba). The most simple explanation for all this parental misfortune is that Disney stories draw heavily from folk tales in which the orphan was an even more prominent character (let's not even get into them) and as these films are for the kids an orphan is an easy character to sympathise with; one that bears the message that no matter how low you start out you can still get a happily ever after. Companions Abu, Maximus, Sleepy, Dopey, Doc etc, etc. The Disney orphans do tend to have a buddy or two by their sides.