It’s 14 February and that means it’s time for some mushy moments with your loved ones. Valentine’s Day aka St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration. Valentine’s Day symbols that are used include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
Though the animation genre is primarily associated with kid-oriented fare, animated movies have been instrumental in cranking out some of the most memorable love stories in the history of love stories. It’s worth noting that despite its many competitors, Disney still remains the only studio to tackle romantic storylines on a regular basis, which certainly explains its domination over the following list of iconic animated couples.
Belle and Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
There are few couples in animation history as seemingly incompatible as the beautiful Belle and the brusque Beast. Of course, it is common knowledge that buried beneath Beast’s monstrous exterior, lays a kind-hearted prince held prisoner by an enchantress’ spell. Belle, with the assistance of Lumiere, Mrs Potts, and the rest of Beast’s ragtag servants, is eventually able to break the curse simply by proclaiming her love for her unlikely suitor, and the movie closes with a heart-warming repeat of the couple’s justifiably legendary spin around Beast’s opulent ballroom.
This is another love story where love triumphs over physical beauty. Outright incompatible when they first meet, Belle falls in love with the gruff beast. Finally, when Belle manages to break the spell, the movie ends quite justifiably with a legendary spin between Belle and the Beast around the latter’s opulent ballroom. You fall in love with someone who would do anything for you and who wants to make you a better person, just as Beauty and the Beast shows us.
Simba and Nala (The Lion King)
It’s easy to forget that at the heart of The Lion King is an extremely touching love story, as the tragic father/son relationship between Simba and Mufasa tends to overshadow everything else within the great storyline. But the hidden romance that ensues between childhood friends Simba and Nala effectively counterbalances the film’s dark elements. Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ very aptly captures the importance of love between the pivotal characters in this classic.
Lady and the Tramp (Lady and the Tramp)
There are few romantic conventions that have endured as long as the mismatched couple that defies the odds and falls in love, and it’s hard to think of a more ideal example of this than Lady and the Tramp. Lady, a pampered cocker spaniel, finds herself attracted to a stray mutt named Tramp, and it’s over an iconic bowl of spaghetti (also awarded the best kiss of the century) that the unlikely couple shares its first kiss. The many differences between the two eventually form the backbone of their unlikely relationship, which ensures that the film ends with the ‘happily ever after’ signage where the Dear family adopts Tramp.
Wall-E and Eve (WALL-E)
As a clunky machine designed to clean up humanity’s mess, WALL-E is, on the surface, hardly an ideal candidate to make it to a list of memorable animated couples. But his adorably awkward relationship with a futuristic robot called EVE is as compelling and flat-out romantic as anything within the live-action space, and there’s a sweet romance that brews as the storyline unfolds. The nail-biting finale ensures that the utterly heart-warming conclusion packs an unexpectedly emotional punch and the movie ultimately stands as a moving tribute to love and its ability to reach even the most unlikely of subjects.
Pongo and Perdita (101 Dalmations)
Given that Cruella De Vil remains one of the silver screen’s most iconic villains, it’s not surprising to note that the two romances within 101 Dalmatians are often unfairly overlooked. The adorable relationship between Dalmatians Pongo and Perdita would be enough to sustain one film, but 101 Dalmatians also throws in a surprisingly captivating love story between the dogs’ human owners, Roger and Anita. The romantic elements in the movie are so strong that these two characters somehow end up caring for over 100 rambunctious canines.
Robin Hood and Maid Marian (Robin Hood)
Being Disney’s lesser known films, Robin Hood vividly brings the iconic romance between Robin Hood and Maid Marion to life in exceptionally compelling fashion. The action-packed movie features all of the elements that one can expect from the Robin Hood legend, yet it’s the love story that ultimately makes its place in our hearts. The sequence in which the two characters rediscover their passion for one another, set to the Oscar-nominated “Love,” is just about perfect in its simplicity, and there’s little doubt that that pared-down sensibility is rather refreshing in this age of over-the-top, blisteringly-paced animated endeavors.
Carl Fredricksen and Ellie (UP)
Despite their lack of screen time together, Carl and Ellie Fredricksen established themselves as an ideal couple during a perfectly conceived and thoroughly moving montage at the beginning of UP. It’s their relationship that serves as the catalyst for Carl to embark on a perilous quest into the jungles of South America, yet there’s little doubt that Carl’s unabashed love for his late wife is what ultimately drives the storyline forward. The heartbreaking moments when Ellie and Carl are not able to have children or afford an adventurous trip together are some bitter-sweet memories that we take away from the movie. However, they stick with each other, just like any of us, doing everyday chores and lead a fulfilling life. The scene when Carl finds out after Ellie’s death that she considered him her greatest adventure leaves one speechless.
Shrek and Princess Fiona (Shrek)
He’s an antisocial ogre, she’s a beautiful princess, and together they’ve become one of modern animation’s most recognisable couples. The green ogre teaches us a valuable lesson in love; inner beauty is more important than superficial beauty, and it goes much deeper than that. Fiona redefines the definition of ‘good looks’ when she falls head over heels in love with Shrek who’s a gigantic, overwhelming ogre. It’s not until the prejudices break down that they are able to see each other for who they really are, and form a relationship that beats all odds.
Pocahontas and John Smith (Pocahontas)
Pocahontas marks one of the few (if only) times a Disney romance has ended on a bittersweet note, as the love between Native American Pocahontas and Englishman John Smith is ultimately left unfulfilled. The heart-rending conclusion can’t dampen what is otherwise an incredibly stirring love story, in which the two main characters cast aside their preconceived notions (as well as the disapproval of their families and colleagues, a norm even in Indian culture) and embark on a genuinely touching romance that effectively illustrates love’s power to transcend cultural and racial prejudice.
Jack Skellington and Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
It’s a testament to Tim Burton’s flair for the gruesome that he’s able to transform a walking skeleton and a living ragdoll into compelling romantic leads, as The Nightmare Before Christmas details the romance that blooms between Jack Skellington and Sally over the course of an especially busy holiday season. There’s something inherently endearing about Sally’s crush on the oblivious Jack, which ensures that their inevitable coupling is especially satisfying, and ultimately heightened by Danny Elfman’s quirky yet moving selection of songs.