This Sunday (August 7th) is National Friendship Day, so to commemorate the special occasion, Toon Talk presents our 50 Favorite Disney Friendships.

Through the years, in feature films, cartoon shorts and television series, Disney has presented many excellent examples of what makes a friend - after all, isn’t Mickey Mouse everyone’s best friend? And although sometimes it takes the whole movie for the characters to realize it, these are true friendships to last a lifetime - for them and the viewer - lasting long after the final reel.

As you can see by the following list (to be completed in Part 2 on Friday), friendships in the Disney universe come in all shapes and sizes: young/old, animal/human, real/imaginary … even fictional and non-fictional. So pull up a chair for your best friend and enjoy.

A BOY AND HIS DOG …

Everyone knows that a dog is man’s best friend … but in Disney land you don’t have be a man … or even have a dog … to be friends forever.

TRAVIS COATES and YELLER

Film: Old Yeller (1957)
Actors: Tommy Kirk and Spike
DVD: New special edition available November 15th

When the mangy “ol’ yeller dog�? first appears on their farm, young Travis sees him only as a pest. But Yeller soon wins him over with his tenacity and bravery, forming a bond that is tested when tragedy strikes.

 

JACK SKELLINGTON and ZERO

Film: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Voice Actor: Chris Sarandon as Jack
DVD: Available

Is it any wonder that the loyal companion of the ossified Pumpkin King is a spectral pooch who fetches bones instead of sticks? Jack enlists him for a special task on Christmas Eve: leading the skeletal reindeer, “Rudolph�? style.

MICKEY MOUSE and PLUTO

Films: Various shorts, beginning with The Moose Hunt (1931)
Original Voice Actors: Walt Disney and Pinto Colvig
DVDs: Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume 2 and others

What every mouse needs: a faithful canine to fetch their slippers, go hunting with and combat the onslaughts of kittens, seals and chipmunks … Through the years, they’ve had their share of difficulties, but always wind up pals in the end.

… OR HIS HORSE …

(c) Disney

 

HERCULES and PEGASUS

Film: Hercules (1997)
Voice Actors: Tate Donovan and Frank Welker
DVD: Available

Pals since infancy, the Greek God and his winged horse express their familiarity by … bashing their heads together. And the high-flying steed is always ready to join his mythological master in battle.