Do you enjoy a good side or background character? Some of these characters may be underappreciated, but their movies would feel emptier without them. Disney movies are filled with iconic characters, from Disney Princesses and villains to Pixar favorites. However, we will take some time to share our favorite underappreciated Disney characters—that you can show your appreciation for in costume! Whether you're dressing up for Halloween, a Disney cruise, a convention, or other costumed events, there's nothing quite like wearing a costume for a character that's perhaps not instantly as easily recognized. But it makes interactions more fun when someone knows your niche costume!
1. Darla Costume
Shop all Finding Nemo Costumes
Wake up, fishy! Darla may be the villain in Finding Nemo, but she has a lot less screen time than other typical Disney villains. She may not be everyone's first pick when choosing a Finding Nemo costume, and that's ok! The character is still quite recognizable for Finding Nemo fans, and the costume is much easier to wear around convention halls or crowded Halloween parties than some of the fish costumes.
2. Davy Jones Costume
Shop all Pirates of the Caribbean Costumes
Davy Jones is a cool character from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movies. However, most people pick a Captain Jack Sparrow costume as he's the face of the franchise. After a brief mention in the first movie, Davy Jones appears in movies 2 and 3, with a brief appearance in 5. However, you can embody this legendary figure with a Davy Jones costume and bring him back to life!
3. Penny Proud Costume
Did you grow up watching the Disney Channel? Characters from some original cartoon shows, such as Penny Proud from The Proud Family, are less familiar to the average person. Penny might not have a blockbuster movie, but she's a great character! Like most teenagers, she wants to have fun with her friends and make a name for herself while avoiding embarrassment from her dad, Oscar. (He's a quirky guy, so we can't blame her.)
4. Captain Amelia Costume
Shop all Treasure Planet Costumes
As far as Disney movies are concerned, Treasure Planet is a cult classic. In a unique retelling of Robert Luis Stevenson's Treasure Island, Treasure Planet sets the story in a futuristic world filled with aliens and airships. Jim Hawkins takes off in a ship under the wing of Captain Amelia, an agile, cat-like humanoid with a no-nonsense attitude. This is a great costume to wear to pop-culture conventions where you can delight fans of this Disney hidden gem.
5. Rafiki Costume
Rafiki may have featured prominently in The Lion King's first few minutes but was largely absent for the rest of the film. That doesn't make him a bad character, of course. He fits the role of a mentor and guide but ultimately allows Simba to follow his own path. Rafiki is a fun costume to wear solo, but this is also a great option if you need more characters for a large group costume.
6. Pain and Panic Costumes
| Plus Size Pain Costume | Adult Panic Costume |
We love to talk about Disney Villains, but how often do we get to shine a spotlight on the villain sidekicks? Pain and Panic serve as minions for Hades in Disney's Hercules. They're inept underlings, but they also serve as comic relief because Hades can get scary for little kids. Pain and Panic may not have succeeded in making Hercules entirely mortal, but they always succeed at making us laugh!
7. Powerline Costume
Powerline comes from Disney's A Goofy Movie, an underrated Disney film. Upon its release in 1995, it underperformed at the box office. Since that time, it has gained a cult following! One of the favorite characters from the film is Powerline, a pop star Max and friends look up to. You'll be a hit at any gathering if you can nail the choreography from "I 2 I" while wearing a Powerline costume.
8. Fear Costume
Inside Out had a large main cast with so many emotions to depict. However, Fear doesn't stand out as much as the rest due to his penchant for cowering in the background. If you're shy at parties and tend to stick to the sidelines, a Fear costume could be great for you! Fear is an essential character to include in large Inside Out group costumes, even if you're not particularly afraid of the spotlight.
9. Gus Gus Costume
How many of Cinderella's mice can you name? Did you even know they had names? Gus Gus is one of the main mice characters in Disney's Cinderella. He's a portly little mouse with a taste for cheese, and he'd do anything to help Cinderella. When the Fairy Godmother makes Cinderella a magical pumpkin carriage, Gus Gus is one of the four mice she turns into horses to bring Cinderella to the ball. You'll be in character when you hang out near the snack table this Halloween!
10. Darkwing Duck Costume
Let's get dangerous! Darkwing Duck is another Disney Channel original character. He's a masked superhero who does his best to fight crime, although he's not always the brightest or most coordinated. Darkwing Duck only ran for 3 seasons in the early 90s, so he's not as familiar as some Disney characters. Still, Darkwing has a rocking theme song, and the people who recognize your costume will be delighted to see you!
11. Jiminy Cricket Costume
Always let your conscience be your guide! Jiminy Cricket is from Disney's Pinocchio, a 1940 movie. Due to its age, not everyone has seen it. Jiminy Cricket is one of the main characters in the film, although he is not the title character. He serves as Pinocchio's conscience, doing his best to keep the marionette on track to fulfilling his wish of becoming a real boy. The Blue Fairy will only grant the wish if Pinocchio can prove himself to be brave, true, and unselfish. Jiminy Cricket sure has his work cut out for himself!
12. Kida Costume
Disney's Atlantis is another movie that didn't initially perform well at the box office but has since garnered a cult following. Princess Kida, or Kidagakash Nedakh, is a princess of the lost city of Atlantis. (We're still hoping she'll officially become part of the Disney Princess lineup one day!) Kida is an underrated character in part because she is from an underrated Disney film. While many people overlook Kida as a Halloween costume, she's recognizable enough that you'll attract a few excited fans!
13. Bruno Costume
Disney's Encanto has a large family full of interesting characters, but Bruno is often overlooked as we don't see him for much of the movie. (Granted, his song is one of the best in the film!) This is probably one of the comfiest Disney costumes with nice, loose fabric. If you're planning a long day in costume at a convention or a Halloween event, this Bruno costume is a great choice!
14. Bullseye Costume
When the kids go to sleep or are away, the Toy Story toys come out to play. Bullseye is a companion toy for Woody from the Woody's Roundup collection. Unlike most of the other toys, Bullseye doesn't talk. Instead, he fits the role of an animal companion and sidekick. While a Bullseye costume may not be everyone's first choice from the Toy Story franchise, he makes a great duo costume with Woody!
15. Pua Costume
Pua, the pig, is one of Moana's two animal companions, and Hei Hei is the rooster. However, he does not join her on the canoe in the first movie, which hurts his overall screen time. We're happy he got to accompany Moana on her adventure in the sequel, as fans insisted that we need to see more Pua! You can also show your appreciation for the adorable Pua with a Pua costume.
16. Sergeant Calhoun Costume
Adult Sergeant Calhoun Costume
Shop all Wreck-It Ralph Costumes
Is she always this intense? Sergeant Calhoun is a character from Disney's Wreck-It Ralph. Unlike the cheery Fix-It Felix Jr. and Vanellope, Sergeant Calhoun is a highly stoic character due to her programming. She is the main character of the arcade game Hero's Duty, a first-person shooter where you fight off waves of aliens to survive. While most couples choose Ralph and Vanellope costumes, you can be unique by choosing Sergeant Calhoun and Fix-It Felix Jr. instead!
17. Madam Mim Costume
Shop all Sword in the Stone Costumes
We love an underrated Disney villain! While many iconic villains are from Disney Princess movies, Madam Mim hails from The Sword in the Stone, an animated retelling of the famous Arthurian legend. She is a wicked witch and a rival of the renowned wizard Merlin. She relishes using her magic for evil purposes but is thwarted by Merlin. Still, Madam Mim's goofy personality makes her a fun character to cosplay!
18. Oaken Costume
Hoo hoo! Big summer blowout! Oaken knows how to make lemonade when life throws him lemons. Shopkeeper Oaken plays a small part in the Frozen franchise, but his brief cameos are always funny. He finds himself in a summer surplus when Elsa's powers freeze Arendelle during the summer, so he throws a summer blowout sale! He also has the perfect comfy costume for people who love to wear casual sweaters and knit stocking hats.
19. Scrump Costume
Shop all Lilo & Stitch Costumes
Scrump isn't as much of a character as she is an inanimate object, but she's iconic nonetheless. Scrump is a homemade doll made by Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, and she has brief appearances throughout the franchise. While she has no lines because she doesn't talk or move, Scrump is a fun, niche costume idea for Disney fans. If you want to be unique this Halloween, get an adorable Scrump costume!
20. Scuttle Costume
Shop all The Little Mermaid Costumes
Princess Ariel has three animal companions—Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle. Of the three, Scuttle gets the least screen time because he can't go underwater with her. Still, that doesn't make Scuttle a bad costume idea! You can create a unique group costume by dressing as the trio of animal helpers or make a deep-cut couple costume dressed as Scuttle and a dinglehopper. (That's a fork, for those who don't know!)
21. Dani Dennison Costume
Let's be real here—the Hocus Pocus witches absolutely steal the show. And how many of you remember the name of Max's kid sister? While she is central to the plot, Dani doesn't stand out as much as the other main characters. Still, we love the unique witch costume that she wears for Halloween! It's also ironic that Dani dresses as a witch when the witches want to steal her away and take her youth.
22. Fawn Costume
Shop all Disney Fairies Costumes
Fawn is one of several Disney Fairies characters from a spinoff franchise focusing on Tinkerbell and her fairy friends. The movies are all direct to video or made for TV, so they have a more limited audience. The Disney Fairies each have their own unique power or talent, and Fawn is an animal-talent fairy. If you're looking for a unique group costume for girls or women, maybe a Disney Fairies cosplay is perfect!
23. Mama Imelda Costume
In the movie Coco, we meet some of Coco's ancestors who have passed on to the afterlife. While he spends most of his time with Héctor, we briefly meet Mama Imelda. As we find out, she is the reason Coco's family is all shoemakers and why music is banned in the family. While she thought Héctor had abandoned her and her family, she later found out that he had been killed, and that was why he was unable to return from his music tour. Mama Imelda doesn't have much time in the movie but still makes an adorable couple's costume with Héctor.
24. Magic Mirror Costume
Get ready to answer a few "mirror, mirror" questions while dressed as the Magic Mirror from Snow White! This enchanted mirror could be compared to Medieval Siri, as it spits out answers to every question the Evil Queen asks. The mirror itself is not directly good or evil but is rather used by a wicked person. If you want a fun twist on a couples' costume from Snow White, perhaps consider the Evil Queen and her mirror instead of the typical Snow White and Woodsman. Mirror mirror, on the wall, who has the most niche costume of them all?
25. Babette Costume
Shop all Beauty and the Beast Costumes
In Disney's Beauty and the Beast, several characters are enchanted furniture and household goods. We remember the names of many of them, but how many people remember the name of the French feather duster maid? While this is an excellent question for Disney trivia, Babette is also a fantastic Disney costume. (She was also named Fifi and Plumette, making it harder to remember.) Babette and Lumiere is such an underrated couples' costume idea!
26. Giselle Costume
Giselle is another Disney Princess who is not part of the official Disney Princess lineup. She's unique because she's from a primarily live-action movie, Enchanted. While Giselle flew under the radar compared to many other Disney movies, those who have seen the film absolutely love it! Make a Disney fan's day by dressing as this underappreciated Disney Princess, Giselle.
27. Kevin Costume
UP costumes are incredibly cute, but how often have you seen people dressed as Carl and Russell? Mix things up by wearing a Kevin costume! Kevin is the name given to the rare Snipe, a bird Carl wanted to find. Later, we also discover that Kevin is a girl because she has a nest with babies—Kevin was named before Carl and Russell were aware of that fact, so the name stuck!
28. Pacha Costume
Shop all Emperor's New Groove Costumes
Pacha is one of the main characters in The Emperor's New Groove. Yet, as far as costumes are concerned, he often gets overlooked for characters like Yzma, Kronk, and Emperor Kuzco. Still, it's a very simple costume that is easily recognizable. And it's pretty comfy, too! We think you'd rock a Pacha costume the next time you need a Halloween costume.
29. Sultan Costume
It's not too often that we see Disney moms and dads as significant characters in Disney Princess movies. However, the Sultan in Aladdin is a rare exception. From his interactions in the film, he clearly loves his daughter and wants the best for her, but he's also a bumbling pushover who overlooks his chief advisor plotting under his nose. This is an adorable daddy and me costume idea for girl dads who want to dress as Jasmine and the Sultan!
30. Vanessa Costume
Vanessa isn't so much as another character as she is a persona. Specifically, she's the alter-ego of villain Ursula. To help seal the deal on Ariel's fate, Ursula transforms into a human who goes by the name Vanessa, but she still wears the signature shell necklace. If you love deep-cut Disney costumes, this one's for you! You'll make someone's day at a convention or costumed Disney event.
31. Charlotte Costume
Shop all Princess and the Frog Costumes
Charlotte—or Lottie—is Tiana's best friend in The Princess and the Frog. She's also somewhat spoiled with a wealthy father who gets her nearly anything she wants, but we'd like to think that Tiana's friendship has kept her from being completely unbearable. Lottie is kind and encouraging and wants to see her friend Tiana succeed. When Tiana gets the prince, she becomes her biggest cheerleader! You go, girl!
32. Merryweather Costume
Plus Size Merryweather Costume
Shop all Sleeping Beauty Costumes
Make it blue! At the end of Sleeping Beauty, Merryweather is one of the two fairies fighting to change the color of Princess Aurora's dress. We could see the three fairy godmothers as a fun trio costume. Merryweather is the blue fairy, Flora is pink, and Fauna is green. Don't forget your magical wands to fight against Maleficent!
33. Wish Star Costume
Wish is one of Disney's newest animated movies, so the characters are still pretty fresh in our minds. However, most people would likely want to dress as Princess Asha or perhaps her sidekick goat, Valentino. Still, we carry the Wish star costume if you want to be different. Maybe you can grant a few wishes while in costume this Halloween!
34. Prince Philip Costume
Shop all Disney Prince Costumes
Most Disney Princesses are accompanied by a Prince. However, whether it's due to the age of the movie or his shorter screen time, Prince Philip doesn't get as much recognition as other Disney Princes. It's not for lack of trying, either! He slays Maleficent as a DRAGON at the end of the movie, which is pretty spectacular. How many men would fight a dragon for you?
35. Dr. Drakken Costume
Shop all Kim Possible Costumes
"Kim Possible, you think you're all that, but you're not!" Dr. Drakken is the primary villain in Disney Channel's Kim Possible. While he gets a lot of screen time, Kim and Ron are generally more popular costumes, and Dr. Drakken even gets overshadowed by his henchwoman, Shego. Still, you will make any Kim Possible fan's day if you attend a convention or Halloween party!
36. Muses Costumes
There are so many unforgettable characters in Disney's Hercules that it's hard to pick just one! Hercules, Megara, and Hades are common costumes, but may we persuade you to try the Muses? These are the perfect costumes for gal pals, as the five women narrate most of the movie through song and dance. (And we guess some talking, too.) This particular costume comes with pieces to create one of 5 costumes, making it incredibly versatile for you to choose your character. Which Muse is your favorite?
37. Alberto Costume
Alberto is another sea monster kid like the main character, Luca, although he appears to have no guardian. And honestly, without Alberto, there would be no Luca movie. He gets Luca to leave the sea and takes him on adventures on land, masquerading as human children. With his help, the two of them enter the Portorosso Cup so they can win, buy a Vespa scooter, and see the world!
38. Candice Costume
Shop all Phineas and Ferb Costumes
"You are so busted!" Candace is the sister of Phineas and step-sister to Ferb in Disney Channel's Phineas and Ferb TV series. She is the tattletale sister constantly trying to get her brothers in trouble, considering their high-stakes hijinks. While they're constructing rollercoasters and time machines in the backyard, she's trying to get her parents to notice. What would you do if you were in her position?
39. Louis Costume
Louis is another character from Disney's The Princess and the Frog. He's an alligator with a talent for the trumpet, named after the famous Louis Armstrong. Louis wants nothing more than to play in a jazz band, but you can see how he might scare people away. Still, we're happy Louis got his wish at the movie's end! Make a splash as Louis at your next costumed event!
40. Owl Costume
Shop all Winnie the Pooh Costumes
Would you like to visit the 100 Acre Wood? Winnie the Pooh has many adventures there with friends like Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore, including Owl. He embodies the "wise old owl" archetype, often advising Pooh and his friends. (Granted, he subverts the trope by sometimes giving less sound advice!) This Owl costume is cute and cozy, perfect for trick-or-treating on a cold Halloween night.
Sharing our favorite underrated Disney character costumes was so much fun! Who are some of your favorite niche Disney characters? Do you love wearing more unique costumes? Tell us all about it! Don't forget to take a look at the rest of the Disney costumes we have to offer on HalloweenCostumes.com!
