The underdog story trope, which sees an unlikely hero overcome seemingly impossible odds to succeed in some way, is one of film and literature's most popular storytelling tools, and there's no better source for such tales than in the movies of Walt Disney Pictures.

Watching beloved Disney heroes rise to overcome the villain or obstacles that stand in the way of their goal is a time-honored tradition for Disney fans. With many beloved characters in Disney's history, it's no surprise that most of them are tried, true, and triumphant underdogs.

Updated on December 2nd, 2022 by Stacie Rook:

Disney continues to prove that it's a studio that champions underdog characters, as its newest release Strange World shows in a story that sends a family of explorers on their most difficult mission yet. In many cases, these underdog tales serve to prove a character's heroism and show that no one should be overlooked.