Disney has been producing movies since 1923, with over 130 having been released at the time of writing. They span a wide range of genres, and include hundreds if not thousands of beloved characters, and you’ll find a wide range of animals, as well as humans, in the Disney archives.
There has been much discussion over the years about diversity in Disney, but have you ever considered how many characters are depicted with glasses? We take a look at some of the best be-spectacled characters.
10Doc - Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Doc is the self-appointed leader of the seven dwarfs in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He is kind-hearted yet pompous, and along with his fumbling speech patterns, his glasses are one of his defining features.
Docs glasses are simple rounded frames that always sit at the end of his nose. He peers through them frequently, often resulting in a quizzical and slightly self-important look which fits his character perfectly.
9John Darling - Peter Pan (1953)
John Darling is the middle child in the Darling family from Peter Pan. Wendy is his older sister, and Michael his younger brother. He enjoys hearing stories about Peter Pan from Wendy, and acting them out with Michael.
John’s glasses are used here to depict his intellect as well as his desire to take after his sophisticated father. They are paired with a top hat and umbrella which he takes everywhere. The wide-rimmed spectacles are a huge part of his appearance, and he is portrayed as short-sighted when he doesn’t have them.
8Roz - Monsters Inc (2001)
Roz is the slug-like administrator of Scare Floor F, where Sulley and Mike work in Monsters Inc. She has an eternal frown, likely caused by the fact that Mike seems incapable of properly filing paperwork. She works in an office beside the scare floor and has been with the company for years, a fact celebrated with promotions in later movies.
Roz always looks serious with her comfortable cardigan and wide horn-rimmed glasses on a chain. The stereotypical Librarian look she sports helps cement her role as someone who takes books, papers and administration seriously.
7Merlin - The Sword And The Stone (1963)
Merlin is often regarded as the world’s most powerful wizard, and in The Sword And The Stone he decides to take on the education of a young boy called Arthur. Merlin’s past is a mystery, and his present is also a little unclear thanks to his forgetfulness.
Merlin’s tiny round glasses are used as a symbol of intellect, sitting perched on his nose. This was a common use of glasses at the time this movie was created, and combined with the long white beard and flowing robes the image of Merlin stands as a common depiction of wizards.
6Sadness - Inside Out (2015)
Sadness is one of Riley’s emotions in Inside Out. She’s blue to reflect the colour associated with her emotion, and her look evokes images of long faces and a need to hide.
Sadness’s glasses are huge, and are used to make her eyes seem tiny. The contrast gives her more of a sorrowful look, evoking feelings of the emotion she represents. They are large overwhelming frames, reflecting the overwhelmingness of sadness itself.
5Lewis Robinson - Meet The Robinsons (2007)
Lewis Robinson is an incredibly smart twelve-year-old from Meet The Robinsons. He has been inventing things since he was able to hold a screwdriver and somehow makes a wide range of inventions using items he finds in the orphanage in which he was raised.
Lewis is another example of glasses being used as an indicator of intellect. As the smartest person in most every room, Lewis tends to look wide-eyed through his lenses, making sure to take in everything around him.
4Mei Lee - Turning Red (2022)
Mei is the protagonist of Turning Red. She’s just turned 13, and discovered that being a teenager comes with a whole host of emotions, which see her turning into a Red Panda when she loses control of them.
Mei’s glasses are used to depict part of her nerdy personality, something also reflected in her friend and fellow glasses-wearer Priya. Both girls are smart and awkward, and while also passionate and driven, can often be introverted and uncool.
3Edna Mode - The Incredibles (2004)
Edna Mode is a fashion designer for superheroes from The Incredibles. She founded the no-capes movement, being firmly against them for safety reasons. She takes her job very seriously as she helps the Incredible family with practical and stylish outfits.
Edna’s glasses are huge and give her a serious look most of the time, although her eyes soften under them when she’s happy. They stand out, and in turn help her do the same.
2Carl Fredrickson - Up
Carl Fredrickson’s story is told in the movie Up. After losing his wife he ends up on the adventure of a lifetime with a young bnoy named Russell and a dog named Dug.
Carl is depicted with glasses even as a young man, and they frame his face well and make his eyes stand out. Carl carries a lot of emotion in his eyes, be it grief, sorrow, anticipation, frustration or joy. The wide frames act as a magnifier, drawing attention to his emotional journey throughout the movie.
1Mirabel Madrigal - Encanto (2021)
Mirabel Madrigal is the youngest sister of Isabela and Luisa and the protagonist of Encanto. She’s the only child in her family without a magical gift, yet the only one who can save them all when the magic begins to run out.
Mirabel is portrayed as weird and quirky, with a kind heart and a huge amount of empathy. Her round green glasses reflect her vibrant personality. They also show a visual imperfection, a reflection of her lack of gift and her imperfection in the eyes of her family.
