20. Scrat ('Ice Age' films, 2002, 2006, 2009)
Scrat is an acorn-obsessed prehistoric squirrel/rat always in search of the elusive nut. The nutty character was just supposed to appear in the film's opening sequence, but he tested so well that director and voice Chris Wedge added more scenes. According to 'Ice Age' lore, the silent and silly character is responsible for the continents we have today.

19. Timon & Pumbaa ('Lion King,' 1994)
A wise-cracking meerkat, Timon, and a flatulent warthog, Pumbaa -- can't you feel the love? Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, who voiced the dysfunctional duo, were supposed to play hyenas Banzai and Shenzi (Whoopi Goldberg and Cheech Marin took the roles). The outcasts befriend Simba, teach him Hakuna Matata and help him regain his spot as king of the jungle.

18. Remy ('Ratatouille,' 2007)
"If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff," says Remy the rat. Words to live by. Comedian Patton Oswalt lent his voice for the rodent gourmand who dreams of becoming a five-star French chef. The pink-nosed vermin charms and serves up the best meals -- and laughs -- in all of Paris. So tasty and delicious, the movie won a Best Animated Feature Film Oscar.

17. Jiminy Cricket ('Pinocchio,' 1940)
Be careful when you wish upon a star -- the singing bug voiced by Vaudeville veteran and famed ukulele player Cliff Edwards became Pinocchio's conscience and guide along the straight and narrow path, after a wave of a Blue Fairy's wand. The vagabond bug was never far from his buddy and just a whistle away -- well, most of the time. Toodle-oo!

16. Tinker Bell ('Peter Pan,' 1953)
The pouting pixie and Peter's pal was created by animator Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney's inner circle pals, who were known as the "Nine Old Men." The three-inch sprite helped the gang fly with her pixie dust, was trapped in Wendy's drawer, caught in a keyhole and eventually captured by the evil Captain Hook.

15. Sebastian ('Little Mermaid,' 1989)
Horatio Thelonius Ignatius Crustaceous Sebastian, voiced by Samuel E. Wright, is a tough little crab with a soft shell at heart. He's Ariel's best buddy and helps her find her prince -- when he's not reporting to her father, King Triton. 'Mermaid' was the last Disney film to use hand-painted cells and won two Oscars, for Best Music Score and Best Song, 'Under the Sea.'

14. WALL-E ('WALL-E,' 2008)
WALL-E, an acronym for Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth-class, is a scrappy scavenger robot who beguiles us, despite the fact that he communicates in beeps and urps. In the course of this futuristic story, he finds his true love, Eve (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), loses her and gets her back. 'WALL-E' even cleaned up an Oscar for Best Animated Feature film.

13. Penguins ('Madagascar' films, 2005 & 2008)
The seemingly innocent penguins -- Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private -- steal the show and help save the day. The penguin commandos tunnel out of the zoo and find their way back to home base. In reality none of the main characters of 'Madagascar' are housed in the Central Park Zoo -- except the penguins. Remember to just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.

12. Wilbur ('Charlotte's Web,' 1973)
Long before Babe went to the big city, little piglet Wilbur captured our hearts in this enchanting film based on the classic E.B. White children's novel. The titular barn spider is so taken with the tiny oinker that she goes to great lengths to save him from becoming a farmer's breakfast. He's one spectacular pig.

11. Baloo ('The Jungle Book,' 1967)
Baloo, "bear" in Hindu, is the scatting sage who teaches the man-cub, Mowgli, the facts of life and the true meaning of friendship. The happy-go-lucky ursine was voiced by Phil Harris, who voiced another bear, Little John in Disney's 'Robin Hood.' The toe-tapping 'Jungle Book' was Disney creator Walt's last film.
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