Animated movies bring beloved characters to life, but what if they didn’t always look the way we know them today? Many of our favorite cartoon icons went through multiple design changes before making it to the big screen. From completely different hairstyles to personality shifts, these characters originally had a very different look and feel.

Here’s a fascinating look at some of the most famous animated characters and their original, surprising designs.

Elsa – Frozen

Elsa, the ice queen we all know and love, was initially created as the villain of Frozen. Early concept art showed her as an older woman with short black hair or, in some sketches, a high transparent hairstyle. Her facial expressions were much colder, and she looked far more intimidating. The final version transformed her into a misunderstood, yet lovable, character with iconic platinum blonde hair.

Video: FROZEN | Let It Go Sing-along | Official Disney UK

Jane – Tarzan

In the first sketches, Jane from Tarzan was drawn in a much more realistic style. She lacked the signature bright yellow dress and wore a simpler, more practical outfit. Another notable difference? Early versions of Jane had no visible makeup, making her look more like an adventurous explorer than the refined lady we see in the film.

Maleficent – Sleeping Beauty

The original Maleficent wasn’t always the elegant villain with her iconic horns. Instead, early drafts gave her insect-like antennae and a long hooked nose, making her resemble a dark fairy rather than a powerful sorceress. However, one thing remained unchanged—her eerie green skin, which added to her haunting presence.

Cruella – 101 Dalmatians

Cruella de Vil went through several redesigns before becoming the stylish, yet terrifying, villain we know today. Early sketches depicted her as much younger, with a glamorous and fashionable look. While animators played around with different styles, one thing never changed—her signature black-and-white hair, which remains one of the most recognizable features of the character.

Ursula – The Little Mermaid

It took animators four years to perfect Ursula’s final look. Early versions of The Little Mermaid’s sea witch featured a human upper body and a lower half that looked more like a lionfish. This design was ultimately changed to the tentacled villain we now recognize. The shift helped emphasize her eerie, deep-sea presence without making her appear too stylish.

Video: What was Ursula’s Evil Plan? | Disney Princess

Hiccup – How to Train Your Dragon

Hiccup’s design remained fairly true to the books, but there was one major change—his hair color. In the original book series, Hiccup sported thick, bright red hair. DreamWorks adjusted his look to make him fit better with the animated style of the film, giving him a more neutral brown-haired appearance while keeping his small, scrappy frame.

Aladdin

Aladdin underwent several design transformations before Disney finalized his look. Initially, he was drawn as a younger, scrawnier teenager with exaggerated round eyes and larger ears. He was meant to have a more mischievous, playful look, but the final version aged him up slightly to make him more of a charming, adventurous hero.

Boo – Monsters, Inc.

Boo, the adorable little girl from Monsters, Inc., was originally imagined as much older. Early sketches show her wearing a green hooded tunic, glasses, and red hair. The shift to a younger, more innocent character made her relationship with Sulley even more heartwarming and believable.

Ariel – The Little Mermaid

Ariel’s original concept art looked quite different from the final version. She was first drawn wearing a waistcoat, with long flowing red hair and a pink tail instead of the green one we recognize today. Her eyes were also originally yellow, but Disney opted for a softer, more relatable look that matched her youthful curiosity.

Aurora – Sleeping Beauty

Few people realize that the first sketches of Aurora portrayed her as an entirely different princess. She originally had long black hair, a pink blouse, and a blue skirt. Over time, the design evolved into the elegant golden-haired princess with the iconic blue and pink gown that Disney fans adore.

Video: An Unusual Prince/Once Upon a Dream (From “Sleeping Beauty”)

Many of the most famous animated characters we love today looked completely different in their early stages. From major changes in age and personality to subtle tweaks in hairstyle and clothing, these redesigns played a huge role in shaping the final versions that made it to the big screen. It’s fascinating to see how animation studios fine-tune characters to create the most memorable and iconic versions that stand the test of time!