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New study reveals which Disney icons dominate online searches, social media, and YouTube views globally. From childhood movie nights to theme park visits, Disney characters hold a special place in hearts across generations. Whether it’s humming “Let It Go” or spotting Mickey Mouse ears, these animated icons capture imaginations at every age. But which Disney characters actually rule the internet?
1000 Mines, an online gaming platform that modernizes classic games like Minesweeper, conducted a comprehensive study to find out which Disney characters truly dominate online. The analysis examined 50 iconic Disney characters using three key digital metrics: monthly search volume, social media mentions across major platforms, and YouTube video views.
The study analyzed data from May 2024 to April 2025, combining search data from Google Ads, social media mentions from Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, plus YouTube view counts. Each metric was weighted equally at 33.3% to create a comprehensive popularity score, revealing which characters generate the most online buzz and engagement
1. Moana (90.29)
Moana claims the crown with an impressive 90.29 popularity score, proving that newer Disney characters can absolutely compete with decades-old classics. Her 1 million monthly searches and massive 3.4 billion YouTube views show she’s resonating powerfully with both millennials who saw the film as adults and Gen Alpha kids discovering her story. The character’s empowering message and catchy soundtrack have made her a social media favorite, generating viral TikTok dances and covers of “How Far I’ll Go.”
2. Snow White (83.84)
Despite being Disney’s first princess from 1937, Snow White secures second place with 83.84 points. Her 1.22 million monthly searches – the highest search volume in the top 10 – proves that nostalgia is incredibly powerful online. Recent buzz around the upcoming live-action remake has undoubtedly boosted her digital presence, reminding audiences why she started the Disney princess phenomenon.
3. Elsa (79.73)
Elsa rounds out the top three with 79.73 points, riding the wave of Frozen’s cultural dominance. Her 3.9 billion YouTube views – the highest in the rankings – reflect the viral nature of “Let It Go” and countless fan covers, parodies, and reaction videos. While her search volume is lower than others, Elsa’s YouTube dominance shows how one iconic song can create lasting digital impact.
4. Mickey Mouse (77.45)
The OG Disney character Mickey Mouse holds strong at fourth place with 77.45 points. His 27.6 million social mentions – by far the highest in the study – demonstrate his status as Disney’s ultimate brand ambassador. From memes to merchandise posts, Mickey’s ears appear everywhere on social media – proving that some icons never go out of style.
5. Stitch (73.88)
Stitch rounds out the top five with 73.88 points, powered by an astronomical 76.1 million social mentions. The blue alien has become a Gen Z and millennial favorite, appearing in countless memes, aesthetic posts, and TikTok videos. His rebellious personality and cute-but-chaotic energy perfectly match social media culture, which makes him incredibly shareable content.
About 1000 Mines
1000 Mines is an online gaming platform that modernises the classic Minesweeper experience with both traditional and infinite gameplay modes. The Classic mode offers three difficulty levels, while the Infinite mode features an expanding grid for a continuous challenge. The game is designed to enhance strategic thinking and problem-solving skills as well as to cater to both casual players and competitive enthusiasts. With an intuitive interface and free accessibility, 1000 Mines delivers an engaging and mentally stimulating experience.
Methodology
This study analyzed 50 Disney characters selected from The Word on Pop Culture’s ranking of the 100 Greatest Disney Characters from 2023, chosen for their cultural impact, fan popularity, and iconic status across Disney films and franchises.
The analysis combined three key metrics from May 2024 to April 2025. Search volume data was collected from Google Ads using queries formatted as “[Character Name] [Cartoon Name]” and “Disney [Character Name]” to capture average monthly searches. Social media mentions were gathered from Social Searcher, tracking total mentions across Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. YouTube view estimations were calculated by summing the top 5 videos per character by view count.
All metrics were normalized using min-max and log transformation, then weighted equally at 33.3% each to create a composite Popularity Score. Characters were ranked from highest to lowest based on their final scores.
