25 Disney characters that are actually good role models

15. Sulley (Monsters, Inc.)

It’s tough to be one of the best at something, only to realize that you’re tangled up in a corrupt system. What matters most, perhaps, is what you do with that realization. Do you just sort of throw up your hands, say “oh, well”, and get back to your unethical job? Or, do you put on your big kid pants and do the right thing?

Thankfully, James P. “Sulley” Sullivan learns to do the right thing. He’s the top “scarer” at the Monsters, Inc. factory. In his world of monsters, everyone gets their power from this factory, where scarers frighten young children and harvest the power in their screams. Thankfully, the creepiness of this situation doesn’t stand out too much in what is an otherwise supremely charming movie.

Given that children are toxic to monsters, Sulley is practically a hero. Things get upended, however, when a little girl (nicknamed “Boo”) makes her way into the monster world. Sulley and his best friend, Mike Wazowski, soon discover that children aren’t toxic after all. They also discover that a rival, Randall, is developing a far more harmful and forceful method of energy-production, called “The Scream Extractor”.

Instead of just rolling with it and benefiting from this terrifying new technology, Mike and Sulley work to fight Randall. In the end, they’re able to discover that children’s laughter is far more potent in terms of energy. It’s also way renewable and kinder than scaring the hell out of toddlers and the like.

Sulley deals with the hit to his ego and reputation with bravery and grace, and in the process helps to fix a major problem in his society. Sounds like a pretty good deal, in the end.