Whether you adore them because they’re incredibly relatable or simply because their selfless acts reveal the goodness in their hearts, Disney’s Encanto boasts a cast of amazing characters. If you didn’t shed a tear or feel personally called out at least once during this movie, our experiences watching it must have been entirely different. Encanto tells the story of a sentient magical house and the extraordinary family that resides within it. The central focus, however, lies on Mirabel, the lone member of the Madrigal family without a magical gift, as she embarks on a mission to uncover the reason behind her home’s dying magic. Created and directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Charise Castro Smith, and Jared Bush, this visually stunning film presents a heartwarming tale. Mirabel’s yearning to be acknowledged and useful strikes a deep chord, and the final songs have the power to tug at your heartstrings if you’re not careful (I confess, I cry every time I watch it). The music is exceptional, and on any given day, each character in Encanto can become your favorite at some point. Now, let’s delve into the Madrigal family’s members in Encanto and what makes them so captivating.
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12. Abuela Alma Madrigal
Abuela Alma stands as the matriarch of the Madrigal family, harboring the highest expectations for the magically gifted members. She is relentlessly driven by the pursuit of perfection. However, many fans were left with a sour taste in their mouths due to the way she treats Mirabel, solely because of something beyond her control. This treatment becomes especially apparent when we witness Antonio’s anxiety before receiving his gift, clearly worried about whether Abuela and the rest of the family will treat him the same way they treated Mirabel. While learning about Abuela Alma’s backstory, including the pain and trauma from her past, where she was eventually driven away from her home shortly after giving birth to triplets and tragically losing her husband, garnered some sympathy, most viewers couldn’t get past their dislike for this Encanto character. It’s evident that grief blinded her, preventing her from recognizing her family’s value beyond their magical abilities. Nonetheless, her actions remain inexcusable. Dismissing your own granddaughter because she lacks magical powers is simply unjustifiable. The brilliant María Cecilia Botero lends her voice to Abuela Alma Madrigal.
11. Pepa Madrigal
Pepa, as the middle child of Alma, possesses the gift of emotional weather control. Despite having this ability for years, she struggles the most with it and is perpetually ridiculed by her mother for her inability to regulate her emotions. From a young age, she taught herself to bottle up her feelings to avoid causing harm to others. This Encanto character is the mother of Dolores, Camilo, and Antonio, and she is married to her incredibly supportive husband, Félix, who effortlessly soothes her when her emotions become overwhelming. He serves as the perfect counterbalance to her “overly emotional” nature. During the song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” she appears to harbor some resentment towards her brother, who seemingly ruined her wedding day with what she believed was a prediction. However, it becomes apparent later on that her anger was merely a facade, masking her genuine concern for him. Upon reuniting with Bruno after years of separation, she immediately embraces him with overwhelming enthusiasm. Pepa is brought to life by Carolina Gaitán.
10. Félix Madrigal
Félix Madrigal, a caring and supportive husband, complements his wife’s stormy and dramatic demeanor with his carefree and fun-loving personality. Often dubbed the life of the party, Félix finds joy in bringing smiles to people’s faces, even managing to coax a smile from his usually stoic mother-in-law during their brief encounters. While his relationship with Alma is decent, he never hesitates to defend his wife when her emotions become too much and the weather starts spiraling out of control. Félix is the only one who truly appreciates Pepa’s gift, always eager to dance in the rain with her. He even describes their wedding day as a “joyous” event, despite Pepa blaming herself for the hurricane she caused. His love and care for his family shine through in the small interactions he has with his sons and nieces. He engages in sassy banter with his eldest son, Camilo, and swiftly checks his own head for injuries after a failed attempt to save the Miracle Candle alongside Mirabel and Isabela. Félix takes every opportunity to encourage Antonio, his youngest son, just before he receives his gift, ensuring that he isn’t crushed when the house starts collapsing around them. He affectionately labels Isabela, his eldest niece, as an angel and willingly discusses Bruno with Mirabel when she inquires about him. Mauro Castillo skillfully brings Félix Madrigal to life.
9. Julieta Madrigal
Julieta, the eldest daughter of Alma and Pedro Madrigal, is one of the few family members who doesn’t wrestle with their gift. Her ability to heal people through the food she lovingly prepares for them leaves little room for mishaps. Julieta loves all her daughters equally, doing her best to comfort Mirabel when she feels down about not being able to assist others in the same way her gifted relatives can. She possesses a strong protective instinct towards her family, which manifests when Alma blames Mirabel for all the troubles and demands to know why she wasn’t informed about Bruno’s prophecy. Her endearing marriage to the accident-prone Agustín is nothing short of adorable and easily ranks as one of the best relationships in the movie. Julieta’s calmness complements Agustín’s clumsiness, and his constant injuries provide her ample opportunity to showcase her culinary skills and healing gift. Julieta never speaks ill of Bruno after his disappearance and feels genuinely mournful for her brother’s decision to run away. Upon reuniting with him after years apart, she embraces him enthusiastically, though not as exuberantly as Pepa. Angie Cepeda expertly breathes life into this sweet Encanto character.
8. Agustín Madrigal
Agustín, the accident-prone husband of Julieta and the father of Mirabel, Isabela, and Luisa, deeply cares for his wife and daughters. He fiercely defends them whenever Alma becomes unyielding. While his clumsy nature makes him an unlikely candidate for Alma’s approval, their love for each other transcends all odds, resulting in the sweetest of romances. Agustín understands the exclusion his youngest daughter, Mirabel, feels and tries to establish a connection with her through shared experiences of insecurity, albeit with varying degrees of success. He claims that Mirabel takes after her mother, but her clumsiness throughout the film makes it abundantly clear which parent she resembles more. This supportive father and husband consistently show his affection for his family through small acts. He engages in playful exchanges with his sons and nieces, continuously checking on their wellbeing. He lovingly refers to Isabela, his oldest niece, as an angel and willingly discusses Bruno with Mirabel when she inquires about him. The delightful Wilmer Valderrama beautifully portrays Agustín Madrigal.
7. Bruno Madrigal
Bruno, the youngest son of Alma, possesses the gift of foresight, a power that often intimidates others due to the bleak predictions he delivers. When Mirabel fails to receive her own gift, Bruno is called upon to glimpse the future and evaluate its implications for the Madrigal family. Upon recognizing that Mirabel is at the center of two divergent potential futures, both laden with the negative reactions of people around her, Bruno disappears to protect his niece. Consequently, the townsfolk hastily label him a villain. His deep love for his family is evident as he goes to great lengths to safeguard Mirabel from being held responsible for something beyond her control and to mend the cracks developing in the walls of the house. Though he couldn’t bring himself to leave entirely, he chose to remain separated from everyone. Bruno, characterized by a slight awkwardness, occasionally utters supposedly jovial remarks that get misconstrued. For instance, his attempt to lighten Pepa’s nerves on her wedding day only resulted in her heightened anxiety. Bruno finds solace in his rats and theater, combining the two to create captivating performances. The talented John Leguizamo lends his voice to this endearing Encanto character.
6. Isabela Madrigal
Isabela, Mirabel’s older sister and Abuela Alma’s favorite grandchild, was bestowed with the unique gift of Chlorokinesis, granting her control over plant growth. She grew up under the weight of exceedingly high expectations from her grandmother, which prompted her to mask her insecurities behind a façade of perfection. Described by Mirabel as “effortlessly perfect,” Isabela exudes grace, though her demeanor sometimes irks her younger sister, likely due to her Abuela’s unwavering attention. However, Mirabel discovers the truth about Isabela and helps her break free from the suffocating expectations, fostering a stronger bond between the two sisters. Upon succumbing to the pressure, Isabela realizes she possesses far greater capabilities than she initially thought, embarking on the journey to live the life of her dreams, as promised by her uncle Bruno. Diane Guerrero brilliantly brings this Encanto character to life.
5. Dolores Madrigal
Dolores, the oldest child of Pepa and Félix, possesses the power of enhanced hearing, granting her the ability to know everything about everyone. She has a propensity for inadvertently sharing secrets or relishing in creating drama by divulging information to the wrong people. Although her gift proves helpful, it can also cause her great distress when the noise becomes overwhelming, often leading her to cover her ears for respite. Dolores typically speaks in whispers and emits little squeaks, but she occasionally enjoys cracking jokes or making snide, sarcastic comments at the expense of her family members. Her deep care for her family is evident. She is protective of her brothers, harboring a typical sibling bond with Camilo, and readily fulfills Abuela’s requests, offering comfort after the house collapses. She bears no ill will toward her uncle, who foretold the heartrending news that her love interest would be engaged to another. Instead, she displays empathy, likely due to her own experience with unique powers, and keeps the secret of his presence concealed in the walls despite her reputation for spilling secrets. Adassa skillfully brings Dolores to life, delighting us with her adorable squeaks.
4. Luisa Madrigal
Luisa, Julieta and Agustín’s middle child, stands out as one of the most relatable characters in the movie. Her gift of enhanced strength allows her to assist the townspeople whenever they require aid, always ready to lend a helping hand. However, it becomes evident during the song “Surface Pressure” that Luisa struggles with the expectations placed upon her, mirroring Isabela’s struggles. She constantly worries that her strength won’t be sufficient to protect her family in times of trouble. When the magic slowly wanes and problems arise, Luisa swiftly begins to feel useless if she can no longer lift heavy objects. She exhibits an intense protectiveness towards her family, showcased by her reluctance to disclose the cause of her distress until she eventually snaps at her younger sister’s persistent inquiries. Witnessing her finally find respite at the end of the film brought us all great joy. Jessica Darrow flawlessly portrays Luisa.
3. Camilo Madrigal
Camilo, Dolores’s younger brother, has often been labeled as a “theatre kid.” His gift allows him to shapeshift into anyone he desires. While he primarily employs his ability to help the townspeople, he occasionally uses it for personal gain, such as transforming into his sister to acquire more food, or to tease his father by assuming a shorter stature with a higher-pitched voice, all in an attempt to alleviate his younger brother’s nerves before receiving his gift. Though this Encanto character may not carry as much responsibility as some other family members, he still feels the weight of Abuela’s expectations, often concealing his insecurities behind a cheerful facade. It has been mentioned that he is a teenager still trying to discover his true identity, hinting at potential identity struggles. The mischievous prankster is brought to life by Rhenzy Feliz.
2. Mirabel Madrigal
Mirabel, the youngest daughter of Julieta and Agustín, is the sole member of her family without a special gift. She radiates warmth and friendliness, always going out of her way to comfort her family members. Her optimistic outlook on life permits her to insist that she can find happiness without a gift, convinced that she is just as remarkable as her magically-endowed relatives. However, in her private moments, we witness her deep struggle with her lack of a gift, desperately yearning for Abuela to recognize her worth beyond a constant source of disappointment. As the magic diminishes and challenges arise, Mirabel embarks on an adventure driven by her indefatigable need to prove herself. Along the way, she restores broken bonds, particularly with her eldest sister and her Abuela. Mirabel also encourages Louisa to take a break from the burdens she places upon herself and succeeds in persuading her uncle Bruno to return home. Mirabel’s relatability, tenacity, and idiosyncrasies make her one of the most endearing characters in the film. Stephanie Beatriz voices the older version of Mirabel, while Noemi Josefina Flores lends her voice to the younger version.
1. Antonio Madrigal
Antonio steals the spotlight as the most adorable member of the Madrigal family and the most joyous character in Encanto. As the youngest son of Pepa and Félix, he possesses the ability to communicate with animals, forming instant connections with Parce (a jaguar), Pico (a toucan), and Chispi (a rather unimpressed-looking capybara). Antonio greatly admires Mirabel and cherishes her presence as a cousin, insisting that she accompany him on his walk to his door before receiving his gift. This heartwarming moment underscores the deep bond between the two. Though Antonio doesn’t play a significant role in the movie, his kindness and innocence make him one of the most delightful characters. Ravi Cabot-Conyers expertly brings the equally adorable Antonio Madrigal to life.
Who Was Your Favorite Character from Encanto?
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