Since its first full length feature film, it was clear that Disney knew how to create brave, bold and beautiful female leads. From Minnie Mouse to Snow White to Elsa and Anna, there are so many incredible heroines that mean so much to little girls and boys around the globe, and have even become personal heroes to adult Disney lovers too.
As of August 2023, there are currently 13 true royals of the world: the Disney Princesses. Although there are numerous royal characters featured in Disney and Pixar movies and shows, not all have made the cut to be part of the Disney Princess Franchise that launched in 2000. For example, Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” aren’t considered Disney Princesses because “Frozen” is a successful standalone franchise and technically both become queens by the end of the second film. Others like Tinker Bell and Esmeralda were part of the original line-up but dropped in the following years. Given the continued success of the Princess Line as well as Princess films, we are likely to see many more Royal Coronations in the future.
Now with that royal decree officially spoken, it ‘s time to jump into this very biased list which will only be including the official Disney Princesses. Hakuna Matata though because no matter where they place, we know that each Princess is a true Queen!
13. Aurora
A lot of people judge Aurora for only being in 20 minutes of her own film, but in reality, we’re all jealous because she’s living the dream. Getting to be the star of a movie in which you sleep for most of it and end up with a handsome Prince Philip in the end – that’s life goals, and we all secretly wish we had the life of Princess Aurora, minus the evil fairy Maleficent trying to kill us.
12. Snow White
She paved the way for all Disney movies and Disney Princesses that followed and deserves our utmost respect for that reason alone. Snow White gets a few points docked for falling in love with a Prince we still don’t fully know the name of, but her relationship with Grumpy, Dopey and the rest of the Dwarfs is all kinds of adorable.
11. Merida
The least conventional princess at the time of the film’s release, Merida is spunky, adventurous and independent. Her story wasn’t about finding love (she fights for her own hand!), it’s about family and accepting each other even if you don’t understand each other. Unlike the rest of the princesses, Merida doesn’t sing which is a bummer. Hearing the red-headed lass belt her heart out about accidentally turning her mother into a bear would have made “Brave” truly magnificent.
10. Pocahontas
Historical inaccuracies aside, Pocahontas is an all-around great princess who just so happens to have terrible taste in men (sorry but John Smith equals gross and she should have married Kocoum). What she lacks in romantic taste, she makes up for in selflessness and strong will. The Native-American princess also sings two of Disney’s most underrated songs! Seriously, give “Colours of the Wind” and “Just Around the Riverbend” another listen, they are certified bops.
9. Cinderella
The face of the franchise, Cinderella put the phrase “Disney Princess” on the map. Living by the philosophy her mother shared of being brave and kind, Cinderella had a hard-life, living under the iron fist of her step-mother. But if she taught us anything it’s that persistence and optimism can make your dreams come true. Without a doubt, next to Belle she has the most gorgeous ball gown in the world and no one can deny that she is an icon for the ages.
8. Moana
Similarly to Merida, Moana doesn’t have a love interest and there’s a reason. The girl has way too much on her plate to even think about finding love, she’s got to save her island from a life-killing darkness after all. She is as loyal as they come and her power ballad, “How Far I’ll Go” is one of the best modern Disney songs ever. She is an exemplary role model to kids everywhere, proving that you can do anything you put your mind to.
7. Raya
The first South Asian Disney princess, Raya is as bold and headstrong as they come. Look up the word fierce in the dictionary and you will see Raya. Her royal world isn’t about ball gowns and princes, but about saving her family and people of Kumandra from the Druun. Given her past, she isn’t the most trusting and can easily find faults in others, but she is also loyal and more capable than anyone. Raya is the complex female lead we love to see.
6. Ariel
Arguably the most popular Disney princess amongst millennials (seriously some of them get super intense about it), Ariel has the best Disney ballad of all-time. Her decision-making skills need a lot of work, but Ariel is feisty, courageous and curious to a fault, often letting her need to know everything get her into trouble. Fortunately, her pal Flounder is able to bring her back down to the sea when she’s in over her head, which does happen to this mermaid a lot even with those gorgeous locks of red hair weighing her down.
5. Tiana
Disney’s first Black princess doesn’t get the credit she deserves because people didn’t love her movie when it was first released. However, a lot of us are starting to see the error in our ways and can appreciate the incredible work ethic and heart of gold Tiana has. She doesn’t rely on magic to make her dreams come true, she works hard day in and day out to make it happen. She didn’t need Prince Naveen in her life to be happy, but he does compliment her in every way – sharing their dreams together. The epitome of what every modern romance should be!
4. Jasmine
She may not be the star of her own movie, but this Arabian Princess of Agrabah never plays second fiddle to anyone. She’s spunky, independent and will never bend to any man’s will, whether it be her father, Aladdin or Jafar. Jasmine doesn’t dream about finding love, she dreams about being free from her father’s protection and seeing beyond her palace. It just so happens that love finds her (cue “A Whole New World”).
3. Belle
With her nose stuck in a book, Belle embraces being different from everyone else. She may be beautiful on the outside, but she knows that what truly matters is inner beauty, which is why she treats everyone with kindness. Heck, she eventually even gives the Beast who keeps her prisoner a second chance, finding love in the process. She also wears the most beautiful gold ball gown you will ever see. Belle makes real-life royals shiver in jealously.
2. Mulan
We’re not saying that all Disney Princesses need to be action heros, but we’re not saying they shouldn’t be either. Mulan may be the only princess not royal by blood or marriage, but she literally saved China, which earns her a crown. She’s kind, brave, strong, goofy and smart – the kind of well-rounded woman we all love to see on-screen! Mulan represents the empowerment of equal rights of women, proving that a woman can find love with a bonafide hunk like Shang and still kick some serious butt!
1. Rapunzel
For someone who has been locked away in a tower for 16 years of her life, you would think Rapunzel would be as dense as they come. And while she can be naive at-times, she is also smart, creative and bold. She’s also quirky, strong (especially with that magical hair), caring and willing to do whatever it takes to make her dream come true. There is something about Rapunzel that is just so darn relatable, and hearing the ballad “When Will My Life Begin?” as a teenager has ensured that Rapunzel will always be this writer’s favourite Disney Princess now and forever (or at least until I see the floating lanterns gleam).
Who is your favourite Disney Princess? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. And make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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