Every Disney Princess has a special way of empowering girls, women, and everyone to envision brighter futures for themselves and their communities. While some past portrayals have raised concerns about problematic messages and stereotypes, Disney has continuously worked to enhance Disney Princess representation and messaging, allowing these characters and their diverse cultures to shine more vibrantly.
Disney Princesses boast a broad spectrum of unique personalities, influencing how they navigate challenges and support others. Each princess serves as an inspiration to fans of all ages, making it challenging to pinpoint the ultimate favorite. Nevertheless, we at IGN have curated our top 10 Disney Princesses from the official list of 13 characters. We extend our apologies to the three enchanting princesses who didn't make the cut; the decision was tough!
So, without further ado, here is IGN's selection of the 10 best Disney Princesses.
Best Disney Princesses
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10. Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
Image: DisneyFor most of Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora resides in a secluded forest cottage under the protection of the Three Good Fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, who call her Briar Rose to shield her from Maleficent's curse. This curse foretold her death by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel's spindle on her 16th birthday. Despite the fairies' efforts, Aurora falls victim to Maleficent's spell upon returning to her castle, though Merryweather's blessing transforms the curse into a deep sleep, awoken only by true love's kiss.
Aurora stands out as one of the most iconic Disney Princesses, renowned for her grace and beauty. More than that, she possesses a vivid imagination, dreaming of her future and sharing these dreams with her woodland companions. However, the narrative of her curse, broken only by true love's kiss, has faced scrutiny in recent years.
Moana
Image: DisneyAs the daughter of Motunui's chief, Moana never aspired to romance with a prince or needed rescuing. Chosen by the ocean as an infant to restore the heart of Te Fiti, the Polynesian goddess of nature, Moana takes action as a teenager when a blight threatens her island due to Te Kā's darkness. She embarks on a quest with the shapeshifting demi-god Maui, who had stolen the heart a millennium earlier. Moana discovers that Te Kā is Te Fiti's corrupted form and restores her by returning the heart, saving both the ocean and her home.
Moana's independence, bravery, and determination mark her as an empowered young woman. Her voice actor, Auli‘i Cravalho, hails Moana as a universal role model. We look forward to seeing Catherine Laga'aia embody Moana's spirit in the upcoming live-action film.
Cinderella
Image: DisneyAfter her father's untimely death, Cinderella endures mistreatment by her stepmother and stepsisters, who relegate her to servitude in her own home. Despite this, she remains humble and kind, caring for the château's mice and birds, notably protecting Jaq and Gus from Lady Tremaine’s cat, Lucifer. When barred from attending the royal ball, Cinderella receives a magical makeover from her Fairy Godmother, donning a stunning ballgown and glass slippers. Her strategic thinking shines when she orchestrates her animal friends to free her from confinement and uses her remaining slipper to prove her identity to the Prince.
While initially criticized for passivity, Cinderella's resilience and ingenuity have been re-evaluated positively. Her iconic ball attire has made her a fashion icon, and Disney thoughtfully changed her dress color to baby blue to avoid wedding-like associations for young fans.
Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
Image: DisneyAriel epitomizes teenage rebellion with her fascination for the human world. Despite King Triton's prohibitions, she collects human artifacts and rescues Prince Eric from a shipwreck, falling in love with him. To pursue her dream of becoming human, Ariel makes a perilous deal with Ursula, trading her voice for legs. This leads to a confrontation with the sea witch, which she overcomes with help from Eric, Sebastian, and Flounder, ultimately marrying her true love.
In the sequel, The Little Mermaid: Return to the Sea, Ariel becomes a mother to Melody, who aspires to be a mermaid, marking Ariel as the first Disney Princess to embrace motherhood.
Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)
Image: DisneyIn Jazz Age New Orleans, Tiana embodies diligence and determination, working tirelessly to realize her dream of opening a restaurant, a promise to her late father from World War I. Her life takes a magical turn when she kisses Prince Naveen, who's been cursed into a frog, transforming her as well. Their journey to reverse the curse teaches Naveen responsibility, while Tiana resists Dr. Facilier's tempting shortcuts, valuing hard work over instant gratification.
The Princess and the Frog introduced Tiana as Disney's first African American Princess. Her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to her goals cement her status as a feminist business icon.
Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
Image: DisneyBelle, an intellectual and independent spirit, yearns for more than her provincial life offers. Her journey begins when she trades her freedom for her father's, who's imprisoned by the Beast. As she uncovers the Beast's curse and the enchanted castle's secret, Belle learns to see beyond appearances, eventually breaking the curse with her love.
Belle's character challenges traditional princess stereotypes, valuing knowledge and personal growth over romance. Her screenwriter, Linda Woolverton, crafted her to reflect these modern values, making Belle a feminist icon.
Rapunzel (Tangled)
Image: DisneyRapunzel, secluded for 18 years in a tower by Mother Gothel, who uses her magical hair to maintain youth, dreams of seeing the floating lanterns lit on her birthday. Her escape comes when Flynn Rider stumbles into her tower, leading to a deal that sees Rapunzel venturing out to witness the lanterns, discovering her true heritage along the way.
Rapunzel's popularity stems from her resourcefulness and creativity, using her hair for various purposes beyond its healing powers. Her journey underscores her intelligence and resilience, countering the negativity instilled by Gothel.
Jasmine (Aladdin)
Image: DisneyJasmine challenges traditional marriage norms, seeking a partner based on character rather than status. Frustrated by the law mandating her marriage to a prince, she rebels against her father's and Jafar's expectations. Her connection with Aladdin, who learns to value authenticity over pretense, leads to a change in the law, allowing her to marry for love.
As a symbol of female empowerment, Jasmine breaks from the typical princess mold by defying patriarchal traditions. She's also Disney's first West Asian princess, bringing much-needed diversity to the franchise.
Merida (Brave)
Image: DisneyMerida asserts her independence by refusing arranged marriage, a stance that clashes with her mother Queen Elinor's expectations. In Brave, Merida's quest to alter her fate leads to unintended consequences when a spell transforms Elinor into a bear. Through this ordeal, Merida fosters unity among the clans, advocating for personal choice in marriage.
As Pixar's first Disney Princess, Merida stands out for her singleness and prowess in archery, sword fighting, and horseback riding, offering a refreshing take on the princess archetype.
Mulan
Image: DisneyMulan, inspired by a Chinese folk tale, defies gender norms by disguising herself as Ping to take her father's place in the Imperial Chinese Army. Her strategic ingenuity leads to the defeat of the Hun army, and even after her true identity is exposed, she saves the Emperor, earning honor for her family and China.
Despite not being of royal birth, Mulan's inclusion as a Disney Princess underscores lessons of perseverance, family loyalty, and challenging gender roles. Her story in Mulan celebrates breaking free from patriarchal constraints.
AnswerSee ResultsThere you have it! We regret that three Disney Princesses did not make our list, but our focus was on their overall personalities and abilities. What are your thoughts on our choices and rankings? Share your opinions in the comments.
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