Every Disney Princess Movie (In Order) (2024)

The Disney Princess franchise is one of Disney’s most successful and lucrative brands. Beginning with the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Disney has released several animated features starring iconic fairy tale princesses in leading roles. The Disney Renaissance, in particular, really pushed the princess brand forward after the lack of Disney princess movies after the release of Sleeping Beauty in 1959.

As time went on and cinema evolved, the Disney princess brand followed suit. In 2010, Disney began using 3D animation for their princess movies with Tangled, and this has become the norm for all their films that followed. In the early 2000s, Disney began marketing the Disney princesses as their own merchandise brand, which helped to emphasize their iconic status.

1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Introduced the First Disney Princess

The 1937 Film Was Disney's First Feature-Length Animated Film

Disney’s first princess movie, and first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, really set the standard for a Disney princess movie. Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the film was massively successful, leading to several adaptations from other production companies throughout the following decades. The film followed the story of Snow White, being taken in by a group of dwarfs in the woods while on the run from her jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen.

While Snow White as a character may seem rather bland compared to the more recent Disney princesses, her story certainly hooked young audiences. The prince character, known as Prince Florian, is unfortunately given very little attention. However, the film's highlight is the evil queen, who set the standard for the Disney villains and remains iconic even now.

9

10

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Approved

Musical

Fantasy

Adventure

Animation

Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.

Director

David Hand , William Cottrell , Wilfred Jackson

Release Date

December 21, 1937

Cast

Adriana Caselotti

Writers

Jacob Grimm , Wilhelm Grimm , Ted Sears

Runtime

1 hour 23 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Production Company

Walt Disney Animation Studios

2 Cinderella Solidified Disney's Princess Archetype

The 1950 Film Featured an Iconic Character

Cinderella is easily Disney’s most iconic and well-known princess film. Even those who haven’t seen the 1950 animated film would know the story, with the evil stepmother and stepsisters, the Fairy Godmother, and the glass slippers. While the Cinderella story existed before, Disney really made their adaptation the definitive version.

Despite being arguably the most recognizable of the Disney princesses, the character of Cinderella herself doesn’t appear all that much in the film, only being on-screen for 35 percent of the film’s running time. The Prince Charming character is rather uninspired as well, though somewhat of an upgrade from Snow White’s Prince Florian, though two direct-to-video sequels did flesh these characters out more. Cinderella has become so synonymous with the Disney brand that every major Disney theme park features her castle as a main attraction.

Cinderella

G

Animation

Family

Fantasy

Musical

Romance

When Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.

Director

Clyde Geronimi , Wilfred Jackson , Hamilton Luske

Release Date

March 4, 1950

Cast

Ilene Woods , James MacDonald , Eleanor Audley , Verna Felton

Runtime

75 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Production Company

Walt Disney Pictures

3 Sleeping Beauty Was the Last Princess Movie for Decades

The 1959 Film Featured Stunning Animation

The final Disney princess film released before Disney’s Dark Era,Sleeping Beauty, took what worked with both Snow White and Cinderella and perfected it. The film follows the fairy tale by Charles Perrault, as well as the Brothers Grimm version, starring Princess Aurora in the leading role. Other major characters include the good fairies, Prince Phillip, and Maleficent as the main villain.

What really made Sleeping Beauty special was its impressive animation. The stunning painted backgrounds and dreamlike colors really set the film apart and remain synonymous with Disney's high standard. Plus, Maleficent was easily one of Disney’s best, even helping to start the live-action retellings of these stories with her own live-action movie decades later with 2014’s Maleficent.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

G

Animation

Fantasy

Adventure

Family

After being snubbed by the royal family, a malevolent fairy places a curse on a princess which only a prince can break, along with the help of three good fairies. Directed by Les Clark, Clyde Geronimi, and Eric Larson.

Release Date

January 29, 1959

Cast

Mary Costa , Eleanor Audley , Bill Shirley , Verna Felton , Barbara Luddy , Barbara Jo Allen

Runtime

1 hour 15 minutes

4 The Little Mermaid Launched the Disney Renaissance

The Princess Movie Saw the Return of the Disney Princess

Based on the Danish fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid relaunched the Disney Princess archetype after almost three decades following the release of Sleeping Beauty. The film followed Ariel, a curious mermaid who desperately wants to experience life on land. After making a deal with the evil Sea Witch, Ursula, Ariel is given legs at the cost of her voice.

The Little Mermaid really took the original princess concept and made it more relevant for a new age, following more of a musical style with multiple musical numbers from the cast of characters. Ariel’s solo number, “Part of Your World,” was incredibly moving and set the standard for Disney Princess songs. Following two direct-to-video sequels and a cartoon, the film was remade in live-action with 2023's The Little Mermaid, which was mostly well-received among audiences and critics alike.

The Little Mermaid

G

Animation

Adventure

Family

A mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love.

Director

Ron Clements , John Musker

Release Date

November 17, 1989

Studio

Disney

Cast

Jodi Benson , Samuel E. Wright , Pat Carroll , Christopher Daniel Barnes , Kenneth Mars , Buddy Hackett , Jason Marin , Rene Auberjonois , Paddi Edwards , Ben Wright , Edie McClurg , Will Ryan , Sherry Lynn , Mickie McGowan , Nancy Cartwright , Frank Welker , Hamilton Camp , Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

Main Genre

Animation

5 Beauty and the Beast Is a Beloved Film

The 1991 Featured a Great Take on the Disney Princess Archetype

Following the success of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast recreated the magic of a musical-style Disney princess film. The film followed Belle, a French villager who forms a strong relationship with the Beast, after taking her father's place as his captive. It's revealed he must fall in love to break a curse, and while all hope seems lost, love eventually blooms.

Belle was a pretty revolutionary princess for the time. Her character was much more assertive than usual, and her passion for reading was praised upon the film’s release, making her a good role model for the young audience. The Beast was easily the most three-dimensional prince character yet, being his own character with his own arc, rather than just existing as a love interest to the princess. The original also spawned a direct-to-video sequel and yet another live-action remakes starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens.

Beauty and the Beast

G

Animation

Family

Fantasy

Musical

A prince cursed to spend his days as a hideous monster sets out to regain his humanity by earning a young woman's love.

Director

Gary Trousdale , Kirk Wise

Release Date

November 21, 1991

Cast

Paige O'Hara , Robby Benson , Angela Lansbury , Jerry Orbach , David Ogden Stiers , Bradley Pierce , Jesse Corti , Richard White

Runtime

84 Minutes

6 Aladdin Featured a Strong Princess Character

Princess Jasmine Made a Lasting Impression

While 1992’s Aladdin featured a male character in the leading role, the princess character, Princess Jasmine, made such a strong impression that she has been eternalized as an official member of the Disney princess lineup. The film did an excellent job highlighting Jasmine as her own individual, as well as her romantic relationship with Aladdin.

Following the example of Beauty of the Beast’s Belle, Jasmine was much more assertive than previous princess characters. Her confidence and strong presence made her a very memorable part of the film. Jasmine’s character arc was explored further with 2019’s Aladdin live-action remake.

Aladdin

G

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

Family

Fantasy

Musical

Romance

A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.

Director

Ron Clements , John Musker

Release Date

November 25, 1992

Cast

Scott Weinger , Robin Williams , Linda Larkin , Jonathan Freeman , Gilbert Gottfried , Douglas Seale , Frank Welker , Brad Kane , Lea Salonga , Bruce Adler , Charlie Adler , Jack Angel , Corey Burton , Philip L. Clarke , Jim Cummings , Jennifer Darling , Debi Derryberry , Bruce Gooch , Jerry Houser , Vera Lockwood , Sherry Lynn , Mickie McGowan , Patrick Pinney , Phil Proctor

Runtime

95 Minutes

7 Pocahontas Is One of Disney's More Problematic Films

The Film Seriously Misrepresented the Real-Life Pocahontas

While many Disney films, particularly those released during the Disney Renaissance, have still held up, Pocahontas is one that remained problematic. The 1995 film follows a young Native American woman dealing with the English settlers and her romance with Captain John Smith. While there are a lot of great aspects to the film, such as the songs, the subject matter has caused much controversy.

The film is often considered Disney’s most problematic princess movie due to the historical inaccuracies of the story, particularly as Pocahontas was based on a real-life person. The film has been criticized for the misrepresentation of Native Americans, as well as the romanticization of colonialism, with Pocahontas falling in love with an English settler. Despite these criticisms, Pocahontas continues to appear in the Disney princess lineup in merchandise.

Pocahontas

G

Musical

Family

An English soldier and the daughter of an Algonquin chief share a romance when English colonists invade seventeenth century Virginia.

Director

Mike Gabriel , Eric Goldberg

Release Date

June 16, 1995

Cast

Irene Bedard , Mel Gibson , David Ogden Stiers , John Kassir , Russell Means , Christian Bale , Linda Hunt

Runtime

81 minutes

8 Mulan Featured a Strong Role Model

Mulan Was Disney's First Princess That Wasn't Tied to Royalty

Mulan was a great film released during the Disney Renaissance. Based on the Chinese folktale, The Ballad of Mulan, the 1998 film followed Fa Mulan who joins the army so that her injured father doesn’t have to. Mulan was a great character, with the story emphasizing her bravery and loyalty.

Interestingly, Mulan was the first Disney princess not to be an actual princess or marry into royalty during the events of their film. Despite this, Mulan fits all the other requirements for Disney princess status, with a great ballad in the film’s first act, an animal sidekick, and a love interest in Li Shang. Mulan saw a direct-to-video sequel and later a live-action adaptation in 2020, though it saw disappointing critical and audience response.

Mulan

G

Action

See Also

The 10 Best Anime Series About Princesses, Ranked

Adventure

Musical

Comedy

To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.

Director

Tony Bancroft , Barry Cook

Release Date

June 19, 1998

Studio

Disney

Cast

Ming-Na Wen , Lea Salonga , Eddie Murphy , BD Wong , Donny Osmond

Runtime

1 hour 27 minutes

9 The Princess and the Frog Was Disney's Last 2D Animated Princess Film

The 2009 Film Flipped The Frog Prince Tale

2009’s The Princess and the Frog was historically impactful for multiple reasons. Firstly, it was the last Disney animated theatrical feature that used 2D animation. Secondly, the film starred Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana. Tiana was a great role model for the 21st-century audience, having a job and dreaming of owning a business with her restaurant.

Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, “The Frog Prince,” The Princess and the Frog did a good job at twisting the story, having Tiana turn into a frog rather than freeing the frog prince after their kiss. It should be noted that some viewers found it disappointing that Disney’s one and only Black princess was a frog for most of the film’s run. The film featured an interesting setting with 1920s New Orleans and a fun and charismatic love interest in Prince Naveen.

The Princess and the Frog

G

Adventure

Fantasy

Comedy

A waitress, desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner, is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being, but she has to face the same problem after she kisses him.

Director

John Musker , Ron Clements

Release Date

December 11, 2009

Studio

Walt Disney Studios

Cast

Anika Noni Rose , Keith David , Oprah Winfrey , Bruno Campos , Michael-Leon Wooley , Jennifer Cody , Terrence Howard

Writers

Greg Erb , Jason Oremland , John Musker , Ron Clements

Runtime

97 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Production Company

Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios

10 Tangled Was Disney's First 3D Animated Princess Film

The 2010 Film Is a Fan-Favorite

Tangled is one of Disney’s most beloved princess movies of the 21st Century. The film, based on the Rapunzel folktale by the Brothers Grimm, Tangled, followed the story of Rapunzel, who is locked in her tower by Mother Gothel. The film is notable for being Disney’s first 3D animated princess feature film.

Tangled has a lot of great elements that make it special and even made it as part of more than a few nighttime shows in Disney theme parks. The songs are fantastic, with Mandy Moore providing the singing voice for Rapunzel. Flynn Ryder was a great love interest, serving as a full lead character with his own motivations rather than just as a love interest to Rapunzel.

Tangled

Musical

Adventure

Fantasy

Comedy

The magically long-haired Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is.

Director

Nathan Greno , Byron Howard

Release Date

November 24, 2010

Cast

Mandy Moore , Zachary Levi , Donna Murphy , Frank Welker , Dee Bradley Baker

Runtime

100 minutes

Studio(s)

Walt Disney Animation Studios

11 Brave Introduced the Character of Princess Merida

The 2012 Film Was Produced by Pixar

Brave is an interesting entry in the Disney princess canon, being produced by Pixar rather than Walt Disney Studios. The film is notable for being Pixar’s first female-led feature film, following the story of Princess Merida in the Scottish Highlands. The film was criticized for its marketing, which completely left out the fact that a major plot point of the story follows Merida’s mother turning into a bear for most of the film.

Princess Merida was a pretty good take on the princess archetype. Her archery skills immediately made her stand out, and her desire to do more with her life than her royal duties made her a good role model for a young audience in 2012. Merida is also the first Disney princess not to be given a love interest.

Brave

PG

Animation

Action

Adventure

Comedy

Family

Fantasy

Director

Mark Andrews , Brenda Chapman , Steve Purcell

Release Date

June 21, 2012

Studio

Pixar

Cast

Kelly Macdonald , Billy Connolly , Emma Thompson , Julie Walters , Robbie Coltrane , Kevin McKidd

Writers

Mark Andrews , Steve Purcell , Brenda Chapman , Irene Mecchi

Runtime

1h 33m

Main Genre

Animation

12 Frozen Was a Mega Hit

The 2013 Film Emphasized Sisterhood

Frozen is not only Disney’s most successful princess movie, but one of the most successful animated films of all time. Loosely based on The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson, the film introduced two new princesses into the Disney canon, Princess Anna and Queen Elsa. The film launched very successful lines of merchandise, lasting years after the film’s release in 2013.

The film took The Snow Queen story and made the titular character a misunderstood heroine rather than a villain. The film’s lead characters, Princess Anna and Queen Elsa, emphasized the power of sisterhood, which audiences responded very positively to. Elsa, in particular, was a beloved character, with her ballad, “Let it Go,” becoming one of Disney’s most popular songs.

Frozen

Musical

Fantasy

When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition.

Director

Chris Buck , Jennifer Lee

Release Date

November 27, 2013

Cast

Kristen Bell , Idina Menzel , Jonathan Groff , Josh Gad , Santino Fontana , Jennifer Lee , Maurice LaMarche

Runtime

102 minutes

Studio(s)

Walt Disney Animation Studios

13 Moana Featured Stunning Animation and Songs

The 2016 Highlighted Polynesian Culture

With the massive success of Frozen, Disney had a lot to live up to when it came to their next Disney princess. It's safe to say they were successful with the release of Moana in 2016 and even have a sequel and live-action version underway in the coming years. The film follows the titular hero as she tries to find Maui, a demigod voiced by Dwayne Johnson, so that he may help her save her island from a vengeful Goddess.

Moana highlighted Polynesian culture, with the titular character being the first and only Polynesian Disney princess. The film featured stunning visuals of the ocean and water animation that even inspired an attraction in EPCOT. The songs were fun and catchy, with Lin-Manuel Miranda writing Moana’s popular song, “How Far I’ll Go,” and helped to build an unforgettable identity for the movie.

Moana

PG

In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.

Director

John Musker , Ron Clements , Chris Williams , Don Hall

Release Date

November 23, 2016

Studio

Disney

Cast

Auli'i Cravalho , Dwayne Johnson , Rachel House , Temuera Morrison , Jermaine Clement , Alan Tudyk , Nicole Scherzinger

Runtime

107 minutes

14 Frozen's Success Led to Disney's First Theatrical Princess Sequel

Frozen 2 Continued the Story of Anna and Elsa

After the massive success of Frozen, it was only natural that Frozen 2 was released. While there were many sequels to the Disney princess movies released straight to DVD, Frozen was the first Disney princess film with a theatrically released sequel. The film continues the story of Anna and Elsa after the events of the first film as the sisters find their own paths and come to their strengths as individuals.

In this sequel, the sisters go on an adventure that leads to them learning the truth about the death of their parents. The film’s critical and audience response was mixed, but it was generally enjoyable throughout. Elsa’s song, “Show Yourself,” was a powerful number, with Idina Menzel providing her voice once again for the iconic character. The film was successful enough to garner a third film in the Frozen franchise.

Frozen II

PG

Studio

Walt Disney Animation Studios

15 Raya and the Last Dragon Had an All-Star Cast

The 2021 Film Featured a Warrior Looking for the Last Living Dragon

Raya and the Last Dragon had a lot to deal with upon its release, premiering a year after the COVID-19 lockdown while audiences were still wary about going to the cinemas. The film followed the character of Raya, Disney’s first Southeast Asian princess, as she goes on an adventure to find Sisu, the world’s last living dragon and save her home and the land from a powerful enemy.

The film was a different take on the princess movie, with Raya herself not being of royalty nor marrying into it, and no musical numbers. However, Raya being a young heroine meant that she met the requirements set by characters like Merida from Brave. As a result, she is remembered among the greats and quickly became beloved by many for her cool look, fun personality, and all-around magnetic appeal as a character.

Raya and the Last Dragon

PG

Animation

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

In a realm known as Kumandra, a re-imagined Earth inhabited by an ancient civilization, a warrior named Raya is determined to find the last dragon.

Director

Don Hall , Carlos López Estrada , Paul Briggs

Release Date

March 5, 2021

Cast

Kelly Marie Tran , Awkwafina , Gemma Chan , Benedict Wong , Daniel Dae Kim

Runtime

1 hour 47 minutes

16 Wish Celebrated 100 Years of Disney

The 2023 Film Introduced Princess Asha to the Disney Princess Lineup

2023's Wish had a lot to live up to, being that it introduced a new princess with the character of Asha, and it was released in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary. The film featured several references and Easter eggs to past Disney films, with Asha’s friends resembling the dwarfs from Snow White and the emphasis on wishing stars seen in films like Pinocchio.

Wish had a very interesting animation style, using a blend of 2D and 3D animation. The film featured some great musical numbers, with West Side Story star Ariana Debose providing the voice for Asha. The film, unfortunately, saw mixed reviews, but it is certainly a must-watch for any Disney princess fan and a fun way to capture a century of storytelling.

Wish

PG

Adventure

Comedy

A young girl named Asha wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her.

Director

Fawn Veerasunthorn , Chris Buck

Release Date

November 22, 2023

Cast

Chris Pine , Alan Tudyk , Ariana DeBose , Evan Peters

Writers

Jennifer Lee , Allison Moore , Chris Buck

Runtime

1 Hour 35 Minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Production Company

Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

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