Not all Disney Princes wear crowns – or even have names (looking at you, Snow White’s mystery man). Over the decades, Disney’s leading men have evolved from cardboard cutouts who show up for one kiss, to fully fleshed-out heroes with arcs, flaws, and jokes that actually land.
But who reigns supreme?
We’ve ranked the top 10 Disney Princes based on charm, character development, narrative importance, and pop culture impact. Some are official royalty. Others earned the title through sheer effort, redemption arcs, or by being ridiculously attractive while singing on a boat.
10 – Prince Charming (Cinderella)
The OG placeholder prince.
Prince Charming may have the title, but personality? Not so much. He’s the archetype of the classic Disney love interest: regal, silent, and largely irrelevant outside of a well-timed dance and a royal decree to find the girl who ghosted him at midnight.
To be fair, he’s working within the constraints of 1950s storytelling. His role isn’t to grow or grapple with inner demons – it’s to be the dream. But in today’s era of emotionally complex Disney dudes, Charming’s lack of depth feels more ornamental than essential. He’s handsome, yes. Memorable? Not quite.
Still, he earns his spot for legacy. Without him, we wouldn’t have the iconic glass slipper, the concept of magical meet-cutes, or generations of hopeless romantics waiting to be swept off their feet at a ball.
9 – Li Shang (Mulan)
Commander. Icon.
Li Shang is discipline with a six-pack. As the captain of the Chinese army in Mulan, he brings stoic leadership, dad issues, and a surprising amount of emotional complexity. He trains a ragtag group of soldiers into a functional unit, sings “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” with military-grade charisma, and slowly realises the soldier he respects most… might not be who he expected.
While he’s not technically a prince, Shang’s romantic connection to Mulan and his inclusion in official Disney marketing earns him a spot. His respect for Mulan grows organically, and unlike many predecessors, he doesn’t “save” the heroine – he learns from her.
Also, let’s not ignore the cultural ripple effect. Shang has been the subject of endless internet debates over his queerness, his stoicism, and his emotionally stunted but endearing attempt to ask someone on a date by awkwardly showing up at their house. Legend.
8 – Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty)
Sword-swinging, dragon-fighting OG.
Prince Phillip is often overshadowed by Aurora’s nap schedule, but he deserves way more credit. He was the first Disney Prince with an actual speaking role, a personality, and – most importantly – a sword. Unlike his royal predecessors, Phillip doesn’t just show up to kiss a girl. He escapes a dungeon, fights a fire-breathing dragon, and then delivers the magic smooch.
He’s the blueprint for the action-prince archetype: brave, charming, and surprisingly snarky (“Now, father, you’re living in the past!”). His romance with Aurora, while rushed, at least starts with dancing in the woods rather than full-on stalking.
Phillip may be vintage, but his role set the stage for every swashbuckling, story-active prince that followed. He’s proof that even in 1959, Disney could do better than a nameless kisser on a horse.
7 – The Prince (Snow White)
He kissed a girl and didn’t even get a name.
The very first Disney Prince, and arguably the most mysterious. Officially credited as “The Prince,” this royal barely registers more than a song and a smooch – but what a legacy that kiss left behind. He’s the original “handsome stranger,” riding in at the eleventh hour to break a curse with zero backstory, zero dialogue, and zero explanation as to how he even found Snow White’s forest tomb.
In terms of character development, there’s none. But historically? He’s a foundational figure in Disney’s storytelling DNA. His romantic duet set the tone for generations of animated love interests, and his silent saviour role became a trope the studio would spend decades reworking and, eventually, deconstructing.
So while he’s more icon than character, The Prince earns his ranking through sheer mythos. He’s the blueprint. The prototype. The prince who started it all – even if no one remembers anything about him except the kiss.
6 – Kristoff (Frozen)
Reindeer-loving himbo energy.
Kristoff is what happens when Disney trades gallant princes for awkward, ice-hauling mountain men. In Frozen, he’s a refreshing foil to the traditional royal archetype – gruff but kind, independent yet emotionally in tune (eventually). Plus, he sings a love ballad to his reindeer. Iconic.
What makes Kristoff stand out is how grounded he feels. He’s not royalty, doesn’t pretend to be, and never overshadows Anna’s arc. Instead, he supports her without controlling the narrative – a rare trait in Disney love interests. In Frozen II, he even gets a whole subplot about learning how to express love without losing his sense of self. Character development? Check. ’80s power ballad? Double check.
While some might find him less flashy than your classic prince, Kristoff’s charm lies in his sincerity. He’s the Disney Prince you could actually imagine dating – and that realism makes him royal in his own right.
5 – Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid)
Sea legs and swoon-worthy eyes.
Prince Eric isn’t just a pretty face – though, let’s be honest, that’s doing a lot of the work. As Ariel’s love interest in The Little Mermaid, Eric is charming, kind-hearted, and impressively open-minded for someone who gets serenaded by a mute stranger and thinks, “Yes, I should marry her.”
He’s a maritime prince with serious golden retriever energy – loyal, adventurous, and inexplicably into rowing boats through magic lagoons. Unlike earlier princes, Eric gets a real personality: he’s musically inclined, treats his dog better than most humans, and literally throws a ship at a sea witch to save Ariel. Heroic much?
Eric also marks a turning point in Disney’s approach to romantic leads. He’s not just a reward for the heroine – he actively participates in the story and earns his place in the narrative. And for many, he was the first Disney Prince to genuinely feel… dreamy.
4 – Beast / Prince Adam (Beauty and the Beast)
Growth (and growls) in spades.
Beast is the ultimate redemption arc. Cursed into monstrous form for being a royal jerk, Prince Adam spends most of Beauty and the Beast learning how not to be awful – and it’s a journey. From snarling temper tantrums to awkward dinner invites and snowball fights, he transforms into someone capable of love and sacrifice.
What makes Beast compelling is the emotional weight behind his character. He’s not just physically transformed – he’s forced to confront his entitlement, anger, and isolation. The castle around him decays as he does, making his personal growth a literal part of the environment. And while he gets a magical makeover at the end, it’s the vulnerable, fur-covered version that truly resonates.
He also gets one of Disney’s best soundtracks (“Evermore” in the live-action remake? Underrated banger). Beast might not be conventionally handsome for most of the movie, but his emotional journey earns him a top-tier spot among Disney’s most compelling princes.
3 – Prince Naveen (The Princess and the Frog)
Froggy glow-up of the century.
When we first meet Prince Naveen, he’s a broke party boy who thinks playing the ukulele is a personality. By the end of The Princess and the Frog, he’s a humble, hardworking partner who’s willing to live the rest of his life as an amphibian if it means being with the woman he loves. That’s what we call character development.
Naveen’s arc is one of the richest in Disney prince-dom. Stripped of wealth and status, he’s forced to reevaluate his values – and does so with surprising self-awareness. His chemistry with Tiana is electric, and their romance feels earned through conflict, banter, and real compromise (also, some excellent dance numbers).
Plus, representation matters. Naveen’s ambiguous ethnicity and casually multicultural vibe make him one of the more diverse entries in Disney’s princely lineup, even if Disney’s never been clear about exactly which country Maldonia is. He’s charming, flawed, and grows into a partner worthy of Tiana’s ambition – which is no small feat.
2 – Aladdin (Aladdin)
Diamond in the rough, heart of gold.
Aladdin isn’t born royal – he earns it. As a street-smart survivor with a heart full of dreams (and a monkey in a fez), Aladdin redefined what it meant to be a Disney Prince. He lies, stumbles, and learns hard lessons, but at his core, he’s someone who wants to do right by the people he loves -even if it means giving up everything.
What sets Aladdin apart is how active he is in his own story. He doesn’t just fall for Jasmine – he challenges societal rules, outsmarts evil sorcerers, and learns the difference between wanting to be someone and being someone. His friendship with the Genie adds layers of loyalty and self-discovery that most Disney love interests don’t get.
Also: the songs. “One Jump Ahead”? “A Whole New World”? This prince has pipes and parkour. He’s scrappy, soulful, and somehow makes a vest work. In terms of relatability and sheer charisma, Aladdin’s tough to beat.
1 – Flynn Rider (Tangled)
Charming rogue turned ride-or-die.
lynn Rider, aka Eugene Fitzherbert, isn’t just a Disney Prince – he’s the blueprint for the modern one. Cocky, sarcastic, and wildly self-serving at first glance, Flynn ends up revealing more depth, heart, and emotional vulnerability than most of his royal peers combined.
His arc in Tangled is a masterclass in subverting expectations. He starts off robbing castles and mocking fairy tale clichés, but by the end, he’s cutting Rapunzel’s hair to save her freedom – knowing it means giving up everything. That’s love, not possession. That’s prince-tier devotion.
Flynn’s also just… funny. He brings a wit and irreverence that balances Rapunzel’s sincerity, and their dynamic feels refreshingly equal. Add to that a genuinely moving backstory, top-tier voice acting from Zachary Levi, and enough charisma to make a wanted poster smoulder – and you’ve got the ultimate Disney himbo with a heart of gold.
Long live the King of Princes.
Who are the official Disney Princes?
While Disney hasn’t formalised a “Disney Princes” line like they have with princesses, the most widely accepted list includes: The Prince (Snow White), Prince Charming, Prince Phillip, Prince Eric, Prince Adam (Beast), Aladdin, Li Shang, Naveen, Flynn Rider, and Kristoff.
Which Disney Prince doesn’t have a name?
That would be The Prince from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He’s often retroactively called “Prince Florian” in books and merch, but he was never named onscreen.
Why is Li Shang considered a Disney Prince?
Li Shang isn’t royal by birth or marriage (at least not onscreen), but his romantic link to Mulan and his appearance in official Disney Princess materials earn him honorary status. Plus, he’s got more personality than three of the early princes combined.
What race is Prince Naveen?
Prince Naveen is from the fictional kingdom of Maldonia. Disney never confirms his ethnicity, but fans widely interpret him as racially ambiguous -he’s voiced by Brazilian actor Bruno Campos, and his design blends South Asian, Mediterranean, and African features.
Why isn’t there a Disney Princes franchise?
Simple: the princesses sell better. The Disney Princess brand dominates in merch, media, and marketing. Princes often serve as love interests or support characters, making them less central to branding efforts – even when they’re just as memorable.
Who is the best Disney Prince?
Flynn Rider (aka Eugene Fitzherbert) routinely tops fan rankings thanks to his humour, emotional growth, and chemistry with Rapunzel. He’s the full package: flawed, funny, and deeply lovable.