Being a Disney Princess used to mean one thing: tiaras, singing animals, and passive optimism in the face of adversity. These days? It’s a whole spectrum – rebels, warriors, dreamers, even the occasional frog. But not all princesses are created equal.
We’re ranking the official Disney Princess lineup – yes, there is one – based on character development, cultural impact, screen time, and that ever-elusive main character energy. This isn’t just about nostalgia or merch sales (though they help). It’s about who actually holds their narrative weight – and who’s just wearing the crown.
For the record, this list includes the 13 officially recognised Disney Princesses as of 2025, including recent addition Raya. So no, Elsa and Anna don’t count. Same goes for honourables like Megara or Esmeralda – cool girls, but not officially initiated into the royal club.
But we’re not stopping at the core crew. This guide also covers:
- The honorary royals (the ice queens, obviously)
- The live-action glow-ups (some glow, some… exist)
- And the uncrowned icons who deserved better
💡 Highlights
- All 13 official Disney Princesses ranked – story power, cultural legacy, and character depth all weighed in.
- This isn’t just about tiaras. We looked at who drives their narrative – and who gets dragged by it.
- Includes honorary favourites, live-action glow-ups, and fan-faves Disney never crowned.
- One or two placements might stir debate (and yes, we stand by them).
- Disney royalty isn’t just a label – it’s earned. Here’s who proved it.
Want the full story? Keep scrolling – we unpack it all below. 👇
Official Disney Princesses, Ranked
13 – Aurora
Sleeping through the plot isn’t a flex.
If Disney Princesses were judged on aesthetic alone, Aurora would be top three. Her film is a visual feast of Gothic fairytale art, her theme music is literally Tchaikovsky, and she’s got the kind of hair that animators dream of. But as an actual character? She’s barely there. Aurora has less than 20 lines of dialogue and appears for roughly 18 minutes in a movie that runs over 70. The fairies get more agency. The villain gets the best lines. Aurora gets a nap.
She’s the prototypical “beautiful and graceful” Disney heroine, and sure, she twirls nicely in a forest. But when your primary narrative function is to be cursed and unconscious, you’re not exactly driving the story. Aurora’s a gorgeous relic from the studio’s early era – but storytelling-wise, she’s mostly ornamental.
12 – Snow White
OG status, zero personality.
You can’t write a Disney Princess list without tipping your hat to Snow White. She started it all in 1937, leading the world’s first full-length animated feature film. Without her, there’s no Belle, no Moana, no billion-dollar Frozen franchise. She was a technical marvel at the time – expressive, fluid, and charmingly voiced. But rewatch the film today and it’s clear: Snow White is a sweet void in a pretty dress.
Her personality is pure saccharine: she bakes, she sings, she nurtures, and she naively trusts every terrifying stranger she meets. The Queen steals the show, the dwarfs have more individuality, and the prince is basically an animated coat rack. Snow’s enduring as a symbol, but as a character, she’s all surface. We appreciate the blueprint, but the foundation has cracks.
11 – Merida
Skills: archery. Weakness: entire film plot.
Merida had the makings of a Disney disruptor: she wasn’t looking for love, she wasn’t waiting for magic, and she had the first genuinely unruly hair texture in the canon. Her archery skills are unmatched, her independence is hard-earned, and she’s refreshingly stubborn. She’s a princess who rides into the forest to rewrite her fate, not to find a man. So why does Brave feel so… unmemorable?
The problem isn’t Merida – it’s the story around her. Brave pivots halfway into a family drama about turning your mum into a bear, and while that’s a bold narrative swing, it doesn’t quite land. There’s a sense that Pixar didn’t know what to do with her once the rebellion was over. Merida deserves better than a middling plot and bear gags. She’s all fire, but the film leaves her in the ashes.
10 – Cinderella
Important, but a little passive.
No one’s denying Cinderella’s impact. She revived Disney’s animation studio in 1950, established the modern fairy tale template, and literally inspired the castle at Disney parks worldwide. She’s graceful under pressure, endlessly kind, and her story of resilience has resonated for generations. She also sings a classic ballad while scrubbing floors surrounded by talking mice. But let’s be honest: Cinderella doesn’t do much. Things happen to her.
For most of her story, she’s reactive. Her fairy godmother handles the transformation, the prince handles the search, and even the final shoe moment is a rescue mission. That said, Cinderella has become something bigger than her narrative – she’s an archetype. The girl who endures, who believes quietly, who waits until the world catches up. That counts for something.
9 – Pocahontas
Iconic look, iffy legacy.
Pocahontas stands out instantly in the Disney lineup. Visually, she’s one of the most striking princesses ever drawn – the animation captures nature with painterly elegance, and “Colours of the Wind” remains a top-tier power ballad. She’s serene but strong, speaks with conviction, and actively seeks understanding between two cultures. She should be a top-tier princess. But she’s weighed down by the story around her.
Disney’s Pocahontas tries to mash together historical tragedy and romantic fantasy, and the result is… complicated. The real-life story is not suitable for animation, and the film glosses over that with vague mysticism and a talking tree. Pocahontas herself is noble, brave, and spiritually grounded – but her film doesn’t support her with the complexity she deserves. She’s a gorgeous symbol, but in retrospect, one that feels thin.
8 – Raya
Great warrior. Mid-tier princess.
Raya is everything a modern Disney lead should be: independent, driven, emotionally complex, and utterly competent in a fight. She’s got no time for princes or prophecies – just a broken world and a sword big enough to fix it. Her journey in Raya and the Last Dragon is shaped by grief and betrayal, and her willingness to trust again is hard-won. On paper, she rules. In practice, her legacy is still murky.
The problem lies less with Raya herself and more with the film’s tone. Raya tries to be Disney meets Avatar: The Last Airbender, but skips the character work that made that formula sing. No musical numbers, no breakout animal sidekick, and a mythology that moves too fast for emotional payoff. Raya deserves to be more than “that cool warrior princess from that one movie.”
7 – Rapunzel
Sun-powered personality.
Rapunzel was Disney’s first CG-era princess, and she set the standard high. In Tangled, she’s a bubbly, artsy girl trapped in a toxic relationship who finally gets the courage to break free. Her character arc is clear, satisfying, and full of charm. She’s clever, capable, and emotionally intuitive, and her romance with Flynn is one of the best-developed love stories in Disney history. Plus, she weaponises a frying pan.
But Rapunzel is often overshadowed. Tangled dropped just before Frozen, and the snowstorm that followed left her somewhat lost in the merchandise avalanche. Still, her film holds up beautifully – visually and emotionally – and her personality is sunshine in motion. She’s not the loudest in the room, but she is the most consistently likeable. If anything, she’s underrated royalty.
6 – Tiana
Work ethic unmatched. Frog time excessive.
Tiana is the only Disney Princess who has a concrete, adult goal: she wants to open a restaurant. Not “find herself.” Not “marry a prince.” Just build something real. Her story in The Princess and the Frog is grounded in ambition, self-discipline, and grief – a rare combo in the Disney catalogue. She’s a role model for anyone who’s ever been told to work twice as hard for half the reward. And she does it all with elegance, patience, and a killer beignet recipe.
So why isn’t she higher? Because Disney turned her into a frog for most of her own movie. While it is enjoyable, it’s a creative choice that distances the audience from her most compelling qualities. Tiana deserves to be on screen – human, expressive, and active – not hopping around in bayou slapstick. Still, she remains one of the most admirable and aspirational princesses in the canon. Just give her a proper second act.
5 – Jasmine
Rebel energy. Tiger included.
Jasmine didn’t come to play palace politics – she came to tear them down. In Aladdin, she’s the first princess to outright reject the system she’s born into. She questions laws, calls out manipulation, and literally vaults over palace walls just to walk among her people. She’s sharp, assertive, and deeply principled, even when the story tries to sideline her in favour of street-rat shenanigans and magic carpets.
Sure, the original film doesn’t give her the screen time she deserves – but what she does get, she commands. Jasmine holds her own against a flashy protagonist, a genie with Robin Williams’ voice, and one of Disney’s most iconic villains. She brought a whole new flavour to the princess lineup -sass, smarts, and a tiger named Rajah. In the live-action remake, she even got a new solo and some overdue political agency. About time.
4 – Moana
Ocean-approved and emotionally rich.
Moana broke the mould by refusing it entirely. No prince. No makeover. No inherited trauma to heal through marriage. Just a girl, an island, and a nagging sense that she’s meant for more. She’s a bridge between tradition and future, a navigator born to lead, and possibly the most purely heroic protagonist Disney’s ever written. Her arc – trusting herself enough to challenge destiny – is simple, but profound.
Visually, Moana is a stunner. The ocean is practically a supporting character, and the film’s soundtrack rivals anything from the Renaissance era. But it’s Moana’s emotional resilience that anchors it all. She fails, doubts, questions – and keeps going. Her leadership isn’t loud or flashy; it’s rooted in care.
3 – Belle
Bookish icon with great taste in libraries.
Belle flipped the script before Disney even knew what script it was writing. She’s introverted but strong-willed, polite but not submissive. In a village obsessed with appearances and gossip, she reads philosophy for fun. She doesn’t just want more from life – she refuses to settle for less, even if that means being called “odd.” Belle was Disney’s first intellectually aspirational heroine, and her character still feels modern.
Her romance with the Beast remains controversial, but Belle’s role in it isn’t passive. She challenges him, teaches him, and never compromises her self-respect. Her arc isn’t about taming a monster – it’s about choosing compassion over fear. Plus, she’s the only princess who gets a full-blown architectural fantasy as a gift. That library? That’s worth a tiara on its own.
2 – Ariel
Red hair. Big splash. Huge legacy.
Ariel is chaotic. She hoards human trash. She makes a life-altering deal with a sea witch. She gives up her voice for a man she’s never spoken to. And somehow? She’s still one of the most beloved characters in animation history. That’s because Ariel was the first Disney Princess to want something badly enough to chase it, regardless of consequences.
Her curiosity, her stubbornness, her aching sense of longing – they were revolutionary in 1989, and they still resonate today. She wasn’t waiting for the world to change; she dove headfirst into it. Ariel reignited Disney’s creative fire, ushered in the Renaissance, and gave us “Part of Your World,” a ballad that still hits like a freight train.
1 – Mulan
Not a princess. Total legend.
By Disney’s own branding rules, Mulan technically doesn’t qualify. She’s not born royal, and she doesn’t marry into it. But the Princess line bent the rules for her – and rightfully so. Mulan is a force of nature. She saves her father by taking his place in a war, passes as a man in a military camp, defeats the Huns, and comes home not to a tiara, but to peace and honour. That’s not a glow-up – it’s a legacy.
What makes Mulan exceptional is that her strength is never one-dimensional. She’s resourceful, yes, but also awkward. She doubts herself. She struggles. Her victories aren’t because she’s fearless – they’re because she acts despite her fear. And when she wins? It’s on her own terms. Mulan didn’t need a dress, a ballad, or a royal bloodline to become a legend. She earned her place – and then some.
Honorary Disney Princesses
They’re not official. They’re just iconic.
Elsa
Elsa is arguably the most powerful, most iconic, and most influential female character Disney has created in decades. She bends ice to her will, sings the most recognisable Disney song since “A Whole New World,” and became an instant cultural phenomenon. Yet she’s not a Disney Princess. Why? Because she’s technically a queen. And also – branding.
When Disney built the princess lineup, they wanted characters who fit a certain mould: starring in a single, standalone fairy tale with clear merchandising potential and a neat royal arc. Elsa broke that system. She’s not a love interest. She doesn’t need saving. Her biggest battle is internal. And she’s so globally dominant, she basically became her own brand. If anything, Disney needs her outside the lineup. She’s too big to be grouped.
Anna
Anna is the soul of Frozen, even if Elsa gets the headlines. She’s spunky, emotionally open, and constantly throws herself into danger for the people she loves. She goes on two treacherous quests, punches a prince in the face, and eventually becomes queen herself. She also gave us the first real sibling dynamic in a Disney film—and showed that love isn’t always romantic.
Still, Anna doesn’t get the same reverence as her ice-casting sister. She’s the comic relief, the “relatable” one, the one who sings the duet while Elsa gets the solo. But in terms of story agency, Anna carries as much—if not more—than any official princess. Her exclusion from the lineup says more about Disney’s marketing silos than it does about her character. If Elsa’s the face of the Frozen empire, Anna’s the beating heart.
Live-Action Princesses
From animation to adaptation – with mixed results.
Some princesses gained depth in the transition to live-action – fleshed-out backstories, fresh character arcs, actual political ambitions. Others were flattened into style exercises, saddled with uneven pacing or plot-padding solos. The remakes aim to modernise, diversify, and deepen Disney’s classic heroines… but not every crown translates. This section breaks down which live-action versions soared – and which ones never quite left the palace gates.
Aurora (Maleficent, 2014 & 2019)
Elle Fanning’s Aurora is lovely to look at and mostly there to reflect Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent. These films reframe the original tale from the villain’s perspective, which makes Aurora less of a lead and more of a moral device. She’s sweeter, yes. But not sharper.
To her credit, this Aurora is less passive than the original – but not by much. Her biggest choices are more reactions than actions, and she still leans heavily on the protection of others. The relationship with Maleficent adds emotional complexity (far more than the prince ever did), but as a modern reimagining of a princess, Aurora still floats through the story more than she steps up.
Cinderella (Cinderella, 2015)
Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella remake doesn’t stray far from the 1950 blueprint – but it refines it. Lily James plays her with warmth, steel, and surprising dignity. The story’s mantra – “Have courage and be kind” – becomes Cinderella’s core philosophy, not just a throwaway line. And it works. Instead of blind passivity, her kindness feels like a conscious, powerful choice.
Visually, the film is a fairytale in its purest form – lavish, golden, practically edible. But emotionally, it adds new layers. Cinderella’s resilience feels active rather than reactive. Her relationship with the prince has more development, and her final confrontation with her stepmother is delivered with quiet strength rather than retreat. It’s not revolutionary, but it is a graceful upgrade that lets Cinderella shine with purpose, not just sparkle.
Belle (Beauty and the Beast, 2017)
Emma Watson’s Belle is a more intellectual, grounded version of the 1991 original. This Belle doesn’t just love books – she builds things, challenges village norms, and tries to educate the girls around her. It’s a thoughtful update for a character who already pushed boundaries in her time. Watson brings a steely clarity to the role, though her voice and expressiveness occasionally feel a bit restrained.
The film itself is hit-and-miss: visually rich but often emotionally muted. The added backstory about Belle’s mother is poignant but undercooked, and the new songs are serviceable but rarely stirring. Still, this Belle remains admirable. Her strength is intellectual, her empathy measured. She’s less whimsical, more composed – a feminist revision that doesn’t feel pandering.
Jasmine (Aladdin, 2019)
Naomi Scott’s Jasmine was one of the most successful live-action reinventions, full stop. This version trades romantic subplots for political ambition – Jasmine wants to rule Agrabah, not just escape it. She gets more screen time, sharper dialogue, and an original solo (“Speechless”) that actually lands emotionally.
The film lets her take up space as a leader, not just a love interest. It’s not perfect – Aladdin still gets the titular spotlight – but Jasmine finally feels like a true co-lead, not a princess waiting in a tower.
Mulan (Mulan, 2020)
Disney’s live-action Mulan aimed for epic but landed somewhere closer to flat. Gone is the relatable girl who trains, struggles, and grows – replaced by a chosen-one narrative with mystical “chi” powers from childhood. While Liu Yifei’s Mulan looks the part and handles action scenes well, the emotional stakes never quite hit.
Without the humour, songs, or character flaws of the original, this version loses its beating heart. It’s more serious, sure – but less human.
Ariel (The Little Mermaid, 2023)
Halle Bailey’s performance was the clear highlight of this remake. Her Ariel feels real: headstrong, tender, and genuinely curious. She brings warmth and depth to a character who could easily come off reckless. The musical numbers – especially “Part of Your World” – soar, thanks to Bailey’s vocals.
While the film’s visuals and pacing drew criticism, Ariel herself felt emotionally grounded. It was a solid modernisation of a classic heroine, carried by its lead.
Snow White (Snow White, 2025)
Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is no damsel – she’s a rebel leader with a cause. The film retools the classic tale into a story of resistance and self-determination, with Snow White actively challenging the Evil Queen’s tyranny. Critics have praised Zegler’s performance, noting her charisma and vocal prowess, though opinions on the film as a whole remain mixed.
While the narrative aims for modern relevance, some viewers feel it loses the charm of the original. The CGI dwarfs and altered storyline have been points of contention, with some appreciating the fresh take and others longing for the classic elements.
Despite the controversies, this Snow White stands as a bold reinterpretation, offering a heroine who takes charge of her destiny. Whether it resonates with audiences may depend on their attachment to the original and openness to change.
Moana (TBD)
Disney’s live-action Moana is set to sail into cinemas in July 2026, marking the 10th anniversary of the original. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, both starring and producing, while newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes on the title role. Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated version, is not reprising the role but remains involved behind the scenes as an executive producer.
The remake is directed by Thomas Kail and promises a renewed focus on cultural authenticity, with a supporting cast that includes new actors in the roles of Chief Tui, Sina, and Gramma Tala. While the original Moana is still fresh in the minds of fans, this version aims to reintroduce the story for a new generation – without losing the soul of what made it special.
The Unofficial Disney Princesses
They had the range. Disney just didn’t give them the crown.
They weren’t officially knighted into the Princess lineup – but that doesn’t mean they didn’t deserve it. These are the scene-stealers, the forgotten favourites, and the almost-royals who had the stories, style, and strength… just not the branding. Some were dropped for being too bold, others for being too complicated, and a few? Disney simply didn’t know what to do with them.
Tinker Bell (Peter Pan, 1953)
Tinker Bell was actually an original member of the official Disney Princess line… for about five minutes. In the early 2000s, she was quietly removed and spun off into her own fairy franchise – complete with direct-to-DVD sequels and a glittery girlboss rebrand. And honestly? That was the right call. Tink doesn’t really fit the princess mould. She’s jealous, vindictive, and mostly communicates through bell sounds and violent tantrums. Iconic? Yes. But regal? Not at all.
Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996)
Esmeralda is one of Disney’s most socially conscious and self-possessed heroines. She stands up to power, fights for the oppressed, and dances like she invented dramatic entrances. But her film was darker, more mature, and far more grounded than the princess fantasy formula. Disney likely found her too political, too sensual, and frankly too complicated to fit the brand. A shame, because she’s one of the most compelling female leads the studio’s ever created.
Jane Porter (Tarzan, 1999)
Jane’s intelligent, funny, and surprisingly adaptable for someone dropped into the jungle in full Edwardian dress. She has a great romance arc and a killer monologue about “two worlds, one family.” But she never quite broke through. Maybe it’s because Tarzan sits in that late-’90s wilderness between the Renaissance and the modern era. Maybe it’s because Disney already had a brunette bookworm in Belle. Either way, Jane never got the coronation.
Alice (Alice in Wonderland, 1951)
Alice is a literary icon, but her story isn’t a princess narrative. She doesn’t have royal lineage, a love interest, or even a traditional arc – she wanders through surreal dream logic and mostly reacts to nonsense. While she’s a visual staple, she’s never been considered for the royal lineup. Too weird, too independent, and too busy chasing rabbits to make room for a tiara.
Megara (Hercules, 1997)
Meg is sharp, sarcastic, and emotionally layered – she’s also one of the few Disney women to have actual romantic baggage. She’s witty, complex, and sings a heartbreak anthem that still slaps. But Hercules underperformed compared to its princess-era peers, and Meg didn’t sell dresses or dolls. Plus, she’s technically aligned with the gods, not royalty. In short: too cool to crown. But among fans, she’s already royalty.
Kida (Atlantis: The Lost Empire, 2001)
Kida is the definition of underrated. She’s a warrior, a scholar, and literal royalty with glowing tattoos and the ability to channel ancient energy. But Atlantis flopped at the box office, skewed more sci-fi than fantasy, and didn’t have the commercial polish of other princess films. Disney shelved her – and never looked back. But in the fandom? Kida remains a queen without a crown.
Disney Princess FAQs
Why isn’t Elsa an official Disney Princess?
Because she’s a queen. Also, the Frozen franchise is so massive that Disney markets it separately from the main Princess line.
How does Disney decide who counts as an “official” Princess?
It’s a mix of legacy, merch potential, and story structure. Royal lineage helps – but some characters (like Mulan and Moana) made it in without it.
Is Raya a Disney Princess now?
Yes – she was officially inducted in 2022. Her film didn’t follow the musical template, but her story and status fit the current mould.
Why was Tinker Bell removed from the lineup?
She was part of the original Princess line, then spun off into the Disney Fairies brand. She’s now more of a solo act than part of the royal group.