Top 10 Best Animated Movie Makeovers
#10: Elsa “Frozen” (2013)
As the eldest sibling and future queen, Elsa always had to be the sensible, responsible one. Her tied-back hair and high-necked gowns reflect this. She has her secret too, the powers that she’s always been told to hide. That’s why she covers up her hands, with long, elegant gloves. But we all know by now that eventually Queen Elsa has to let it go. In the iconic transformation scene, she sheds her stifling layers and becomes the glamorous ice queen she’s always been inside. She doesn’t need to guard against the icy weather or hide her true self when up in the mountains. She literally lets down her hair. Her stuffy, ceremonial clothes become something more youthful, sparkling and fun.
#9: Rapunzel “Tangled” (2010)
Rapunzel’s defining physical feature is her long golden hair - it’s what the story’s all about, after all. But we quickly learn that her personality is even more special than her magical blonde tresses. In “Tangled” her hair gets its first make-over when she visits the big city with Flynn. He spots a troop of little girls, who are all too happy to braid it up for her. Rapunzel’s flower plait is gorgeous, but her most radical make-over comes right at the end of the movie. When Flynn cuts her hair to save her from Mother Gothel, it turns brown and loses its power. But her new choppy cut looks great on her and is infinitely more practical.
#8: Hercules “Hercules” (1997)
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Despite being a demi-god with superhuman strength, Hercules isn’t the muscle-bound hero of legend when we first meet him. He starts the story as a stringy teenager with a reputation as a clutz. That all changes when he meets his mentor, Philoctetes. In a training montage set to one of the movie’s catchiest songs, Phil gets Herc whipped into shape. His basic white tunic gets swapped out for some hero-worthy garb, since the farm-boy look won’t cut it in the big city. His new outfit involves a headband, armor and some flash new sandals. He’s still the same naive kid, but he’s starting to look the part. Meg seems to think so anyway.
#7: Woody “Toy Story 2” (1999)
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In the second “Toy Story” movie, Woody finds himself in the clutches of Al, the toy collector, who steals him from the family yard sale. Woody’s arm is ripped, so Al brings in a professional to have him cleaned up. In the subsequent makeover montage, the cowboy gets the full treatment. Propped up in a chair like he’s at the barbers, his boots are shined and his eyes and ears are polished. They even get rid of his bald patch and put roses in his cheeks. Woody’s especially pleased with his new muscular arm, with its little bit of extra padding. The only sad note is the final touch - when Andy’s name is painted over on Woody’s boot.
#6: Anastasia “Anastasia” (1997)
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In this beloved movie musical we follow Anya the orphan, a girl from St. Petersburg with no memory of her past. When her path collides with con-man Dimitri, she agrees to follow him to Paris, to play the part of the lost princess Anastasia. On the boat to France she first discards her familiar coat and raggedy dress, but her make-over isn’t yet complete. In Paris she gets dressed up to go out on the town, but it’s not until the Russian ballet that the real wow moment happens. In her dark blue evening dress with her hair up, Anya takes Dimitri’s breath away. She’s not yet proved her identity, but she already looks the part.
#5: Aladdin “Aladdin” (1992)
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When Aladdin, a poor boy from the streets of Agrabah, comes into the possession of a magic lamp, the world is his oyster. So with his first official wish, he asks the Genie to make him a prince, in order to win the heart of Princess Jasmine. Basically, he gets a makeover. Robin Williams has a lot of fun with the following scene, in which Genie becomes a fashion guru. Aladdin’s fez and vest combo is replaced with an outfit fit for royalty. In the blink of an eye the so-called street rat is transformed into the fabulous Prince Ali. But his new look is not quite radical enough to keep his true identity from the woman he loves.
#4: Mulan “Mulan” (1998)
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Mulan gets two radical make-over moments at the beginning of her movie. In the first, she’s transformed into the archetypal perfect bride, ready for her trip to the matchmaker. She’s primped and polished, her face is painted and she’s dressed up in her best. She may look the part, but she knows - and so, it seems, does everyone else - that this isn’t who she really is. Her second make-over is the big one. In order to save her father from death in the army, she cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy. As Fa Ping she’s playing another part - it’s not until the end of the movie that she’s able to be her authentic self.
#3: Shrek (& Donkey) “Shrek 2” (2004)
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The original “Shrek” movie ends with Fiona’s transformation into an ogre. When she kisses Shrek she takes “love’s true form.” In the sequel the tables are turned. Shrek takes a “Happily Ever After” potion, in order to become the man he believes his wife needs him to be. But when he - and Donkey - drink the potion, they’re not sure how things will turn out. Shrek wakes up in a barn, surrounded by women with a crush. This is new for the ogre, as civilians usually take one look at him and run for the hills. When he discovers his newfound attractiveness, he doesn’t know how to feel about it. Donkey, on the other hand, is thrilled.
#2: Isabela “Encanto” (2021)
Out of the three sisters in “Encanto”, Isabela begins the movie as the least sympathetic. But we learn that there’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s always felt the need to present as pristine and perfect, but beneath the surface there’s a fun, colorful Isabela just waiting to break free. During the song “What Else Can I Do?” she discovers that she’s only been accessing part of her talent. She can conjure not just roses and feminine florals, but imperfect, unusual things too. As she and Mirabel sing their way through this lightbulb moment, Isabela gets messy. Her clothes become covered in splashes of color and so does her hair. Her new look may not be “perfect”, but it’s perfect for her.
#1: Cinderella “Cinderella” (1950)
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Cinderella’s pre-ball transformation was a favorite scene of Walt Disney himself. It still stands up as the House of Mouse’s most magical makeover moment. Just as in the original fairytale, Cinderella’s fairy godmother appears to her on the eve of the ball and turns her rags to riches. The scene is beautifully animated and atmospheric. The dress itself is still one of the most stunning ever worn by a Disney princess. There have been multiple incarnations of Cinderella and the fairy godmother always works her magic. But this animated fifties classic will always be the most iconic.