Top 10 Disney Couples Who Definitely Broke Up

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” franchise (1996-)

This couple has good chemistry and great banter, but we’re not sure that they have what it takes to make it long-term. Esmeralda and Phoebus come from different backgrounds and don’t always see eye to eye. Their relationship has a rocky start since Phoebus is hired by Frollo to police the Romani people in Paris, including Esmeralda. We believe that they really do fall in love, but even in marriage, they continue to have disagreements. Esmeralda thinks the Captain of the Guard is showing prejudice when he blames Sarousch’s circus for a string of robberies. Phoebus’s assumptions end up being correct, but the fact that his wife thinks he’s capable of being bigoted is a bad sign.

“Enchanted” franchise (2007-)

We love Giselle and Robert’s romantic arc in the original 2007 film, but the 2022 sequel kinda spoils it. It shows the couple and their family leaving behind New York City and moving to Monroeville where a new set of problems emerge. Giselle attempts to use magic to improve things, but finds herself in a role that typically doesn't receive a happily ever after. Meanwhile, Robert is off doing his own thing and the two hardly interact. At the end of the film, Giselle looks at her husband and comes to terms with the idea that "happily ever after" might not be possible. Although it's meant to be a heartwarming moment, we can't help but feel that Giselle is expressing dissatisfaction with life and marriage.

“Pocahontas” franchise (1995-)

According to historians, Pocahontas and John Smith were just friends, but Disney makes them out to be romantically involved. Their forbidden love is the central focus of Disney's 1995 film. Despite their affection for one another, they decide to go their separate ways not once but twice. Pocahontas and John’s farewell at the end of the first film isn’t necessarily a breakup, but it seems unlikely that they’ll be able to maintain a solid relationship from across the sea. They meet again in London and John tries to convince Pocahontas to accompany him, but she ends up turning him down. Her choice probably has something to do with her new love interest, John Rolfe.

“Monsters, Inc.” (2001)

Mike claims that Celia’s the one, but we have our doubts. Their relationship isn’t a big part of Pixar’s 2001 film, and at times it serves as a conflict. To celebrate Celia’s birthday, Mike takes her on a date that doesn’t go to plan. He abandons Celia to help Sully with Boo, leaving her to be decontaminated by the CDA alone. When he next sees her, Mike doesn’t explain why their night ended in disaster. The one-eyed monster demonstrates better devotion to his friend than to his girlfriend. He doesn’t treat Celia very well, and we wouldn’t blame her for leaving.

“Chicken Little” (2005)

These love birds make a sweet young couple, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be together forever. While teenage romances are special, not a lot of people end up with the first person they date. We expect that once these two get older, they’ll go their separate ways. Chicken Little and Abby first bond as outcasts, but by the end of the movie, that’s no longer the case. The young rooster earns credibility after correctly observing the presence of aliens, and the ugly duckling is soon to grow into a swan. No longer ostracized by their community, both characters should take the opportunity to see who else is out there.

“Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure” (2001)

While we adore Lady and Tramp as a couple, we have a hard time getting behind the romantic pairing featured in Disney’s 2001 direct-to-home video sequel. The film ends with Angel being adopted by Scamp’s family, but we can’t imagine that the two will remain an item. Scamp and Angel are young when they first meet, so it’s likely they’ll grow apart as they age. Plus, both of them seem wishy-washy about what they want out of life. On a more practical note, it’s unrealistic to expect a single suburban family to care for seven dogs. It’s possible that some or all of the puppies will end up being adopted by other families, which could result in Scamp and Angel being separated.

“Brother Bear 2” (2006)

Considering Disney’s 2006 film ends with Nita taking bear form in order to live with Kenai, it seems like a stretch to say that these two will split up, but hear us out. Nita seems to have a habit of agreeing to lifelong commitments that she later backs out of. As kids, she and Kenai are spiritually bound, but after growing up, Nita makes a journey in order to break that bond. She gets engaged to a man named Atka and almost marries him twice, but in the end, decides not to. All this back and forth has us thinking that she is likely to end up changing her mind about being a bear.

“Cinderella” franchise (1950-)

These two fall in love under false pretenses, which is why we doubt their longevity as a couple. When they first meet, Cinderella is presenting herself as a well-dressed woman of status, as opposed to the scullery maid she is. Prince Charming is taken with his first impression of her, and the two aren’t shown interacting again before tying the knot. The sequels show them getting along well as a married couple, but that doesn’t mean they are totally compatible. Based on the reaction Prince Charming has when Anastasia is presented as his mystery date, beauty is a big deal for him. We suspect he’s only with Cinderella because of her good looks.

“Sleeping Beauty” (1959)

Phillip doesn’t strike us as someone who’s good at respecting boundaries, which is why we think this relationship will eventually end. When they first encounter one another in the forest, the prince joins Aurora in song and dance without being invited. Based on the look on her face, the princess is taken off guard by this and doesn’t know how to respond. Later on in the film, Phillip kisses the sleeping beauty awake, a move that is pretty creepy by today’s standards. It seems like Phillip lacks respect for the person who’s supposed to be his wife. We hope Aurora realizes this and chooses to move on.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)

Disney princesses are well known to have epic romances. Too bad we have a hard time believing the one that started it all will last. This couple hardly interacts with each other before riding off into the sunset. The Prince appears once at the beginning of the film to sing a duet with Snow White, and then again at the end to wake her with a non-consensual kiss. It’s evident that they are only interested in each other because of their mutual good looks and beautiful singing voices. Although those are nice qualities to have, they alone aren't enough to build a strong, lasting relationship. We doubt these two have the ability to hold a conversation with each other, let alone maintain a long-term bond.