Top 10 Disney Princes

Also known simply as ‘The Prince’, Florian is the original archetype from which all others either followed or deviated. Although he plays a fairly small role in the Snow White story, he’s everything a good man should be; he can sing, can ride a horse, and he really knows how to kiss a girl. For if he had never delivered true love’s smooch to Snow White, then the first ever Disney princess may never have awoken at all. True, Florian doesn’t play a huge part in this story, but in the name of romance and the happily ever after we forgive him!

Who said bad boys can’t be Disney princes? A self-made swashbuckler, this guy’s got attitude and then some. Before falling in love with his long-haired lady, Flynn builds a reputation as the most infamous (and attractive!) of all the thieves and vagabonds in Corona. But as Rapunzel finds out, his heart is in the right place really – lucky for her! Bet she never expected for her ‘life to begin’ with the most dastardly of scoundrels! But really, who can resist that smile?

A character quite literally sent from the Gods, Hercules puts mere mortal men to shame, and he’s a prime specimen of Disney prince-ness. For all his incomparable muscles, however, Herc’s finest quality is his modesty. This guy’s no brainless beefcake, and while he is competitive he’s also courteous and courageous. ‘Bless our souls, when Herc’s on a roll’ he’s unlike anyone else – it’s no wonder he has his own chorus, or that he answers to the name, ‘Wonderboy’!

An often underrated Disney character, Phillip is also one of a handful of Disneyprinces to actually be born into royalty. And, he has arguably the closest connection to any of the real life royals, as it’s said that Sleeping Beauty’s love interest was initially named after Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband to Queen Elizabeth II. There’s heritage and history behind this loved-up hero, who’d certainly be worth waking up to – even under normal circumstances. Also, he took on a giant dragon to save his beloved. Now that’s setting the bar pretty high!

We all love an underdog, and in among the icy high societies of “Frozen,” iceman Kristoff is definitely that. Tall, rugged and with a slightly Scandinavian appearance, he’s a man after Anna’s heart, even if it does take her most of the movie to realize it! Kristoff gets extra points too, for an adorable friendship with his pet reindeer Sven. He’s not quite magical enough to talk with animals, but clearly he does talk to them – a lot. And that’s just cuteness overload!

If there is an archetypal Disney prince, then it’s Mr. Prince Charming. In “Cinderella”, he serves as the most eligible of bachelors, who simply can’t find a girl to fall in love with (much to his father’s frustration). But then Cinders waltzes into the Prince’s world, and the rest is pumpkin carriage-d history. Not only does this guy sweep you off your feet, but out of your slippers as well. And though we can’t all boast glass garments for footwear, we can but hope that a handsome someone will one day show up with our long-lost sneaker.

Simba’s an icon of ‘90s cinema, and one of the most recognizable Disneycharacters ever created. As a cub, he ‘just can’t wait to be king’; but when tragedy strikes he’s forced to grow up too soon, and made to struggle with his princely status more than most. He feels responsible for his father’s death, and flees the Pride Lands altogether, but Timon, Pumbaa and ‘Hakuna Matata’ get him roaring again. Wherever you go and whoever you speak to, you can always ‘feel the love’ for Simba; he’s the ultimate in animated, animalistic heroes.

Eric earns his spot on the podium because a) he’s the literal definition of ‘tall, dark and handsome’ and b) he’s got a personality to match. Ever since “The Little Mermaid” was released in 1989, much has been made of how kind, considerate and generally respectful he is. When he meets Ariel on land, she can’t speak and she’s vulnerable; so Eric looks after her and doesn’t make a move. True, his respectability almost gets Ariel locked away as Ursula’s slave for eternity… But you gotta give the guy credit all the same! Plus, he makes up for it with his princely slaying of the baddie in the end!

He’s a prince cursed to be a primitive animal because he’s unable to love; and yet, for all his clear faults, the Beast is adored the world over. Because, underneath all the hair and teeth and unpredictable rage, there is a gentle soul. It takes Belle a long time to get through to the Beast’s good side, but when she does it’s one of Disney’s greatest ever love stories, inspiring one of cinema’s most iconic scenes. As this film memorably relates, it’s a ‘tale as old as time’ – and it’s one that we could watch over and over again.

Before we crown our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Prince Naveen
“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
- Prince Edward
“Enchanted” (2007)
- Capt. Li Shang
“Mulan” (1998)
- John Smith
“Pocahontas” (1995)

Our winner really knows how to make an entrance! Aladdin’s is a literal ‘rags to riches’ story that has had us all dreaming of a ‘whole new world’, somewhere where someone like him exists for real! He’s got the smile, he’s got the swagger, he’s got a flying carpet and a magical genie… What more could you want?? A pet monkey? Because he’s got that too! From street rat to royalty, Aladdin rules in Agrabah and he’s wished his way to the top of today’s countdown!

Do you agree with our list? Which prince did we miss? For more heroic and charming top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.