Top 10 Disney Princess Voice Acting Performances

"Hercules" (1997) Talk about having range! Megara is given quite a backstory, and her journey is complex. She’s anything but one note; she starts out forced to work for the evil Hades, before reluctantly falling for our protagonist and ultimately embracing her feelings for him. That’s a lot for one actress to tackle! Yet Susan Egan makes it look (or should we say sound?) easy. Using just her voice, she expertly charts Meg’s emotional growth with great care. And she does that while keeping the character spunky and sarcastic, thus making our heroine her own person — not merely a love interest. We’re definitely not afraid to say we’re in love with this performance.

"Encanto" (2021) Welcome to the family Madrigal, where all the people are fantastical and magical – including Mirabel. Our optimistic, determined protagonist drives the story of “Encanto,” as she rescues the Madrigals despite seemingly not having a magical gift. It’s impossible not to root for her – she’s so goofy, unique, and warmhearted. The voice behind the character is a huge part of what makes her so lovable, and it belongs to the inimitable Stephanie Beatriz. We knew the actress could play a badass cop thanks to “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” But it turns out she can also bring a relatable heroine to life – and sing – like nobody else. We may not talk about Bruno, but we’ll keep talking about Beatriz’s turn as Mirabel forever.

"Moana" (2016) The ocean chose Moana, and we’d choose Cravalho to voice her every time. She gives everything she has to her portrayal of the protagonist, bringing heart, humor, and infusing her delivery with so much personality. She convincingly embodies a character who longs for adventure and will do whatever it takes to find herself and restore her island to its former glory. We want to cheer Moana on as if she were our close friend, because that’s just how personable the performance is. And did we mention the actress sings like an angel?! As if that wasn’t enough, she beautifully voiced the voyaging character again for the film’s Hawaiian dub. No matter what language you watch in, Cravalho is mesmerizing.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996) As far as Disney heroines go, Esmeralda is by far one of the most underrated – she’s also one of the bravest. An outcast because she’s Romani, she doesn’t cower in the face of Frollo’s bigotry. Not just that, she places others’ needs before her own, and is one of the only people who treats Quasimodo with respect. Demi Moore does a wonderful job of capturing all of that self-assuredness and humanity in her performance, and allows us to get lost in the story. Moore doesn’t do it all alone, though. Heidi Mollenhauer steps in as Esmeralda’s singing voice – and what a hauntingly beautiful voice it is. Together, the two stars created a figure who always stands out from the crowd.

"Mulan" (1998) Speaking of brave protagonists, who could forget Mulan? Disguising yourself as a man to fill your dad’s spot in the army isn’t for the faint of heart – but she has what it takes. Our warrior Princess is courage personified, and we have Ming-Na Wen to thank for that. Wen shapes the character into somebody multi-faceted – she’s bold and daring, but she’s also scared and unsure, especially at first. That nuance is intricate, yet the actress captures it flawlessly, and the story’s stakes feel real as a result. As for Mulan’s mesmerizing singing voice? Lea Salonga is the one responsible for that, and to say she delivers the goods is a vast understatement. When will our reflection show just how much we love this portrayal?!

#5: Idina Menzel as Elsa

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"Frozen" franchise (2013-) We’re never going to let this go! Idina Menzel isn’t just the “Queen of Broadway,” she’s also the Queen of Arendelle – for a while. And she puts her magnificent voice to excellent use as Elsa. Everything from the character’s anxiety surrounding her powers to her eventual growth into a protector is reflected in Menzel’s delivery. Her electrifying performance of “Let It Go” alone always leaves us speechless – but it’s not just that. She also knows how to play the quieter, more contemplative moments that are crucial to Elsa’s development, which is no small feat. Menzel is in great company, too – Kristen Bell does a tremendous job as Anna! We would happily build a snowman with these two any day of the week.

"Tangled" franchise (2010-) Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair! We all know that phrase and the story well, so putting a new twist on the character was a big job. Yet somehow, Mandy Moore stepped into the role like she was born for it, and the result is fresh, funny, and quirky. Her performance is everything we didn’t know we needed – and now, we can’t imagine Rapunzel any other way. There’s a loving radiance that emanates from the Princess, and it’s not just because she’s magic. It’s also because Moore understands her dreams, motivations, and persona, and puts great thought into turning her into a fully realized individual. She succeeds on every front, and we laugh, cry, and yes, sing along with her.

"The Princess and the Frog" (2009) When “The Princess and the Frog” came out in 2009, audiences were ready to see a more modern version of the classic Disney heroine. Anika Noni Rose completely nailed it as Tiana, basically giving us a master class in voice acting by crafting an ambitious, layered, and insanely talented protagonist. Whether she’s voicing the human version of our heroine or portraying her in frog form, the actress doesn’t ever lose sight of who Tiana is at her core. Her independence, love for cooking, perseverance, and heart shine through every scene she’s in, which turns this portrayal into one for the books. At the end of the day, it’s impossible to imagine anyone else as the Princess, which tells you everything you need to know.

"Beauty and the Beast" (1991) We can’t talk about iconic Disney Princess voices without discussing Paige O’Hara’s Belle. It’s an instantly recognizable performance that left an indelible mark on viewers everywhere. Belle is a fierce protagonist – a lover of books who desperately wants more than her provincial life, and finds it in the most unusual of ways. And her story is, of course, a quintessential fairy tale. Yet O’Hara adds something special to the character, forging a Princess who’s anything but predictable – a true original. Each line she speaks (or sings) is imbued with an intelligence and grace that we simply can’t get enough of. “Beauty and the Beast” may have come out in 1991, but in O’Hara’s hands, it’s a timeless classic. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Kelly Macdonald as Merida, "Brave" (2012)

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"The Little Mermaid" (1989) Listen to this voice, isn’t it neat? No matter how many times we watch “The Little Mermaid” — and trust us, we’ve watched it a lot — Benson’s turn as Ariel always delights us. Whether she’s speaking or singing, every choice she makes behind the mic is the right one. And they all come together seamlessly to create an amazingly curious, endearing, and unforgettable Princess like no other. That’s why we were so excited when she gave fans a behind the scenes look at what went into recording “Part of Your World.” After all, nothing beats watching a legend meticulously working to master each detail. We’re forever grateful she shared her gift with us through the film, and let us be part of her dreamy world!