Top 10 Greatest Disney Princesses

Sovereign, beautiful and powerful are what come to mind when we think of these Disney protagonists. Join MsMojo as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Greatest Disney Princesses.

For this list, we’re looking into the powers, privileges and personality that make up the female leads for films made by Walt Disney Animated Studios. The princesses do not need to be born into their royalty, but they must at least be considered part of the Disney Princess media franchise to make the list. We’re also excluding Pixar films.

She doesn’t have icy powers and is second in-line for the role of ‘Queen’, but we’ll be damned if her quirky charm doesn’t see her through. Anna certainly has a lot to overcome to be recognized as a standout character, but even when her older sister doesn’t show her much love, she remains unwaveringly positive. Much more than any other Disney Princess, she is eccentric and weird, but that’s exactly what makes her perfectly relatable to the younger ladies of today. Despite her quirkiness and a neglectful backstory, her can-do attitude serves her, her sister and Arendelle well.

Similar to our last entry, this is another kooky human gal. Stolen from her parents at birth because she possesses hair with the power of healing, Rapunzel’s status as a Princess directly affects the rest of her story. Trapped by Mother Gothel in a tower for years, she is curious of the outside world and enthralled with excitement over every detail she discovers of it. Unbeknownst to her, it is her real parents who send out lanterns she spots in the sky every year in the hopes of their royal daughter finding her way back to them. But things soon change with the arrival of Flynn Rider. Not only are we oh-so-glad for the subsequent adventure she embarks upon, but it also doesn’t hurt that she’s voiced with spunk and energy by Mandy Moore.

Princesses seem to have a real knack for getting taken away from their homes. Renamed Briar Rose by her fairy godmothers after she is cursed to fall into a deathly sleep on her sixteenth birthday, Aurora is as traditional as princesses come. She is betrothed to her Prince Philip at birth and must even be rescued from the grasp of a fiery dragon. She also manages to teach audiences everywhere to follow their dreams – and watch out for spinning wheels.

She’s the original Disney princess from the very first Disney animated feature film. With a singing voice rivalling that of Betty Boop, Snow White is almost the archetype that other Disney princesses aspire to emulate. Her gracious vocals bring the animals in to help in her day-to-day activities, but she’s also kind and caring enough to act as a mother figure for the dwarfs around the cottage. She may not be the fairest one of all on our list, but she’s certainly a pioneer of them all.

The one who can paint with all of the colors of the wind is our next entry. While factually incorrect from her real life counterpart, Pocahontas represents almost a changing of the guard for Disney princesses. Self-assured in her approach to life, she is understanding of all the elements around her but also has rebellious elements to her personality, as shown by the fact that she doesn’t blindly accept the man her father chooses for her to marry. Her power as Princess and daughter of the Chief is not wasted either, as she manages to cease the conflict between the Native Americans and the British settlers.

She’s a total package Princess fit for an Arabian Knight. Jasmine makes her mark by being the first human Disney Princess to obviously be of a different race in the Walt Disney Animated Classics Series, but that’s not all that’s great about her! She’s also incredibly goal-driven and motivated to not remain shielded from the outside world. It’s almost a chore to say that a lot of Disney Princesses want ‘more’ for themselves, but Jasmine is one of the few who actually prefers to see less luxury and lead a simpler lifestyle with relatable friends. Now that’s something you don’t see every day!

The only Princess not to actively seek out romance or higher living is the only child of the Fa family. Set during the time of Han China, Mulan’s story is one of infiltration as she decides to disguise herself as a man to fight in the war against the Huns so that her elderly father doesn’t have to. Her bravery is clear, but her personality also mixes in a balance of intelligence but slightly clumsy in her approaches. While she wasn’t born and didn’t marry into royalty, Disney recognizes her as part of their Princess line-up – and we can’t argue with that, as she’s proven she’s more than worthy of the title!

Born a Princess of the Sea under King Triton, this underwater princess is most recognizable for having the most passionately beautiful voice of all other Disney princesses. So much so that it’s recognized as a powerful commodity by the evil Ursula who convinces the naïve mermaid to trade away her voice for a shot at the human Prince Eric. If there’s one aspect that’s attributed to Ariel that also makes her stand out, it is her rebellious nature, as she runs away from home to chase down her own wants and goals. While she may not know much about the world (yet), she’s willing to do whatever it takes for what she believes in and is quite the inspiration.

The French maiden whose name literally translates to ‘beautiful,’ she is the literal belle of the ball when it comes to Disney Princesses! Finding herself in her own personal love triangle with a ferocious beast and a womanizing pig of man, she’s looked upon as weird and eccentric simply for being book smart – but when you really think about it, she’s actually quite the role model. So what kind of town is this? Caring and brave in nature, Belle is much more than a provincial princess.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

- Tiana
“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)

- Elsa
"Frozen" (2013)

It’s no secret that almost all Disney tales are based on fairytales or real stories, but it’s this animated musical fantasy’s Princess - inspired by Charles Perrault’s written version - that has transcended pop culture like no other. Instantly recognizable is the story of the lowly stepdaughter forced to work by her evil stepfamily without hope of salvation. And yet, Cinderella maintains a good and hopeful attitude to her life. The second heroine to be given the title of ‘Disney Princess’, her plights are one of the most empathetic of them, even though she is the least deserving of her troubles. Telling us that a dream is a wish your heart makes, we sure are glad that hers came true.

Do you agree with our list? Which Disney Princess do you think is the greatest? For more magical top tens uploaded every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.