Top 10 Most Relatable Disney Princess Moments

We all know how those first teenage crushes usually go. Ariel’s insistence on romance might not be the most interesting thing about her, but it certainly is one of the most relatable. Ariel is only 16, and so she feels her feelings deeply. When she first sets her sights on dream boat Prince Eric, she falls hard. Of course, her father disapproves, leading to an intense spat. Ariel and Triton’s dispute over whether Eric is an appropriate suitor for the little mermaid is intensely familiar to many of us, for better or for worse.

A lot of Disney princesses are laser focused on finding love. Princess Jasmine, however, is a bit different to many of her peers. When we first meet Jasmine, she’s spurning suitors and pleading with her father not to force her into getting married. While this pressure to wed may or may not be relatable (depending on your circumstances), Jasmine’s general desire for independence is extremely familiar for everyone. Being a teenager is a time for figuring things out, not settling down. That independent streak is what pushes Jasmine to break the rules, get into trouble, and when it comes down to it, what draws us to her.

Most of us have never had to undertake a journey quite as complex and challenging as Moanna’s in the 2016 film. However, we can all relate to that sense of despair when you feel like all is lost. After the first attempt to restore the heart of Te Fiti goes awry, Moana is at the end of her rope. But with the help of the ocean and the spirit of her grandmother, she finds the strength to carry on. We’ve all felt lost before and found inspiration in different ways, just like Moana.

Sometimes, being ordinary is the most relatable thing you can do. “Encanto” tells the tale of the Madrigal family, who all possess different magical powers. Well, all of them except for one. Mirabel is the only member of her family who doesn’t have any magic, which makes her feel left out. However, when the family loses their magic, she’s the only one who can get it back. Obviously, Mirabel is relatable thanks to this lack of powers; but it’s also her anxiety about fitting in, which we’ve all experienced at some point.

One of our favorite Disney characters of all time is Meg from “Hercules.” With her dry, sarcastic wit, Meg has a sense of humor and attitude we can’t get enough of. But one of the best and most relatable things about Meg isn’t her sarcasm, but rather what that’s hiding. Meg has been hurt in her past, and she uses her humor as a defense mechanism. That’s an extremely relatable coping tactic that we can all identify with. Whether we know someone who does it, or we do it ourselves, Meg’s defenses are something we see everywhere in the real world.

There are so many things that make Mulan one of the most relatable Disney princesses. There’s her struggle to learn new skills. Her sometimes short temper, which leads her to throw a shoe at her horse! And of course, there’s her struggle to fit in with a group she’s very different from. But arguably the most relatable scene is at the matchmaker’s house. Mulan doesn’t really want to find a husband, but she goes to the matchmaker to make her family happy. Her blunders throughout the experience are both hilarious and also embarrassingly relatable.

Who among us hasn’t had a mood swing or two? Who among us hasn’t obsessively worried about what another person thinks about our decisions? Everyone has struggled with these feelings, which is one of the reasons Rapunzel from “Tangled” feels so normal to us. After she finally gathers up the courage to run away from her tower, she wavers back and forth between whether it was a good idea or not. Will her mother care? Is she going to be safe? Will she be welcomed back with open arms? All of these questions and more torture her endlessly, making for a very funny and very relatable montage.

Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” has a lot of relatable qualities. She’s curious, for example, and longs for adventure. And yet, the most relatable thing about her might just be how much she loves a good book. When Beast gives Belle the library, her face completely lights up and you can tell she never wants to leave that room. Honestly, watching the scene, we feel the same way. Books can be better than even the best of friends, and certainly better than beasts!

Disney princesses tend to be picture perfect, basically all the time. Unless, of course, you’re Anna. One of the first moments we share with Anna in the movie “Frozen” occurs as she wakes up in the morning. Does she look immaculate? Absolutely not. Her hair is a mess, she’s snoring, and she’s got a cute little line of drool spilling out of her mouth. Seeing a literal princess look like this reminds us that even royals can be a little messy sometimes. We love Anna’s relatability so much, and this is one of our favorite examples of it.

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

Taking on an Impossible Battle, “Moana” (2016)
Moana Fights the Ocean

Showing Up the Posers, “Brave” (2012)
Merida Wins Her Own Hand

Always Looking For Something More, “Pocahontas” (1995)
Just Around the Riverbend

Letting Loose, “Frozen” (2013)
Everyone Wants to Let It Go

Telling Someone to Get Lost, “Aladdin” (1992)
Jasmine Kicks Aladdin Out

Most Disney princesses live in far away fairytale lands, and unless they’re Cinderella, they’re usually not working a lot. That all changed with 2009’s “The Princess and the Frog.” This story is set in New Orleans, a place that looks a little more familiar to a modern day audience. It also doesn’t follow a fluttery princess without responsibilities. Diner waitress Tiana is struggling to make ends meet, and dreams of opening up her own restaurant. But for now, she’s gotta keep grinding. Giving a princess an ordinary job and career aspirations is one of the most relatable things Disney has ever done.