Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi's
Most Popular Disney Princesses - Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi's

While Disney has created several iconic characters on both film and television, we think nothing comes close to the stunning Disney Princesses. Both children and adults are continually enamored by stories of true love, women empowerment (yeah, we hear you, Mulan), and the eventual triumph of good vs evil.

Over the years, these Disney heroines served as role models to every growing child. Here’s our list of the best Disney princesses of all time, along with a little recap on how they lived happily ever after.

List of top 10 most popular Disney princesses

1. Mulan from “Mulan”

2. Ariel - The Little Mermaid

3. Rapunzel (Tangled)

4. Elsa and Anna

5. Belle - Beauty and the Beast

6. Pocahontas from “Pocahontas”

7. Vanellope von Schweetz

8. Tiana (Princess And The Frog)

9. Moana (Moana)

10. Merida - Brave

What are the 10 most popular Disney Princesses?

1. Mulan from “Mulan”

Photo: screenrant
Photo: screenrant

She saved China. I really shouldn’t have to say more, but I will. When the army is calling for men from each family, she pretends to be a man so her father doesn’t have to go. When her duty is done, she went and was sent home, she continues to battle for her country. Then, it’s her actions that save the country. She’s the only Disney Princess to not hold a royal title by birth or marriage. She is the epitome of a Disney Princess by an act of heroism. She has the most agency of any of the Disney Princesses. And, that’s why she’s my number one.

2. Ariel - The Little Mermaid

Photo: Entertainment weekly
Photo: Entertainment weekly

We all know Ariel as an adventurous and curious little mermaid who’s always been fascinated with life on land and be part of “your” world. Just take a peek at her collection of trinkets, gadgets, and gizmos a-plenty in the movie.

However, she can be reckless and impulsive at times, like giving up her lovely voice to Ursula, the sea witch villain. All for true love, of course. In the end, she learned her lesson, got her voice back, came to a truce with her father, and finally embraced who or what she really is. Oh, and she ended up with Prince Eric, too, by the way.

3. Rapunzel (Tangled)

Photo: Syfy Wire
Photo: Syfy Wire

While all of the Disney Princesses are likable in their own way, it is Rapunzel who really is the nicest of the bunch. She is someone who has endless energy and passion and is constantly looking for an adventure once she finally gets out of her tower.

She's a kind character who sees the best in everybody and isn't judgemental at all. Rapunzel is just a normal girl throughout the film, not even knowing she's a princess until late on, which is why she's so humble and easy to relate with, all while being a ton of fun.

4. Elsa and Anna

Photo: Fanpop
Photo: Fanpop

Movies: "Frozen" (2013) and "Frozen 2" (2019)

Reason: In "Frozen," Elsa is queen and Anna is princess, but in the sequel, Elsa ultimately abdicates the throne to Anna. So this is a confusing one to rank, but we're putting both sisters at No. 2 because they're fiercely loyal and loving toward one another, despite having completely opposite personalities. That's a kind of devotion viewers can all strive to have with their siblings. The fact that Elsa can ride away on an ice horse she creates is also pretty awesome.

5. Belle - Beauty and the Beast

Photo:  Wallpaper Cave
Photo: Wallpaper Cave

Belle was what we could call a rebel in her own way. Back in the days when women were expected to stay home, clean, and keep the husband happy, Belle was running around, borrowing books and helping her father with his inventions. She was smart, courageous, and definitely had a mind of her own. Some of the people in the village called her crazy. In the movie, she had dreams not cut out for the provincial life.

We like how Belle sees beyond somebody else’s flaws. Take, the Beast, for instance. He wasn’t just horrendous-looking, he was mean, coarse, and unrefined.

But Belle’s love and acceptance changed him in the end. The film gave us some of the best sidekicks, too - like Lumiere and Cogsworth.

Fact: Belle’s dress has a deeper meaning than you’d think

Notice anything different about Belle when comparing her with the rest of the townspeople in their chic French village? Aside from the fact that her nose is always stuck in a book (which you knew, obvs), Belle is the only one wearing the color blue. This symbolizes the fact that she’s an outsider. And pay attention later on in the film as well: The Beast wears blue too. Aw! They were truly made for each other! Or something!

6. Pocahontas from “Pocahontas”

Photo:  The DisInsider
Photo: The DisInsider

The daughter of Chief Powhatan saves her tribe from colonization and saves John Smith from certain death. She taught us about the “Colors of the Wind” and what lies “Just Around the Riverbend.” When her father is ready to execute John Smith, Pocahontas rushes in and risks her life to save Smith. Then, when asked to return to England with Smith, she chooses her home and her family over the stranger she just met. Something the early Disney Princesses wouldn’t have done.

7. Vanellope von Schweetz

Photo: Exclaim!
Photo: Exclaim!

Movies: "Wreck-It Ralph" (2012) and "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (2018)

Reason: Vanellope, who's revealed to be a princess at the end of "Wreck-It Ralph," not only turns her flaw (a computer glitch) into an asset, but is also one of the few princesses with a true platonic male friend. The fact that her "princess singing about a dream" Disney song is a croaky tune about driving a dangerous car in a videogame just adds icing to the Von Schweetz cake.

8. Tiana (Princess And The Frog)

Photo: ComingSoon
Photo: ComingSoon

Tiana is one of the most underrated Disney Princesses, but she is also one of the most likable. Everything about Tiana screams hard work, which is something that a lot of the other characters don't quite have to go through, with Tiana fighting for everything she's got.

She has a dream and is determined to make that happen, even if that means working all hours. Even when she's turned into a frog, she still remains passionate about making that happen, and that relentless attitude certainly helps make her a likable character.

Fact: Tiana’s character is loosely based on an iconic chef

As you can probably guess, Princess Tiana’s character in The Princess and the Frog is loosely inspired by the main character from the novel The Frog Princess and also by the princess from the Grimm fairy tale The Frog Prince.

But what you may not have known is that her character is also modeled after Leah Chase, aka the Queen of Creole Cuisine. Chase, who passed away in June 2019, was the executive chef and co-owner of the legendary Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. During her time at the restaurant, Chase fed everyone from Quincy Jones to President Barack Obama. So, yeah, she’s pretty impressive.

9. Moana (Moana)

Photo: Fanpop
Photo: Fanpop

Moana is another lovable and defiant character and daughter to the leader of the island she's lived on for her entire life. Moana longs to travel and be on the ocean, but her father and the rest of her community forbids anyone to journey away from the island.

Moana chooses not to follow tradition by taking a boat and trying to save their livelihood by traveling to return the heart of Te Fiti running into the demigod Maui on the way. She's a lovable and independent character who loves adventure and is empathetic and caring to both people and nature.

10. Merida - Brave

Photo: screenrant
Photo: screenrant

Princess Merida is a feisty Scottish redhead princess characterized as a confident, headstrong, and resourceful protagonist in the film Brave. While Queen Elinor expected her daughter to become a proper royal lady, Merida acted quite the opposite towards her mother. Merida enjoyed “rucksack” adventures with her horse, Angus, carrying her bow and arrow everywhere she went.

Based on the story, she was a skilled archer, even better than most of the kingdom’s warriors or the men who asked her hand in marriage. Merida’s impetuousness caused strained relations with her mother, but it was also she who found a way to mend their bond torn by pride.

Fact: Merida’s curls required some serious animation work

You don’t even have to be a fan of Brave to know that Merida’s bouncy red curls are gorgeous. And like any perfect hairstyle, it took some effort. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pixar had to create an entirely new software program just so they could create hair that would “react more realistically to the character’s movements and surroundings.” Her glossy ringlets were created using “1,500 individually sculpted curves” so that they would look as legit as possible.

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