Top 10 Disney Princesses Ranked

Every Disney Princess has a unique way of empowering individuals to dream of better futures for themselves and those around them. While Disney has faced criticism in the past for certain problematic messages and stereotypes associated with its princesses, the company has made significant efforts to improve Disney Princess representation and messaging, allowing these characters and their cultures to shine more brightly.

Disney Princesses exhibit a diverse range of personalities, which influences how they navigate challenges and support others. Each princess inspires fans of all ages, making it challenging to select the top ones. Nonetheless, we at IGN have managed to compile a list of our top 10 Disney Princesses from the official list of 13 characters. We apologize for omitting three wonderful princesses from this ranking, as the decision was incredibly tough.

So, without further ado, here is IGN's selection of the 10 best Disney Princesses.

Best Disney Princesses

11 Images10. Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Image: DisneyFor most of Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora resides in a forest cottage with the Three Good Fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, who call her Briar Rose to shield her from Maleficent's curse. This curse would cause her to die after pricking her finger on a spinning wheel's spindle by her 16th birthday. Despite the fairies' efforts, Maleficent hypnotizes Aurora to fulfill the curse once she's returned to her castle, though she falls asleep instead of dying, thanks to Merryweather's blessing, until true love's kiss awakens her.

Aurora is renowned for her grace and beauty, yet her true strength lies in her imagination and her dreams for the future, which she shares even with her woodland friends. However, her reliance on true love's kiss to break the curse has been critiqued in recent years.

9. Moana

Image: DisneyAs the chief's daughter on Motunui, Moana never fantasized about romantic rescues. Chosen by the ocean as an infant, she embarks on a quest as a teenager to restore a mystical heart to the Polynesian goddess Te Fiti, after a blight strikes her island due to Te Kā's darkness. She enlists the help of the shapeshifting demigod Maui to return the heart stolen by him centuries ago. Moana discovers that Te Kā is the corrupted form of Te Fiti, and by returning the heart, she restores Te Fiti and saves her island and the ocean.

Moana's independence, bravery, and determination highlight her as an empowered young woman, inspiring everyone. Her voice actor, Auli‘i Cravalho, emphasizes Moana's universal role model status. We look forward to seeing Catherine Laga'aia portray Moana in the upcoming live-action film.

8. Cinderella

Image: DisneyAfter her father's death, Cinderella endures abuse from her stepmother and stepsisters, yet remains kind and humble. When barred from attending the royal ball, the Fairy Godmother transforms her into a vision of elegance, complete with a stunning gown and glass slippers that vanish at midnight. However, one slipper remains, which she uses to prove her identity to the Duke, leading to her union with the Prince.

While initially seen as passive, Cinderella actively engages her animal friends to aid her escape from confinement. Her iconic ball attire and glass slippers have made her a fashion icon. Interestingly, Disney altered her dress color from silver to baby blue for costumes to avoid resembling child brides.

7. Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Image: DisneyAriel epitomizes teenage rebellion, yearning for life among humans despite her father King Triton's prohibitions. She amasses a collection of human artifacts and falls in love with Prince Eric after saving him from a shipwreck. To be with him, she trades her voice to Ursula for legs, facing a three-day deadline to win his kiss or face eternal servitude. With help from Eric, Sebastian, and Flounder, she defeats Ursula and marries her beloved.

In the sequel, The Little Mermaid: Return to the Sea, Ariel becomes a mother to Melody, marking her as the first Disney Princess to have a child.

6. Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)

Image: DisneySet in Jazz Age New Orleans, Tiana embodies determination and hard work, holding two jobs to fulfill her dream of opening a restaurant. Her life takes a magical turn when she kisses Prince Naveen, turning into a frog due to a curse by Dr. Facilier. On their quest to reverse the spell, Tiana teaches Naveen responsibility. She rejects Dr. Facilier's offer to magically realize her dreams, breaking his talisman and defeating him.

The Princess and the Frog introduced Tiana as the first African American Disney Princess, celebrated for her feminist ethos and business acumen.

5. Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Image: DisneyBelle, an intellectual and independent woman, yearns for more than her provincial life. She trades her freedom for her father's, who's imprisoned by the Beast. As she learns about the curse that can only be broken by love, Belle grows to love the Beast despite his appearance, ultimately saving him with her love.

Belle breaks the mold of traditional princesses, valuing knowledge over romance. Her screenwriter, Linda Woolverton, crafted her as a feminist icon, evident in her rejection of Gaston's shallow proposals.

4. Rapunzel (Tangled)

Image: DisneyRaised in isolation by Mother Gothel, who uses Rapunzel's magical hair to maintain her youth, Rapunzel seizes her chance for freedom when Flynn Rider stumbles into her tower. She convinces him to take her to see the floating lanterns on her birthday, discovering her royal heritage along the way.

Rapunzel's popularity stems from her resourcefulness and creativity, using her hair for more than just healing. Her journey underscores her intelligence and resilience, countering Mother Gothel's negative influence.

3. Jasmine (Aladdin)

Image: DisneyJasmine challenges the traditional notion of marriage, seeking a partner based on character rather than status. Before meeting Aladdin, she rejects suitors, asserting her autonomy with the famous line, "How dare you? All of you, standing around deciding my future? I am not a prize to be won!" After Aladdin frees the Genie, the Sultan changes the law, allowing Jasmine to marry Aladdin for love.

As a symbol of female empowerment, Jasmine defies patriarchal norms and introduces racial diversity as the first West Asian princess in the franchise.

2. Merida (Brave)

Image: DisneyMerida refuses to marry for political alliances, choosing to control her own destiny. Her conflict with her mother, Queen Elinor, over her refusal to marry escalates during the Highland games, leading her to seek a witch's spell to change her mother's mind, inadvertently turning her into a bear. Merida resolves the situation by uniting the clans and allowing firstborns to choose their own partners.

Merida, the first Disney Princess from a Pixar film, embodies independence and skill, excelling in archery, sword fighting, and horseback riding.

1. Mulan

Image: DisneyMulan, the first Chinese Disney Princess, disguises herself as a man named Ping to take her father's place in the army. Her strategic mind and combat skills lead to the defeat of the Hun army. Even after her true identity is revealed, she saves the Emperor and brings honor to her family and China.

Mulan's story emphasizes persistence, family, and honor, challenging gender norms and earning her the title of princess from Disney. She represents a powerful symbol of breaking through patriarchal constraints.