Disney’s long-established princess stereotypes were destroyed by the heroine of one underrated Pixar film that changed the course of both Pixar and Disney’s output forever. Over the last thirty years, Pixar has become a giant in the world of animation, heralded as a pioneering force known for crafting memorable stories that captivate viewers of all ages. In the same space of time, Pixar’s parent company has been expanding its well-known “Disney Princess” brand, and one Pixar gem quietly transformed how these princesses are shaped.
Beginning with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, Disney began re-imagining popular fairytales in a series of classic animated films. In the year 2000, Disney officially launched the “Disney Princess” brand by bringing together eight of the company’s most famous heroines. Since then, Disney’s princess roster has grown further, but there have been significant changes to the line-up and how the princesses are perceived along the way. This is in no small part due to the arrival of one landmark princess, the first created by Pixar, in the early 2010s.
How Pixar’s Brave Broke The “Disney Princess” Stereotype
There’s a certain vision that comes to mind upon hearing the words “Disney Princess” made up of stereotypes established over the course of eight decades. Disney princesses are passive, delicate damsels-in-distress who long for true love’s kiss and wait patiently for their prince to come. While there are varying degrees of truth in that for each princess, these stereotypes were all thoroughly shattered by the arrival of Princess Merida in Pixar’s Brave. Fiercely independent, headstrong, and ready to challenge gender norms, Merida is the antithesis to the Disney princesses that came before her.
Even in appearance, Merida defies the expectations of a typical Disney princess; her fiery personality is symbolized by her head of unruly red hair. She’s given a strong personality and even stronger values that drive the narrative of Brave. Rather than the traditional love story found in many Disney princess films, Brave is an exploration of freedom, independence, and the complicated relationship between a rebellious daughter and her overbearing mother. Merida’s bold personality, journey of self-discovery, and focus on familial bonds was a refreshing departure from Disney’s usual princess fare.
Brave’s Influence Changed Pixar & Disney Forever
Brave became one of Pixar’s highest-grossing movies, and the impact of this success can be seen across both Pixar and Disney’s output in the years since. After a slew of male-centric Pixar films, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Up, Brave proved the importance of telling female stories. As a result, Pixar has produced more films that center on the experiences of young women. These movies, namely Inside Out and Turning Red, are driven by multi-faceted, diverse female characters that prove Merida’s impact extends far beyond the narrative of her own story.
The success of Brave also had ramifications for the “Disney Princess” brand. As societal norms have shifted since the first Disney princess movie, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, so too has Disney’s portrayal of its princesses, in no small part due to Princess Merida’s story in Brave. Far from the meek, damsel-in-distress princesses portrayed in earlier films like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, the Disney princesses of today are imbued with personalities typified by Merida’s determined, quick-witted, and free-spirited nature.
Disney princesses are no longer defined purely by their love stories, either. Even when Disney began giving their heroines more personality, like The Little Mermaid‘s Ariel and Belle in Beauty and the Beast, their stories were still tied to the quest for romantic love; the female characters are largely remembered for their relationships with male characters. The princesses at the heart of Disney’s most recent fairytales like Frozen, Moana, and Raya & The Last Dragon, however, are notable for their lack of love interests and stories that focus on personal growth and achieving ambitions. Other types of love – self-love, familial bonds, and friendship – have been moved to the forefront.
How The “Disney Princess” Definition Has Changed After Brave
Post-Brave, Disney has shown its commitment to eschewing the princess stereotypes of old. Merida’s portrayal as a strong-willed, independent princess was groundbreaking, her arrows sending a shockwave that shattered the Disney princess mold. Merida’s inclusion in the Disney princess line-up means subsequent characters have been able to break free from the confines of the traditional fairytale. The importance of self-love, familial love, and friendship has eclipsed the idea that princesses must be saved by a handsome prince. An underrated gem, Pixar‘s Brave marked a seismic shift in Disney’s approach to its iconic princesses, better reflecting the values of contemporary society.
