All Disney Princess Movies In Order

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Disney princess movies have practically become their own genre in the many decades since their inception. They’re synonymous with Disney as a company, with Cinderella’s Castle featuring in the intro of Disney movies and being recreated in physical form at Disney theme parks. Recent Disney movies like Wreck-It-Ralph have acknowledged the significance of the princesses in Disney’s library by including each of them in a single scene.

Disney’s longstanding relationship with princess movies dates back almost as long as its relationship with Mickey Mouse himself. There have been between 12 and 15 official “Disney Princesses” over the near century of Disney movies, with several unofficial additions to the group. From live action remakes to the latest releases, the princesses range from sweet royal ladies to women who sing empowering songs to some of the toughest characters ever put on the big screen.

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Disney Princess Animated Movies In Release Order

The first thought that Disney Princesses bring to mind is likely the animated movies from the 1980s and 1990s but they actually go back way further than that. These animated movies span several decades and contain many different heroines that fit almost every idea of what a princess could be. They set the tone for the rest of Disney history.

Snow White (1937)

Disney’s first-ever feature-length movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This movie was hugely successful, and Walt Disney was awarded an honorary Oscar for the picture. Snow White is a beautiful young girl who escapes an evil queen’s attempt to kill her out of jealousy. Seeking refuge with seven dwarfs who take her into their household, she is eventually targeted by the queen once again. The dwarfs fight the queen off, throwing her over a cliff, but not before Snow White is placed under a sleeping curse by the queen’s poisoned apple. Thankfully, true love’s kiss isn’t too far away, and her curse is lifted.

As the oldest Disney princess movie, Snow White tends to get overlooked due to the movie’s outdated style of music and animation technique. However, the classic princess movie remains a beloved masterpiece. Many of Disney’s popular princess movie tropes like animal companions got their start in Snow White.

Cinderella (1950)

Disney’s second princess movie took on one of the most beloved and most-adapted fairy tales in the media. Cinderella tells the story of a young girl who, with the help of a fairy godmother, escapes the oppressive household of her wicked stepmother to enjoy a magical evening at a royal ball. She ends up catching the eye of the prince, and even though she has to be home before her enchantments expire at midnight, she leaves behind a single glass slipper that eventually leads to her identification and royal engagement.

Cinderella often gets criticized for glorifying the concept of being a “damsel in distress,” but in actuality, Cinderella’s strength comes from the bravery she shows by continuing to hope for the best despite the hopelessness of her situation. She takes the opportunity to go to the ball, not to find a husband to save her, but because she wants a night to enjoy the delight of a life unburdened by the unfair expectations of her. Her willingness to remain optimistic despite her circumstances makes her a powerful character.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Disney’s next princess movie was Sleeping Beauty, the story of a princess who is targeted by an evil sorceress who took offense at not receiving a royal invitation to welcome the newborn princess. According to the curse, she would prick her finger on a spinning wheel on her 16th birthday and die. A good fairy thankfully has the chance to help, changing the curse’s outcome from death to sleep. Princess Aurora grows up hidden from the world in her parents’ attempt to keep her safe, unaware of her true identity until her fateful birthday.

Because of the plot of the movie, Sleeping Beauty’s Princess Aurora is only awake for about 18 minutes of screen time. The movie instead follows three good fairies as they try to protect the princess from the evil Maleficent and Prince Philip on his quest to break the sleeping curse that eventually overtakes Aurora and the rest of her kingdom. Sleeping Beauty is full of interesting characters and plot devices that make it feel progressive for its age, not to mention many emotional moments and funny lines that might feel unexpected in a cartoon from the period.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

After three decades with no new additions to princess movies, The Little Mermaid was the first of a new type of Disney princess: the young Princess Ariel was a much more independent and spunky princess than her predecessors, openly defying her father and dealing directly with the evil sea witch. As part of the deal, she must make a human prince fall in love with her or become Ursula’s prisoner. What she doesn’t know is that Ursula is actively working against her in an attempt to overthrow Ariel’s father, King Triton.

With the prince’s help, Ariel eventually defeats Ursula and rescues her father and her kingdom. In fact, she’s the first princess to be directly involved in the final fight against her movie’s villain. Though she sometimes receives criticism for using romance as a motivation behind her decision to give up her life as a mermaid, Ariel embodies a spirit of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge that hadn’t been seen in a princess movie before. Her father eventually grants her wish, and Ariel is able to be a part of both worlds.

Beauty And The Beast (1991)

Disney made the revolutionary decision to tell the story of Beauty and the Beast in the style of a musical. Despite being known as the most beautiful girl in town, Belle’s unconventional personality ostracizes her from her village. When her father is captured by a prince-turned-beast in an abandoned castle outside the town, Belle doesn’t hesitate to take his place. Trapped at the palace, she uncovers a new side to the Beast, and her ability to show him love eventually breaks his curse, and he returns to his human form.

Aladdin (1992)

Though Aladdin technically follows the story of Aladdin, a street rat with a heart of gold who finds a genie lamp, Princess Jasmine is just as much a key player in the movie. She’s strong-willed and resents the idea that she has to marry a prince simply because she is the daughter of the sultan. She first falls in love with Aladdin for who he truly is, then again with his false identity as a prince from a faraway kingdom.

Though she’s not the main hero of this story, Jasmine makes a huge difference in the movie’s outcome by helping to fight the evil Jafar. She also helps Aladdin become comfortable and proud of who he is, and her love inspires her father to change the law to allow him to stay at the palace and marry her despite his humble origin. Jasmine’s free spirit and strong will are perfectly balanced and make her a great and assertive leader.

Pocahontas (1995)

Disney’s first princess based on a real-life historical figure was Pocahontas. Though Pocahontas takes many liberties with the true story, the movie was a hit. Pocahontas is the brave daughter of the chief of the Powhatan tribe in what would later become Virginia, and she yearns for adventure and new experiences in the face of a politically-influenced marriage. When she meets settler John Smith, the two begin to fall in love despite the growing tensions between their people.

Pocahontas tells a much more pleasant version of the history that the real-life Powhatan tribe experienced, and though Disney’s version was much more family-friendly and featured the Oscar-winning song, “Colors of the Wind,” there is much history that gets lost in the details.

Mulan (1998)

Mulan is technically not a princess by any means, but she is included in Disney’s official roster anyway. This honor is much deserved considering her choices throughout this movie result in the salvation of all of China from the Huns. After feeling like her inability to be the “perfect” daughter and prospective bride, Mulan decides that the best way for her to honor her family is to take her father’s place in the army when he is called to help defend the country from the Huns.

Her balance of determination, loyalty, and bravery make her an easy addition to the Disney princess roster, despite her lack of an official royal title. Mulan sees many battles and horrors of war in her time disguised as a soldier, and Mulan contains many heavy themes that give the movie a somber tone at times.

Princess And The Frog (2009)

Tiana made history in 2009 as the first African-American Disney princess, as well as the first princess whose story takes place in America. The Princess and the Frog put a fun twist on the old fairy tale: instead of transforming the frog back into a handsome prince, Tiana’s kiss turns her into a frog as well. Together, she and Prince Naveen have to figure out how to break the spell before Naveen’s kingdom is stolen out from under him. Along the way, the hardworking and tenacious Tiana learns how to balance her desire to achieve her dreams with a newfound enjoyment for the simple things in life.

Tangled (2010)

Tangled was the first Disney princess movie to be animated in 3D when Tangled hit theaters in 2011. Rapunzel was much sillier and younger-seeming than most of the previous princesses since she’s been raised alone in a tower all her life, and her excitable nature perfectly compliments the cynical thief Flynn Rider who agrees to take her to a special festival on her birthday. When Rapunzel realizes she is actually the kingdom’s lost princess, kidnapped as a baby by the woman who raised her, she must find the strength to reject the false love that Mother Gothel offers her.

Brave (2012)

Princess Merida shoulders the trend of princesses resenting a future with no adventure and being married to someone she doesn’t love. Merida is so determined to avoid this fate that she inadvertently sends her clan into chaos when her mother is transformed into a bear. Brave revolves around familial love as opposed to the romantic aspect of most of the previous princess movies. By the movie’s end, Merida and the queen come to understand one another’s passions, pressures, and dreams, which allows them to move forward with a newfound peace regarding the future.

Frozen (2013)

Frozen followed the story of sisters Anna and Elsa of the kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa is crowned queen after their parents are killed, making her the first Disney princess to become queen in her first movie. Elsa has the power to control ice and snow, and after an accident when they were children almost costs her sister her life, Elsa vows to control her powers at all costs. When she has an accidental outburst, she flees to the mountains, leaving the kingdom in eternal winter and its citizens believing her to be the monster she was afraid to become.

This movie focuses on familial love as well, with Anna risking everything to save Elsa from her own seclusion and despair – not to mention the evil Prince Hans, as well. Anna’s actions prove that true love can take many forms and the bond between sisters is one of the most special versions out there.

Moana (2016)

As the daughter of the chief of the Polynesian island of Montanui, the titular character from 2016’s Moana is expected to become the next chief of her people. Though she is initially forbidden from the dangerous waters, Moana’s love for the ocean and devotion to her people lead her on a dangerous journey to return an ancient relic to the sea goddess Te Fiti. Accompanied by the demigod Maui, who must regain his own greatness, Moana learns the skills necessary for the journey and braces herself to take on any obstacle along the way.

Frozen 2 (2019)

After becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, it was only a matter of time until Frozen got a sequel. It arrived in 2019 and furthered the story of Anna and Elsa while being an even bigger commercial hit. The difference with Frozen 2 was that it didn’t focus as much on a traditional story surrounding Anna and Elsa’s royal status, instead diving into the origins of Elsa’s ice powers. However, the emotional ending sees Elsa become the protector of the Enchanted Forest while her sister Anna is named Queen of Arendelle.

Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)

The latest inductee into Disney’s line-up of princesses, Raya of Raya and the Last Dragon was officially added to the line-up during World Princess Week 2022. She more than earns her title as an official Disney princess thanks to her heroic actions and tenacity throughout her film. Raya embarks on a journey to find the legendary “last dragon” Sisu and bring peace to her kingdom of Kumandra by banishing evil spirits. Raya is the first Southeast Asian princess in Disney’s roster, bringing more welcome diversity to the line-up.

Disney Princess Live-Action Movies In Release Order

Disney’s princesses aren’t confined to animated films only. In fact, several princesses from animated princess movies are also starring in live-action remakes of the same movie. Take a look at some of the live-action princess movies that Disney has to offer below.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997)

This TV movie has become a beloved classic in the decades since its release, particularly after Disney+ made it accessible to a whole new audience. Starring Brandy Norwood and Whitney Houston and many other impressive actors, the star-studded adaption of the fairy tale was much different from 1950’s cartoon, but that’s what has helped the movie remain so iconic after all these years. This iteration took its inspiration from the musical instead of straight from the original fairy tale, making it feel more whimsical and less like a storybook.

Brandy’s Cinderella may not always get the spotlight when it comes to Disney princesses, but she’s definitely earned her spot among them. She’s even due to return in an upcoming installment of the Descendants series, this time as Queen Cinderella.

Enchanted (2007)

Since it technically begins in the animated land of Andalasia, Enchanted straddled the line between animated and live-action. Princess Giselle is tricked into the real-world New York by the evil queen, and she brings many fairytale tropes with her in a series of hilarious nods to Disney’s own princess movies, giving the movie a meta feel. Featuring cameos from the voice addresses of several animated Disney princesses, Enchanted is one of Disney’s most self-aware films.

Maleficent (2014)

Taking a totally different approach to Sleeping Beauty, Disney’s Maleficent tells the story from the villain’s point of view. The movie gives Maleficent a sympathetic side without dulling her treacherous side. Angelina Jolie brings a menacing grace to the character, and the movie takes an opportunity to explore her unknown past and expand on her realm. In the most shocking twist, Maleficent sees the sorceress become enchanted by Princess Aurora and basically adopts her as her own. Despite its differences from the source material, Maleficent was hugely popular and was followed by a sequel that saw Maleficent acting more heroically.

Cinderella (2015)

Disney’s first attempt at directly remaking an existing animated princess movie was the classic Cinderella. This remake set out to recreate the story as opposed to retelling it from a new perspective, and the movie was incredibly similar to Disney’s animated version from 1950. With the stunning visual effects that made Cinderella’s magic feel real, it’s no surprise that this project launched Disney’s still-ongoing plan to remake all their popular animated features.

Beauty And The Beast (2017)

Beauty and the Beast had many additions to the original story of the cartoon, but for the most part, it is the live-action remake that most closely resembles the animated film that inspired it. Some reviews complained that this Disney live-action remake was too similar to the original, which was something that the upcoming remakes had to learn how to balance. Beauty and the Beast took the opportunity to expand on Belle’s history, the Beast’s emotional journey, and Gaston’s capacity for treachery.

Aladdin (2019)

Disney’s remake of Aladdin expanded on many characters, but Princess Jasmine had the best additions to her story. The strong-willed princess had none of her personality traits or dreams changed, but she was given a new ambition to become the next sultan herself instead of marrying one. She was also given a new song and its accompanying reprise in addition to the iconic duet “A Whole New World.” Aladdin was met with mixed reviews, but there’s no doubt that Jasmine was a highlight of the film.

Mulan (2020)

One of Disney’s more unconventional remakes of their animated princess movie, Mulan reinterprets the story of the original cartoon to an extreme degree. The critical reception was poor, though it was also interesting to see aspects from the original legend of Mulan added to the film. Despite the interesting additions to the new version of the story, Mulan’s original movie featured iconic music, characters, and themes that were absent in the remake.

The Little Mermaid (2023)

The long-awaited live-action remake of The Little Mermaid stars Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. This live-action remake enhanced the original without changing much about the plot as a whole, adding things like a new backstory for Prince Eric and clarifying Ursula’s relationship with King Triton. The remake takes a fresh look at the story without overtly changing anything important, bringing Ariel to life in an incredibly effective way. The real highlight is how Bailey belts out classic songs like “Part of Your World.”

All Disney Princess Movies In Release Order

With so many princess movies out there, it’s no wonder that they’re some of Disney’s most recognizable releases. Here are all the princess movies in order:

• Snow White (1937)
• Cinderella (1950)
• Sleeping Beauty (1959)
• The Little Mermaid (1989)
• Beauty and the Beast (1991)
• Aladdin (1992)
• Pocahontas (1995)
• Mulan (1998)
• Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997)
• Enchanted (2007)
• Princess and the Frog (2009)
• Tangled (2010)
• Brave (2012)
• Frozen (2013)
• Maleficent (2014)
• Cinderella (2015)
• Moana (2016)
• Beauty and the Beast (2017)
• Aladdin (2019)
• Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
• Frozen 2 (2019)
• Mulan (2020)
• Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
• The Little Mermaid (2023)