Ceri RawlingsAlthough we won’t admit it, we all enjoy watching the Disney Princess films, from the very first, Snow White, to our new favourites Anna and Elsa. But out of all the Princess films, which one is the best? This is my list for your consideration.
12- Aladdin
Release: 1992
Directors: Ron Clements and John Musker
Princess: Jasmine
Best Song: Friend Like Me
I put this one at the bottom for the pure reason that it is not actually about the Princess herself, clearly the title is called Aladdin. This film is still amazing though, with true love (and a bit of magic) beating all who appose them its a great film and possibly the most gender neutral out of all of the Disney Princess films. Funny and beautifully animated, this film is great for a laugh.
11- Beauty and the Beast
Release: 1991
Directors: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
Princess: Belle
Best Song: Belle
A women’s quest to free her father becomes a beautiful love story in this classic Disney film. Belle gives her freedom to save her father, but doesn’t expect that she’d find love in the form of a beast. Some people found this one a little odd, but I adore this film, with stunning animation and that dress. Oh wow that dress. This is a tale as old as time, with music of the film rounding off the Disney classic
10- Pocahontas
Release: 1995
Directors: Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg
Princess: Pocahontas
Best Song: Just Around the Riverbend
For me, this is my least favourite out of the whole franchise, but I can’t deny the music and the setting is beautiful. A love story between two people that feels like a child’s introduction into Romeo and Juliet, it is faultless in its story telling and with a talented voice cast, the animation comes to life. A new art style used well for Disney pays off.
9- Princess and the Frog
Release: 2009
Directors: Ron Clements and John Musker
Princess: Tiana
Best Song: Dig A Little Deeper
This is the most underrated film ever. Fact. This uplifting retelling of the childhood classic, Princess and the Frog is lighthearted and fun to watch. The last hand drawn Disney film was colourful, different and the songs are memorable. Its a sing along affair which morals hold relevance to teenagers and children alike.
8- Mulan
Release: 1998
Directors: Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook
Princess: Mulan
Best Song: Make A Man Out of You
I, personally, wouldn’t count this as a Disney Princess film as she is never officially crowned a Princess, but made a member of the Emperor’s council. But I love this film, it is gender neutral, much alike Aladdin, however this film doesn’t follow the laws of the normal love story, if you ask me there isn’t really one. A woman’s fight for her honor becomes so much more in this epic animation, with the induction of Eddie Murphy, its hilarious as well.
7- Cinderella
Release: 1950
Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske and Wilfred Jackson
Princess: Cinderella
Best Song: This Is Love
This classic holds something close to my heart and it does for many people, I have not met a person who hasn’t seen this film. The true romance, the classic tale and the faultless art style, this is a Disney Princess masterclass. The perfect image of innocence finds true love in the form of Prince Charming, thanks to her Fairy Godmother and mice friends, and escapes her horrible like with her Stepmother and Stepsisters. I am really looking forward to seeing the live action version of this next year, I hope Kenneth Brangh does the story justice. He’s already removed the magic of music.
6- Sleeping Beauty
Release: 1959
Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Les Clark, Eric Larson and Wolfgang Reitherman
Princess: Aurora
Best Song: The Gifts Of Happiness And Song
Another classic tale, a Princess hiding from an evil fairy, who finds true love and wants to runaway with him. But Briar Rose learns her real name and her real identity, Princess Aurora, who is engaged to be married to the love of her life, without her knowing. It’s charming and lighthearted, with the songs complimenting the setting of the 14th Century.And it has a dragon in it.
5- Frozen
Release: 2013
Directors: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Princess: Anna
Queen: Elsa
Best Song: Let It Go
This film is a phenomenon that no one expected, Frozen is the highest grossing animated film of all time. After Wreck It Ralph and Tangled, Disney created the biggest film in years, with its unique story, going against the norm of true love and adding songs which were amazing. It’s Disney’s first Oscar in years and it is so deserved. But to me, it’s still not better than…
4- Tangled
Release: 2010
Directors: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard
Princess: Rapunzel
Best Song: I’ve Got A Dream
I will be controversial and state this: Tangled is better than Frozen. Song wise, no, but everything else about the film is amazing. My partner will argue I love it so much because of the lantern scene in the film, but it is so much more than that. Rapunzel herself is a badass, using her hair in such creative ways, finding a frying pan a useful weapon and befriending ruffians. This story was a new version of a loved childhood story and I still adore it.
3- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Release: 1937
Directors: David Hand, William Cottrell, Wilfred Jackson, Larry Morey, Perce Pearce and Ben Sharpsteen
Princess: Snow White
Best Song: Someday My Prince Will Come
Yes, it’s dated. Yes, it’s a very short film and the songs are so corny. But you cannot deny that Disney’s first film is a masterpiece. The angelic maiden and the evil Stepmother, who just wants to be the fairest of them all, this film has over 6 remakes, most of them dreadful in comparison to the original. It’s cute, fun and a sing-along classic.
2- The Little Mermaid
Release: 1989
Directors: Ron Clements and John Musker
Princess: Ariel
Best Song: Kiss The Girl
This is actually my favourite Disney film ever, but is still not the best Disney Princess film in my mind. The character of the rebelling teenager gets a heart in the form of Ariel, the lovable red headed mermaid who falls in love with a human and sacrifices her voice to have legs. This story is much grimmer in the books, but this happy ending feels so perfect for the lovesick Princess and her Prince. I adore the music, having not heard music at this level until Frozen.
1- Brave
Release: 2012
Directors: Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
Princess: Merida
Best Song: Touch The Sky
This, to me, is the best Disney Princess film. Pixar creates their first Princess, Merida, the Scottish archer refuses to have an arranged marriage, wanting her freedom. Instead…she turns her mother into a bear, its so odd, but it just works. With no Prince, no love story, nothing is normal in this Princess film and this is why this is my number one. it shows the progression of Disney perfectly. I recently had a Disney Princess marathon and it showed how different this film truly is to its predecessors, it’s amazing, fun and heart warming.
This is how I would order the films, let me know if you agree or disagree via Twitter! @CerriiCola