Top 10 Disney Princesses Ranked

Every Disney Princess has a special way of empowering girls and women — everyone, really — to dream of better futures for themselves and others around them. While there have been some problematic messages and stereotypes associated with Disney Princesses in the past, Disney has made significant strides over time to improve Disney Princess representation and messaging, allowing these characters and their cultures to shine more brightly.

Disney Princesses boast a wide range of unique personalities, influencing how they handle the obstacles thrown their way and how they show up for others. Each Disney Princess is an inspiration to both young and old fans alike, making it difficult to choose the absolute best.

But, somehow, we managed it. Here at IGN, we've picked our top 10 Disney Princesses from the official list of 13 characters. We must apologize for leaving three magical (and still amazing) Princesses off this list, as it was no easy feat!

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

Best Disney Princesses

11 Images10. Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Image: DisneyFor the majority of Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora lives in a forest cottage with the Three Good Fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, who address her as Briar Rose to protect her against Maleficent, who curses her to die after pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel on her 16th birthday. Despite the fairies’ best efforts, once they returned Aurora to her castle, she was hypnotized by Maleficent to fulfill the curse, falling asleep until awakened by true love’s kiss, thanks to Merryweather’s blessing.

Aurora is considered one of the most iconic Disney Princesses known for her grace and beauty. Beyond that, she possesses a great imagination, dreaming of her future and sharing those dreams with her friends, even if they’re woodland animals. However, her reliance on true love’s kiss to break the curse has been questioned by critics in recent years.

9. Moana

Image: DisneyAs the daughter of the chief of Motunui, Moana never dreamed of falling in love with a prince or needing saving from anyone. Chosen by the ocean as an infant to reunite a mystical heart with the Polynesian goddess of nature, Te Fiti, she takes on this mission as a teenager when a blight strikes her island due to Te Kā’s darkness. She recruits the shapeshifting demi-god Maui to return the heart, stolen by him a thousand years ago. Moana discovers that Te Kā is the corrupted form of Te Fiti, and by returning her heart, she restores Te Fiti, saving the ocean and Motunui.

Despite seeking Maui's help, Moana is celebrated for her independence, bravery, and determination. Her voice actor, Auli‘i Cravalho, has called Moana a role model for everyone. We look forward to seeing Catherine Laga'aia capture Moana's essence in the upcoming live-action Moana film.

8. Cinderella

Image: DisneyAfter her father’s untimely death, Cinderella is abused by her stepmother and stepsisters, turning her into a maidservant in her own château. Despite this, she remains humble and kind, caring for the mice and birds that live there, especially Jaq and Gus, whom she protects from Lady Tremaine’s cat, Lucifer. When forbidden from attending the ball and her dress is destroyed by her stepsisters, Cinderella receives a magical transformation from her Fairy Godmother, complete with a dazzling ballgown and glass slippers that vanish at midnight, though she retains one slipper. This slipper proves crucial when the Duke, trying to find the owner of the other slipper left at the ball, accidentally breaks it, and Cinderella reveals she has its match, securing her place with the Prince.

Initially criticized as passive, Cinderella shows resourcefulness by enlisting her animal friends to help her escape confinement rather than relying solely on a prince. Her iconic ballroom look made her a fashion icon. Notably, Disney changed her dress color from silver to baby blue for costumes to avoid resembling child brides.

7. Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Image: DisneyAriel embodies teenage rebellion, yearning to be part of the human world rather than confined to life under the sea. Defying her father, King Triton’s rules, she fills a grotto with human artifacts and rescues Prince Eric from a shipwreck, falling in love with him. To be with Eric, Ariel makes a risky deal with Ursula, trading her voice for legs, with the condition to kiss Eric within three days or revert to a mermaid and become Ursula’s prisoner. Discovering Ursula's plan to seize Triton’s trident, Ariel, with help from Eric, Sebastian, and Flounder, defeats the sea witch and marries Eric.

In the sequel, The Little Mermaid: Return to the Sea, Ariel becomes a mother to Melody, who dreams of life as a mermaid, making Ariel the first Disney Princess to become a mother.

6. Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)

Image: DisneyFrom Jazz Age New Orleans, Tiana is a hardworking woman saving to fulfill her late father's dream of turning a rundown sugar mill into a restaurant. Her life changes when she turns into a frog after kissing Prince Naveen, cursed by Dr. Facilier. On their journey to break the curse, Tiana teaches Naveen responsibility, rejecting Facilier’s offer to magically achieve her dreams in exchange for a talisman with Naveen’s blood, ultimately defeating Facilier.

Tiana is the first African American Disney Princess and is celebrated as a feminist business icon for her relentless pursuit of her dreams.

5. Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Image: DisneyBelle, an intellectual and independent young woman, seeks more than life in her French village. Her chance comes when she learns her father, Maurice, is imprisoned by the Beast. Offering herself in exchange for her father's freedom, Belle discovers the Beast's curse, which can only be broken if he learns to love and be loved in return before the last petal of an enchanted rose falls. Belle's love transforms the Beast back into a prince.

Belle breaks the stereotype of traditional princess behavior, valuing knowledge over marriage. Her screenwriter, Linda Woolverton, crafted her as a feminist icon who rejects Gaston’s superficial proposals, unaware of her own beauty.

4. Rapunzel (Tangled)

Image: DisneyRapunzel, imprisoned in a tower by Mother Gothel to exploit her magical hair, sees her chance for freedom when Flynn Rider enters the tower. Striking a deal to see the floating lanterns on her birthday, she ventures out, discovering her true identity and the crown she believed Flynn stole. Rapunzel's resourcefulness and creativity, using her hair for various purposes beyond healing, make her a beloved and educated princess.

3. Jasmine (Aladdin)

Image: DisneyJasmine challenges the traditional views of marriage, rejecting suitors based on character rather than status. Her defiance peaks with the line, "How dare you? All of you, standing around deciding my future? I am not a prize to be won!" After Aladdin frees Genie, the Sultan changes the law, allowing Jasmine to marry Aladdin, who learns the value of being himself.

As a symbol of female empowerment, Jasmine defies patriarchal norms and is the first West Asian princess in Disney's lineup, enhancing racial diversity.

2. Merida (Brave)

Image: DisneyMerida refuses to marry for political alliances, desiring to control her own destiny. Her conflict with Queen Elinor over these expectations leads to a spell that transforms Elinor into a bear. Merida's journey to reverse the spell and unite the clans showcases her archery, sword fighting, and horseback riding skills. As the first single Disney Princess from a Pixar film, Merida breaks the damsel-in-distress trope.

1. Mulan

Image: DisneyMulan, the first Chinese Disney Princess, defies gender norms by disguising herself as Ping to take her father's place in the army. Her strategic mind and combat skills help defeat the Hun army, saving the Emperor and bringing honor to her family. Mulan's story, based on a folk tale, teaches persistence, family values, and the rejection of traditional gender roles.

Despite not being born into royalty or marrying a royal, Disney honors Mulan as a princess for her inspiring qualities.