Ariel stans, be nice.

Ranking all 13 official Disney princesses, from ‘meh’ to ‘majestic’

Ariel stans, be nice.

Lincee Ray

Lincee Ray is a contributor at **.

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June 25, 2026 8:20 a.m. ET

Belle, Moana, and Tiana. Credit:

Ranking Disney’s iconic princesses is a daunting task. For starters, there’s the question of who actually counts as a Disney princess and which Disney-certified heroines are relegated to ancillary princess territory. (Sorry, *Frozen* fans, but Elsa doesn't *technically* qualify for this ranking.)

Then there’s the subjectivity factor. Entire generations have strong and perfectly valid feelings about the young women who taught them what it takes to be courageous, or convinced them that true love was worth waiting for. But once you submerge yourself in the major and minor details and truly analyze the importance of having a sidekick — be it a whimsical animal or a dashing candlestick — the hierarchy becomes quite clear.

The movies take a backseat here as the princesses themselves take center stage. Read on to see (and debate amongst yourselves) **’s ranking of the official Disney princesses.

Pocahontas from Pocahontas (1995)

Pocahontas and her raccoon sidekick Meeko.

Because few of us have ever seen the wolf cry to the blue corn moon, we can all agree that “Colors of the Wind” is one of this 1995 movie's saving graces. Grandmother Willow is a close second.

It’s admirable that Pocahontas cares about her land and teaches John Smith that he can’t step in the same river twice. And we can appreciate the way her hair is constantly fluttering on a phantom breeze. But after 15 minutes of miscommunication and misunderstanding, it’s inconceivable that Pocahontas would be able to make two disputing sides come together in lackluster harmony. Thank goodness she didn’t get on that boat at the end!

Merida from Brave (2012)

Princess Merida in fight mode. Disney/Pixar

Merida is from the “other studio,” and her thick Scottish accent definitely requires closed captioning and translator app when watching Pixar’s first take on a princess. Let’s not forget the mass of tangled red curls, whose realistic animation pulls focus.

She’s not a damsel in distress and would rather compete in the Highland Games with her bow and arrow than marry a random prince from another clan. And even though Merida’s personality might be labeled assertive at times, she has nothing but love for her parents and triplet brothers. When her mom turns into a bear from a wretched curse baked into an enchanted cake, it’s up to Merida to save the kingdom.

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Jasmine from Aladdin (1992)

Princess Jasmine in 'Aladdin'.

Sure, Jasmine has resplendent hair, a fantastic bejeweled headband, and an impressive ability to rock a midriff, but you must ask yourself this question: Is the movie called *Jasmine*? No, it is not. Everyone needs to calm down and admit that, even if you consider Aladdin in the equation, Genie is the real MVP of this movie.

Jasmine is spunky, intelligent, bored with the whole royalty scene, and able to take care of herself. Having a pet tiger certainly helps matters, but Jasmine isn’t scared of anyone or anything. You don’t have to ask her twice to take a magic carpet ride with a relative stranger. Jasmine is all about sharing this whole new world with you.

Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Raya from 'Raya and the Last Dragon'.

Our most recent princess on the list might be unfamiliar to the average princess-movie viewer. Raya arrived a year into the pandemic and learned the hard way that life is a constant, unpredictable challenge. It doesn’t help when you naively show your new friend the very important gem you’re supposed to be protecting … and the new friend steals it. Raya’s father intended to use the stone to reunite the kingdom’s five tribes but, alas, he gets turned to stone instead.

Raya has to use her wit and her blade to track down the legendary lost dragon and help turn things around. Not only does she have to overcome the guilt and self-blame she carries, but she also has to learn to work with a collection of misfits, trusting them not to betray her in the process.

Ariel from The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ariel with her pals Flounder and Sebastian.

Some of you are angry with Ariel’s placement in this list, and that’s okay. Prince Eric is one of the most handsome of princes, and his affection for his dog is downright adorable. But we have to take into consideration Ariel’s defiant attitude toward her father and blatant disregard for her duties as a key musician in her sisters’ band.

Ariel’s reaction to King Triton blowing up all her thingamabobs is understandable. However, screaming “But Daddy, I love him!” was unreasonable. It’s a great song lyric, but trading one’s voice to a sea witch for a pair of legs to meet the human you barely know feels a little excessive. Mercifully, a dutiful crab and a dim-witted seagull can pick up the slack.

Cinderella from Cinderella (1950)

Extreme Makeover: Cinderella Edition.

You may have expected Cinderella a few spots higher on the list, but let’s be honest: Cinderella was perfectly content dreaming about her future as she washed the floor. It was her fairy godmother who gave Cindy the boost she needed to make a lasting impact at the ball. And how did Cinderella repay her? By barely making it home in time and losing what appeared to be an expensive-looking glass slipper in the process.

Yes, Cinderella’s stepmother was awful, locking Cinderella in the attic so she couldn’t participate in the royal family’s quest to find the owner of a tiny, delicate shoe. Thankfully, Cinderella’s willingness to befriend a gaggle of field mice helped her break free, claim the slipper, and eventually marry Prince Charming.

Tiana from The Princess and the Frog (2009)

This is how a frog charms his way into a woman's heart.

A spunky young woman wants to honor her father’s memory by opening up a restaurant in New Orleans. Does it get any better? Tiana works hard to make her dreams come true, even when there isn’t an easy way out. She’s smart, determined, and never loses sight of what’s really important.

Can we really blame Tiana for kissing a frog, assuming he’ll turn into a handsome prince? She grew up hearing that story, and not once did it say the woman would turn into a frog, too! But the double frog dynamic just makes sense when you have a jazz-loving alligator and a Cajun firefly to scour the bayou for a voodoo practitioner to help break the curse.

6. Mulan from Mulan (1998)

One of Mulan's many different looks over the course of 'Mulan'.

Let’s get down to business. Mulan is a warrior princess who also thrives after her hair gets cut off. She’s not afraid to stand in her ailing father’s place when war is on her doorstep. Of course, girls are not permitted to serve, but Mulan has no problem with leadership making a man out of her.

After a questionable start, Mulan eventually rises to the top of her class with the help of her dragon Mushu and friends. She more often uses her brain, not brawn, to solve problems, which is the exact opposite of those who surround her. Her strong will and tenacity are the key characteristics that help her uphold her family’s honor, as well as save her country. Cue the “Reflections” montage.

Rapunzel from Tangled (2010)

Rapunzel, Rapunzel's hair, and Flynn Rider in 'Tangled'.

Kudos to Rapunzel for having an amazing attitude. Seriously. If the princess lineup has a Miss Congeniality award, Rapunzel would win. She’s stuck in a tower with nothing but painting, cleaning, and brushing her magical hair to pass the time, and Rapunzel still gets excited, wondering when her life will begin.

Ignoring her overprotective mother to take a forbidden road trip with the smoldering Flynn Rider, Rapunzel discovers a world beyond the lanterns bobbing outside her tiny window. She encourages a band of thugs to follow their dreams, has her luxurious locks chopped off in a dramatic moment, saves Flynn with a magical teardrop, and reclaims the throne as the lost princess with a totally manageable hair routine now!

Aurora from Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Aurora in 'Sleeping Beauty'.

You can’t blame Aurora for her propensity to wander around with enchanted woodland creatures in the woods. It’s not her fault that the malevolent Maleficent cursed her, and now has to hide away, evading any and all spinning wheels.

Of course, Aurora’s beauty — and her voice — draw Prince Phillip through the trees like a moth to a flame. Falling in love like it was once upon a dream, Aurora eventually pricks her finger, right before her 16th birthday, instantly falling asleep. She completely misses Maleficent kidnapping Prince Phillip, his rescue with the aid of Aurora’s three fairy chaperones, and the villain’s ultimate demise. The kingdom is officially saved when our boy bestows true love’s kiss, breaking Aurora’s curse.

Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Snow White, the OG Disney princess.

She’s technically not the fairest of them all according to this list, but you have to admire the moxie our OG princess shows when she naps in a cottage after a harrowing encounter in haunted woods. Major props to the dwarfs who saw this as a convenient way to score help in the cleaning department.

Snow was dealt a hard hand. Her stepmother is the absolute worst. Being constantly threatened should take its toll on a person, but Snow builds a life, summoning the fortitude to conclude that someday her prince will come. Even biting a poisoned apple and being shoved in a glass coffin to wait it out doesn’t deter our girl. All it takes is one kiss, and Snow is living happily ever after.

Moana from Moana (2016)

Moana, low-key one of the best Disney princesses.

She may have been staring at the edge of the water for as long as she can remember, but when a blight strikes her people’s island, Moana takes matters — and an ancient wayfinder — into her own hands. Love is definitely a theme, but you won’t find Moana taking to the ocean in search of a relationship. This all-encompassing love includes family and friends, her home, and herself.

With the help of a beloved pig, an eccentric rooster, and a shape-shifting demigod, Moana goes on an adventure that forces her to stand up for what she believes in. This empowerment provides her with the opportunity to master a skill, pour compassion into her new friend Maui, and even restore the powerful villain’s heart. There really is no telling how far she’ll go!

Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Belle in her iconic yellow dress in 'Beauty and the Beast'.

Was she strange? No question. This most peculiar mademoiselle ignored the town’s bad boy hottie, traded her life in exchange for her father’s, showed no fear when holed up in a dusty, abandoned castle, and managed to charm an entire dining room into performing an iconic song and dance number that would make Swifties proud.

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The pièce de résistance is Belle’s willingness to engage with a cantankerous lion-man who has an outrageous temper, thanks to the chip on his very large shoulder. The beast’s walls come crumbling down the second he sees Belle in her iconic yellow dress. It only takes one waltz and our princess immediately realizes it’s not what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside that counts.

- Animated Movies

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Source: “EW Animated”