Top 10 Disney Princesses Ranked

Disney Princesses have long been celebrated for inspiring girls and women to dream of brighter futures for themselves and their communities. While some early portrayals may have perpetuated stereotypes, Disney has actively worked to enhance Disney Princess representation and messaging, allowing these characters and their cultural backgrounds to shine through more authentically.

Each Disney Princess boasts a unique personality, influencing how they navigate challenges and support those around them. Their stories and traits continue to captivate and motivate fans of all ages, making it a daunting task to rank them. Yet, here at IGN, we've taken on the challenge and curated a list of our top 10 Disney Princesses from the official lineup of 13. We acknowledge the absence of three wonderful princesses from our list, but the choices were incredibly tough!

Without further delay, here are IGN's top 10 Disney Princesses.

Best Disney Princesses

11 Images10. Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Image: DisneyIn Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora spends most of her life in a secluded forest cottage under the care of the Three Good Fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, who call her Briar Rose to shield her from Maleficent's curse. This curse would have led to her demise on her 16th birthday, but thanks to Merryweather's blessing, she falls into a deep sleep instead, awaiting true love's kiss. Aurora is renowned for her grace and beauty, yet her vivid imagination and dreams shared with her woodland friends highlight her deeper qualities. Critics have, however, questioned the narrative of her being saved by true love's kiss.

9. Moana

Image: DisneyMoana, daughter of Motunui's chief, embarks on a quest chosen by the ocean itself to restore the heart of the Polynesian goddess Te Fiti. Unlike traditional princess tales, Moana's journey is about saving her island from a blight caused by Te Kā's darkness, not about romance or rescue. She enlists the help of the shapeshifting demi-god Maui to return the heart stolen by him millennia ago. Moana's realization that Te Kā is Te Fiti's corrupted form leads to the restoration of balance and the salvation of her island. Her independence, bravery, and determination make her a symbol of empowerment, inspiring audiences in both the original film and the anticipated sequel, Moana 2. Auli‘i Cravalho, Moana's voice actor, praised her as a role model for all. We eagerly anticipate Catherine Laga'aia's portrayal in the upcoming live-action adaptation.

8. Cinderella

Image: DisneyAfter her father's death, Cinderella faces mistreatment by her stepmother and stepsisters, yet maintains her kindness and humility. Despite being barred from the royal ball and having her dress destroyed, the Fairy Godmother transforms her into a vision of beauty, complete with a memorable ballgown and glass slippers. Critics initially viewed Cinderella as passive, but her proactive efforts in enlisting her animal friends to help her escape confinement demonstrate her resourcefulness. Her iconic style has cemented her as a fashion icon, and Disney's thoughtful change of her dress color from silver to baby blue in merchandise reflects a commitment to age-appropriate representation.

7. Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Image: DisneyAriel's longing for the human world drives her to collect human artifacts and ultimately rescue Prince Eric, sparking a deep affection. Her journey to become human involves a risky deal with Ursula, trading her voice for legs with the condition of receiving a kiss from Eric within three days. Ariel's determination to follow her heart, even against her father's wishes, showcases her rebellious spirit. In the sequel, The Little Mermaid: Return to the Sea, Ariel becomes a mother to Melody, marking her as the first Disney Princess to embrace motherhood.

6. Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)

Image: DisneySet in Jazz Age New Orleans, Tiana's unwavering dedication to her dream of opening a restaurant reflects her strong work ethic. Her journey takes a magical turn when she kisses Prince Naveen, turning into a frog. Alongside Naveen, she learns the value of responsibility and rejects shortcuts offered by the voodoo witch doctor, Dr. Facilier. The Princess and the Frog marks Tiana as the first African American Disney Princess and a feminist icon for her persistence and business acumen.

5. Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Image: DisneyBelle's thirst for knowledge and desire for a life beyond her village sets her apart. Her bravery shines when she trades her freedom to save her father from the Beast, gradually learning to see beyond his appearance and ultimately breaking the curse that transforms him back into a prince. Belle's preference for intellectual pursuits over traditional princess roles and her rejection of Gaston's advances make her a feminist icon, as envisioned by her screenwriter Linda Woolverton.

4. Rapunzel (Tangled)

Image: DisneyRapunzel, kept in a tower by Mother Gothel, uses her 70 feet of magical hair to escape and explore the world. Her journey to see the floating lanterns on her birthday, facilitated by Flynn Rider (Eugene), showcases her resourcefulness and creativity. Rapunzel's cleverness and ability to fend for herself have made her a beloved Disney Princess, challenging the negative perceptions instilled by Gothel.

3. Jasmine (Aladdin)

Image: DisneyJasmine's progressive views on marriage and her refusal to be treated as a prize set her apart. Her defiance against the Sultan's law requiring her to marry a prince leads to a change that allows her to marry Aladdin for his true self. As the first West Asian princess, Jasmine represents a significant step in racial diversity and female empowerment within the Disney Princess lineup.

2. Merida (Brave)

Image: DisneyMerida's determination to control her own destiny and reject arranged marriage is central to Brave. Her conflict with her mother, Queen Elinor, over traditional roles culminates in a transformative journey that ultimately unites the Scottish clans. As the first Disney Princess from Pixar and the first to remain single, Merida breaks the mold of traditional princess narratives, showcasing her archery, sword fighting, and horseback riding skills.

1. Mulan

Image: DisneyMulan's story, based on a Chinese folk tale, sees her disguising herself as a man to take her father's place in the Imperial Chinese Army. Her strategic mind and combat skills lead to victory against the Hun army, and she saves the Emperor, earning honor for her family and China. Though not born into royalty, Disney honors her as a princess for her lessons in persistence, family, and defying gender norms, making her a powerful symbol of breaking traditional roles.

Who is the best Disney Princess? --------------------------------

AuroraBelleJasmineArielSnow WhiteCinderellaPocahontasMulanTianaRapunzelMeridaMoanaRayaA non-official princess (let us know who in the comments)

AnswerSee ResultsThere you have it! We apologize to the three Disney Princesses who didn't make our list, but our focus was on overall personalities and abilities. What do you think of our selections and rankings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.