Top Ten Favorite Disney Princesses · 5:29am Dec 17th, 2014
I'm totally not doing this to avoid the crushing fact I have finals tomorrow. I'm totally doing this for fun. Besides, I couldn't make a Top Ten Disney Princes post and not do the princesses. That'd be weird, right? I might do Top TanFave Sidekicks and Villains later on...
1. Disney Princesses ONLY
2. While there are only a couple characters that are ACTUALLY princesses, there IS a list of unofficial ones that I find viable. (Clickity Click~!) Also, I think some of these girls deserve to be on this list, because of REASONS.
3. These are my own personal opinions and may not match your own. Keep that in mind as the list goes on~
4. Have fun!
10. Cinderella
And we kick off the list with a classic Disney Princess, Cinderelly, Cinderelly, night and day it's Cinderelly! Now, if you wondering why out of the the original three princesses Cinderella, Aurora, and Snow White that I chose Cindy it's mainly because, well...
...they were a bit occupied for the most part. Also, out of the three, I just like Cindy more! Something cool about her is that she didn't want to find a prince or have someone fall in love with her(that's not to say that it's a bad trait!), but all she really wanted was a night off and a new dress.
90% sure that they used this as a reference for Elsa's dress transformation...
Cinderella was actually one of my favorites because of how much I could relate to her. My mom raised me on her own, and since she worked a lot to pay the bills, my brother and I were in charge of doing chores. Of course, in my child mind, this made me think that I was being forced into labor for no reason, even though that was not the case at all. So, yeah, I often cracked jokes to my friends that I was Cinderella and my mom was a wicked stepmother, which is super mean now that I look back on it...
Another reason I like Cinderella is because that she's kind and will understand those who are in poverty, as demonstrated in the sequel, Cinderella II. I know, I know, typically the sequels suck majorly, but there are some pretty good lessons in it that I really wished I had taken note of when I first saw them.
The original "Fuck it all" lesson Disney taught, way before Frozen.
The reason this scene is so great for her character is because Cinderella catches Anastasia crying about her mother not letting her be with a baker who she fell in love with, and despite everything Anastasia did to her, Cinderella still helped her. Granted, there have been sequels with Sleeping Beauty, but the lessons aren't really memorable to me like Cindy's was.
9. Jessica Rabbit (Yes, that Jessica Rabbit)
Yeah, believe it or not, Jessica is one of the unofficial Disney Princesses. The only reason she isn't a real Disney Princess is because a lot of people considered her form to be sexist and unrealistic, even though that's how she was purposely designed. She was designed that way in a comedic manner, believe it or not, because throughout the movie, she's considered the lucky one for marrying Roger, who is a silly rabbit. It's supposed to be a twist on the usual "ugly dude gets a hot chick so it automatically makes him lucky" cliche, but people don't seem to get that. Jessica is supposed to show that her marriage is based off of love and not looks.
Something super cool about her is that she doesn't need reassurance for how beautiful or awesome she is. She knows it, and she's always known it. She doesn't feel incompetent in the presence of a man, despite the time period, she doesn't feel jealous or insecure when there's another attractive woman in the room, and she doesn't feel fear even when in the presence of danger.
This is probably normal for her, now that I think about it.
The only time Jessica ever got even a smidgen of fear was when she thought Roger was in danger or when in the presence of dip, the only thing that can kill toons. Jessica is faithful and strong, especially to her husband, and she ain't afraid to use the way men objectify her to her advantage. Jessica is one mean chick, and damn, I wish I could rock those slit dresses and heels like she can.
I'M A BOSS ASS BITCH
8. Nala
We all saw the Lion King on my other list, but how about we talk about his Queen, Nala? This girl is one fierce fighter, and it makes me happy because it pertains to the fact that the lionesses are actually stronger than the males because of their better hunting ability. Whoo-hoo for Disney's amazing moments of accuracy!
YA GOT WHOOPED, SIMBA!
I think Nala isn't really discussed enough in the Disney Princess fandom because of her character and what she went through. Of course, neither of her parents are said to have died or been killed, but she still had her share of suffering. She had to deal with the fact that Simba, her best friend and maybe crush, was gone (though not really), and then watch as her home became decayed and lost all it's life. Also, there's the fact that Scar was said to have made advances on Nala, which led to her leaving the Pridelands to begin with, so it probably wasn't easy having to constantly deal with the Uncle of her "dead" best friend and total jerk of a King constantly hitting on her when she had made it clear that she wasn't interested.
SHOUTOUT TO SARABI FOR BEING A BAMF EVEN AFTER LOSING HER HUSBAND AND SON. YOU DESERVED MORE DEVELOPMENT, BABY.
7. Vanellope von Schweets
Wreck-It-Ralph is pretty boss, you guys. I seriously love this movie, OK. Especially because of "Shut Up and Drive" Vanellope von Schweets, the "glitch" but actual Princess of the realm.
Vanellope is pretty awesome in different ways, and I think I like her because of how snarky and sarcastic she is, because those are my favorite kinds of characters for some reason. She has this spunk to her, and she's obviously really smart, since she made her own cart without the help of the minigame machine. She's passionate about her racing, and while she puts on a brave face, she's actually really scared and hurt from being ostracized about her glitchy nature. She just wants to be accepted and not seen as some weird thing.
I WOULD SO DO THIS. Of course, she's kidding about it.
6. Sally Stitches
Ya gotta love some unofficial Princesses, am I right? Sally was up for being a Princess, but was not given the chance due to her being a still-animation and the film's rating. She's still a Princess to me, though.
Sally is basically the Frankenstein of this world, having been created by a scientist and bound to his will. However, Sally is not mindless and without a will of her own; she's actually quite defiant, and will oftentimes run off, but eventually return due to her detached limbs. She is talented as a seamstress, her having to sew herself up without the help of the doctor, and is probably one of the only people to have any sense in Halloweentown. Wait... I swear, Santa Claus said that once.
Anyway, as Jack begins to cause mayhem on Christmas Eve, Sally is stuck at home and hears the news of his "death", then immediately sets to trying to right his wrongs. She tries to rescue Santa, but fails and is captured by Oogie Boogie, who then gets his butt whooped by Jack.
I HEARD YOU MESSED WITH SALLY, OOGIE.
Then, as Sally admits to Jack that she wanted to help him, Jack realizes that he loves her and they both live happily ever after. After all...
5. Merida
Ah, yes, Merida, the Princess who refused to be married off to a total stranger! I knew I was going to like her the moment I saw her messy red hair and heard her thick accent! She's definitely a proper representation of a rebellious Princess, and a rather fun one at that.
Now, the reason I find her so enticing has to do with her mother, OK? Queens may not have had the power of the King, but damn, they are still pretty freaking hardcore. Being a noblewoman was hard, and since men were out fighting wars or providing for the family, it was the woman's job to keep everything at the estate running. Sure, the environment was still sexist and misogynistic as all get out, but women were still considered important and were to be respected, especially women of high standing like Queens.
The reason Merida doesn't want that is because she KNOWS how much Queens and Princesses are meant and expected to do, and she knows that the moment she accepts that as a role for her, she'll lose her freedom and self expression.
"I'm shooting for my own hand!"
I like her because of her little quote, "If you had the chance to choose your fate, would you?" Because, in the end, we choose what we want and if we make that choice, then all the roads open and close simultaneously.
Little Fun Thought: I like to think that Merida can't sing that well, because "singing is boring and I'd rather be other shooting me bow".
4. Megara
Yet another sassy, snarky, sarcastic Princess! Meg is definitely on this list for a very good reason, even if she isn't an actual Princess.
Meg's back story is simple: she fell in love with a guy, lost him, sold her soul to get him back, and loses him again after he sees another pretty face. So, in turn, Meg's a bit bitter about guys and love in general, all while serving Hades as she works off her sentence and tries to regain her freedom again. That is, until she meets Wonderboy Hercules.
One of my favorite Disney songs EVAH!
Meg fights against Hades in order to save Hercules and ends up dying to save him, only for him to bring her back because...
THE THING I TELL MYSELF WHEN I SHIP SOMETHING.
Meg is basically what I aspire to be, sass-wise, because that girl has got some serious comebacks and snap.
3. Esmeralda
Esmeralda, the gypsy and resident of the Court of Miracles! She was meant to be a Princess, but the writers were like, "Nah, she might have done some stuff in her past that might not be kid appropriate." Yeah... Totally ignoring how freaking gruesome and horrific the original Disney tales are, huh? I guess the movie could have been more graphic or horrific, though, since Quasimodo was beaten by Frollo and deaf, and Esmeralda was raped by Frollo in the original story. A lot of bad things happened, OK?
Anyway, moving on... Esmeralda is a pretty interesting character from the get-go as we get to see her kind nature and powerful voice within a patriarchal and religious community where gypsies and women were treated quite poorly. She's very much like Belle in her acceptance of others and how she doesn't care for external appearance, especially with her kindness towards everyone except those who are persecuting her people and causing pain for everyone in the process.
A serious question that needs to be answered...
And as the story goes on, Esmeralda shows her power and strength for her people, and just what she's willing to sacrifice to show what she's fighting for. Esmeralda is one bad chick, and she is super freaking powerful. Also, there's this little thing right here...
ESMERALDA, THE CREATOR OF THE POLE DANCE.
2. Mulan
Mulan, the girl who fought for and saved China! Seriously, this chick was a big part of my childhood and I remember singing every word of "To Be a Man" as I ran around and spun a rake like a stick.
Mulan and I started off the same way, actually; we both were a bit tomboyish and we weren't really into the whole idea of marriage and proper etiquette growing up. I had trouble making friends because of this, because a lot of people thought I was wild and unruly, so I usually felt a bit isolated and wouldn't really know how to put up with it. And because of my behavior, I got into lots of trouble with my mom and had trouble pleasing her when I was developing. But, enough about me.
Mulan realizes how her father is more than likely going to die in the war against the Huns, and decides to take matters into her own hands. Meaning, she dresses up as a man and puts her life in danger as she risks execution from discovery, or death from combat.
Fun fact about Harmony: I had my hair cut the same way as hers for a long time.
Mulan motivated me into seeing that being different, being strong, or even just taking up space didn't make me a burden or something to be ashamed of. I haven't found what I'm meant to do at the time, and come the day I do, who knows, I might even save the country like Mulan saved China.
This movie helped me with my childhood and growth...
1. Elsa (I KNOW, I'M AWFUL)
I can hear the flames burning now as I type this up... I can already hear the groans and the smacks of hands going over faces as they mumble curses. I can already see the lot of you shaking your head and most of you clicking off this page just by looking at this. Don't get me wrong, I understand why. But, please, hear me out, will you?
I know Elsa isn't the first Disney Princess to not be with a Prince.
I know Elsa isn't the first outcast in the Disney franchise.
I know Elsa and Anna aren't the first examples of how love can be between family instead of a couple.
I know Elsa isn't the best Princess.
I know that Let It Go isn't the greatest song ever.
I know Frozen isn't the greatest movie ever.
I know that Frozen isn't the best movie and that a lot of people agree with that.
I know that something I like isn't really liked all that much anymore.
But, dammit, that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to enjoy it.
Do you want to know why I love Frozen so much? Do you want to know why I might just never get over how this movie affected me? Do you really want to freaking know why I love this stupid song about letting it go? I will tell you why, dear reader.
If you haven't seen Frozen, or even heard about it, which is a pretty low chance, then I'll tell you about Elsa. Elsa is a young girl with a younger sister and they both love each other very much, and love spending time together. Thing is, Elsa has ice powers, which she has little to no control of when she's upset or anything other than calm and happy. One day, Elsa hits Anna with her magic, and to get rid of it's effects they wipe Anna's memory of it. Elsa is then separated from Anna by her parents, who continue to tell her to, "conceal, don't feel, don't let it show."
Let's stop there, OK? The reason that messes with me so freaking much is because I know what it's like being told not show a part of who you are, mainly because, "What will people say?!" My father said this to me multiple times when I was growing up, all over different things. I remember when I came out wearing something I really thought was cute and I liked a lot, his immediate response was to tell me to change because, "People don't like that sort of thing." I remember asking why kids at school didn't like me, and he said it was because I was too open with myself and who I was. He once told me that I was "too clever for my own good" or "too funny for them to get the jokes", so he just told me to keep what I had to say to myself. He actually told me that the reason no one liked hanging out with me was because I was being too honest or too extreme with who I was, and that I needed to stop. And when I retaliated or told him no, he grew very, very upset with me... Sometimes enough to get physical. He picked out what clothes I wore and hated when I spoke out of turn.
Why does that sound so familiar?
Elsa grew up with her parents words plaguing her head, "conceal, don't feel," even long after their deaths, which is so freaking important for kids and parents to see(I'm not implying that they physically abused her, but emotional abuse can be just as damaging). The words of a parent can seriously affect their kids, and if they're not careful, then their kid can grow up thinking something is wrong with them because of a simple thing a parent said to them or something they did in response to an action. Even just criticizing a simple artwork is so freaking damaging to them, and it can discourage them from doing anything artistic again. Remember: You can gain so much from encouraging an artist, and it takes no effort, but you will gain nothing from discouraging one. And everyone is an artist at heart, but can only be released with the right amount of support.
Here's something else about the movie: When Elsa accidentally revealed her powers to the crowd, I could feel the fear that she felt. Because I knew what it was like to have everyone see a part of you that you so desperately tried to hide inside you and I could see how awful she felt underneath the judgmental gazes of them all. I remember absentmindedly singing aloud one day, and then realized that everyone had heard me. I swear to you all, I never felt so scared or frozen in my entire life. I felt like I was just shoved out into the middle of the road and was waiting for a car to hit me. And, like Elsa, I ran. I ran so fast and so far.
Then, as Elsa isolates herself and comes to terms with how she cut out everyone from her life, I saw myself in her. I remembered all the times I rejected offers to spend time with friends because of all the times I felt lonely or like a burden to everyone. I remembered every time I opened my mouth to tell a joke, and then stopped as I saw no one was listening. I remembered every single time I ran into my room crying over something stupid or when I had an anxiety attack and needed to be alone and away from everyone. And I remembered all those nights where I'd cry over nothing, recalling every bad memory and bad thing I'd ever done.
Then, as the song began, I didn't know what to think. I didn't know much about what the movie was about except for Elsa having ice powers and all that jazz. I actually thought it was going to be a villain song, one of the kinds where it starts off soft and then escalates and turns sinister and powerful with evil. But, that wasn't the case.
As Elsa repeated the words she lived by, the words that made her into who she is, I could see and hear the pain in her voice as she reminded herself of what she had done. She was upset with herself for leaving, knowing that she had made a mistake in leaving the kingdom behind when she was supposed to be strong enough to handle it. (BTW, I genuinely think Idina Menzel was the best choice for this part: she truly understands what Elsa was going through and she sang it out beautifully in the way I needed to hear it.) Finally, after several moments of doubt and chiding herself, she takes the glove off, the reminder of her old life, and throws it away.
Then the chorus began, and it took me by genuine surprise. She says the first line, "Let it go," with uncertainty, then smiles as she repeats it, and uses her magic a little more freely, as if noticing how harmless it is. She starts being more liberal with her magic and starts smiling even more, her voice getting stronger as she begins to let go of her doubt. I wasn't sure what to make of it, especially when she began to enjoy herself and her magic, despite everything.
Then, as the song continues and she starts to use her magic more and sing more freely, embracing her isolation more by the second, I could feel her words. I could see just how much she meant them and how much letting go of her past was helping her, just like how I wished I could help myself.
Then, the bridge started and I nearly lost my mind. As she controlled her magic and created a new home for herself, her words beginning to reach their peak and their all time emotional high. Then, as she tossed away her crown, throwing away her responsibility and title as Queen, she lets her hair down and transforms from an unsure, frightened young woman to a proud, independent Goddess, embracing the sunlight for the first time in a long time. By the end of the song, I was in tears.
Last year was a really difficult year for me for many different reasons. I had a very stressful summer and more than enough arguments with my mother about stupid things and had more anxiety attacks and depression spells than ever. I had lost my grandmother and had to help my already depressed and anxious mother all while dealing with my own shortcomings. I lost a very important person who I didn't realize had affected me in such a way. I had become aware of my friends' true selves and I was finding it harder and harder to maintain relationships as I dealt with the overwhelming amount of work from school. I had reached an all time low and I felt so alone and isolated within myself that I didn't know what to do.
But, Let It Go was just the thing I needed to hear. I know it sounds ridiculous, but every time I found myself falling into a depression, I'd listen to it and imagine myself as Elsa, letting out my emotions and the power I had been too scared to show before. I felt more liberated, and I found myself becoming more motivated to get out of bed every morning and to actually put effort into my actions. I felt like me again.
And do you want to know why Elsa is so important to me and to the people who made a big deal about her? I know that somewhere, out in this crazy world of ours, there's a girl just like me, probably wondering why nobody wants to hear her sing or her jokes, who's going to hear this song and decide to do what I wish I had done a long time ago: let it go.
The biggest lesson of Frozen isn't to depend on the love of your family, to let go of your past without learning from it, or that girls can save themselves, be as good as those lessons be. The biggest lesson, in my opinion, is that everyone has a power inside of them and while some can show it and be proud of it, others are scared and worried about what everyone will say. And that's OK, because everyone is scared of themselves just a little bit, and if you throw a little love their way, then perhaps you'll get to see the best of them.
And guys? If someone likes Frozen or anything that you might not consider to be that great, need I remind you that all of us here are fans of My Little Pony? Remember, guys: don't ever let anyone make you feel bad for enjoying something that makes you happy.
This is Harmony Charmer, and I hope you all have a good night.
I want to see the sidekicks list now. No, I don't mean now now, but still...
Boo! No Kairi from Kingdom Hearts!!
An excellent list, and I really loved how Elsa was the first Disney queen to have a major role and not be the villan. It was definitely a welcome change.
I think you're forgetting someone.
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Props for giving Megara and Esmeralda their deserved respect. Mulan already receives her due.
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I haven't seen Frozen yet, but I agree with this sentiment so hard, it's not funny.
I have my own reasons for liking Elsa and Anna *coughstommy&cheesesandwichcough* No movie is perfect and that shouldnt stop you from liking the characters.
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2658822
top ten favorite disney princesses!
2658904
Kuzco definitely counts as a princess if he wanted to!
2658906
maybe. but only if he really wants to.
I agree with most everything on this list, except...
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Were you paying attention to the moral this movie gave? A dream is a wish your heart makes. MEANING- Just keep wishing, kids, and you'll get whatever the heck you want in life. Don't bother freaking DOING IT YOURSELF, because all you gotta do is get say BIBBITY BOBBITY BOO and everything is sunshine and roses!
Long story short- CINDY SUCKS
But the rest of the list is actually very good and I totally agree with it.
Okay, someone correct me if I'm seeing it wrong, but--
When wolf-guy or whatever is reaching down the front of Jessica Rabbit's dress, he's using his left arm, correct?
Yet, when he pulls out, it's his right arm that has the bear-trap, correct?
Am I seeing that right?
I mean, I understand the basics of stage direction: cheat out to the audience and don't reach across yourself, but--
Well, there will always be animation errors, I suppose.
2659427
This lesson is also accompanied by the lesson, "Follow your heart," meaning to say that when you want something to happen and you feel it deep within your heart, you have to make it happen yourself. Cinderella does not, in fact, suck, in my own personal opinion. She went to the ball because she wanted a night off, not to get a Prince, which was just a bonus she received. Cinderella continues to have two more movies that emphasize this lesson, and since she's so adamant on being who she is and not standing on the sidelines, she ends up becoming a really good ruler and a spokesperson for all those who are in poverty. She shows her love and compassion by inviting all the "commoners" into the castle for celebrations that were originally meant for royals, under the reason that, "They're people, too."
So, no, I don't think Cindy sucks, and I think that she's a pretty good role model and a bit underrated in the Disney Princess industry.
2660728 Personally, I think Belle is a far better role model than cindy. She's smart! She didn't want to get married in the first place! The only reason she has a prince is because she fell in love with Adam after she got to know him. Cinderella and Mr. Prince "fell in love" after one. frikkin. look. That's why that movie makes me mad! Love is not a 'at first sight' thing! You have to earn someone's love, and and the Beast earned Belle's love.
2661877
It's actually been stated by the writers of Cinderella that there was a substantial amount of time before the both of them got married, and that they spent quite a bit of time getting to know each other better, as well. Besides, the Prince only sent out the search party under the claims of it being to search for the girl he had danced with, not with his true love. They made a connection with each other, and he wanted to further solidify it by getting to know her. Cinderella also had no dreams of getting married, either, just to be free of her duties as a practical slave to her stepmother and stepsisters.
I think Frozen is one of my favorite Disney characters, for mostly the same reasons as you like her. As a rather queer child, I've also always hated that I can't like things because they're not popular.
Parents... and then they say it's for our own good.
2662372 Thank you for telling that, as I did not know that before.
However, that movie made such a negative impact on me as a kid that it's very hard for me to automatically change my entire view of the film (even though this evidence had helped a great deal). I still think that Belle is the better princess, but (aside from the stuff I pointed out before) that's probably because I relate to her the most out of any of the princesses, modern or classic.
2664088
That's cool, I think Belle is cool, too. You have right to an opinion, I was just pointing out some things you might not have noticed.