Every Disney Princess Movie Ranked And In Order Of Release

In 1937, when Walt Disney released the first-ever Disney princess movie, Snow White, nobody could have predicted the immense popularity that Disney princess movies, often inspired by fairy tale books, would achieve. The Disney Renaissance (1989-1999) gave us cherished classics like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Fortunately, since then, the studio has taken positive steps to diversify its Disney princesses, as seen in newer films like Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Halle Bailey’s casting as Arielle in the live-action Little Mermaid.

Like any beloved franchise, some princess movies are better than others. Below, you’ll find every (official) Disney Princess movie, animated and live-action, in order of release and ranked based on their Rotten Tomatoes score. And, if you’re wondering why Frozen is not on our list, Disney doesn’t consider Elsa and Anna to be official Disney princesses. (Frozen and Frozen 2 are both excellent watches, though, especially for family movie night.)

Disney Princess Movies In Order Of Release

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - Animated
• Cinderella (1950) - Animated
• Sleeping Beauty (1959) - Animated
• The Little Mermaid (1989) - Animated
• Beauty and the Beast (1981) - Animated
• Aladdin (1992) - Animated
• Pocahontas (1995) - Animated
• Cinderella (1997) - Live Action
• Mulan (1998) - Animated
• Princess And The Frog (2009) - Animated
• Tangled (2010) - Animated
• Brave (2012) - Animated
• Maleficent (2014) - Live Action
• Cinderella (2015) - Live Action
• Moana (2016) - Animated
• Beauty and The Beast (2017) - Live Action
• Aladdin (2019) - Live Action
• Mulan (2021) - Live Action
• Raya And The Last Dragon (2021) - Animated
• The Little Mermaid (2023) - Live Action

The Best Disney Princess Movies (Ranked)

From classics like Cinderella to modern films like Moana, there’s a reason why Disney princess films have stood the test of time. The oldest princess movie dates back to Snow White, Disney’s first full-length animated film in technicolor released in 1937.

Although Snow White started it all, Disney has found success with titles from the last decade, like Raya and the Last Dragon and Moana. The 2017 live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, is the highest-grossing Disney Princess movie, earning $1.26 billion worldwide at the box office. (That title would have gone to Frozen 2, which grossed slightly higher at $1.45 billion.)

There are more than seven live action Disney princess movies and 13 animated films (not including their sequels) in Disney’s expansive fairy tale portfolio. Read on for a full list of every official Disney Princess movie, ranked based on their Rotten Tomatoes rating — a score given by certified film critics.

17. Pocahontas (1995) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 54%

Pocahontas is considered the most problematic Disney Princess movie due to historical inaccuracies relating to the true account of Pocahontas’s life, the misrepresentation of Native Americans, and the romanticism of colonialism. The film was directed by Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg and stars Mel Gibson, Linda Hunt, Christian Bale, Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn and more.

Set in the early 17th century, the animated film follows a young Native American woman named Pocahontas — and her pals Meeko and Flit — who encounter invasive English settlers and Capt. John Smith. When Pocahontas and Smith form a romance, her father, Chief Powhatan, disapproves of their relationship, wanting her to marry a native warrior.

Watch Pocahontas on Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.

16. Aladdin (2019) - Live Action

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 57%

Disney released the live-action version of Aladdin in 2019, based on the animated film Aladdin (1992) and the folktale “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.” The film, which grossed $1 billion worldwide, stars Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad and Billy Magnussen.

Like its animated counterpart, the live-action version follows Aladdin, a street urchin who meets Princess Jasmine, the daughter of the sultan of Agrabah. While visiting her palace, he discovers a magic oil lamp containing a powerful genie. Over time, Aladdin and the genie work together to stop the evil sorcerer, Jafar, from overthrowing Jasmine’s kingdom.

Watch Aladdin (2019) on Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.

15. The Little Mermaid (2023) - Live Action

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 67%

Singer and actress Halle Bailey, Disney’s second Black princess, radiates as Ariel in The Little Mermaid's live-action remake. She stars alongside alongside Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy in the Rob Marshall-directed project.

The Little Mermaid (2023) keeps the same storyline as its predecessor, following a mermaid princess named Ariel, who is fascinated with the human world. After saving the life of Prince Eric after a shipwreck, she dreams of venturing into the unknown and makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to walk on land in exchange for her precious voice.

Watch The Little Mermaid (2023) on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.

14. Beauty and the Beast (2017) - Live Action

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 71%

Beauty and the Beast, featuring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, is one of Disney’s most successful live-action remakes. It’s the highest-grossing live-action Disney princess movie and the second-best preadaptation following 2019’s The Lion King.

The film follows Belle’s classic tale but includes additional scenes and further explores the backstories of certain characters, like the Beast. The soundtrack, composed by Alan Menken, features four new songs alongside beloved originals like “Be Our Guest.” Luke Evans, Josh Gad and Kevin Kline also star.

Watch Beauty and the Beast (2017) on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu.

13. Mulan (2020) - Live Action

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 72%

The 2020 live-action reimagining of Mulan presents a fresh perspective on the Chinese legend, The Ballad of Mulan. Directed by Niki Caro, this Disney princess film takes a more realistic approach to recounting Hua Mulan’s heroic journey. (The 1998 animated version focused on the soundtrack and included more comedic elements, like Mushu the dragon, who is absent from the remake.)

With Liu Yifei in the lead role as Mulan, the movie delves into the epic tale of the legendary warrior who makes a selfless sacrifice out of love for her family and country. Hua Mulan steps forward to take her father’s place when the Emperor of China issues a decree mandating one man from each family serve in the Imperial Army to defend against invaders from the North.

Watch Mulan (2020) on Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.

12. Brave (2012) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%

Dubbed as Pixar’s first female-led movie, Brave marked a significant milestone for the studio. The film, directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, stars Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald as Princess Merida. Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd and Craig Ferguson also lent their voices to the film.

Set in the highlands in Scotland, Brave focuses on the story of Princess Merida, an aspiring archer and daughter of Queen Elinor. However, things go south for the princess when she defies an age-old custom, unleashing peril in the kingdom. After her mother falls victim to a curse that turns her into a bear, Merida must find a way to save her people.

Watch Brave on Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.

11. Cinderella (2015) - Live Action

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 84%

The live-action adaptation of Walt Disney’s 1950 animated film, Cinderella, made a splash at the box office when it was released in 2015, grossing over $540 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. In her breakout role, Lily James stars as Cinderella alongside a star-studded cast.

The plot follows Cinderella, an orphan who is mistreated by her wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), and stepsisters, Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera). With the help of her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), she attends the royal ball and falls in love with the prince. But when the magic wears off, she leaves her iconic glass slipper behind, leading the prince on a quest to find her.

Watch Cinderella (2015) on Apple TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.

10. Princess And The Frog (2009) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 85%

Disney’s Princess And The Frog is impactful for many reasons. Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, is the first Black Disney princess. She’s also the first princess to have a paying job and be a business owner. The animated film is loosely based on E.D. Baker’s novel “The Frog Princess” and “The Frog Prince” by the Brothers Grimm.

Released in 2009, the story follows a waitress named Tiana who dreams of opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father’s passion for cooking. Princess Naveen (who was turned into a frog by the evil Dr. Facilier) comes to New Orleans and convinces Tiana to kiss him, thinking that a kiss from a princess would break the spell. Unfortunately, the kiss turns Tiana into a frog as well, and they both must go on a journey to break the spell.

Watch Princess And The Frog on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.

9. (Tied) Cinderella (1997) - Live Action

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella has undergone several television remakes. The 1997 version stars Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her fairy godmother. Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Alexander and Bernadette Peters also appear in the film, which is celebrated for its racially diverse cast and innovative soundtrack featuring voices from R&B to Broadway.

The storyline follows the classic tale of Cinderella with some modern and inclusive twists. In the film, Cinderella dreams of a better life far from her evil stepmother and stepsisters, and with the help of her magical fairy godmother, she is able to attend the royal ball. She captures the prince’s heart but must leave when Midnight strikes and her magic wears off.

Watch Cinderella (1997) on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

9. (Tied) Mulan (1998) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%

Since its release in 1998, Mulan has been considered one of the most influential Disney princess movies. The legendary folklore hero Hua Mulan inspired the animated film, which features the voices of Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Harvey Fierstein and more.

Mulan follows a young warrior named Fa Mulan, who wants to bring honor to her family. When the Huns and their leader, Shan Yu, invade China, the Emperor declares that one man from each family must join the army. Mulan disguises herself as a man and takes her father’s place under the identity of “Ping.” Her dragon friend Mushu and cricket sidekick Cri-Kee embark on a journey with Mulan to train with the other soldiers and keep her secret.

Watch Mulan on Disney+, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.

8. Sleeping Beauty (1959) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 89%

Another classic, Sleeping Beauty debuted back in 1959. Mary Costa provided the voice of Princess Aurora in the animated film based on the fairy tale, “La Belle Au Bois Dormant,” published by Charles Perrault in 1697. The story also inspired the Brothers Grimm tale, “The Briar Rose,” published in 1812.

Princess Aurora is cursed by one of the most evil villains — the wicked fairy Maleficent — to die on her 16th birthday by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. The good fairy Merryweather changes the curse so the princess will fall into a deep sleep instead of dying, with only true love’s kiss to wake her. For protection, Aurora is sent away and raised by three good fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, but the curse still manages to manifest. Prince Phillip, Aurora’s true love, must battle Maleficent to save her before it’s too late. A live-action film from Maleficent’s perspective, starring Angelina Jolie, was released in 2014.

Watch Sleeping Beauty on Disney+, Apple TV, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video.

7. Tangled (2010) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 89%

Based on the 1812 story “Rapunzel” by the Brothers Grimm, Tangled is another fan-favorite princess movie featuring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. The film made $592 million at the worldwide box office and received positive reviews from critics thanks to its animation, writing and musical score.

In the film, the princess Rapunzel has been locked away in a tower since she was a baby. She was taken by the evil Mother Gothel, who uses Rapunzel’s long, blonde hair to give herself the magic of eternal youth. With the help of a prince who stumbled upon her tower, Rapunzel escapes, and they embark on a journey together to discover the world for the first time.

Watch Tangled on Disney+, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.

6. The Little Mermaid (1989) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 91%

The Little Mermaid was released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1989. It’s based on a fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, published in 1837. The Little Mermaid inspired the 2023 live-action version starring Halle Bailey.

The movie follows a curious mermaid named Ariel, who is enchanted with everything human. With a desire to explore beyond the ocean, she disregards her father’s orders and makes a deal with an evil sea witch to trade her voice for legs. She’s forced to win the Prince’s heart without a voice, and things don’t go as smoothly as she wishes. With songs like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl,” the soundtrack is considered one of the best of the Disney princess movies.

Watch The Little Mermaid on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, and Apple TV.

5. (Tied) Beauty and the Beast (1991) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%

Considered one of the best films to come out of the Disney Renaissance, Beauty and the Beast was the fifth Disney princess film released in 1991. The story is based on the 1756 fairy tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. Paige O’Hara voices Belle, while Robby Benson voices the Beast.

Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a young woman named Belle, who lives in a small village with her father, Maurice. When her father gets lost in the woods, she discovers a mysterious castle inhabited by a cursed prince who is now a scary Beast. The Beast takes Maurice prisoner, but Belle offers to take her father’s place. While in the castle, Belle learns about the Beast’s soft side and starts to develop feelings for him. She also meets enchanting objects that fill the castle, like Lumière the candlestick and Cogsworth the clock.

Watch Beauty and the Beast (1991) on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.

5. (Tied) Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%

The newest Disney princess movie, released in 2021, is Raya and the Last Dragon. Raya is Disney's first Southeast Asian princess voiced by Kelly Marie Tran. Big names like Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Sandra Oh and Daniel Dae Kim also voice characters in the film.

Raya and the Last Dragon follows a young warrior named Raya, who embarks on a quest to find the last living dragon, Sisu, who holds the key to defeating the ancient evil force called the Druun. Along her journey, Raya creates bonds with characters representing different Kumandra regions.

Watch Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV.

4. Aladdin (1992) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95%

Aladdin, the 1992 animated musical, is another Disney princess film beloved by fans. The story originated as a bedtime tale from One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folktales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age.

In the film, we’re introduced to Aladdin, a poor child living in the city of Agrabah. He meets Jasmine, a princess wearing a disguise to escape the palace. Aladdin and his monkey friend Abu become close with Jasmine until he’s seized by the royal guards of the evil sorcerer, Jafar. Ultimately, Aladdin discovers a magic lamp with a genie inside who can grant three wishes. He uses the lamp to win over Princess Jasmine and stop Jafar.

Watch Aladdin on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, and more.

3. Moana (2016) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 96%

Moana took the world by storm when it was released in 2016. Not only does the film celebrate Polynesian culture and traditions, but it also highlightes Moana’s independence and bravery. And, in contrast to most Disney princess films, the need for a “prince” never came up in Moana.

Instead, her mission was focused on finding the legendary demigod Maui and saving her people from an environmental disaster. The animation throughout the film is stunning and the songs are incredibly catchy. (The film’s main number, “How Far I'll Go,” was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda).

Watch Moana on Disney+, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 97%

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first Disney princess movie ever, so it’s no surprise the beloved animated film is ranked toward the top. The film is based on the German fairy tale “Schneewittche,” published by the Brothers Grimm in a storybook in 1812.

Disney’s first animated length film in technicolor follows Snow White, a princess hunted down by her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen. Snow White enters the enchanted forest when she comes across seven dwarfs: Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey. The dwarfs give her a place to stay as protection from the Queen, who eventually realizes Snow White is alive. Her stepmother turns herself into an old hag and gives Snow White a poisonous apple, which puts her into a deep sleep. Only a true love kiss from the prince could wake her in the end.

Watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Disney Plus, Apple TV, and YouTube.

1. Cinderella (1950) - Animated

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 98%

The highest-rated Disney Princess film is Cinderella, released after Snow White in 1950. Cinderella’s story is perhaps the most well-known Walt Disney film (there’s a reason her castle is the highlight of the theme parks).

The classic tells the story of a young woman named Cinderella, an orphan mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. With the help of her fairy godmother and a touch of magic, Cinderella attends a royal ball where she captures the attention of the prince. But she must leave before Midnight when the magic wears off. Cinderella leaves behind a glass slipper, which the prince ultimately uses to locate her. He eventually finds Cinderella and the two live “happily ever after.”

Watch Cinderella on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Vudu, and more.

So, what’s next for Disney princess movies? The live-action adaptation of Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and written by Greta Gerwig (Barbie) and Erin Cressida Wilson, is scheduled to be released in March 2025. The film will star Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.