Learn more about the official Disney Princesses, including Belle, Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Tiana, and the movies these characters are from.
Walt Disney Princesses
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White (Actors)
Belle – Disney Princess from Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast were released in 1991. It is set in the French countryside and is one of the few Disney Princess films to have two protagonists – Belle and the Beast (a prince who has been turned into a beast). It is Belle's love that turns the Beast back into a prince.
Beauty and The Beast saw huge commercial success and are one of only two animated Disney movies to have been nominated for The Academy Award for Best Picture. (The other film was Up). The film won two Golden Globes and two Academy Awards.
There have been two “midquels” to Beauty and the Beast – released in 1997 and 1998, these films take place within the timeframe of the original movie. The theme song to Beauty and the Beast, also titled “Beauty and the Beast,” has had success commercially as well as just in the film, becoming a hit single for Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin (Actors)
Princess Jasmine from Aladdin
The princess of a fictional city named Agrabah, Jasmine is a young but brave and headstrong princess. Jasmine is the first princess who is not of European descent, as Aladdin has an Arabian theme and is seen to be set somewhere in the Arab world.
Instead of the typical King's daughter as seen in most Disney movies, Jasmine's father is the Sultan. There are several iconic characters and objects in the film, such as the Genie and Magic Carpet.
The original film Aladdin was released in 1992. There have been two sequels to Aladdin, one in 1994 (The Return of Jafar) and one in 1996 (Aladdin and the King of Thieves).
Jasmine also stars alongside Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty in 2007's Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams. The theme song for the movie, which was released as a single by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle, is “A Whole New World.”
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson (Actors)
Pocahontas – The First American Disney Princess
The daughter of a Native American chief, Pocahontas is the first American Disney Princess (previous Disney Princess movies have predominantly been set in Europe). Pocahontas is loosely based on the real historical figure Matoaka. Pocahontas is brave, spiritual, wise, and free-spirited.
The original film Pocahontas was made in 1995, with a sequel being released in 1998. The theme song to Pocahontas is “Colors of the Wind.”
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Eddie Murphy, Ming-Na Wen (Actors)
Mulan – Disney's First Chinese Princess
Mulan was released in 1998 with a sequel in 2004. The character of Fa Mulan is based on Hua Mulan from the Chinese poem The Ballad of Mulan. The theme song for Mulan is “Reflection.” A pop version of the song was released by Christina Aguilera.
Mulan is the only Disney Princess who is not related to royalty but is still considered a princess. Also, unlike other Disney Princesses, Mulan has little interest in romance and falling in love, and is outspoken and tomboyish, making her stand out personality-wise among Disney's other leading ladies. However, Mulan does get married in the sequel.
To continue learning, check out the Mulan Movie Study.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Anika Rose, Bruno Campos, Michael-Leon Wooley (Actors)
Tiana from The Princess and the Frog
Disney's newest princess, Tiana starred in the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. She is the first African American princess and the second American Disney Princess ever after Pocahontas.
Tiana (and The Princess and the Frog in general) also stands out as a very modern film – Tiana is a waitress and aspiring restaurant owner in New Orleans (none of the other princesses had mainstream jobs like this). Like in Beauty and the Beast, Tiana falls in love with a prince who has been transformed – this time into a frog.
However, in this movie, there are themes of voodoo magic. Despite the film's recent release, Tiana has already become a part of Disney theme parks. The official song for The Princess and The Frog is “Almost There.”
You can watch all of these titles on Disney+. Get Hulu + Live TV, now with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $69.99/month!
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