Who Are All the Disney Princesses in Order?
Who doesn’t love a little nostalgia? With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic keeping everyone mostly inside, people are looking to the comforts of old movies and shows to keep them company. Some of the most beloved characters of all time are the Disney princesses, but does anyone know the Disney princesses in order?
Snow White is first when listing the Disney princesses in order
Snow White was the first Disney princess. Her film Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was first released in 1937. The princess was modeled after the German fairytale “Schneewittchen.” In the movie, Snow White escapes her evil stepmother and befriends seven dwarves in the woods. Unfortunately, her step mother finds her and puts her in a slumber, only to be awakened by true love’s kiss. The story does get a little creepier when you realize that Snow White is only 14 during the movie, making her the youngest of the princesses.
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Ariel are next
Though there have been several renditions of Cinderella, her first namesake movie was released in 1950. Cinderella was 19 in the film and is the first Disney Princess to have sisters.
Next, came Aurora. Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959. This time, it wasn’t a step mother who tried to ruin the princess’ life, rather a witch who was upset about not being invited to a party. Aurora’s story is quite similar to Snow White’s in that she was also only awakened by true love’s kiss after the witch put her to sleep. According to Disney Fandom, Aurora is the Disney princess with the least amount of screen-time.
Fast forward to 1989 and Ariel graced screens in The Little Mermaid. Ariel’s story is based on the 1937 fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen of the same name. In the original version, Ariel exchanges her voice for legs, however, she is cursed to be in excruciating pain every time she walks. The prince does not fall in love with Ariel in that version, causing her to consider stabbing him in his sleep. Because she did not find love, she turns into seafoam.
Belle, Jasmine, and Pocahontas are the next Disney princesses in the order
In 1991, Belle joined the princesses in Beauty and the Beast. Throughout the years, Belle and the story have received criticism as Belle seems to have Stockholm Syndrome as she falls in love with her kidnapper.
In 1992, audiences were introduced to Jasmine, the first non-white princess, in Aladdin. Jasmine was also the first Disney princess not to be the main character in a film. Her love with Aladdin spawned two sequels and a television series.
Pocahontas joined the ranks of princesses in 1992 with her namesake film. She was the first Disney princess to be loosely based on a real person. Though Pocahontas falls in love with John Smith in the first movie, she falls in love with John Rolfe in the second, making her the only Disney princess with two loves.
Mulan, Tiana, and Repunzel
Mulan joined the Disney world with her namesake film in 1998. Mulan is actually the only Disney princess who doesn’t have the title of princess. She is the first princess to engage in combat.
Fans didn’t get another Disney princess until 2009 with Tiana in The Princess and the Frog. Tiana is the first Black Disney princess but she also spends most of the film as a frog and not a human.
In 2010, Disney added Rapunzel to the princess roster with Tangled. Based on the German fairytale “Rapunzel,” Tangled showed Rapunzel trapped inside a tower by an old woman. She is able to escape by using her exceptionally long hair to climb down.
Merida, Moana, and Raya are the final Disney princesses
In 2012, Brave introduced audiences to Merida. She was the first Pixar princess as the film was a collaboration between Disney and Pixar.
In 2016, Moana’s namesake film allowed her to join the princesses, however she did not receive a coronation event like some of the other princesses. Instead, her merchandise was branded as a princess and she was added to the official princess lineup in 2019.
Raya is the newest Disney Princess from the 2021 film, Raya and the Last Dragon.
