Unlike unicorns and leprechauns, a princess isn't something straight out of an old fable. A princess is as real as you and me, and even we have the chance, albeit a very slim one, to become royalty. That's why a princess story is both somewhat very believable yet amazingly far-fetched at the same time. You can always wish to become one, and who knows, you just might! There are still a couple of real Prince Charmings that are single right now *wink wink*. But, for now, let's just maybe stick to princess stories that are a bit more embellished and fantastical than real life, and the best way to do that is to check out the princess movies that we've gathered in this list!
While being a real-life princess already sounds quite charming, the princesses in these beautiful movies, both live-action and animated, amp up the charms of royalty tenfold. And you know what the best part is? Only the ladies who are of the purest heart and the fairest soul are bound to become royalty in these movies, so there's a good message to take home. Be as kind as a princess, and you might become a princess! Oh, if everything would be that easy in life, right?
Anyhoo, dreams or not, these princess movies that you'll find down below are really real. And enchanting! So skip right to our selection, vote for the fantastical movies that you've liked the most, and share this article with your friends!
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#1 Beauty And The Beast (1991)
1991 | 1 hour 24 minutes | Directed by Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Voiced by Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti
Beauty And The Beast, an animated musical romantic fantasy film, as with most Disney movies, is based on an existent fairy tale. In this case, it's the one by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, who wrote this Stockholm syndrome exposé way back in 1756. However, if you do not wish to associate Beauty And The Beast with any syndromes, then let's agree that the story is about a love that conquers all, one that doesn't care about the beauty of the outside but rather the beauty within. And while it isn't such a tear-jerker as The Lion King, Beauty And The Beast, however, is probably one of the most elegant and romantic Disney movies.
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57points
#2 Tangled
2010 | 1 hour 40 minutes | Directed by Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Voiced by Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy
Tangled is a 3D-computer animated musical adventure comedy film loosely based on the German folk fairy tale Rapunzel collected and published by the Brothers Grimm. The film tells the story of Rapunzel - a young princess with magical blonde hair imprisoned in a tower by her mean stepmother. But when a runaway thief stumbles upon her, she takes the chance to escape and to see the world for the very first time. It's always fun to see a princess story in vivid animated colors, and Tangled does not disappoint!
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56points
#3 The Princess Diaries
2001 | 1 hour 55 minutes | Directed by Garry Marshall
Starring Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Hector Elizondo
How do you amp up a regular Ugly Duckling story? Why, by making said duckling an heiress to a European kingdom! And that's precisely what we get to see in The Princess Diaries - a regular, clumsy, and unkempt American teenager transforming into a beautiful princess, fit to rule a country. Besides having the most iconic makeover sequence (which Anne Hathaway later repeated in several other movies), The Princess Diaries also gave us love, enjoyable humor, and awesomely played characters.
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54points
#4 The Little Mermaid
1989 | 1 hour 23 minutes | Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker
Voiced by Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois
The Little Mermaid is an animated musical fantasy film based on the 1837 Danish fairytale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. The film centers around the story of Ariel - a rebellious mermaid princess who's fascinated with life on land. During one of her shore visits, which are strictly forbidden by her father, King Triton, she falls in love with a human prince. For a chance to spend three days as a human and meet him, Ariel makes a deal with an evil witch, Ursula. Unfortunately, the plan goes awry, and now it is King Triton who has to make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter. The Little Mermaid is crowned as one of the best Disney animations ever, so if you've missed it - check it out now!
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53points
#5 Aladdin (1992)
1992 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker
Voiced by Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin
Aladdin, an animated musical fantasy comedy, made it into the pages of the history books not only because of its undeniable entertainment value but also by becoming the highest-grossing Disney movie of the time. Based on an Arabic folk tale of the same name from One Thousand And One Nights, the story brings us back to a time when genie-inhabited lamps were a thing and when a street urchin could pretend to be a wealthy prince and marry the beautiful princess in the end. The story is thrilling, the characters are scene-stealing, the music is memorable, and the animation style is impeccable; what's not to love about Aladdin!
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50points
#6 Cinderella (1950)
1950 | 1 hour 14 minutes | Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Voiced by Ilene Woods, James MacDonald, Eleanor Audley
Cinderella is an animated musical fantasy film based on the fairy tale of the same name by Charles Perrault. We all know the story - Cinderella is a good-hearted girl living with her mean stepmother and three stepsisters. A ball for the prince to meet his wife is announced, but Cinderella has no way of going as her stepmom won't let her. However, the loveable mice Gus and Jaq and her fairy godmother help Cinderella with a makeover and a ticket for the ball. And although the original story then has the three stepsisters chopping off their toes to fit in Cinderella's lost glass slipper, Disney's version is far more beautiful, kid-friendly, and enchanting!
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50points
#7 Moana
2016 | 1 hour 47 minutes | Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall
Voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
Moana (also known as Vaiana or Oceania in some markets) is a 3D computer-animated musical adventure film that tells the story of Moana Waialiki. She's a strong-willed daughter of a chief of a Polynesian village who's chosen to reunite a mystical goddess Te Fiti with a lost relic. So she sets sail to find a demigod, Maui, in hopes of finding Te Fiti's relic and saving her people from hunger. And although it is an original story, it is heavily based on various Polynesian myths offering a glimpse into their mythology and culture. Moana is a truly delightful movie praised both by critics and the viewers.
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49points
#8 The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
2004 | 1 hour 53 minutes | Directed by Gary Marshall
Starring Anne Hathaway, Callum Blue, Julie Andrews
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is a romantic comedy and a sequel to 2001's The Princess Diaries. Unlike the first film, this one isn't based on Meg Cabot's books and is an original story. Now, our princess Mia is settled in her home country of Genovia - life seems pretty perfect! However, she soon finds out that she's being primed for an arranged marriage with an English suitor. Sadly, this second The Princess Diaries installment did not turn out to be as amazing as its predecessor, but it is still a nice choice for a light entertainment session!
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49points
#9 The Princess And The Frog
2009 | 1 hour 37 minutes | Directed by Ron Clemens, John Musker
Voiced by Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Oprah Winfrey
The Princess And The Frog is an animated musical fantasy romantic comedy film based on the novel The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker, which is based on a German folk tale collected and published by The Brothers Grimm. The story is set in 1920s New Orleans and centers around Tiana - a hardworking waitress who dreams of opening her own restaurant. After kissing a prince who has been turned into a frog by an evil doctor, she becomes a frog and has to figure out a way to turn back into a human before it is too late. It's a movie that isn't flashy but rather boasts its strengths by showing us multi-layered characters, an original story, and shying away from meaningless action scenes and all the razzle-dazzle to mask possible flaws. Of which there are none in The Princess And The Frog.
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48points
#10 Maleficent
2014 | 1 hour 37 minutes | Directed by Robert Stromberg
Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley
Maleficent is a dark fantasy adventure film that's loosely inspired by Charles Perrault's original fairy tale called Sleeping Beauty. However, the story here is told from the perspective of the eponymous antagonist, depicting her conflicting relationship with the king and the princess of a corrupted kingdom. Maleficent is a visually dazzling movie giving us that eerie Gothic mood from the moment it starts. And although some critics weren't too happy about the plot, everyone praised Jolie's stunning performance and the entertainment value of this movie.
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46points
#11 Brave
2012 | 1 hour 33 minutes | Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, and Steve Purcell
Voiced by Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
Brave is a computer-animated fantasy film and the first Pixar animation to have a female lead. And some lead did Merida prove to be! So, the story centers around her - a sixteen-year-old, free-spirited princess of the clan DunBroch. Once she finds out that she's to be married off to some brute, she loses it and escapes to the vast Scottish forest on her loyal steed. Here, she makes a horribly miscalculated wish that comes true, and now Merida has to save her whole family. Although Brave, at first glance, seems just like another funny animated story, it's actually surprisingly deep, without shoving its morals right into the viewer's face. Also, it is always refreshing to see a female lead that's as fierce as Princess Merida!
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45points
#12 Cinderella (2015)
2015 | 1 hour 45 minutes | Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden
Cinderella is a romantic fantasy film and the second ecranization of the Rapunzel fairy tale on our list. Here, Ella (Cinderella) is the girl with the purest heart in the whole world. Sadly, after her father's untimely death, she's to live with her scheming stepsisters and evil stepmother. However, after meeting a dashing stranger, Ella's fortunes begin to change. It's a fresh take on the ancient fairy tale with stunning costumes, great acting, and a story that's never too romantic or too fantastic.
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41points
#13 Frozen 2
2019 | 1 hour 43 minutes | Directed by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Voiced by Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad
Frozen II is a computer-animated musical fantasy film and a sequel to 2013's Frozen. Set three years later, after the events depicted in the first movie, it once again follows the sisters Anna and Elsa. Now, the two of them, together with Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and Olaf the snowman, are set to travel to an enchanted forest to figure out the roots of Elsa's magical powers. And although this sequel did not live up to its predecessor's fame and popularity, Frozen II is a nevertheless great piece of animation!
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40points
#14 Frozen
2013 | 1 hour 42 minutes | Directed by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Voiced by Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
Although Frozen isn't based on some classic Christmas story, but rather Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Snow Queen, its wintertime setting, snowman, and reindeers make it a perfect movie for the season. To say that this Disney movie was a tremendous success would be to put it lightly, as it started a full-on craze among younger audiences. There probably isn't a kid who doesn't know who the sisters Anna and Elsa are! But, if you still haven't seen Frozen, try it - it's an absolutely masterfully made story.
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40points
#15 Ella Enchanted
2004 | 1 hour 36 minutes | Directed by Tommy O'Haver
Starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes
Ella Enchanted is a fantasy romantic comedy loosely based on Gail Carson Levine's 1997 novel of the same name. The movie tells the story of Ella - a girl that has been given a 'gift' from a fairy to be always and forever obedient. After her mother dies, she's left with her greedy father, who remarries a loathsome woman with two abominable daughters. Ella Enchanted is a fresh take on the Cinderella story, making our protagonist dependent only on her wit and strengths to break the spell and save her from all the trouble she encounters. Well, okay, there's a prince Charmont, too, but what's a good princess story without one?
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40points
#16 Ever After
1998 | 2 hours 1 minute | Directed by Andy Tennant
Starring Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott
Ever After: A Cinderella Story is a romantic drama inspired by the Cinderella fairy tale. This time, though, the story is less fantastical and more historical fiction, giving us the chance to meet such figures as the Brothers Grimm themselves and even the inventor-artist Leonardo Da Vinci. Ever After is often seen as the only modern, post-feminism interpretation of this ancient fable. The movie is full of surprises, stellar acting, and plot twists that you definitely wouldn't expect from a fairytale!
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40points
#17 Sleeping Beauty
1959 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Directed by Les Clark, Clyde Geronimi, Eric Larson
Voiced by Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley
Sleeping Beauty is an animated musical fantasy film based on the 1697 fairy tale of the same name by Charles Perrault. You know how it goes - Aurora is a royal princess living happily with her royal family. However, that changes with the appearance of the evil Maleficent. This mean old hag places a curse on Aurora, one that supposedly will kill her on her 16th birthday. But, alas, with the help from one of the good fairies, the curse is changed, and now Aurora shall sleep eternally to be awakened only by her true love's kiss. 1959's Sleeping Beauty is a historically important movie that has been added for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
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39points
#20 Enchanted
2007 | 1 hour 47 minutes | Directed by Kevin Lima
Starring Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden
Enchanted is a live-action/animated musical fantasy romantic comedy film that's both a homage and a parody of a typical Disney princess movie. The story goes like this - an archetypal Disney princess, Giselle, is forced from her animated world straight into the streets of New York City. It's the doing of an evil witch who doesn't want our princess to get happily married, but little did she know! Giselle falls in love with a New York lawyer in this real world, and her dreams of a happily ever after might not be gone as of yet. Enchanted is truly a new take on the old fairy tale - one that's sure to engage both the younger and the older audiences.
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37points