The Little Mermaid is the latest live-action remake of a beloved animated Disney film, and although its star-studded cast suggests it may be one of the best yet, it will do well to replicate the otherworldly beauty of Triton's palace in the original. Though live-action has its place, animation has allowed Disney to achieve instantly recognizable castles that couldn't have appeared anywhere else.
As well as Triton's Palace, there are the extravagant towers of King Stefan's castle in Sleeping Beauty and the enticing spires of the Sultan's Palace in Aladdin, and so much more. The Disney fans of Ranker voted on which of these iconic structures deserves to be called the best and these are the results.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Castle DunBroch (Brave)
Named after the clan of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, Castle DunBroch in Brave is comprised of majestic stone towers with an imposing gate to complete the stoic effect. DunBroch looks more like a military stronghold than a palace, and that's what makes it perfect for a clan that prides itself on its strength and unity.
Adding to this, it also has a secondary function as a prison for Merida when she is locked inside by Fergus. Many fans appreciated Brave for its uniquely down-to-earth Disney princess in the form of Merida, and the castle is the perfect reflection of this. Whilst it isn't extravagant, its suitability to the well-liked movie made it a popular choice.
The King's Castle (Cinderella)
Just as Cinderella's visit thanks to the Fairy Godmother's help must have felt like a dream come true for her, there is a dreamlike quality to the home of the king and Prince Charming in Cinderella. For the audience that is put in the shoes of Cinderella, its asymmetrical spires and the grand interior feel like an alien planet compared to where she's come from.
The exterior of the castle could just as easily be from a classical painting in the beautiful style of Disney's movies of that era and it certainly goes a long way to impressing on the viewer how important Prince Charming is. Even over 70 years after the release of the movie, many Disney fans still can't help finding it hypnotizing.
The Emperor's Palace (Mulan)
Although situated in Imperial City, a real location in China, the Emperor's Palace is one of the main things about the setting that was changed to suit the story of Mulan. In the movie, its two large floors are situated on top of a massive platform and, in deep shades of red, it represents the heart of China.
The interior is just as grand and spacious with an almost reverent feel, making the assassination attempt on the emperor on the balcony feel all the more powerful as a statement by Shan Yu. As Mulan isn't technically a princess, she never gets to call the imperial palace her home but it still has a strong connection to the movie's beloved protagonist.
Mount Olympus (Hercules)
The Mount Olympus portrayed in Hercules is such a perfect representation of the home of the gods in ancient Greek mythology that for many people its golden waves are the iconic image of the mountain. Even appearing as a location in Kingdom Hearts 3, Mount Olympus is crowned with the meeting place of the Olympian Gods.
Although the movie took an entertainingly liberal approach when it came to adapting Greek mythology, its representation of Olympus is one of the most richly painted locations in any Disney animated movie. Hercules may not be as popular as some of Disney's more serious movies but the effort that went into crafting the home of the gods impressed a lot of fans.
King Stefan's Castle (Sleeping Beauty)
It's no wonder Maleficent was furious at not receiving an invitation when the venue was this impressive. King Stefan's castle in Sleeping Beauty is huge and has more than a dozen towers that look over the surrounding land. Inside, the luxurious ballroom provides the perfect location for a loving first dance whilst the giant doors make for a perfect dramatic entrance for an evil witch.
Anyone who watched Disney's best fairytale movie will likely already have come to love its extravagance but King Stefan's Castle is also the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland meaning many who've never watched the movie will still find it's a nostalgic location. It's no surprise that it proved a popular choice.
Sultan's Palace (Aladdin)
Loosely based on the Taj Mahal, the Sultan's giant palace dominates Agrabah in Aladdin with spires atop massive golden domes that give an idea of the man's wealth. Nothing was held back in the design of the palace and the interior is no exception, with a throne room dominated by gold features and an elephant-shaped throne as well as lush gardens.
Though the palace represents captivity for Jasmine, it's easy to see why Aladdin thought he would have to promise this level of status and luxury to win over the Sultan's daughter. Though its beautiful appearance for much of the film may have won over plenty of fans, its darker, more imposing appearance in the hands of Jafar, a favorite Disney villain for many, also didn't hurt.
Elsa's Ice Palace (Frozen)
It's rare to see a princess build her own castle but then Frozen's Elsa is no ordinary princess. A monument to brutal, cold isolation constructed out of the pure ice that Elsa can create, its appearance has a powerful impact on Anna, who immediately realizes something is seriously wrong with Elsa on seeing the Ice Palace.
Its interior is dominated by delicate angular patterns, winding staircases, and the grand ice chandelier at the palace's heart. One of the most powerfully symbolic palaces, the fact it's now abandoned and left to its giant resident snow monster Marshmallow is evidence of the darker side of herself that the princess left behind, giving fans a more cheerful reason to appreciate the Ice Palace.
Triton's Palace (The Little Mermaid)
The crown jewel of Triton's Kingdom of Atlantica, the palace in The Little Mermaid shimmers with light from a distance like an underwater mirage. Its interior isn't seen as much but unsurprisingly it has the worn feel of any deep-sea setting with shells and coral making up most of the decorative features.
On its own, it might have been easier to forget, though The Little Mermaid is one of the most popular Disney animated movies. However, the movie also shows Prince Eric's Castle on land, a very traditional European-inspired building that shows just how big the contrast is between the world above water and the world below.
Beast's Castle (Beauty And The Beast)
Inspired by a real-life French castle called the Chateau De Chambord, the home of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast is a beautiful yet unsteady and aged-looking building. Like the Beast himself, the castle is subject to a curse that makes it a dark, twisted version of its original self before being turned back thanks to the curse being lifted.
Its interior has an elegant feel and is full of iconic locations such as the dining hall and the opulent golden ballroom where Belle and the Beast share their first dance. Although the castle is beautiful on its own, it's the fact it's tied to such iconic moments that makes it such a popular castle with fans.
Corona Castle (Tangled)
Dominating the island kingdom of Corona that Rapunzel originates from in Tangled, Corona Castle is the home of her parents, the king and queen. Its distinctive shape in the skyline of Corona makes it perfect as the subject of Rapunzel's longing to see the city and learn who she is.
The castle also contrasts with the rest of the city, which is bustling and full of life when Rapunzel arrives, as her disappearance at a young age still weighs heavily on the kingdom's rulers. However, her return signals a return to the bright days of the past and that's why the castle has come to be a fan favorite.