The Disney Princesses are largely remembered for the royal titles, castles, and love stories that the characters go through. However, it is important to keep in mind that these princesses are some of the bravest and most heroic characters in all of Disney history. In fact, nearly all of them defeated a very powerful antagonistic force and/or saved a lot of lives in their stories.

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It is time to see Disney Princesses for what they are: true heroines who played an active role in improving their lives and the lives of those around them. These aren’t just damsels in distress waiting for a love interest to do everything for them.

MULAN WENT TO WAR IN HER FATHER’S PLACE

We saw Mulan do several heroic things during the 1998 animated classic Mulan, and we’re definitely covering more of those later in the list. First and foremost, however, it was pretty commendable for Mulan to go to war in her father’s place.

As the story goes, China required one male member of each family to help the country fight a war. In Mulan’s household, her father was the only living male member. However, it is clear that his overall health and physical condition is debilitated.

It took a lot of courage for Mulan to decide to spare her father’s life and go to war in his place, and that definitely makes her a hero. What’s more, it seems like this character will be even more heroic on the upcoming live-action Mulan, which is slated for a 2020 release.

MOANA RESTORED PEACE TO THE OCEAN

Moana looks on in Moana

2016’s Moana is definitely all about subverting most assumptions that people have about Disney Princesses. Nonetheless, one thing is definitely true: Moana is a true hero of her own destiny.

By the end of the film, Moana literally parts the waters while facing Te Ka, then returns the Te Fiti’s heart and singlehandedly restores peace to the ocean. This act not only destroys the evil that existed in the form of Te Ka, but also teaches a lesson to Maui and restores normalcy to the Motunui island.

All in all, there’s no doubt that Moana is one of the most heroic Disney Princesses of all time.

BELLE STOOD UP TO THE BEAST

Belle Beast Beauty and the Beast

Standing up to the Beast may seem like a simple act, but if you watched 1991’s Beauty and the Beast, you know that no one else was able to handle the Beast in many years. Then, despite being kept imprisoned, Belle was still able to stand up to the Beast and even teach him a few things.

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While there is room for debate, it certainly took courage for Belle to stand up for herself, and it took a lot of tenacity for her to handle the Beast. Under the circumstances, Belle did come out of her story as a hero who overcame every obstacle and even caused positive change in others.

JASMINE FOUGHT JAFAR TO SAVE HER FAMILY

Disney Aladdin Jasmine Jafar Slave

In Aladdin, a lot of the credit for defeating Jafar goes to the titular character. However, fans cannot forget Jasmine’s contributions in the fight to take down Jafar. In fact, one may argue that Jasmine did as much as Aladdin to defeat Jafar, fighting as hard as she could against the villain and having great ideas to assist Al during every moment of the fight.

It’s no secret that Jasmine is one of the smartest, strongest and most active Disney Princesses of all time, and it is time that we consider her a hero, too.

MERIDA COMPETED FOR HER OWN HAND, AND WON

Which Pixar Character Are You Based On Your MBTI

What’s more heroic than taking down the patriarchy with your own hands? In Brave, we watched Merida struggle with the idea that a few men would come compete in a contest to be awarded her hand in marriage. So, she chooses to compete in the contest for her hand, and she wins.

It is weird to think of a heroic act as something that is objectively self-serving. However, Merida winning her own hand in order to avoid getting married to a random guy she doesn’t know is actually pretty heroic by every standard and measure. Merida is definitely her own hero in Brave, and we celebrate her for it.

TIANA DEFEATED DR. FACILIER

Tiana in The Princess and the Frog

Tiana faced many adversities before and during The Princess and the Frog, but she overcame every single one of them. One of the most noteworthy and heroic acts in Tiana’s story is the fact that she defeated the movie’s main villain, Dr. Facilier.

Throughout the entirety of The Princess and the Frog, Dr. Facilier made Tiana and Naveen’s life harder and harder. Thankfully, Tiana had the tenacity and drive of an aspiring business owner, and it wasn’t voodoo magic that was going to stop her from fulfilling her dreams.

RAPUNZEL SAVED FLYNN RIDER’S LIFE

Rapunzel holding Flynn as he dies
Rapunzel holding Flynn as he dies

Flynn Rider/Eugene caused a lot of problems in Tangled, but he also helped Rapunzel significantly when it really mattered. With that said, it is important to keep the facts straight: Eugene may have helped Rapunzel to break out from her prison and run away from Gothel, but it was Rapunzel who actually saved Eugene’s life.

Regardless of whether or not she has superpowers, Rapunzel certainly has the heart and the spirit of a hero. Eugene wasn’t even a good person in the beginning of Tangled, but Rapunzel was still able to see him for who he actually is and save his life.

ARIEL SAVED ERIC’S LIFE

Disney Little Mermaid Ariel Eric Statue

A few people may criticize The Little Mermaid for having Ariel unable to speak for a good portion of the movie, which makes Eric’s intentions with her seem dubious. However, it is totally unfair to call Ariel a “passive character,” particularly when this entire romance started with her saving Eric’s life.

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Ariel may have been motivated by love, but that doesn’t change the fact that she faced a dangerous storm to save Eric’s life and bring him safely back to the shore.

POCAHONTAS ENDED THE WAR BETWEEN THE SETTLERS AND HER TRIBE

Pocahontas stands in the middle of red and purple leaves

In Pocahontas, we watch the Powhatan tribe and the Jamestown settlers fighting over land and being unable to talk or reach a consensus. And then there’s Pocahontas, who is able to reach across the aisle, make several intelligent points, and actually put an end to the war.

There is no doubt that the most heroic act from Pocahontas is when the titular character ends the conflict with the settlers by using her intelligence, sensibility, and patience.

MULAN SAVED CHINA

Mulan

When the Emperor thanks Mulan at the end of the movie for saving China, he isn’t kidding. Mulan literally saves China, and it can’t really get more heroic than that for a Disney character.

Upon defeating Shan Yu and the Huns – both with her own hands and through leading her team of friends –, Mulan proved herself a hero to China and to the Disney canon. When it comes to Disney Princesses, it is safe to say that Mulan is one of the bravest, toughest, and most skilled characters of all time.

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