Over the years, Disney has produced about a dozen princess movies. These films are some of the most successful and well-loved animated movies from Disney, and they have been around since the 1950s when Snow White was released. While Disney princesses might be a decades-long tradition, these movies have changed over the years. Earlier movies had the princesses as basically damsels in distress who barely had any autonomy. But, as the years have gone one, these princesses have become much more independent.
We’ve ranked all of the Disney princesses based on how independent they are.
Sleeping Beauty/Cinderella
Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella are two of the most classic Disney princesses. These two have many similarities. They are both blonde and both have very little personalities.
While their origin stories might be different, they are mostly just there to look beautiful and get rescued by a charming prince. These movies are definitely a product of their time, and they aren’t particularly great films for children because they promote stereotypes.
Snow White
Snow White is also a rather dependent princess. She is basically there to take care of men. She ends up taking care of the Seven Dwarves and has very little personality or autonomy. When she is given the poison apple and cursed, she is rescued by Prince Charming and kissed in a rather creepy manner.
She is the first-ever Disney princess and also one of the least independent of them all.
Ariel
Ariel is a princess that came a little bit later than the classic three. The Little Mermaid was released in 1989, so there is some improvement. She does have more of a personality and has dreams of her own.
However, she ends up giving up her voice in order to get a man, and in the end, she’s just not as independent as some of the more recent princesses.
Jasmine
Jasmine is one of the few Disney princesses who doesn’t actually have her own movie. As the movie doesn’t feature her as the main protagonist, it makes sense that she isn’t as independent as some of the others.
While Jasmine definitely has her own will and personality, she still has to be rescued by Aladdin. The scene where she is held captive by Jafar is also rather objectifying and makes her seem like a victim.
Belle
Belle is a princess who is rather in the middle when it comes to independence. While she has many of her own dreams and wants more opportunities than her small town has to offer, she also ends up needing to be rescued.
She’s somewhat of a damsel, and the fact that she stays with Beast even when he is aggressive and scary at times is definitely a problem.
Anna
Anna is one of two Disney princesses featured in Frozen 2, and she’s definitely got an independent streak. She is someone who wants more than the life she’s given after her parent's death, and she finds her independence as the movies go on.
However, at first, she is rather concerned with finding a man, and this seems to be a driving force for her.
Rapunzel
Rapunzel is one of the more recent princesses, and she is someone who can rather look out for herself. She is brought up in a tower and has little freedom, but this isn’t her fault. When she finally is able to leave her tower, she has a lot to learn, but she comes into her own quickly. And, she doesn’t just sit around and get rescued.
She’s not the most independent of the princesses, but she definitely learns how to find her own power.
Elsa
Elsa is another princess who is somewhat trapped at first by her circumstances. She was raised to think that she was someone to be feared, and when her power is unleashed, it wreaks havoc until she learns to embrace love instead of fear. One great thing about Elsa’s story is that she isn’t given a boyfriend.
This definitely makes her one of the most independent princesses in the fact that she isn’t defined by a romantic storyline.
Pocahontas
Pocahontas might not be a newer princess, but she is really quite independent. There are many issues with how Disney tells the Pocahontas story, and it’s definitely one that can be critiqued as far as its portrayal of the relationship between John Smith.
There are many things about this movie that haven't aged well. However, she is really the one that rescues him in the end, and she is a fierce, independent person overall.
Merida
Merida’s place as a Disney princess was rather groundbreaking in the fact that she was the first Disney princess who wasn’t given a prince. Her entire story is more about family and that kind of love. Merida has a rather free spirit and is strong and independent.
She is also still basically a child in the movie, however, so she hasn’t grown into herself all of the way.
Moana
Moana is another fairly recent princess as her movie came out in 2016. Moana is another princess who doesn’t get a love interest and who is also rather young. Her story is all about learning to follow her own path and dreams while also staying connected to her family and her responsibilities.
She is clearly very independent and willing to do what needs to be done to follow her own voice and wishes.
Mulan
Mulan is a fiercely independent princess. She goes against her family and her entire culture, which was rather sexist given the time period the movie is set in, to do what she believes is right.
She’s definitely one of the strongest princess and also one who has the bravery to do what is right and be herself.
Tiana
Tiana is definitely one of the most independent Disney princesses. She’s actually an adult when the movie starts, even if she’s still really young, and she has big dreams.
She dedicates her life to working hard to achieve her goals. Given the time period the movie is set in, she’s an extremely independent and driven woman. Her goal to own and run her own restaurant also makes her own of the most relatable princesses.