What If These Disney Princes NEVER Showed Up?

What If These Disney Princes Never Showed Up

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re exploring how differently some princesses’ lives could’ve turned out if they hadn’t simply waited for the “Some Day [Their] Prince Would Come.” What if true’s love’s kiss never came, no prince came soaring in on a magic carpet, or no rapscallion sought refuge in a secluded tower? Would these fairytales end before they even started, or would these Princesses have taken life into their own hands and created their own destinies? So, let’s set off on a magical adventure to see how five classic Disney tales might have unfolded if we cut the Princes out of the story.

Flynn Rider

“Tangled” (2010)
Rapunzel has waited practically forever for her life to begin, and conveniently, just as she has a greater motive than ever to leave her tower, opportunity knocks— or rather, she knocks it out with a frying pan. She strikes a deal with Flynn to take her to see the floating lanterns, and off they go. But hang on, so you’re telling us that even without Flynn, she could’ve left the tower at any time? She’d already concocted this tale about needing more paint to get Mother Gothel out the way, which works, leaving the window figuratively and literally open.


Sure, Rapunzel didn’t know a world beyond her tower, so Flynn was a handy tour guide, even though his motives weren’t initially so altruistic. However, while he certainly has his uses, and perhaps she might’ve gotten a bit lost without him, we think Rapunzel could’ve probably managed just fine alone. We saw how effortlessly she won over the patrons at the Snuggly Duckling; we’re sure any one of them would’ve been happy to help her. Rapunzel also learns that trusting an outlaw comes with some risks, which, in this case, leads her straight back into the hands of the cruel Mother Gothel.


So, let’s rewind. Say Rapunzel and Mother Gothel still had that argument about seeing the floating lanterns, and Gothel still insisted that “Mother Knows Best” before leaving Rapunzel alone. Only this time, without the distraction of an intruder, Rapunzel is still crafty enough to get Gothel out of the way. She also could’ve skipped the added drama of a fugitive on the run and perhaps had a smoother trip to Corona. She’d sneak out, charm her way into friendships, and get everyone just as invested in her dream, and of course, she absolutely still has a blast at the festival. Meanwhile, Gothel returns to an empty tower with no clues about where Rapunzel went or who helped her. She could probably guess, but without Flynn’s involvement, there’s no deal with the Stabbington brothers. Also, let’s not forget that Rapunzel had an epiphany about her true identity on her own—she’d been planting clues for herself all along. Flynn or no Flynn, she’d realize her hair is her superpower and the key to her freedom. He wouldn’t have gotten hurt, and she probably still would’ve reunited with her real parents.

Aladdin

“Aladdin” (1992)
Before Aladdin, Jasmine was stuck in the same cycle—trapped in the palace, rejecting suitors, and clashing with her father over marriage. Meanwhile, Jafar was already manipulating the Sultan, and without interference, he likely would’ve used his mind control to force a marriage, securing his rule. When Jasmine first meets Aladdin, she’s incognito and accidentally shoplifts, leading to a rescue that wouldn’t have been necessary if she’d just revealed she was the princess as she does later on. From there, their relationship is built on lies, disguises, and an unhealthy amount of deception—plus 75 golden camels, llamas galore, and whatever else Genie throws in. Not to mention, Aladdin’s snowballing lies practically hand Genie’s lamp to Jafar.


But back to Jasmine, she’s one of Disney’s most headstrong princesses. Without Aladdin, she was still bound to take control of her own fate—on her terms. She’s no prize to be won, and she certainly wasn’t about to let Jafar slither his way into power. The 2019 remake makes her a more active participant in her own fate, showing that she’s more than capable of ruling as Sultan. In the 1992 version, without Aladdin swooping in, she could’ve come to that realization on her own, too. She was never going to settle for marriage, so why not fight to change that law herself?


Jafar’s mind control wouldn’t have worked forever. Jasmine is sharp—she would’ve noticed his influence over her father, especially as his grip on power grew bolder. Even if she didn’t catch on immediately, she knew she didn’t want to marry him, and she would’ve done whatever it took to stop that from happening. We already saw how far she was willing to go just to buy Aladdin time during his rescue.


Still, without him distracting her with his lies, Jasmine could’ve focused on something far bigger than romance. She was the only one in the palace who truly seemed to want to understand Agrabah’s struggles. She wanted to be among her people and to connect with them. Given the chance, she could’ve built a city that thrived under a leader who actually cared about its future. She had the intelligence, determination, and heart to create lasting change.

The Beast/Prince Adam

“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
In the reprise to the opening song, Belle tells us how she wants to explore a world beyond her provincial village. While the other townsfolk scoff at her for being different, her father encourages her to dream big and block out the haters. The truth is Belle already knows exactly who she is. She’s smart, kind, and sees beyond appearances from the start *ahem* Gaston. While the Beast goes through major growth, Belle pretty much stays the same. She doesn’t learn to be brave or curious—she’s been that way the whole time.


Now, would she have been better off choosing adventure instead? Absolutely. She longs for “the great wide somewhere,” yet she ends up locked in a castle, babysitting a beast with anger issues. Who, let’s be honest, brought this fate on himself. Sure, she gets a beautiful library, but wouldn’t she rather live her own story instead of reading about someone else’s? And yes, we remember—she chose to stay to save her father. But even when she almost escapes, she goes back to tend to her captor’s wounds. What if she had helped him recover and then negotiated her freedom? Or, and not to bring the tone down too much, but what if she’d headed out on her adventure without ever knowing her father was in danger? Perhaps Maurice and the Beast would’ve become unlikely friends instead. Maybe he would’ve even become a father figure to his captor, and parental love can be strong, too! Strong enough to break a curse, even?


But back to Belle. We can imagine her as a true adventurer, charting unknown lands, seeking hidden wonders, or even helping her father showcase his inventions around the world. Maybe she’d even become a world-renowned inventor herself. Real adventure means applying what she’s learned from her beloved books, and instead of just reading about people who achieve incredible feats, she’d become one. If she’d left, she could’ve found places where intelligence and curiosity were celebrated, and no one cared if you ‘fit in’ as long as you had a good heart. This version is where Belle gets a chance to truly grow, not as someone’s caretaker or as a prize in a redemption arc, but as a hero forging her own path.

Prince Naveen

“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
Let’s just start by getting the obvious out of the way. If Prince Naveen hadn’t shown up, Tiana wouldn’t have spent the majority of the movie as a frog. Tiana’s story teaches that success doesn’t come from magic or shortcuts; it’s the result of dedication, effort, and sacrifice. So, yes, that would be much easier if she hadn’t wasted so much time as a roughly 3-inch slimy amphibian. Along the way, though, Tiana discovers that it’s as much about the journey as it is the destination, as well as the people who help you through it.


When you think about it, how much did Naveen really help? He starts out spoiled and shallow, accustomed to a life of luxury without much responsibility, and ends up cut off by his parents. He derails Tiana’s plans and doesn’t have the money to help her build her restaurant either. In fact, Louis does more to help than Naveen ever could. Naveen is purely there for his own growth and as a love interest. Well before he came along, Tiana was one of the most relatable characters working the grind, dreaming of a better future and facing setbacks. Being Black in 20th-century New Orleans adds extra obstacles, and while Disney does acknowledge that, that narrative gets sidelined for the whole frog thing. It would have been more powerful for Disney to give this issue the focus it deserves rather than simply checking a box.

In a version without Naveen, Tiana’s story is all about her grit, hustle, and determination. She’s still juggling multiple jobs, saving every penny, and pushing through every setback with one goal in mind: her restaurant. The magic comes from the people who surround her—her best friend Charlotte, her dad’s memory, and that fire within her. Without Naveen, Tiana doesn’t need a prince to show her what she’s capable of. She realizes that true happiness comes from self-love and the pride she takes in her work. She learns that the most important thing isn’t finding someone to share her dreams with but building those dreams herself. As for the “Frog” in the title, there are always some slimy individuals who try to stand in the way of our growth and success.

Li Shang

“Mulan” (1998)
In the movie, our protagonist and her General definitely get off on the wrong foot. Sure, there’s a war to win, and he’s trying to motivate his troops, but emasculation probably isn’t the best strategy to raise morale. Mulan proves she can be “swift as the coursing river” and have “all the force of a great typhoon” without meeting the typical masculine ideals. In fact, it’s Mulan—er, Ping—who ends up motivating the others. She even saves her comrades, but when she gets wounded, and the truth comes out, does she get any gratitude? Spoiler: no. Sparing her life doesn’t count.


In the end, Mulan is the one to save China—with a fan, mind you. The same fan that, earlier in the story, symbolizes femininity and the traditional role of the perfect subservient bride.


Mulan essentially says it herself: this is a story of finding herself. She doesn’t feel she fits the cultural expectations laid out for her, but she’s trapped by the lack of options. It’s when she joins the army and pretends to be a man that everything starts to fall into place. In her heroic rescue, she proves there’s no one way to be a woman—and that femininity has power and strength too. The moment Mulan stops trying to be what others expect of her, whether it’s the archetypal wife or the macho soldier, Ping, she finally sees herself for who she truly is.


So, where does Li Shang fit in? Honestly, whether he’s there or not, Mulan’s story doesn’t change. She shows loyalty and bravery from the moment she takes her father’s place to fight for her country. At first, maybe she’s trying to prove herself to others, but deep down, she’s driven by a fire that was just waiting to be unleashed. Even on a basic level, Mulan is the most heroic character in this film—without needing a man to help her (although who couldn’t use the assistance of a travel sized dragon?). The only savior Mulan needed was herself, and she more than delivered.


Which Disney story do you think could’ve been improved if the Prince never turned up? Let us know in the comments