Top 20 Disney Heroines Ranked From Least to Most Relatable
#20: Snow White "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937)
Top 10 Snow Movies
We mean no disrespect to Snow White — she is one of the original Disney Princesses. And according to the Magic Mirror, she’s also “the fairest one of all.” Still, relatable isn’t the word we’d use to describe her. How many people do you know who are always that virtuous and bubbly? Or who would cook and clean for seven adult men?! Also, we hope most people wouldn’t accept an apple from an apparent ‘stranger’ knowing full well their evil stepmother is after them. We could go on, but you probably get the point. At the end of the day, Snow’s excessive naivety makes her feel one-note, which creates some distance between her and us.
#19: Aurora “Sleeping Beauty” (1959)
Let us start by saying that we do envy Aurora’s long slumber. Yes we know, it’s a curse. What can we say? We love sleeping. The problem is, there isn’t much to work with beyond that. Sadly, the character isn’t really fleshed out throughout the course of the film. Don’t get us wrong, she seems lovely and kind. Yet she has very few chances to show her personality in a substantive way. It’s supposed to be her story, except she barely gets a say in anything that happens. That’s because, as we mentioned, she spends much of the run time snoozing. We simply can’t relate to someone we don’t really know.
#18: Cinderella “Cinderella” (1950)
All the Cinderella Movie Dresses: RANKED
We’re unlikely to ever tire of this fairy tale. It’s a classic for a reason, and there’s something to be said for Cinderella’s perseverance and ability to remain hopeful in the face of unspeakable living conditions. However, and you might notice a pattern here, we wish more of her personhood was explored. Much like Snow White and Aurora, her character development takes a back seat, and her salvation is dependent on someone else. We’re all for true love, but by the end of the movie, she becomes an idealized Princess as opposed to a nuanced young woman. So we can’t honestly say we see ourselves in her. If anyone knows where we can find a Fairy Godmother though, please let us know!
#17: Alice “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
Top 10 Alice In Wonderland Trivia
“Alice in Wonderland” is a fantastical film – that’s a huge part of its charm. For it to work, Alice has to have her head in the clouds, as the story hinges on her imagination and inquisitiveness. Most of us probably remember being able to think up nonsensical worlds as kids, though they likely weren’t as elaborate as Wonderland. And just as Alice comes to realize that all that glitters isn’t gold, we often grow up to value what real life has to offer. Still, she’s among the more childish, two-dimensional Disney heroines, and it can be difficult to connect with her on a deeper level. Plus, dream or not, we probably wouldn’t consume anything from a strange place with instructions to do so on it…
#16: Pocahontas “Pocahontas” (1995)
Top 10 Historically Inaccurate Details in Pocahontas
At one point or another, we’ve all wondered what’s waiting just around the proverbial riverbend, and questioned whether we should throw caution to the wind. As such, Pocahontas’ desire to take the path less traveled and find her own way in life is something the vast majority of us can understand. She’s also pretty sure of herself and fights for what she wants. However, we can’t ignore the fact that the character is based on a historical person, who likely wouldn’t recognize herself given all the problematic liberties the film takes. By the same token, Pocahontas isn’t exactly considered the best example of Indigenous representation. Overall, it makes for a mixed bag in terms of relatability.
#15: Esmeralda “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1995)
It’s not hard to be discouraged by all the hate and discrimination out there. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”’s Esmeralda, herself an outcast, knows that better than most. Most of us have been in situations where we’re either ostracized or made to feel “other”. In that way, Esmeralda’s struggles are recognizable. Despite all that, she’s determined to make other peoples’ lives better, treating them with great care and compassion. Oh, and she’s super smart and fearless. Is it any wonder we’re continuously drawn to her? It’s not always easy to be as selfless or brave as Esmeralda, but we can keep trying to follow her example.
#14: Raya “Raya and the Last Dragon” (2021)
Top 10 Raya and the Last Dragon Moments That Made Us Cry
Would we have the courage to embark on a treacherous journey in order to find a dragon in a bid to rescue our dad and save the day? We’d like to think so, but that’s not really the point. What makes Raya relatable isn’t necessarily what she does, because the plot of the movie is rooted in fantasy. Rather, it’s her clever nature, her strength, and her willingness to do whatever it takes in order to make things right. She’s not without her issues, initially having a difficult time letting others in. Hey, she’s been burned before, so she has to work to open herself back up. Who among us doesn’t know that feeling?! Needless to say, Raya gets us.
#13: Jane Porter “Tarzan” (1999)
Top 10 Portrayals of Jane Austen Heroines
We love a Disney heroine who’s quirky and unconventional, which is what makes Jane so great – she’s not afraid to be a little weird, in the best way. What’s more, you can tell by the way she respects nature and other living beings that she’s fundamentally a good person. It goes without saying, but that’ll resonate with any animal lover. Plus, if you’ve ever gotten carried away while describing your crush to someone, you know how real that blackboard scene is! We haven’t ever fallen for someone who grew up in the jungle, with gorillas, but we more than understand Jane. This just leads us to one important question: can she teach us to draw like that?!
#12: Mulan “Mulan” (1998)
Everything We Know About the Mulan Remake So Far
We’ve pretty much all been there. Trying to make your loved ones proud while also staying true to yourself can be rough. Granted, most of us don’t end up disguising ourselves, going to war, and becoming literal heroes like Mulan. Her awkward, sometimes messy personality, willingness to fight the status quo, and poignant emotional journey remain incredibly accessible. For one thing, if we had a meeting with a matchmaker, we’re pretty sure it would go down a lot like hers. And honestly, who hasn’t had some sort of internal “Reflection” moment? Mulan’s insecurities, fears, and desire to fight the system are instantly recognizable to audiences. It’s what makes her growth into a courageous, independent warrior extra fulfilling to watch.
#11: Elsa “Frozen” franchise (2013-)
We’ll admit it – we don’t have magical powers. Despite that, we identify with Elsa. In the first film, she’s so scared of wounding Anna and the people of Arendelle that she masks what makes her special. Wanting to fit in is a struggle many of us face, and like Elsa, we must learn to let it go and celebrate what makes us different. Then, in “Frozen II”, she conquers the fear of jeopardizing her safe life in order to uncover the truth about her familial history – and herself. Once again, we can relate – growth requires discomfort! Through it all, Elsa remains a loyal friend and sister, whose goal is to protect those she loves. We’d build a snowman with her any day.
#10: Jasmine “Aladdin” (1992)
Jasmine may be a Princess, but one need not be royalty to understand her motivations and persona. Indeed, even if her specific circumstances aren’t the same as yours, chances are her core desires are. The royal’s feet are typically firmly planted on the ground, yet she also leaves room for wonder and excitement! Above all, she craves the freedom to choose for herself, as well as a romantic partnership that’s true. And she’s not afraid to let everyone know it, even if it messes with their perception of things! Now, we unfortunately do not have a pet tiger and have never been on a magic carpet ride. That doesn’t change the way Jasmine’s characterization resonates with us, though.
#9: Ariel “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
When we meet Ariel, she’s a young mermaid with a pretty comfortable life. The thing is, it’s not the life she wants. Hey, she’s a dreamer who can sense there’s more out there for her – that’s pretty familiar! Our girl needs to be “part of [the human] world,” which is intensified further when a certain Prince Eric enters the picture. Honestly, if the roles were reversed and we had the chance to become merpeople?! We know they’re not real, but we’d be tempted. So sure, Ariel may seem naive at times – never trust sea witches! However, she’s being driven by a desire to forge her own path – a different one. We know how that goes, and we suspect many of you do too.
#8: Megara “Hercules” (1997)
There are a LOT of reasons why Megara is one of Disney’s most relatable heroines. Everything is intensified, of course, as she’s initially being forced to do Hades’ bidding. But the high stakes give us a chance to find ourselves in the deepest parts of her. There’s her wit and sarcastic nature, for one. More than that, though, there’s the fact that she’s built a tough exterior to protect herself. She’s had her heart stomped on before, and she doesn’t want an encore. So when she starts falling for Hercules, it scares her, and overcoming that fear takes time. It’s like we said: relatable content! In the end, Meg is complicated and multi-dimensional. In other words, she makes us feel SEEN.
#7: Belle “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
As you may recall, almost everyone in Belle’s provincial town basically sings about how they CANNOT relate to her at the start of “Beauty and the Beast.” We’re here to say we strongly disagree with their initial assessment. First of all, feeling like you don’t belong at some point in life, at least in some capacity, is almost universal. The same can be said for wanting to have new experiences and searching for excitement when things feel mundane. Those are big parts of what drive the self-sufficient Belle’s arc, which explains why she often reminds us of ourselves. Plus, she’s super into literature and learning new things. Oh, and she’ll basically do anything for her loved ones – us too girl!
#6: Merida “Brave” (2012)
Her movie isn’t called “Brave” for nothing. Princess Merida goes through plenty, and displays great courage in her quest to decide her fate. Everything the archery-loving heroine stands for – from independence to strength, is up our alley. Even better, she remains vulnerable and, well, human throughout. She’s not invincible and doesn’t have all the answers, but she’s ultimately determined to push past obstacles, do right by her family, and stay true to herself. That strikes many chords with us. Plus, the complexity of her bond with her mom – and the way they grow to learn from one another – is something many likely understand. Need we say more?
#5: Moana “Moana” (2016)
Top 10 Moana Easter Eggs You Missed
It’s easy to put ourselves in Moana’s strong-minded, fierce, warm, and courageous shoes, because they feel like our own! After all, her empowering journey is a relatively common one: a heroine loves her family, but can’t shake the feeling that she has to leave home. We’ve seen it in movies, and many of us have lived some version of the tale. For Moana, heading out “beyond the reef” is her destiny – and despite her father’s initial disapproval, it's integral to her peoples’ survival. She also reminds us a lot of ourselves when things get rough. The well-rounded heroine may want to give up at first, but, with some assistance, she fights to persevere. Is there anyone who can confidently say they’ve never been there?
#4: Anna “Frozen” franchise (2013-)
TOP 10 FILMS qui ont TRAUMATISÉ les ENFANTS des ANNÉES 80 !
We’ve talked about how relatable Elsa is. Yet she’s not even the most approachable heroine in her family! That honor goes to her buoyant little sister, who’s truly a girl after our own hearts. She’s quirky, bold, and fun. She’s also kind, understanding, loving, and altruistic! Plus, she’s never too perfect. We’ll direct you to the scene where she’s waking up – hello, it’s us. And yes, we connect with her when things get dark as well. In the sequel, when she thinks she’s lost Elsa (and Olaf)
TOP 10 FILMS qui ont TRAUMATISÉ les ENFANTS des ANNÉES 80 !
forever, her reaction is extremely raw. Anyone who’s lost someone near to them will feel her there. At the end of the day, Anna is a regular gal – exceptional in a plethora of ways, sure, but always accessible.
#3: Rapunzel “Tangled” franchise (2010-)
What don’t we have in common with Rapunzel?! Okay, there are probably a few things - like the whole being trapped in a tower or magic hair elements. But the character herself is without question one of the easiest to relate to. She feels like part of the gang – you just know it would be fun to hang out with her. That’s because honestly, she’s all of us! There’s, of course, her dedication to chasing her initially lantern-based dream and discovering her identity, weighty themes nobody can escape. There’s also her fleshed-out personality – she’s self-reliant, curious, energetic, funny, unique, caring…we could go on! To top it all off, Mandy Moore’s voice acting performance grounds the character further, making her even easier to identify with.
#2: Tiana “The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
Your standard Disney Princesses face challenges, to be sure. But they also aren’t usually worrying about more stressful life things like money or jobs, which can make them inaccessible. Or at least, that was largely the case until Tiana! Like her fellow heroines, she has goals – specifically, to open a restaurant that’s all her own. But she also knows she has to work really hard to make it happen. She’s never afraid to do just that – talk about being realistic! Even after things get more fantastical as she becomes a frog and falls for Prince Naveen, we see ourselves in her down-to-earth, independent persona. She’s us, our friends, our family members – and it’s a breath of fresh air. We’ll take more of this, please!
#1: Mirabel “Encanto” (2021)
Have you ever thought you weren’t special, or like you’re overlooked and don’t fit in? Do you sometimes feel like everyone except you has life figured out? If you’re like us, we’re guessing the answer is yes. You know who else feels that way at the start of their movie? Mirabel, the odd but big-hearted and compassionate Madrigal who’s struggling with the fact that she doesn’t have a magic gift like the rest of her family. Naturally, she ends up discovering that being ‘ordinary’ is a great strength, and learns to value everything she has to offer. That’s a lesson we all must inevitably learn. Watching her basically feels like looking in a mirror, which tells you everything you need to know about her relatability.
