If you consider Disney, what phrases come to thoughts? Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, animation, theme parks — and princesses. The Disney Princesses have change into one of many studio’s hottest and profitable manufacturers. The Home of Mouse could have been based on Mickey Mouse, nevertheless it was princesses that helped construct it. the enduring Disney characters we’re speaking about: Snow White, Cinderella, Elsa, Ariel, Tiana, and lots of, many others. Even Princess Leia from Star Wars now falls below the Disney umbrella.
However there are additionally quite a lot of film princesses who aren’t affiliated with Disney. A few of them are live-action, whereas others are animated characters. Some names could also be unfamiliar to you, whereas others are as iconic because the Disney Princesses. Listed below are 10 of the best non-Disney film princesses who’ve stolen our hearts through the years.
10
Princess Odette
‘The Swan Princess’ (1994)
The Swan Princess very a lot looks like a Disney Princess film. Odette is a cursed princess who frequently hangs out with animals and is revived within the finale by an act of real love. Like many Disney Princess motion pictures, The Swan Princess is an adaptation of an present work — on this case, the well-known ballet, Swan Lake.
Regardless of garnering optimistic opinions, The Swan Princess was a field workplace bomb — primarily as a result of everybody went to see Disney’s The Lion King as an alternative. Princess Odette has attracted a fanbase through the years although. 11 direct-to-video sequels have been launched through the years, as not too long ago as 2023. And all of them function Princess Odette, making her the star of her personal franchise.
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9
Princess Lili
‘Legend’ (1985)
Directed by Ridley Scott, Legend follows a younger man who should cease the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight. Legend is a Nineteen Eighties cult traditional. It stars Tom Cruise because the forest baby Jack, whereas Tim Curry portrays the Lord of Darkness. Mia Sara, who you would possibly acknowledge from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, performs Jack’s love curiosity, Princess Lili.
Like most Disney Princesses, Princess Lili can talk with animals, due to Jack’s teachings. She’s typically extra eager about nature and main a easy life than ruling a kingdom. Positive, it is form of her fault for touching the forbidden unicorn and permitting the Lord of Darkness to take over, which is why she’s ranked decrease on our record. However for a lot of Nineteen Eighties boys, Princess Lili represents their first film crush.
8
Thumbelina
‘Thumbelina’ (1994)
In the event you grew up within the ’90s, then you definitely in all probability bear in mind Thumbelina. It facilities on Thumbelina, a pint-sized heroine who falls in love with a fairy prince. However do not let her small stature idiot you. Thumbelina is one robust cookie, able to holding her personal towards beetles and toads.
Thumbelina is one other character who can simply belong in a Disney film. Like lots of her Disney Princess counterparts, her story relies on a traditional fairy story by Hans Christian Andersen. On prime of that, Thumbelina was directed by Don Bluth, who was Disney’s largest competitor throughout the Nineteen Nineties (he made different animated classics, like All Canine Go to Heaven, An American Tail, and The Land Earlier than Time). Like Belle from Magnificence and the Beast, Thumbelina would not begin out as a princess. She solely positive aspects this title after accepting the fairy prince’s proposal and sprouting wings to change into a fairy princess. Eat your coronary heart out, Tinkerbell.
7
Anastasia
‘Anastasia’ (1997)
1997’s Anastasia is one other animated movie by Don Bluth. Set in an alternate 1926, it follows a younger girl who aligns with two con males, attempting to persuade the Empress of Russia that she’s the Empress’ long-lost granddaughter, Anastasia Romanov. However this is the twist: she is the Empress’ long-lost granddaughter, an amnesiac who’s misplaced all reminiscence of her previous.
Anastasia is spunky and — let’s be actual — deceitful and dishonest. However she’s additionally pushed by a fierce need to find her id and be taught the reality about her previous. Anastasia delves into the thriller and conspiracy theories surrounding the real-life Anastasia, which have all been disproved at this level. However for 90 minutes, Anastasia is alive — and right here, she really will get a contented ending.
6
Princess Moanna
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
In contrast to most entries on our record, this one is not for the youngsters. Pan’s Labyrinth is an R-rated fairy story that blurs the road between actuality and fantasy, contrasting the tough world of maturity with the purity of youth. Set in 1944 fascist Spain, it follows a bit lady named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), who’s given a magical job to return to her kingdom because the legendary Princess Moanna. She’s like Alice, main us by this eerie and harmful Wonderland.
Is Ofelia actually a princess? Is any of the magic actual? Director Guillermo del Toro leaves it as much as the viewer to resolve. And relying in your interpretation, Ofelia both will get a really lovely ending or a really tragic one.
5
Princess Camille
‘Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland’ (1989)
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland is the best animated movie that you’ve got in all probability by no means heard of. It was tailored from a 1905 caricature, which served as the premise for Netflix’s 2022 movie starring Jason Momoa, Slumberland. Little Nemo is the fantastical journey of a younger boy named Nemo who weaves out and in desires and nightmares, finally discovering himself within the wondrous kingdom of Slumberland.
Princess Camille is the younger princess of Slumberland, a harp participant with a phenomenal singing voice. Though she first comes throughout as impolite and spoiled, Princess Camille grows keen on Nemo. She later establishes herself as a heroic determine, serving to Nemo in his quest to avoid wasting her father, King Morpheus. Technically, Princess Camille is not actual. She’s a figment of Nemo’s desires, impressed by a younger lady that he noticed within the circus. However Princess Camille nonetheless managed to depart an impression on the followers who grew up watching this cult traditional.
4
Princess Buttercup
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
The Princess Bride is an iconic movie within the fantasy style. Mixing comedy and journey, it follows a swashbuckling hero who overcomes quite a few adversaries to be reunited together with his long-lost love, Princess Buttercup.
Princess Buttercup, performed by a younger Robin Wright, is without doubt one of the worst names for a princess. However between her magnificence, ardour, and love story, she’s change into probably the most well-known princesses in cinema.
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3
Princess Peach
‘The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film’ (2023)
In the event you’ve ever performed a Tremendous Mario sport, then you definitely’re accustomed to Princess Peach. She’s the Princess of Mushroom Kingdom, who’s all the time captured by Bowser. In 2023, Princess Peach lastly made her function movie debut in The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film, the place she was voiced by Anya Taylor-Pleasure.
Peach is normally depicted within the video video games as a damsel in misery, who depends on Mario to avoid wasting her. The 2023 animated movie did away with this cliché, making Mario’s brother, Luigi, the captive as an alternative. Peach was portrayed extra as a succesful chief and a powerful monarch, prepared to guard her kingdom. Neglect motion pictures; Princess Peach is without doubt one of the most iconic and influential princess characters in any medium.
2
Princess Fiona
‘Shrek’
Shrek pokes enjoyable on the fairy story style and every thing we have come to count on from a traditional Disney film. It options fairy-tale references and clichés, together with the enchanted princess who’s trapped in a tower, ready for her knight in shining armor. And but, Princess Fiona is a large departure from the everyday Disney Princess.
Cameron Diaz voices Fiona, a sassy heroine who barely wants saving. She’s confirmed to carry her personal in brawls, whipping out spectacular struggle strikes from The Matrix. She’s additionally very humorous, although her humor tends to get overshadowed by the extra comical Shrek and Donkey. Fiona ultimately learns to change into assured in her personal pores and skin when a curse leaves her completely as an ogre. However in Shrek’s eyes, she’s nonetheless lovely, upending the normal princess mannequin that Disney has adopted since 1937. Cameron Diaz is ready to reprise her function as Fiona in Shrek 5, which is scheduled for a December 23, 2026 launch.
1
Marvel Lady
‘Marvel Lady’
Marvel Lady had her personal film franchise within the DC Prolonged Universe (RIP), the place she was performed to perfection by Gal Gadot. This Amazonian warrior has lived for millennia, despite the fact that she would not look a day over 30. Marvel Lady is ready to shrug off bullets, tackle superhumans, and resist most life-threatening conditions. She may be killed, although it will take a meta-human on Superman’s degree to defeat her. Oh, and she or he additionally occurs to be a princess.
When she’s not saving the world as Marvel Lady, she’s Princess Diana of Themyscira. She helps govern this nation of girls and serves as ambassador to the surface world. Together with her assist, the Amazons have opened Themyscira to dignitaries of the surface world. Marvel Lady is without doubt one of the most iconic superheroes on the earth — and likewise considered one of its most well-known fictional princesses.