Top 10 Disney Heroines

I've been promising this for a while now, but here it is the Top Ten Disney Heroines List! Just as a warning, I mentioned earlier that I recently watched Brave, which has a new heroine (Merida). After giving it a lot of thought, I decided not to include Merida in my list because she is a Disney/PIXAR character instead of strictly Disney. But if you were curious, she probably would have come in at number 5. I've done two top 10 lists before, so feel free to check those out. But for now, I present to you, my biased list of the Top 10 Disney Heroines!


10) Cinderella

"So this is love."

Movie: Cinderella
Age: 17
Challenges: Cinderella's challenge is mostly her step-mother, who is cruel to her and tries to prevent her from finding true love. Cinderella doesn't let that stop her though!
Personality: What really stands out about Cinderella is how patient and kind she is. Other than that her personality kind of falls to the wayside.
Beauty: Cinderella is classically beautiful with sweet, roman features. She's got the blonde hair and the blue eyes, nothing too exciting.
Role Model: Cinderella is a role model in that she is optimistic and believes in her dreams--even if her dreams are superficial. She has the patience of a saint with her step-family and is kind to everyone she meets. She even forgives her step-family! So I would say that Cinderella is a fine role model, even if she does want to marry the guy who can't remember what her face looks like so he is going to marry whatever girl can fit her foot into a glass slipper.
Superlatives: Most Classically Beautiful, Kindest


9) Ariel

"Flounder, don't be such a guppy"

Movie: The Little Mermaid
Age: 16
Challenges: Ariel's challenges are a bit silly compared to other heroines. She is in love with a human, but can't be with him because she is a mermaid and her father doesn't approve. After she fixes that problem by running away, her new problem is that she has to make Eric fall in love with her--without her voice! She's not exactly curing cancer in this movie.
Personality: Ariel is stubborn and rebellious, disobeying her father and running away from home. She doesn't take well to authority. She is also curious and adventurous, always up to explore.
Beauty: Most of my male friends tell me that Ariel is the hottest Disney Heroine. I can see why--she's practically naked for a majority of the movie and she's got all that perfect hair going on. Ariel is beautiful, there's no denying it, although I wish she would cover up a bit more. The immodesty!
Role Model: NO! I hate to say it, but Ariel is not a good role model. Sure she pursues her dreams, but her dream is a completely selfish one that takes her away from her friends and family and makes them worry. Does she care? Nope. Ariel's entire being is focused on getting her man. Is that a healthy message to send? Nope. She literally gives up her voice so that she can be with a guy. Am I the only one that seems significant to? On top of all that, Ariel is saved--she does no saving. Prince Eric rescues her at the end of the movie and it is her dad who finally lets her become a real human. There's no female empowerment in Ariel.
Superlatives: Best Singing Voice

8) Jasmine

"Then maybe I don't want to be a princess anymore!"

Movie: Aladdin

Age: 15

Challenges: Jasmine's challenges are that she is never allowed to leave the palace and desperately wants to explore the world, and that she is being forced to marry a man she doesn't love. Oh--and she gets trapped in an hourglass. I would say that's a challenge too.

Personality: She is headstrong and willful with a fierce independent streak. When she isn't happy with what her future holds, Jasmine takes her fate into her own hands and escapes the palace. But she is also self-sacrificing, as she gives up her new freedom to save Aladdin from the guards. 

Beauty: Jasmine is very beautiful, her most notable feature being that teeny-tiny waistline!

Role Model: When Rapunzel runs away from home, she does so with every intention of returning and has a specific goal in mind--to see the lights. Jasmine, however, plans to run away forever after having a big fight with her father. This doesn't make her the best Disney Heroine Role Model, but even the worst Disney Role Model is better than a Kardashian any day!

Superlatives: Better Role Model Than A Kardashian

7) Jane

"I was saved! I was saved by a flying wild man in a loincloth."

Movie: Tarzan

Age: 21-24 ish

Challenges: The main challenge Jane faces throughout the film is whether or not she can give up her life back in England to stay in the jungle with Tarzan. A classic example of your head battling your heart. In the end her heart wins out, which isn't exactly practical, but she looks happy.

Personality: Jane is an academic. She comes to the jungle to learn about the gorillas living there with her scientist father. But she is also sensitive and artistic, as can be seen by her sketch book. She's got a strong desire to learn and to help others, especially Tarzan in this case.

Beauty: There is nothing wrong with Jane's looks, but she isn't as stunning (or is it striking?) as some of the other Disney heroines. This is mainly due to the fact that she spends the movie in that god-awful yellow dress. Seriously, I know it's probably historically accurate and stuff, but that thing is hideous. There's a reason you don't see any Jane's on halloween.

Role Model: Jane is a role model because she is an intelligent young woman who chooses love over a life of comfort.

Superlatives: Most Intelligent

6) Pocahontas

"Clouds...Strange Clouds."

Movie: Pocahontas
Age: 20ish
Challenges: Pocahontas probably faces the most intense challenges of all the Disney Heroines. She not only has to face the well-known un-wanted marriage plot device, as well as the dead mother, and the strong desire to be free, but she has to battle racism as well. In the end, she has to go against her own father and tribe to do what is right--and she doesn't get the guy! Talk about challenges.
Personality: Pocahontas is strong, but not serious. In fact, she doesn't want to marry Kocoum because he is too serious. She is playful and adventurous, but noble and brave as well. She is a little too free-spirited though, sometimes ignoring her friends and family's feelings to pursue her own agenda without talking with them first.
Beauty: Pocahontas is smokin'. She wears a very scandalous dress and has all that long, flowing black hair that gets tangled up in her face all the time. Damn uncomfortable if you ask me. Personally, I prefer more girly heroines, but there is no denying that she is pretty in an earthy sort of way.
Role Model: Pocahontas is an excellent role model because she stands up for what is right at the risk of her own life. AND she doesn't rely on her man, actually ending the movie without a husband. Girl be flyin' solo.
Superlatives: Overcomes Great Challenges

5) Esmeralda

"Justice!"

Movie: The Hunchback of Notre Dawn

Age: 22ish

Challenges: Esmeralda's challenges involve the discrimination against her people, similar to Pocahontas I suppose but less intense. 

Personality: Esmeralda is fiery and independent. She's a girl who can take care of herself (girl can hold her own against Phoebus) and knows it. She's also very aware of her...sexuality, which is unusual for a Disney heroine who are mostly seen as innocent. But I get the feeling that Esmeralda's been around the block a few times, if you know what I mean. She is strong-willed and unafraid to stand up for what she believes in and to help Quasimodo when he is being ridiculed.

Beauty: Bitch be sexy and she knows it.

Role Model: To be honest, I never paid much attention to Esmeralda. It always kind of irked me, even as a child, that she ended up with the handsome blonde instead of giving Quasimodo his happy ending. But as I was making this list I started to think more and more about her and found out that she's actually pretty awesome. She's independent and strong, she can fight, she knows magic allusions and shit, she stands up for what she believes in, and she doesn't judge Quasimodo based on his looks. She is, however, one step up from a stripper in the beginning, so that's points off the role model score.

Superlatives: Most Under-appreciated, Craftiest

4) Tiana

"There is no way I am kissing a frog and 

eating a bug in the same day."

Movie: The Princess and the Frog
Age: 19
Challenges: Tiana absolutely faces challenges! She is looked down upon for wanting to open a restaurant as a woman, and then is turned into a frog. However, Tiana doesn't let the discrimination or what the townspeople have to say discourage her, instead working even harder to achieve her goals. She has two jobs for pete's sake!
Personality: Tiana is hard working and determined with the perfect amount of sass. However, she also is distant from others, making it hard for her to connect with people emotionally, and can be seen as a bit callous. But she learns by the end of the movie that friends and fun are just as important as hard work.
Beauty: Tiana is very beautiful. She has the disadvantage of spending the majority of the movie as a frog and having only a few precious seconds in her beautiful dresses, but even as a frog her eyes sparkle!
Role Model: I would say that Tiana is an excellent role model. She teaches girls all about hard work--but also that it's okay to have fun.
Superlatives: Most Hard-Working


3) Rapunzel

"Have some humanity! Haven't you ever had a dream?"

Movie: Tangled
Age: 18
Challenges: Rapunzel's challenge is similar to Jasmine's in that that she has never been allowed to leave her tower. Her story is about growing up and breaking free, about discovering who you are.
Personality: Rapunzel is a bit naive, but it works for her. She's a happy-go-lucky young woman who's not afraid to follow her dreams. Rapunzel is very talented. She cooks, sews, plays chess, makes candles, dances, paints, loves to read and exercise, plays guitar, and swings around on her hair like an acrobat. Rapunzel is open, honest, a bit too trusting, and hilarious. If I had to be a princess, I'd pick her.
Beauty: Rapunzel is beautiful, in a I've-Still-Got-A-Little-Of-My-Baby-Fat kind of way. Her dramatic haircut at the end matches her personality very well, I think, and is still beautiful if not traditionally beautiful.
Role Model: I would say that Rapunzel is a decent role model, although I'm sure girls around the world are now considering running away from home because they're convinced they've been kidnapped from their royal parents. Rapunzel is the opposite of lazy, and the way she goes after her dreams is a good message.
Superlatives: Most Talented, Best Hair


2) Belle

"Gaston, you are positively primeval."

Movie: Beauty and the Beast
Age: 17
Challenges: Belle faces several challenges, such as the way the town thinks she strange and odd because she loves to read and doesn't swoon over Gaston. She also has to live with a "monstrous beast"which is...challenging. These may not seem like the most exciting challenges a Disney heroine can face, but I think that is mostly because of how well Belle handles them. She doesn't let the town's gossip get her down, holds her own against Gaston, and gets to know and love the Beast.
Personality: Belle is intelligent and kind. She doesn't focus on outward appearances, instead caring more about--get this--inner beauty. She is brave and has a good sense of what is the right thing to do, as can be seen in the wolf-fight scene where, instead of escaping after Beast rescues her, Belle helps him back to the castle and tends to his injuries. Her bravery and love can also be seen when she stays in the Beast's castle in her father's place.
Beauty: Belle means beauty--and she lives up to her name. Belle is a beautiful young lady. Her brown hair and brown eyes may not be as unusually beautiful as Rapunzel's golden locks or Ariel's wild red hair, but nobody could call her ugly.
Role Model: I would say that Belle is an excellent role model! She doesn't judge based on appearances, and she likes to read!
Superlatives: Best Role Model


1) Mulan

"Just because I look like a man doesn't mean

I have to smell like one."

Movie: Mulan
Challenges: Mulan definitely faces adversity--and overcomes it! She is a woman in a time and country where women are under-valued. She has to train for war, facing physical adversity. And she's got the huns riding her ass! But Mulan manages to face her challenges with bravery and heart, earning her #1 spot.
Age: 16
Personality: IMO, Mulan is one of the most under-appreciated Disney heroines. She kicks ass, and hardly gets any recognition for it. Mulan's heart courage motivate her to risk her life in order to protect her father by going to war in his place. Going to war shows courage in and of itself, but Mulan is also brave on the battlefield. Instead of shying away from hard work and staying in the background, Mulan rushes to the front of the fight. Mulan also displays quick thinking in the avalanche scene in which she is able to knock out the entire hun army with one rocket. She isn't without flaws, however. For instance, Mulan's rebellion, while showing advanced thought for her time period, is also foolhardy. She is lazy at the beginning of the film, not taking the time to do her chores properly or to study for the matchmaking. She even cheats! But I think her hard work in training more than makes up for her initial laziness.
Beauty: While Mulan doesn't have the advantage of wearing a beautiful dress or having long, flowing hair throughout the film like some heroines do, her beauty still shines through--both with and without her make-up!
Role Model: Mulan shows brilliant strength of character. While she loves Shang, she doesn't rely on him utterly--she is her own person. In fact, she saves him. Imagine that!
Superlatives: Most Kick-Ass, Most Changed at the End of the Film, Most Independent


Well, there you have it! I hope you enjoyed my list and please tell me what you're top ten Disney Heroines are! Here's some Disney-Princess related goodness to leave you with:

• An artist named Amy Mebberson has some adorable artwork called the Pocket Princesses. 
• And here is a song by the lovely youtuber Carrie from itswaypastmybedtime titled Why Can't I Be A Disney Princess? It speaks to my heart in a way that a song about Disney princesses probably shouldn't.