Disney Princess Based on French Fairy Tale

Disney Princesses are Walt Disney's beloved fictional female heroines who have appeared in Disney animated feature films. The princesses are so popular, they're now their own media franchise, complete with toys, TV shows, books, and appearing at Disney theme parks all over the world.

What criteria do the heroines have to fit to be a Disney Princess? It's actually pretty vague, but usually, they are either royal from birth, marriage, or considered a "princess" due to their significant portrayal of heroism in their film. Here's a look at some of Disney's official princesses, and where they originated from.

Note: Elsa and Anna of Frozen are not officially recognized as Disney Princesses by Disney.

12 Snow White

Snow White is the main character in the 1937 movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She has the great honor of being the first Princess in Disney's first animated feature. Snow White's character is based on the German fairy tale "Schneewittchen" and at 14, is the youngest of the Disney Princesses. In the movie, Snow White's true love is the Prince, who wakes her from an eternal sleep with true love's kiss. This is one movie we are hoping Disney doesn't make a CGI adaptation of because the seven dwarves are far too cute as animated characters!

11 Cinderella

Cinderella is the first Disney Princess to marry into royalty. The titular character of the 1950 film, Cinderella, she plays the main protagonist and is the second Disney Princess. Cinderella is based on a European fairy tale of the same name, with several versions existing. Disney decided to go with the French version, as it was most likely the friendliest for families. At 19 years old, Cinderella is the first Disney Princess to have siblings, and she eventually marries her Prince Charming to become Princess Consort.

10 Aurora

Aurora is the 16-year-old protagonist in the Disney film Sleeping Beauty. This movie is based on the classic fairy tale involving a princess, a sleeping spell, and of course, a handsome prince. The original story, from Italy, is quite a bit darker than Disney's adaptation.

Although Disney based this movie on the French version, that version is still a slightly less grim version of the Italian fairy tale. Aurora has the purest bloodline of any Disney Princess, as she is the first and only child of King Stefan.

9 Ariel

Ariel is the main character of The Little Mermaid and The Little Mermaid II. She is the first Disney Princess not to have been born human, and also the first Disney Princess to have children. Ariel is 16 in the film and in her late 20s in the sequel. The Little Mermaid is based on the Danish fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson. Ariel gets her royal title from her father, King Triton, sharing it with six older sisters. Ariel also acquires the title of Princess Consort by marrying Prince Eric.

8 Belle

Belle is Disney's fifth princess, playing the main protagonist in the film Beauty and the Beast, as well as the two sequels. Belle is the first Disney Princess to have a country she lives in, France. Belle is also the second Disney Princess to be of common birth, she becomes a Princess Consort when she marries Prince Adam (Beast). Beauty and the Beast is based on a French fairy tale written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in 1740. This love story is also said to be inspired by a real-life couple from the 1500s, a young, beautiful woman and her hairy lover, who suffered from hypertrichosis.

7 Jasmine

Jasmine is the female heroine in Disney's 1992 film, Aladdin. She is the only child of the Sultan of Agrabah. Jasmine eventually marries a commoner, Aladdin, and the two become Sultan and Sultana of Agrabah when Jasmine's father passes. Jasmine is the first princess not to be the titular character and is the first non-white princess featured in a Disney film. Aladdin is based on a famous Arabic fairy tale that was said to have originated in Asia along the Silk Road.

6 Pocahontas

North American history buffs will know the name Pocahontas, not just from the Disney film! Pocahontas was the first Disney Princess to have been based on a real person versus a fairy tale. Pocahontas is a Powhatan Native American and is the first Disney Princess not to have an official title of royalty. Born as the only child of Chief Powhatan, she is the Chieftain's daughter but is officially considered a Disney Princess out of respect, and her marriage to a commoner doesn't change her title. Pocahontas is also the first Disney Princess to have two princes, John Smith, and John Rolfe.

5 Mulan

Mulan is the first Disney Princess to be based on a legend, instead of a fairy tale. The story of Mulan is based on a Chinese ballad of a warrior woman who goes to war, then returns home to her family after ten years of fighting.

Mulan is the only Disney Princess who doesn't hold the title of princess. Still, she does keep an honorable title of Imperial Consul. Mulan's marriage to General Li Shang does not give her any noble titles, making Mulan and General Li Shang the first non-royal couple in the Disney Princess franchise.

4 Tiana

Tiana's character made history when she debuted in the film The Princess and the Frog, being Disney's first-ever American and black Disney Princess. Commoner-born Tiana earns the title of Princess Consort when she marries Prince Naveen. The film is based on the novel The Frog Princess by E.D. Vaker, which was based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "The Frog Prince." Tiana is Disney's most modern of all princesses, with the film taking place in 1920s New Orleans.

3 Rapunzel

Based on the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Rapunzel, Rapunzel is the main heroine in the film Tangled and Tangled Ever After. Rapunzel was born into a royal title and taken away from her parents at a young age by an evil witch, and later rescued by a Prince. She paved the way for stronger-willed Disney Princesses with her tough demeanor and mastering of a frying pan for a weapon. Rapunzel's noble birthright will earn her the title of Queen Regnant of Corona upon her father's passing.

2 Merida

Merida, the main protagonist from the movie Brave, is the first Disney Princess to be created by Pixar. Brave was not an adaptation of a fairy tale, and Merida was actually derived from the director, Brenda Champan's relationship with her own daughter. Merida is born into royalty by being the firstborn of King Fergus of DunBroch.

She is also the first Disney Princess to not have a love interest, paving the way for Disney Princesses to be more independent. Merida is very vocal throughout the movie that she doesn't need a Prince to rescue her and has been a positive role model for independent children everywhere.

1 Moana

Moana is the proud daughter of Motunui's village chief, making her a Disney Princess out of respect versus a noble title. Chosen by the ocean, Moana is tasked to restore the Heart of Te Fiti and save her island from the life-killing darkness that threatens it. Moana is one of just a few Disney Princesses that isn't based on a pre-existing character. The story behind the movie Moana is nearly entirely original, and Moana is the first princess since Mulan to be officially included in the Disney Princess franchise without a coronation of some sort. Moana is also the second princess to not have a love interest, giving lovers of Disney another independent woman to admire.

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About The Author

Kelly Tremblay (11 Articles Published)

Kelly Tremblay is a writer based out of Saskatoon. Once a conservation biologist, she made a complete 180 of a career move after she discovered how much she loves to write. She is now working as a freelance writer for Valnet, Inc. In her spare time you can find her reading, baking, gardening, travelling, enjoying the latest movies and TV shows, and hiking.

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Disney Princess Based on French Fairy Tale

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