The Disney Princess Movies List You Need for the Perfect Marathon

There is something about a Disney princess movie that makes everything feel a little more magical, no matter how many times you have seen it. Whether you are rewatching Cinderella for the hundredth time or introducing someone you love to Moana, these films have a way of pulling you right back in. If you have ever wanted to do a Disney princess movies marathon, this post is your starting point.

You will find the full list organized by era, a breakdown of what counts as an official Disney Princess movie, tips for making your marathon feel special, and where to watch everything right now.

How Many Disney Princess Movies Are There?

Before you start your marathon, it helps to know what you are working with, because the answer is a little more complicated than you might think.

Disney officially recognizes 13 princesses in their franchise:

• Snow White
• Cinderella
• Aurora
• Ariel
• Belle
• Jasmine
• Pocahontas
• Mulan
• Tiana
• Rapunzel
• Merida
• Moana
• Raya

To qualify for the official lineup, a character has to be born into royalty, marry into it, or earn the title through a heroic act. That is why Mulan, who is neither born royal nor married into it, still makes the cut, and why beloved fan favorites like Elsa and Anna do not.

Disney decided to keep Frozen as its own standalone franchise for marketing purposes, so while Anna and Elsa are royalty in Arendelle, they are not part of the core princess lineup.

That said, a great Disney princess movies marathon goes beyond the official 13 princesses. There are sequels, spinoffs, beloved films that blur the line, and a growing collection of live-action remakes that bring these stories back to life in a whole new way. The list below covers all of it, including some favorites you might not have thought to include.

Disney Princess Movies by Era

One of the best ways to approach a Disney princess movies marathon is to watch chronologically, because you can see how the stories, animation, and princess archetypes evolved over the decades.

The Classic Era (1937 to 1959)

These are the films that started everything. The animation style is slower and more theatrical, and the princesses are gentle and dreamlike, but watching them gives you a real appreciation for where it all began.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) was not just the first of the Disney princess movies, it was the first full-length animated feature film ever made in the United States. The fact that it worked, and worked spectacularly, is what made every princess film after it possible.

Cinderella (1950) brought Disney back from a financially difficult period and cemented the fairy tale formula that would define the brand for decades. The transformation scene, the glass slipper, the midnight deadline. This is where the magic started to feel like a template worth returning to again and again.

Sleeping Beauty (1959) rounded out the classic era with what was at the time Disney’s most expensive animated film. Aurora is famously absent from much of her own story, which is part of what made Maleficent such a compelling retelling decades later.

The Disney Renaissance (1989 to 1999)

This is the era most millennials grew up with, and for good reason. The music, the characters, and the emotional depth took a massive leap forward. Belle’s story in Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film ever nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, which tells you everything about the caliber of storytelling happening during this period.

The Little Mermaid (1989) kicked off the Renaissance and revitalized Disney animation after years of quieter output. Ariel was a new kind of princess: curious, headstrong, and willing to make a questionable deal to chase her dreams.

Beauty and the Beast (1991) remains one of the most beloved films in the lineup. Belle was smarter, more bookish, and more independent than the princesses before her. She did not fall in love at first sight, and the film is richer for it.

Aladdin (1992) gave us Jasmine, the first non-white Disney Princess and one of the most outspoken. Her independence and refusal to be treated as a political bargaining chip made her stand out in a way that felt genuinely progressive for the time.

Pocahontas (1995) is a unique entry. Loosely based on history, it aimed for realism and emotional depth, with fluid animation and a resonant soundtrack. It is the only Disney Princess film based on a real person.

Mulan (1998) remains one of the most beloved films in the lineup, even decades later. She earned her place through sheer courage, and the film is one of the best arguments for what a Disney princess can be.

The Modern Era (2009 to Present)

This era brought more diverse stories, more nuanced heroines, and a wider range of cultural representation than anything Disney had done before.

The Princess and the Frog (2009) introduced Tiana, the first Black Disney Princess. The film returned to traditional 2D animation after years of CGI dominance, and Tiana’s focus on work ethic and her own dreams gave her an energy unlike the princesses who came before her. The New Orleans setting and jazz-influenced score make it one of the most atmospheric films in the lineup.

Tangled (2010) launched the CGI era of Disney princess storytelling and gave us Rapunzel, who is curious, creative, and genuinely funny. The film is charming from start to finish, and Flynn Rider is one of the best sidekicks in the Disney canon.

Brave (2012) came from Pixar, making Merida the franchise’s first Pixar princess. Unlike most of the others, Brave focuses entirely on the mother-daughter relationship with no romance subplot. It is about repairing bonds, and it hits harder than people expect going in.

Frozen (2013) is technically not part of the official Disney Princess franchise branding, but it belongs in any marathon worth doing. Elsa and Anna are royalty, the story is extraordinary, and the music is iconic. Consider it a bonus you would never want to skip.

Moana (2016) quickly became one of the most beloved modern princess movies. Her story celebrates heritage, resilience, and the pull of the ocean, and her leadership and adventurous spirit set her apart as a modern princess with a deeply cultural narrative.

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) is the newest addition to the official lineup. She earned recognition for her extraordinary courage throughout the film, and her action-hero energy adds something genuinely fresh to the franchise.

Live-Action Disney Princess Movies

Over the last decade, Disney has been reimagining their princess stories as live-action films, and the list keeps growing. If you want to go deep on your marathon, you can pair each animated original with its live-action counterpart for a fun back-to-back comparison.

The current live-action princess lineup includes Aurora in Maleficent (2014), Cinderella (2015), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2017), Jasmine in Aladdin (2019), Mulan (2020), Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023), and Snow White (2025), with a live-action Moana arriving in July 2026.

These films range from faithful retellings to dramatic reimaginings. The 2017 Beauty and the Beast with Emma Watson is one of the strongest, and the 2023 Little Mermaid with Halle Bailey brought Ariel to a whole new generation of fans in a beautiful way.

Looking for some fun, themed movie night snacks? This blog post has some great ideas!

The Full Disney Princess Movies List

Here is your complete marathon lineup, including the theatrical classics, sequels, spinoffs, and beloved bonus films that round out a full 30 days. Not every title is part of the official Disney Princess franchise, but all of them fit the spirit of a princess marathon.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs — The original Disney princess, facing down an evil queen with the help of seven unforgettable friends and ultimately finding true love’s kiss.

Cinderella — The quintessential fairy tale. A kindhearted girl mistreated by her stepmother finds an unexpected chance at happiness with the help of a Fairy Godmother and a magical glass slipper.

Sleeping Beauty — A cursed princess pricks her finger on a spindle and falls into a deep sleep, awaiting the kiss of true love to break the spell.

The Little Mermaid — Ariel trades her voice for a chance at love and a life above the waves.

Beauty and the Beast — Belle makes a bargain with a cursed prince, learning to see beyond appearances and unlocking a love story unlike any other.

Aladdin — Jasmine refuses to be used as a bargaining chip while Aladdin learns that being himself is enough. They both learn the true value of friendship and love.

Pocahontas — A free-spirited princess navigates conflict and seeks understanding between two very different worlds.

Mulan — A young woman disguises herself as a man and takes her father’s place in the army, using her bravery and resourcefulness to save the entire country.

The Princess and the Frog — Tiana is a hard-working New Orleans waitress with big dreams. She kisses a prince cursed as a frog and embarks on a magical adventure to break the spell.

Tangled — A princess with magical hair, Rapunzel, escapes her tower with the help of a charming thief and discovers her true identity.

Brave — A headstrong Scottish princess breaks tradition to pursue her own destiny and discovers the true meaning of courage.

Frozen — Two royal sisters must overcome icy powers and misunderstandings to save their kingdom and each other.

Moana — A brave wayfinder sets sail on a dangerouse journey across the ocean to save her island, guided by a very confident demigod.

Raya and the Last Dragon — A warrior princess must find the last remaining dragon to restore peace to a fractured land, learning about trust and unity along the way.

Enchanted — A fairy tale princess lands in New York City, where she must adapt to the real world and discover what happily ever after really means.

Disenchanted — Giselle returns to New York City ten years later, questioning whether her version of happily ever after still fits and rediscovering the magic within herself.

Anastasia — A young woman with amnesia searches for her true identity and a lost royal past. Now available on Disney+, this one is a fan favorite worth including in any princess marathon.

Maleficent — The untold story behind Sleeping Beauty’s most iconic villain, told from a very different angle. Discover the pain and betrayal that twisted her heart and ignited her dark magic. 

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil — The sequel picks up after the events of the first film and raises the stakes considerably.

The Princess Diaries — A shy teenager finds out she is heir to a European throne and undergoes some very chaotic princess training.

The Princess Diaries 2 — Mia navigates royal duties, romance, and a political plot that threatens her crown.

Frozen 2 — Elsa journeys beyond Arendelle to uncover the secrets of her past, testing the bonds of sisterhood and discovering the true source of her powers.

Cinderella 2: Dreams Come True — Cinderella faces new adventures after marrying the prince and adjusting to royal life.

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning — A prequel following Ariel’s early adventures before she became human, including her mischievous escapades with her sisters and her growing love for music.

Tangled: Before Ever After — Rapunzel adjusts to life outside the tower and navigates some new challenges on the way.

Mulan 2 — Mulan and her friends set off on a new adventure with political and personal complications along the way.

Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World — Pocahontas travels to England to bridge the gap between her people and the colonists, facing danger and misunderstandings.

Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Magical World — A collection of charming mini-adventures set before the events of the original film.

Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess — A young girl adjusts to royal life after her mother marries the king, learning some beautiful lessons along the way about kindness, courage, and friendship.

Elena and the Secret of Avalor — A teenager trapped in a magical amulet is released and discovers she’s heir to a magical kingdom, embarking on a journey to save her family.

30 Days of Disney Princess Movies: A Suggested Watch Order

If you want to run the full marathon, the most satisfying approach is to start with the theatrical classics in release order, then layer in the live-action versions, the sequels, and the bonus favorites as the month goes on.

Start with Snow White and work your way through the official lineup first, then use the back half of your month to revisit the live-action remakes and fill in with the spinoffs and sequels.

Feel free to shuffle the order based on your mood and your audience. There is no wrong way to spend 30 days watching Disney princesses.

Tips for Making Your Disney Princess Movies Marathon Feel Special

The list is the easy part. Making it feel like an event is where the real fun comes in.

Dress the part. You do not need a full costume to lean in. A tiara from Target, pajamas in your favorite princess color, or a cozy blanket in the right shade of royal blue is more than enough. The vibe matters.

Plan princess-themed snacks. Think Tiana’s beignets (even a store-bought version counts), Cinderella’s pumpkin-shaped cookies, or Moana’s tropical fruit platter. A little themed food goes a long way.

Download the free printable calendar. I created one with space to plan out your 30 days, track which movies you have watched, and jot down your favorites. Grab it and start filling in your dates before you pop in the first film.

Make it a group experience. Invite your friends and family, assign a princess to each guest, and make it a potluck where everyone brings a dish inspired by their character. Bonus points for synchronized sing-alongs.

Go beyond the movies. Dive deeper into the princess world with books, video games, or even a themed craft night.

Queue everything in advance on Disney+. A little prep goes a long way when you are trying to keep the magic going night after night.

Where to Watch Disney Princess Movies

The primary home for Disney princess movies is Disney+, where you will find the full animated library, live-action remakes, sequels, and most spinoffs all in one place. A subscription gives you access to nearly everything on this list without hunting down individual rentals.

If you prefer to own your favorites, most Disney princess films are available to purchase digitally through Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.

Physical collections, especially the Disney Signature Collection editions, also make beautiful gifts and are worth having on the shelf if you are a serious fan.

Meet Your Favorite Princesses in Real Life

One of the best things about a Disney princess movies marathon is that it can double as the perfect preview for a theme park visit.

At Walt Disney World and Disneyland, you can meet several of the official princesses in person, from Cinderella and Belle to Tiana and Rapunzel. Princess dining experiences like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at EPCOT and Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom give you extended time with multiple princesses over a meal, which is a beautiful option for anyone who wants more than a quick meet-and-greet.

If you are ready to plan a princess-perfect Disney trip, reach out about my vacation planning services!

Start Your Princess Marathon This Week

A Disney princess movies marathon is one of those things that sounds simple and ends up being one of the most fun things you do all month. There is something genuinely special about watching these stories back to back and seeing how far Disney has come, from Snow White’s gentle fairy tale magic to Raya’s action-hero adventure across Kumandra. Each film has something worth celebrating, and there are enough of them to keep the magic going for a full 30 days.

Grab the free printable calendar, pick your starting princess, and make it a whole event. You deserve a month of movie magic!

P.S. Don’t forget to download your free calendar and start planning your magical movie marathon!