Princesses have been a long staple in the storytelling scene. From the time of tribal princesses to the royalties we are more accustomed to today, there is so much potential for it as a plot device.
With this list of 15 Best Princess Movies, we can show you the types of films from different genres featuring the trope. From animation and romance to adventure, there is something here to like from everyone.
Curated from different rating websites, we scurried the internet to find the most well-rated princess movies for you.
1. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Japanese 2h 14m IMDb
Hayao Miyazaki
Stars: Yôji MatsudaYuriko IshidaYûko Tanaka
Graceful with its fluid animation and excellent commentary on the urbanization of rural Japan, Princess Mononoke is amongst Ghibli’s classics. It’s also the first film from the studio to reach a broad international audience.
The film follows Ashitaka, a prince from a faraway village. With a curse from a demon, he must travel to the Western part of the land to search for a cure. However, he finds himself entangled in a battle between forest spirits and humankind.
2. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
Japanese 2h 17m IMDb
Isao Takahata
Stars: Chloë Grace MoretzJames CaanMary Steenburgen
Another classic from Studio Ghibli, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, revolves around the old Japanese folktale. Rich with stunning animation and incredible voice actors, this princess tale can introduce you to the intricate world of Japanese culture. You can feel the artistry within every frame with many accolades and an Oscar nomination.
The tale tells the life and romance of the titular character. Emerging as a small girl from a bamboo stalk, Kaguya grows into a beautiful woman. With suitors on the line, they must do everything to make her love them.
3. Roman Holiday (1953)
English, Italian, German 1h 58m IMDb
William Wyler
Stars: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert
Roman Holiday is such a classic when it comes to a princess movie. With Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck leading, the film makes for excellent chemistry on the screen.
The story revolves around Joe, a down-to-his-luck reporter, as he balances the line of being fired after being unable to cover the visit of Princess Ann. However, a twist of luck keeps the two together on a fantastic day around Rome. However, the two must face the differences in their personal life.
4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
English 1h 23m IMDb
Directors: William CottrellDavid HandWilfred Jackson
Adriana CaselottiHarry StockwellLucille La Verne
Not just a princess story, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first feature animated movie in history. An essential part of Disney studio, the film is a retelling of the story from the Brothers Grimm fairytale. The movie is not historical for the studio but animation history in general.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs revolves around the titular character, a young girl with graceful and majestic beauty. With her beauty comes jealousy through her stepmother. Snow White finds rescue through the dwarves, as her stepmother keeps on threatening her life.
5. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
English 1h 15m IMDb
Directors: Les ClarkClyde GeronimiEric Larson
Stars: Mary CostaBill ShirleyEleanor Audley
When it comes to princess films, Disney is a powerhouse. Through Sleeping Beauty, the studio brings another classic fairytale to life. Since then, the film has been another source of countless derivatives.
Sleeping Beauty follows Aurora, a young girl cursed by a fairy to fall into a curse on her 16th birthday. With the help of three fairy guardians, she is kept away from her actual life. However, fate is too strong to keep Aurora away from the castle and the curse.
6. Enchanted (2007)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Kevin Lima
Stars: Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden
Real life is not all fairytales; mixing the two can make for an excellent movie. Walt Disney’s Enchanted features a mix of animation and live action. The film tells a story about romance and magic through this mix of different mediums.
Enchanted follows Princess Giselle, a betrothed young woman to a prince. However, her plans changed when the evil queen banished her from the fairytale world. Being transported to the real world, she must do everything to return to her original fairytale fantasy.
7. Anastasia (1997)
English, Russian, French 1h 34m IMDb
Don Bluth, Gary Goldman
Stars: Meg RyanJohn CusackChristopher Lloyd
Anastasia blends the historical story of the Russian monarchs while blending many urban tales into the mix. The film tells the famous folktale of the surviving Russian princess, Anastasia. This film will surely entertain you with incredible animation and an excellent story.
The film follows Dimitri and Vladimir, con men looking to trick the Empress into finding her granddaughter. With an appearance of an orphaned young woman, the two set out to travel and present her as princess Anastasia. However, destiny seems to be on their luck as they unknowingly find the true heir.
8. Brave (2012)
English 1h 33m IMDb
Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
Stars: Kelly MacdonaldBilly ConnollyEmma Thompson
Brave is amongst the catalog of the prestigious animation studio Pixar. The film is not just a story about a princess in a kingdom; it also showcases an intense conflict between a mother and a daughter. Along with it is a particular magical cake, waiting to unleash some bear-y curse.
Regarding Pixar, it’s no surprise that their films will be majestic and stunning in the animation department. However, the Scottish influences and Merida’s gorgeous red hair will surely catch your eye. This film makes for a perfect princess film for any age.
9. The Last Princess (2016)
Korean, Japanese 2h 7m IMDb
Jin-ho Hur
Stars: Son Ye-jin, Park Hae-il, Ra Mi-ran
If magical and fantastical princess tales are not your jam, this historical Korean film might be the one you are looking for. The Last Princess tells the tale of Princess Deok-hye, the last remaining direct imperial heir. However, with the threat of Japanese occupation of her land, the princess has her life astray.
The Last Princess tackles the story of the Korean princess with a bit of dramatization. It mixes action and drama to make for a better watch. However, most historical accuracies are still intact in the film.
10. Cinderella (2015)
English 1h 45m IMDb
Kenneth Branagh
Stars: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden
Disney is back in the scene with another princess fairytale retelling. With more modern visual effects at their expense, the powerhouse studio certainly didn’t hold back in the fantastical elements. Branagh’s Cinderella is a commercial success with its gorgeous set, costume, and acting.
Along with the classic tale of Cinderella we already know, the film also more in-depth into the relationship between her and the prince. With the threat of the magic running out and her malicious stepmother, Ella might face challenges on her way.
11. The Princess and the Pirate (1944)
English 1h 34m IMDb
David Butler, Sidney Lanfield
Stars: Bob Hope, Virginia Mayo, Walter Brennan
Coming from the 1940s, The Princess and the Pirate make for a fun watch. With a comedic and adventurous take, let the film take you for a fun and wild ride. It stars many famous 40s actors and actresses that you will love.
The story is as evident in the title as it should; it revolves around the misadventures of a princess and a pirate. With runaway royalty on the ship, the pirates strike gold for ransom. However, there is another player in the game, someone that can rescue her.
12. Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper (2004)
English 1h 25m IMDb
William Lau
Stars: Kelly SheridanMelissa LyonsJulie Stevens
Barbie films are another contender with how many popular princess films they produce. Well, The Princess and The Pauper is one of the franchise’s classics and a prominent fixture in their catalog. It’s also among the highest-rated films on the long list of Barbie movies.
The story revolves around two identical-looking young women. One is a pauper working in a tailor shop, and another is a royalty stifled by her duties. With the princess captured, the pauper found herself in her place.
13. The Swan Princess (1994)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Richard Rich
Stars: Jack PalanceHoward McGillinMichelle Nicastro
The Swan Princess follows the story of Princess Odette as a sorcerer curses her to live her days as a swan. With her betrothed Prince Derek on the search for her, the two must find a solution to remove the curse.
Although a commercial failure, The Swan Princess is a hit with the audience. With excellent reviews and critical reception, it’s amongst the most popular film from Rich Animation Studios.
14. The Princess Diaries (2001)
English, Dutch, Italian 1h 55m IMDb
Garry Marshall
Stars: Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway, Hector Elizondo
Mia is a simple girl living a relatively simple life. However, everything in her life changes when her grandmother arrives in her life and tells her that she is a princess from a faraway land. With her princess duties along with high school responsibilities, Mia must find a way to reconcile the two.
When it comes to princess films, this is one of the most popular in the genre. With funny and witty writing, you are in for a healthy dose of misadventures from the Princess of Genovia.
15. The Princess Switch (2018)
English 1h 41m IMDb
Mike Rohl
Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar
A blend of Christmas flick and princess film is what you are getting from Netflix’s The Princess Switch. With the leads being both Vanessa Hudgens, the movie makes for an entertaining watch. Whether you watch it for the funny storyline or you genuinely enjoy the film, there are many ways to make use of this film.
The Princess Switch revolves around two identical women. With their similar looks, the two decided to take a break from their tumultuous lives and switch for two days. What ensued would change their lives forever.
In Summary
You have something to watch with this list of 15 Best Princess movies. Ranging from classics such as Princess Diaries to more cult classics such as Anastasia and The Swan Princess, this list provides a great diversity in the genre.