Top Disney Movies with Yet-to-be-Crowned Princesses

Who's not familiar with traditional Disney princesses? Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Snow White and Aurora are a few of Walt's leading ladies. Let's pretend, for a moment, that those classic characters don't exist. This new crop of Disney royalty breaks traditional Disney princess boundaries and re-introduces you to princess-worthy characters you may already know and love.

Parental watchability is a major requirement for this list. As parents, there's nothing worse than watching a boring, irritating movie with your child. These movies are perfect for everyone in the family, no matter their age. Plus, you won't need to worry about pushing the mute button!

Toy Story 2

Toy Story 2 doesn't contain a traditional gown-wearing Disney princess. Rather, Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, is an energetic, athletic, enthusiastic cowgirl doll. She stars in the most touching scene in the entire movie, which immediately grabs the attention of parents everywhere.

Jessie is the best friend any young girl could have. However, as her owner grew up, Jessie found herself shoved under the bed instead of in the arms of her beloved owner. A short montage of loving images plays throughout the moving scene as Sarah McLachlan sings, "When She Loved Me." It'll bring a tear to the eye and endear Jessie to the hearts of everyone gathered in the family room.

She shows strength and courage in the face of a life-changing event, a Disney princess character trait.

From the Disney website:

"While Andy is away at summer camp, Woody is toynapped by Al, a greedy collector who needs Andy's favorite toy to complete his Roundup Gang collection. Together with Jessie, Bullseye, and the Prospector, Woody is on his way to a museum where he'll spend the rest of his life behind glass. It's up to Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, and Slinky Dog to rescue their friend and remind him what being a toy is all about."

Mulan

Mulan, a young Chinese maiden, breaks traditional societal boundaries when she disguises herself as a male soldier to replace her ailing father in the Imperial Army. This movie pays tribute to honor, the importance of family and courage.

Mulan's intelligence and cleverness is only matched by her two sidekicks: Mushu, a miniature dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy, and Cri-Kee, a lucky cricket. It will instantly become a family favorite. Soon, your children will be quoting funny movie lines just like mine do.

[Note: Mulan is considered one of Disney's princesses.]

From the Disney website:

"Clever Mulan proves her worth outside of her tradition-bound society when, disguised as a male soldier, "Ping," she bravely takes her father's place in the Imperial Army. Helped by her outrageously funny guardian dragon Mushu and a lucky cricket named Cri-Kee, Mulan strives to earn the respect of her fellow warriors and their courageous Captain Shang. Mulan's adventures lead to a climactic battle atop the Imperial Palace, where her family's honor and the fate of the Emperor and all of China rests in her hands!"

Finding Nemo

Completely breaking all princess boundries is Dory, the quirky, forgetful blue fish who assists Marlin, Nemo's frantic father, in his quest to find his missing son. Ellen DeGeneres is perfect as the voice behind Dory and racks-up enough one-liners to fill a shipwreck. Dory proves that, despite challenges, anything is possible.

This underwater adventure celebrates courage, family and overcoming challenges.

From the Disney website:

"Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken to a dentist's office aquarium. It's up to Marlin (Albert Brooks), his worrisome father, and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish, to make the epic journey to bring Nemo home. Their adventure brings them face-to-face with vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more. Marlin discovers a bravery he never knew, but will he be able to find his son?"

Hercules

Megara doesn't wear bling or a fluffy ball gown. She's in with the wrong crowd. Her boyfriend cheated on her. She's deceptive.

So, why is she on a list of top Disney princess movies? Her personality is unlike that of any other Disney heroine. She's a tough, witty, resourceful, wisecracking Grecian beauty who must undo her deceptions to save the one she loves.

From the Disney website:

"Taken from the gods as a newborn, adopted on earth, Hercules becomes an awkward teenage pillar of strength. Trying to fit in, he discovers his dad is Zeus and home is Mount Olympus -- if he can move from "zero" to true hero! Hercules teams with babyhood pal Pegasus, the flying stallion, and Phil -- a feisty personal trainer -- for the mission. But it's no easy task as he must match wits with Grecian beauty Meg and a comical hothead named Hades."

A Bug's Life

Princess Atta (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is the heir to a royal ant family. She's aware of her new duties, but is stressful over them and frequently feels incompetent. Though she's aware of Flik, a nerdy, clumsy ant, she pays him no mind and considers him an inconvenience. Her opinion of him changes as they work together to solve a problem.

From the Disney website:

"Embark on an incredible journey with one little ant as he searches for a brave band of warriors to help him battle the bullying grasshoppers who threaten his home. When he stumbles on a bumbling troupe of circus bugs instead, their only hope for victory is the bond of friendship and the awesome power of imagination."

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Any woman who gets to hang around Captain Jack Sparrow is automatically qualified to be a Disney princess. Elizabeth, played by Keira Knightley, is one lucky girl. Enough said.

From the Disney website:

"Climb aboard as legendary pirate Captain Jack Sparrow and young sword-maker Will Turner join forces to rescue a governor's daughter from a band of bloodthirsty, undead pirates."

The Princess Diaries

Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews star in this modern-day Cinderella story. Hathaway plays the kultzy teenager, Mia, who finds out that (much to her dismay) she's the real-life princess of a small, European country. The Queen, Julie Andrews, is Mia's grandmother. Along the way, Mia grows from an invisible, bumbling teenager to a poised, graceful princess.

This is a great feel-good movie for the entire family. How wonderful is it to see Julie Andrews in a relatively new Disney flick?!?

From the Disney website:

"For teenager Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), just surviving each school day is an adventure. Then the shocking news arrives that she's a real-life princess! So begins a comical transformation towards poise and princess-ness, including a media storm, jealous schoolmates, and a plot to take over her country."

Monsters, Inc.

Though she's only a little girl, Boo is so stinkin' adorable that she's bound to be a Disney princess when she grows up. She practically steals the show even though she has no understandable dialog. Her princess-in-training coursework, as demonstrated in the movie, includes loving people for who they are, no matter their appearance.

From the Disney website:

"John Goodman stars as the lovable James P. Sullivan (Sulley) and Billy Crystal as his wisecracking best friend, Mike Wazowski. Top scarer Sulley and his enthusiastic Scare Assistant Mike work at Monsters, Inc., the largest scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. The main power source of the monster world is the collected screams of human children. Monsters believe children are dangerous and toxic, however, and they are scared silly when a little girl wanders into their world. Sulley and Mike do their best to return the girl home, but they face monstrous intrigue and some hilarious misadventures along the way."

Sources

Personal Experience

http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/home.html

www.imbd.com

http://www.stlyrics.com/t/toystory2.htm

http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/parks_resorts/presskits.html