5 Disney Princess movies to watch with your kids

Nearly every little girl dreams about being a Disney Princess partly because of their beauty and sense of strength. What's more, while Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, and the rest of our favorites are royalty, they don't allow the trait to define them and their purpose. There's purity in a Disney Princess's heart that makes these women stand out from their original traditional fairytales.

This week, Disney is dedicating to its Princess franchise. There are many ways to celebrate, including dressing up as your chosen Princess, getting artistic inspiration for fan art, and, of course, watching the movies that made the Princesses famous and a staple in the Disney and fandom legacy.

Naturally, we love our Disney content here at The Parent Watch, so we are dropping some of our choices to help guide your child to find their own personal shimmer. True Princess isn't just about having a coveted title or your social tier; it's about being true to yourself, extending your kindness, and carving your destiny.

5 Disney Princess movies with strong women and to watch with

When Snow White arrived in 1937, she was the first Disney Princess and was an instant hit for Walt Disney and his growing company. Nearly ninety years later, many more Princesses were added to the franchise.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

You can't start a binge without the original Disney Princess, and that's Snow White. Following a banishment from the Evil Queen, Snow White ventures off to the forest and befriended seven men. While the film strongly depicted the German fable, Snow White was also kind and loving to everyone she met and knew.

Snow White got the happy ending she deserved and the Queen got her due.

The 2025 live-action trailer for Snow White was released at the D23 Expo 2024. It'll star Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen and Rachel Ziegler as the "fairest one of all."

Beauty and the Beast (1992)

Belle is another Disney Princess who offered kindness and a dose of acceptance. After swapping her life in place of her father's at the Beast's castle, Belle's left with no choice but to stay, and she tries to make the best of the situation. Yet, it was meant to be for Belle to be at the castle, as she was the one who turned the Beast back into the Prince after he was cursed and opened his eyes to be a loving and warm individual instead of the cold-hearted fool he once was.

With singing household objects, gorgeous provincial scenery, and a time-defining rose, Beauty and the Beast could teach kids to accept differences and embrace one's true beauty.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Esmeralda isn't officially recognized as a Disney Princess but should be. Like Belle, she extends a kind gesture to Quasimodo, the disabled protagonist who happens to be the Notre Dame bell ringer. Esmeralda and Phoebus rescue Quasimodo from the cruelty of his "master," Frollo, while the former struggles with Catholic/Romani oppression, tragically relevant in Medieval Europe. If you read Victor Hugo's original text, you'll know Esmeralda didn't survive. However, the storylines will differ since this is a reimagined adaptation crafted for younger audiences.

According to critics, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is considered one of the darkest Disney movies due to its violence, religious fright, anti-Romani sentiment, and extreme discrimination towards disabled people. At the same time, the movie can be used as a teaching tool, as we can learn what cruelty and over-zealotry can manifest.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ariel wanted to get out of the sea and explore the land, but being a mermaid, that's not possible. With the "help" from Ursula the Sea Witch, Ariel's wish comes true, but it comes with a price. In exchange for legs, the mermaid gives her voice, which Ursula uses for her own personal gain and betrayal. After claiming victory over Ursula, Ariel marries Prince Eric, and her family realizes she must follow her heart for her own life.

The Little Mermaid was a children's book by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in 1836. He also wrote The Snow Queen in 1844, which inspired another famous Disney Princess movie, Frozen.

Mulan (1998)

Mulan is based on the old Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, a maiden who enters war dressed as a man to substitute for her ailing father. In Disney's version, Mulan is a force of physicality and strength despite being a woman. She is grouped with a wise-cracking dragon and a chirpy cricket to protect her family and, eventually, the country of China.

Women disguising themselves as men to fight in battles has been documented for centuries for reasons such as family protection or trying to define themselves when women were oppressed and seen as nothing more than objects. Mulan's case was no different, as she felt she wasn't ready for marriage yet and, maybe in a sense, desired a journey of self-discovery and worth.

All five of these Disney Princess movies and more can be streamed on Disney+!

Be on the watch for more family-friendly content and more right here on The Parent Watch!