Disney makes plenty ofreally good moviesabout Princesses. As a result, it is hard to think of movie Princesses without thinking of the famous company. Yet, it isn’t like Disney isthe only studio allowed to produce movies containing royalty. Many other people have also crafted Princess films over the years.
They tend to be a bit different from the ones Disney makes. For starters, most of them aren’t re-tellings of classic fairytales, and those that are tend to be darker than what Disney provides. The following films are the best Princess movies that Disney had nothing to do with.
8The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is one of the more famous non-Disney Princess movies. The story revolves around a farmhand named Westley who is determined to rescue Princess Buttercup from an evil Prince. Along the way, he meets and befriends a whole cast of interesting characters.
While itwasn’t a huge box office success, the film captured the imagination of viewers and became a bit of a cult classic. The film garnered such a dedicated following because it is well-written and very funny. This is why certain quotes and scenes from the movie are regularly referenced to this day.
7The Swan Princess
Princesses don’t have to be human. After all, as the title suggests, The Swan Princess stars a royal swan named Odette. That said, she is only a swan because an evil Warlock turns her into one as part of his plan to take over her family’s kingdom. So, she’s a swan by day, but can become human at night. The only way she can become human forever, though, is through her beloved proving his love for her. However, as she’s currently a swan sitting in a lake, he has to find her first.
Anyone knowledgeable about ballet may recognize this tale as Swan Lake, as this is an animated adaptation of the story. While not as famous as the ballet version, it’s still a beautiful film with a wonderful art style and nice animation (for the time). Plus, the music in the movie is enchanting, and the story is well-paced.
6Ever After
Ever After is another adaptation of Cinderella, but it differs greatly from the Disney one. This version doesn’t include the supernatural or fantasy elements typically associated with Cinderella. Instead, it is a period drama film set in the Renaissance era of France. The main character is Danielle, and she catches the eye of Prince Henry, who is trying to avoid his arranged marriage with Princess Gabriella.
It might not be the ultimate version of Cinderella, but it does breathe fresh air into the classic tale and make it feel more original. Also, the romance in this movie feels a bit more grounded, mature, and moving than what you see in Disney’s adaptation.
5Trolls
Trolls may not be the first movie you consider when thinking of Princess movies. Yet, it technically fits the bill because the main character is a Princess. Her name is Poppy, and she is the upbeat and joyful Princess of the colorful Trolls. Early in the movie, her people are captured, so she goes on an adventure to save them. In the process, she teams with the pessimistic Troll called Branch.
The movie doesn’t provide the deepest or most original narrative. That said, it is still a fun and colorful film. The dynamic between the two lead characters and their contrasting personalities is among the most entertaining parts of this animated musical.
4Anastasia
Technically, Anastasia is about a Grand Duchess instead of a Princess, as the protagonist is the daughter of a Russian Emperor, but it’s close enough to count. The titular character of the movie doesn’t know much about her impressive title because she hits her head as a child and loses her memory. However, her necklace gives her a clue to a past, so she goes on a journey to find the truth.
The tale is partially based on a true story, albeit it isn’t the most historically accurate account of things. Still, the movie offers great voice acting and a nice animation style that holds up to this day. Plus, while the narrative may not be the most accurate, it remains compelling.
3Thumbelina
In Thumbelina, an old woman is given a seed that allows her to grow a really small person that is about the size of a human thumb. That tiny human is named Thumbelina. Naturally, she doesn’t know anyone her own size until she meets a Fairy Prince and the two fall in love. Unfortunately, the protagonist is captured not long later, and the Prince tries desperately to save her.
Thumbelina doesn’t begin the tale as a Princess, but she is on the right track by falling in love with a Prince. More importantly, the movie is enjoyable to watch, containing some solid voice work and excellent music. The writing is generally good, too.
2Snow White And The Huntsman
Disney’s version of Snow White is a very well-known and popular animated film. Yet, the company isn’t the only one with the right to adapt the classic fairytale. In 2012, a live-action take on the story, starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, and Chris Hemsworth, was released.
In this one, Snow White escapes the evil Queen’s capture to run into the woods. The Queen sends a Huntsman after her, but he ends up bonding with Snow White instead of capturing her. It’s visually and tonally darker than Disney’s version, which actually makes it more fitting to the dark source material. Like Disney’s version, though, it’s very enjoyable to watch.
1Shrek
Shrek is an animated movie that plays with fairytale and Princess movie conventions. It has the classic setup of a Princess being trapped in a tower, waiting for her true love to save her. However, the one who is actually saving her is an ogre named Shrek, who is doing so on behalf of Lord Farquaad, as he has promised to get rid of the fairytale creatures that are taking up space in Shrek’s swamp.
So, it isn’t exactly what you expect from a Princess tale. But it still contains a great love story, as Shrek and Fiona grow closer during their adventure together. Their romance is filled with some sweet and romantic moments, while the film itself contains a lot of great comedy. It is so good that it has spawneda whole series of solid movies.
