Disney has introduced hundreds of characters, many of whom have become fan favorites, prompting audiences to watch their animated movies and, of course, purchase all their merchandise. Princesses are probably the most popular group of animated Disney characters.

The official list of Disney princesses currently consists of 13 characters: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, Moana, and Raya with Elsa and Anna from Frozen being honorary ones due to the Frozen brand being profitable on its own. To be deemed an official Disney princess, a character must meet specific criteria, which include having a central role in an animated Disney film, being human or humanoid in appearance, and being a member of royalty, either by birth or by marriage. One look at their stories compared to the era in which the movies were released reveals a clear evolution of the Disney Princess over time. Compared to originals like Cinderella and Aurora, these modern-day princesses are becoming more and more the heroines of their own stories.

Update November 7, 2023: Fellow Mouseketeers will be happy to note that this article was just updated with even more characters from the Disney vault.

This thinking, of course, excludes the vast majority of Disney's other female-representative characters, many of whom have become huge fan favorites among audiences over the years. While these characters are not members of this elite group, they are no less valuable to their stories. These Disney-animated heroines don't need a crown to have a good time. Check out some of the best female-identifying Disney heroines who aren't princesses in order of release date.

12 Minnie Mouse - Steamboat Willie (1928)

Minnie and Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie
Disney+

Minnie Mouse is, beyond any doubt, one of the most iconic female Disney characters. She is also one of the oldest: Minnie has represented the company since 1928, when she appeared alongside Mickey in Steamboat Willie. She normally appears in her iconic polka dot dress, head bow, and high heels.

Why Minnie Mouse is Iconic

Known for being feminine, classy, and optimistic, she was initially designed to be Mickey's love interest. Over the years, however, she has eventually evolved into a character with a sparkle all her own. Moreover, she is an excellent friend and constantly looking out for what other people need.

Streaming on Disney +

11 Alice - Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Alice in Alice in Wonderland
Walt Disney Productions

Alice is a character who is often associated with the original Disney princesses, even though she is not. The star of 1951's Alice in Wonderland is among the company's most dreamy and curious characters. In fact, her tale would not have taken place had it not been for her endless curiosity.

How Alice's Curiosity Takes the Cake

Taken loosely from the pages of Lewis Carroll, Alice is an imaginative, adventurous, and driven young girl capable of handling just about any situation. However, with all the goings-on in Wonderland, she must have found it quite difficult to maintain her composure. Live-action adaptations aside, this portrayal of Alice is still a fan favorite.

Streaming on Disney +

10 Duchess - The Aristocats (1970)

Duchess From Aristocats
Disney+

Disney is well known for their animal-based films, and The Aristocats is no exception. The name Duchess is a bit of a misnomer. She is, after all, an elegant and refined Turkish Angora. It’s no wonder the confusion, though, considering how impeccably spoiled she was by her owner.

What Makes Duchess So Memorizing?

Voiced by none other than actress and socialite Eva Gabor (of the famous Gabor sisters), her owner, ex-opera singer Madame Adelaide Bonfamille, dotes on her and her three kittens with loving care. Instead of letting all that pampering get to her head, Duchess, in turn, takes good and loving care of her kittens.

It’s this loving care, however, that serves as a catalyst for the story. Destined to inherit the good Madame’s fortunes, they are cat-napped from their feline furnishings in an attempt to circumvent the will. Even in the most dire of circumstances, Duchess is the epitome of politeness to those around her.

Streaming on Disney +

9 Sally - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas
Disney+

Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas is a creepily composed rag doll who is under the care and keeping (emphasis on the keeping) of Doctor Finklestein, her creator. Wanting to be free to explore the outside world and make her own choices, Sally often drugs the good doctor in order to escape hours of endless chores, at least temporarily.

Why is Sally Awesome?

Equally scary for investors at the time was the idea of releasing a non-princess character. Released early on in the Disney Renaissance, which featured classic stories with somewhat traditional feminine roles, the film was released through Touchstone Pictures because it was deemed too dark for kiddos.

Related: The Most Empowering Women Characters in Disney Animated Movies

What was just as scary, perhaps, was releasing a non-princess character who outright disagreed with the film's protagonist. Sally sees the flaws in Jack's plan to recreate Christmas with Halloween Town characters right from the get-go. She risks her life to save Santa Claus, regardless of the consequences. For that, she is perhaps the bravest of the bunch.

Streaming on Disney +

8 Nala - The Lion King (1994)

Nala
Walt Disney Pictures

Nala was first featured in the 1994 film The Lion King, and has continued to appear in other films and series of the franchise ever since. While technically of royal lineage (the film is based on Hamlet, after all), her status as an animal technically bars her from ascending Disney's throne.

What Makes Nala Fierce?

As a cub, Simba's best friend was energetic, fun-loving, and adventurous. Perhaps the more logical of the two, as she grew older, she gradually became more cautious under Scar's reign. That being said, she never quite lost her rebellious nature, encouraging Simba to save the pride from eminent destruction.

Nala is one of those characters that the audience got to know as a child and were able to see her personality evolve from there. Eventually, Nala and Simba's friendship evolved into a romantic relationship, which led to them becoming partners and having three children.

Streaming on Disney +

7 Megara - Hercules (1997)

Megara
Walt Disney Pictures

Megara is a major character in the 1997 film Hercules. Portrayed at first as just a beautiful and striking young woman with an edgy sense of humor, she turns out to be a character tortured by fate. She's enslaved by Hades after a deal gone south. Winning her freedom means finding out Hercules' weakness. Of course, she ends up falling head over heels for him instead.

Why Megara Gets a 10 out of 10

This young girl has several features that could place her among the official princesses of the company, such as her stunning beauty and her ability to sing, but she never earned the title. This villain turned antihero/love interest has a dynamic backstory that's worthy of any Greek tragedy.

Streaming on Disney +

6 Dot - A Bug's Life (1998)

Dot in A Bug's Life
Disney/Pixar

Dot is the younger sister of Princess Atta in A Bug's Life. While her sister is by far the more nervous ant of the two (which is fair considering she is training to rule the colony), this playful little ant is easily the smallest in the colony.

What Makes Dot Stand Out?

Generally underestimated by the others, Dot is eager to fly, but she is still too small to do so. Still, she doesn't need to fly to prove her power: Dot is constantly assisting Flik, the other misunderstood member of the colony. With his help, she manages to overcome her fear of Hopper and show the audience that no matter how small one is, one can still make a big difference.

Streaming on Disney +

5 Jessie - Toy Story 2 (1999)

Jessie
Disney/Pixar

The Toy Story franchise is filled with beloved characters that come from more than your average toy box. One of these characters is Jessie, the cowgirl doll introduced in Toy Story 2. Jessie is cheerful, energetic, and loving, but being abandoned by Emily and put into storage for too long scarred her soul. Her origin story is nothing short of tragic, and she has a hard time trusting other people and toys because she fears they, too, will betray her.

In spite of all this, Jessie is optimistic and always ready for an adventure. Following a great personal journey, she now understands and honors her purpose in life: to join children in their games, which is just about the best perspective a well-loved toy can have.

Streaming on Disney +

4 Lilo - Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Lilo
Walt Disney Pictures

Lilo was a character who was well ahead of her time, considering that her movie Lilo & Stitch, came out in 2002. Like most kids, she's a bit rebellious and energetic and tends to get herself in trouble. Unlike most kids, she is also a girl who is dealing with far too many real-life things for her young age... and that's before the alien falls into her lap!

After her parents passed away, Lilo was left in the care of Nani, her older sister. Her sister goes to great lengths to give her a good life, often at the cost of her own. With so many emotions to process, it's no wonder Lilo has a hard time finding an outlet for them. Her story would fit right into place alongside emotionally resonating films like Inside Out today.

Why Lilo Can't Be Left Behind

Her unique personality makes the other girls her age misunderstand her while making her the perfect friend for Stitch. Lilo is smart and sensitive and enjoys rather odd hobbies, such as taking pictures of tourists and feeding sandwiches to a little fish named Pudge. She interacts with other so-called outcasts like her with grace and compassion.

Streaming on Disney +

3 Charlotte la Bouff - The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Charlotte la Bouf in The Princess and the Frog
Walt Disney Studios

If there is one person here who would just love to get her hands on a Princess title, it would be Charlotte la Bouff. Better known as Lottie, she is a supporting character in the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. In the film, she is Tiana's best friend, and the daughter of Big Daddy La Bouff, a man with lots and lots of money to spend.

How Does Charlotte Break Traditional Stereotypes?

Lottie was raised in a family that spoiled her. She can be a bit shallow, but this young girl is also dreamy, generous, and most of all, an excellent friend. She doesn't hesitate to support the soon-to-be Princess Tiana through everything, even when she finds out that she stole her dream to marry Prince Naveen.

Streaming on Disney +

2 Vanellope von Schweetz - Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Vanellope von Schweetz in Wreck-It Ralph
Walt Disney Studios

Vanellope von Schweetz is one of the main characters in Wreck-It Ralph and its sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet. This young girl is a racer in the video game Sugar Rush. Unfortunately, she gets teased by others because she has a glitch that hampers her from winning races. Eventually, she meets Ralph, and the two strike up a beautiful friendship.

Vanellope von Schweetz Outpaces the Competition

Vanellope doesn't let her weaknesses define her. Instead, she spends her days improving her skills.

By the end of the movie, it is revealed that Vanellope is actually the original princess of the Sugar Rush kingdom. She decides not to accept the title, declaring herself President of Sugar Rush instead. One funny thing about Vanellope is that, in the sequel, she is featured in a very funny scene with some of Disney's most important princesses, who acknowledge her as one of their own.

Streaming on Disney +

1 Mirabel - Encanto (2021)

Mirabel
Walt Disney Pictures

Encanto is a groundbreaking film in many ways, from its cultural representation to the way it explores family dynamics. The main character in this 2021 production is Mirabel, who comes from a family blessed with magical gifts. Each gift, however, comes at a price.

What Makes Mirabel Stand Out?

What sets Mirabel apart is that she is the only member of her family to not receive a magical gift. While she is certainly disappointed about not having powers, she does try to move on with her life. She is cheerful, optimistic, loving, and willing to do anything to help her family and her people. However, she often feels insecure and excluded from her family. In spite of everything, Mirabel's courage and the love she feels for her family encourage her to venture into the most difficult challenges.