Rachel Zegler's first looks as Snow White in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has been revealed to the public making fans reminisce on the classic Snow White film released in 1937. While the classic movies will stand the test of time, many of the original movies had stereotyped female characters featuring a Prince Charming saving the day.
Even though it is pleasant to have a Prince Charming in some movies, it is easy to forget that not all original Walt Disney films and Pixar films revolve around the prince saving the princess trope, but rather revolve around the female finding her own destiny.
Frozen
A story of true love between two sisters. Frozen follows Elsa, queen of Arendelle, and Anna, princess of Arendelle, both of whom are sisters that have grown apart due to a tragic accident during their childhood. Elsa, a woman with the power to control ice and snow, attempts to control her powers, but, as she grows older, she decides she can no longer hold back from who she is, and she flees the palace to create her own solitude.
In an attempt to bring her sister back, Anna goes on a lengthy adventure with some unlikely friends, and, in the end, brings her sister back home. This is truly a beautiful story in which the queen is saved by her sister's love rather than a Prince Charming.
Encanto
Recently, in one of the Encanto centers around Mirabel, the person without powers in a family filled with magical beings.
This heartfelt story showcases Mirabel as she attempts to fit into her family's world. By helping to create a more accepting family, Mirabel is able to bring her family together, and even discover a long-lost relative along the way. Overall, this story centers around family more than anything else and makes for a beautiful Disney movie filled with music, drama, and no Prince Charming.
Turning Red
Turning Red centers around Meilin Lee as she is forced to confront her teenage years in both human and panda form because of her family's curse. This animated coming-of-age story not only delves into the uncomfortable life of a teenager, and some of their most cringe-worthy moments, but portrays a beautiful story about family.
This story is a direct parallel to the struggle teenagers have in confronting their parents, especially immigrant parents. In the end, it is her family who ends up saving Meilin, rather than a knight in shining armor.
Moana
A strong confident Moana is asked to lead her people and take charge of her village but is soon confronted with the horrible truth that her home is slowly being destroyed. In a quest to save her village, Moana meets the once-mighty demigod, Maui, who guides her, reluctantly, along the way.
This is defiantly a story about strength and tenacity as Moana not only has to deal with loss but a stubborn Demigod. By the end of the story, Moana comes out stronger than ever, while also single-handedly proving to her village that the oceans are to be loved not feared.
Brave
Merida is a skilled, but stubborn, archer born into the family of Scottish King Fergus and Queen Elinor. After defying her family during an outdated tradition, the Highland lords are angered which leads to chaos in the kingdom.
To help reverse the chaos she has caused, Merida seeks help from an evil witch, which goes dastardly. Throughout the movie, Merida must discover her own true courage to help save her kingdom from the witch's curse without help from a Prince Charming.
Mulan
During the tight rule of the Han Dynasty, Mulan sets out to break gender stereotypes by becoming the first woman in a "men only" army. Backed by an impressive Disney Renaissance soundtrack, Mulan fights and trains successfully alongside men without them suspecting she is a woman.
While she disguises herself as a male during the duration of the film, she proves not only to herself but to everyone watching, that women can be fierce and feminine at the same time. By the end of the movie, Mulan's true nature is revealed and is she accepted for who she is, a strong female warrior.
Beauty And The Beast
Beauty and brains are the two words that describe Belle. Trapped in the world of books her whole life, Belle's life turns upside down when a Beast captures her and holds her as a prisoner. Using her wit, and ingenuity, she sympathizes with the beast, and, as a result, he becomes more light-hearted.
By the end of this age-old tale, the Beast transforms back into the prince he once was, and all because of the cleverness of Belle during her time in the Disney castle. This story was a beautiful change of pace during the 1990s, as many of the princess stories released involved the prince going to rescue to the princess and never the reverse.
Raya And The Last Dragon
In a land known as Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together until monsters, known as the Druun, invaded the land and slayed all of the dragons. When the Druun threatens the world once again, it is up to Raya, to defeat them.
Raya is very similar to Mulan, in that both were, in their way, lone warriors who had to protect their land. Raya, unlike Mulan, however, did not need to prove herself to her country, but rather take charge to save her people paralleling Moana's story.
Princess And The Frog
In a story that mirrors Beauty and the Beast, a pauper, Tiana, who is striving to make a name for herself, is suddenly thrown for a loop when a talking cured frog prince tells her to deliver him a kiss. After reluctantly kissing him, she too turns into a frog and is forced to figure a way out of the mess the prince got her into.
This story, quite like Beauty and the Beast, requires that a woman choose to save a prince from a terrible curse. Overall, this movie showcases Tiana as both someone who is kind-hearted and will help even a frog, and someone who is determined to make her mark on the world without the help of a Prince Charming.
Tangled
This modified Rapunzel story follows the life of Rapunzel who is trapped inside her tower after being stolen by an evil witch whose only wish is to use Rapunzel's hair to prevent her from aging. While this story does have a sort of Prince Charming, Flynn Rider, it is ultimately Rapunzel who saves the day.
By the end of the story, it is Rapunzel who is rescuing Flynn from her psychotic adoptive mother, and breaking away from, quite literally, her to find her true family. This story showcases the pure love that a mother and father have towards their child, while also showing the courage it takes to break out of the comfort zone.
