All 8 Live-Action Disney Princess Movies Ranked: From Worst to Best

Disney's live-action adaptations have become a modern cinema staple. They breathe new life into beloved stories while introducing iconic princesses to new generations. Since the trend took off with Cinderella in 2015, Disney has brought multiple princesses to the live-action screen — with varying degrees of success.

These adaptations walk a tightrope. Stay too faithful, and critics call it lazy. Change too much, and fans call it disrespectful. The best ones find a balance: honor the original, but add something fresh.

The result? A wide spectrum of performances. Some are lackluster. Some are luminous. Below, we rank every live-action Disney princess movie from worst to best. We'll dive into what made each portrayal soar or stumble — and why a few left us cold.

8. Mulan (Mulan, 2020) – Flawed

Portrayed by: Yifei Liu

The 2020 live-action Mulan looks gorgeous but lost the heart of the 1998 animated classic. Director Niki Caro stripped away the music, Mushu, and Shang — replacing humor and warmth with a serious war epic.

Yifei Liu gives a strong physical performance, but this Mulan isn't relatable. In the original, she was an underdog who won through perseverance. Here, she's born with magical "chi" — a superhuman warrior instead of a real person.

The film removes all songs (including "Reflection"), deletes Mushu entirely, and sidelines Mulan's internal struggle. The result? A beautiful movie that feels hollow. Critics gave it 71%, but audiences scored it just 47% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Verdict: A visual spectacle with no soul. The weakest live-action Disney princess portrayal.

7. Aurora/Briar Rose (Maleficent, 2014) - Flawed but Interesting

Portrayed by: Elle Fanning

Aurora ranks low here, but don't blame Elle Fanning. She's lovely in the role. The real issue? This isn't her movie. Maleficent (2014) shifts the spotlight to Angelina Jolie's horned antihero, leaving Aurora as a supporting character in her own story.

Fanning brings warmth and curiosity to Aurora — more personality than the 1959 animated version ever had. Scenes of her exploring the moors and bonding with Maleficent are genuinely sweet. She's kind, innocent, and easy to root for.

But she's also passive. The film cares more about Maleficent's redemption arc than Aurora's growth. She gets little agency, no big heroic moment, and spends the climax asleep. That's tough for a princess ranking.

Maleficent was a massive hit ($758 million worldwide) and audiences liked it (70% on Rotten Tomatoes). Critics were cooler at 54%. But as a princess movie? Aurora is outshined by Jolie's towering performance.

Verdict: A sweet princess stuck in someone else's movie. Lovely, but not legendary.

6. Snow White (Snow White, 2025) – Mixed but Promising

Portrayed by: Rachel Zegler

Disney's most recent live-action princess lands in the middle — not because of talent, but because of controversy. The 2025 Snow White reimagines the 1937 classic with a more proactive heroine and modern themes. Not everyone loved the changes.

Rachel Zegler's casting sparked intense debate online before the film even released. Some criticized her comments about the original movie. Others questioned if she fit the role. But when you actually watch the film? Zegler delivers.

She's sweet, yes, but also determined and leader-like. Her voice is stunning on reimagined classics like "Whistle While You Work." And she looks the part — porcelain skin, dark hair, classic Snow White features. This Snow White doesn't wait for a prince. She fights for her kingdom.

The film itself had problems. The CGI dwarfs creeped people out. The action-heavy plot felt forced at times. Critics gave it just 40% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences were kinder at 73%.

Verdict: Zegler shines despite the noise. A good performance in an uneven movie. Middle tier is exactly right.

5. Jasmine (Aladdin, 2019) – A Surprise Standout

Portrayed by: Naomi Scott

Jasmine lands in the top half of this ranking for one reason: Naomi Scott. The 2019 Aladdin could have been a forgettable remake, but Scott turned her princess into a highlight.

The animated Jasmine was always defiant. She wanted freedom and refused to be silenced. The live-action version takes that spark and builds a whole fire. This Jasmine doesn't just want to marry for love — she wants to rule Agrabah. Right now.

The best addition? "Speechless." A new power ballad where Jasmine refuses to be silenced by Jafar or tradition. Scott's vocal performance is stunning, and the song became an instant Disney princess anthem.

Her chemistry with Mena Massoud's Aladdin feels real. Her confrontations with Jafar show real courage. And unlike some remakes that make princesses feel too modern, this Jasmine still feels like Jasmine.

Critics gave Aladdin a lukewarm 57% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences? A roaring 94%. People loved this movie — and Naomi Scott was the main reason.

Verdict: A modern princess upgrade done right. Strong, musical, and unforgettable.

4. Belle (Beauty and the Beast, 2017) – Faithful and Wonderful

Portrayed by: Emma Watson

Belle lands at #4 because she's exactly what you want from a live-action princess: familiar, warm, and lovingly brought to life. The 2017 Beauty and the Beast doesn't reinvent the wheel — it just makes it shine.

Emma Watson is a near-perfect Belle. She captures the intelligence, the sass, and the compassion that made the 1991 original so beloved. When she says "I want adventure in the great wide somewhere," you believe her.

Yes, her singing isn't as polished as the animated version. Some notes feel auto-tuned. But Watson's acting more than makes up for it. Her chemistry with Dan Stevens' Beast is genuine, and her scenes with the enchanted objects are full of warmth and humor.

The film adds small touches — a backstory about Belle's mother, more invention from her father — that add depth without ruining the original. And that yellow gown? A modern classic.

Beauty and the Beast was a monster hit: over $1.2 billion worldwide. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences gave it 80%. Not perfect, but undeniably beloved.

Verdict: Safe, but safe works when you do it this well. Belle is top-tier.

Beauty and the Beast (2017) was a massive hit, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide and earning a 71% critics’ score and 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Watson’s performance was lauded for its authenticity, though some felt the film leaned too heavily on nostalgia. Belle’s blend of familiarity and subtle updates makes her a top-tier live-action princess.

3. Ariel (The Little Mermaid, 2023) – A Worthy Successor

Portrayed by: Halle Bailey

Ariel takes the #3 spot because Halle Bailey delivered something special. The 2023 The Little Mermaid follows the same story as the 1989 classic: a curious mermaid princess trades her voice for legs, falls for a human prince, and battles a sea witch. But Bailey makes it feel new.

Her casting sparked ugly backlash before the film even released. Critics said she didn't "look like Ariel." Then people actually watched the movie. And Bailey silenced everyone.

Her rendition of "Part of Your World" is breathtaking. Not just good — stop what you're doing and listen good. And here's the real test: After Ariel loses her voice, Bailey acts entirely through her eyes and body language. She nails it. You feel every moment of curiosity, fear, and hope.

The film also gives Ariel and Prince Eric more time together. Jonah Hauer-King matches Bailey's energy, and their chemistry makes you believe in their love. No more "I saw him once and now we're married." This version earns it.

Critics gave The Little Mermaid 67% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences? 94%. They showed up and fell in love.

Verdict: Halle Bailey is the heart of this film. A stunning performance that honors the original and improves on it.

2. Moana (Moana, 2026) – Projected Near-Flawless

Portrayed by: Catherine Lagaʻaia (upcoming)

Moana hasn't sailed onto screens yet — the live-action film arrives July 2026. But based on the animated original, the returning talent, and what Disney has learned from past remakes, she earns the #2 spot as a projected ranking.

The 2016 animated Moana was a modern masterpiece. No romance. No waiting for a prince. Just a determined chief's daughter who saves her people by learning wayfinding, facing a lava demon, and befriending a demigod. It had heart, humor, and Lin-Manuel Miranda songs that still live in your head rent-free.

The live-action version brings back Dwayne Johnson as Maui (perfect casting) and introduces Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana. The original songwriters are involved. The ocean will still be a character. And Disney has surely learned from the Mulan 2020 disaster — don't strip away the joy.

Will it be flawless? We don't know yet. But the ingredients are there: a beloved story, a talented new lead, and a clear understanding of what made the original work. If they keep the music, the heart, and Moana's fierce independence, this could challenge Cinderella for the top spot.

Verdict (for now): High expectations, but earned. Moana is coming for the crown.

1. Cinderella (Cinderella, 2015) – Flawless

Portrayed by: Lily James

At the very top sits Cinderella. Not because she's the flashiest princess, but because her 2015 film is the gold standard for live-action Disney remakes. Kenneth Branagh understood the assignment: honor the original, add depth, and never lose the magic.

Lily James is enchanting. Pure and simple. She plays Cinderella with grace, resilience, and a kindness that never feels weak. The film's mantra — "Have courage and be kind" — isn't just a line. It's the character. James makes you believe that gentleness can be a strength.

Her chemistry with Richard Madden's Prince Kit is electric. The ballroom scene? Perfect. That blue gown? Iconic. The glass slippers? Breathtaking. Every frame feels like a painting come to life.

The supporting cast helps too. Cate Blanchett is a deliciously cruel stepmother. Helena Bonham Carter is a whimsical fairy godmother. But they never overshadow James. She's the heart, and she carries it beautifully.

Cinderella earned 83% from critics and 78% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. It grossed over $542 million worldwide. But numbers don't capture why it's #1. It's the sincerity. The timeless charm. The way it makes you feel like a kid again.

Verdict: The benchmark for live-action princesses. Flawless.

Final Thoughts

Disney's live-action princess movies are a mixed bag. Some soar. Some stumble. But each one teaches us something about adapting beloved characters for a new generation.

Lily James' Cinderella remains the gold standard. It honored the original, added emotional depth, and never lost the magic. That's the blueprint.

At the other end, Mulan (2020) shows the risk of stripping away too much — no songs, no Mushu, no heart. And Aurora in Maleficent proves that when your princess isn't the focus, she gets forgotten.

But there are bright spots. Naomi Scott's Jasmine, Halle Bailey's Ariel, and Emma Watson's Belle all found ways to modernize without breaking what worked. They gave princesses more agency, more voice, and more reason to cheer.

Then there's Snow White (2025) — a movie caught between old and new, with a terrific lead performance buried under controversy and CGI dwarfs. And Moana (2026) waits in the wings, with a chance to challenge Cinderella for the crown.

As Disney continues making live-action remakes, one lesson is clear: fans don't hate change. They hate change that forgets the heart of the story. Keep the music, keep the charm, keep the character — and you'll succeed.

The legacy of these princesses endures. Animated or live-action, they still teach us to have courage, be kind, and sing loudly when no one's watching.

See also: 24 Must-Watch Animated Movies for the Whole Family