Who doesn’t love a good Disney movie? Most of us have fond childhood memories of the Disney-universe. This list is an ode to all the animated lady bosses who show young girls what it means to be a badass. Here are my top 10 badass Disney women.
NOTE: This list is from original Disney animations. It does not include the more recent additions of Fox, Marvel, and etc. Otherwise we all know who would top the list…
10. Nani Pelekai from Lilo and Stitch
Not only was Nani a teenager who took on guardianship of her sister when their parents died, worked a crappy job to support them, and constantly put her personal life on hold… She was possibly the first Disney woman to have real thighs.
Props to her for representing so many hard-working women in similarly impossible situations. You go, girl!
9. Tiana from The Princess and the Frog
Tiana is possibly the hardest working Disney princess to ever grace our screens. Her work ethic is truly incredible – She works paid gigs all day and continues working hard on her dream at night.
That moment where she finally gets to bed only to have her morning alarm go off is something all entrepreneurs/side hustlers can relate to.
8. Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
This lady is on the lower edge of society, despised for being a gypsy. But in the midst of her imprisonment (seeking asylum in the church), Esmeralda sings to God, pleading for her people, who are less fortunate than her. Meanwhile, all the people in power are praying for their own health, wealth, and success. It’s a truly humbling scene.
Esmeralda is not only kind to Quasimodo, but is also clever enough to both physically and verbally spar with the Captain of the Guard.
7. Merida from Brave
Who couldn’t love this rebellious, headstrong Scottish lass who refuses to have her fate decided for her? She’s clever enough to work her way around the system to fight for the right to her own hand in marriage. Merida is a girl who doesn’t apologise for going after what she wants… even when things go a little awry.
Also, her hair is the bomb.com
6. Megara from Hercules
Megara is sassy, quick-thinking, and defiant. She sold her soul to Hades to save her boyfriend’s life – and even though the god of Death owns her, she constantly shreds him with her sarcastic quips.
Let’s not forget her best line… “I’m a damsel, I’m in distress, I can handle this. Have a nice day.”
5. Jasmine from Aladdin
This Arabian princess is more than just a pretty face (and she yells as much to her father and suitors). Like many of Disney’s leading ladies, Jasmine has a burning desire for freedom… and she actually DOES something about it. She runs away from home, and quickly picks up on Aladdin’s schemes and goes along with them.
Even in the later scenes where Jafar has taken over the kingdom, Jasmine is quick-witted enough to spot Aladdin and immediately get on board with his plan. She’s far from being a damsel in distress.
Also, she has a pet tiger. That in itself makes her an automatic badass.
4. Rapunzel from Tangled
Ah, Rapunzel. The idealistic young lady who hits home intruders over the head with a frying pan. Within the space of two days, she renders a burglar unconscious, cuts a deal with him to run away from home, tames a tavern full of thugs, outruns mercenaries, survives being trapped in a flooding cave, confronts her abusive fake-mother… and all without wearing shoes.
3. Elena from Elena of Avalor
If you haven’t heard of this Disney princess, then you need to look up the TV series STAT! Elena is the princess of Avalor (and Disney’s first Latina princess), a magical kingdom with flying jaguars and plenty of adventures. As a badass bonus, Elena’s little sister is an inventor, and her best friend is a street savvy Captain’s daughter.
2. Moana from Moana
OBVIOUSLY, we can’t go past Moana. She braves the ocean alone, with virtually no sailing experience, and saves the world from a fire-breathing-lava-monster. Moana’s character especially shines in the moments where she could, and should, give up… but her determination and love for her people continues to push her onwards into danger and self-discovery.
1. Mulan from Mulan
Is there really any competition for the top spot? Mulan is an incredible story of the girl who risked everything to save her father… and ended up saving an entire nation, too. It’s one of the rare movies where we see the leading Disney lady engage in hand-to-hand combat (with Huns, no less).
The moment where she makes it to the top of the post to retrieve the arrow is one of the best scenes in Disney’s entire history.
Not to mention, it was the only movie in the Disney renaissance that didn’t revolve around a romance. Sure, Shang ends up visiting for dinner at the end of the movie, but there’s no big kiss to wrap things up.
There you have it!
Our list of the Top 10 Most Badass Disney women… who do you think deserves an honourable mention? Join us on Facebook to discuss this and heaps of other awesome topics!
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