Disney Princess

Disney Princess, often referred to as the Princess Line, is a major media franchise and toy line. It is owned by the Walt Disney Company. The franchise features a specific collection of female characters from various animated films. These characters are not chosen simply because they are royal. Instead, they are selected as protagonists who demonstrate inspiring qualities. Most members of the line are princesses by birth or through marriage. However, the franchise also includes exceptionally heroic characters who do not hold royal titles.

To be included in this official lineup, a character must meet strict criteria. They must be a protagonist or a main supporting character in a theatrical animated film. This film must be produced by a studio owned by Disney. Furthermore, the character must appear in the first film of their specific franchise. This rule excludes characters introduced in sequels, television series, or direct-to-video films. The character must also be human in her standard form. Finally, marketability is a key factor in the selection process. Characters from unsuccessful franchises are generally not considered for the line.

The franchise began through the insight of Andy Mooney. He was the president of the Disney Consumer Products division in late 1999. While watching a Disney on Ice show, he noticed young girls wearing generic princess costumes. These were not official Disney merchandise. Mooney realized the company was missing a chance to market these characters together. He proposed creating a legitimate franchise in January 2000. Some leaders, like Roy E. Disney, initially objected to the idea. They worried that mixing characters from different fairy tales might weaken their individual mythologies. To protect these stories, Mooney decided that princesses in marketing posters should never make eye contact. They each stare in a different direction to appear unaware of one another.

The lineup has evolved through various stages of inductions and "coronations." The original 2000 group included Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan. Tinker Bell was also an original member, but she was later moved to the Disney Fairies franchise in 2005. Tiana became the ninth member in 2010 during a ceremony at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel. Rapunzel was inducted as the tenth member in 2011 during a special event in London. Merida joined in 2013 as the eleventh member. She was notable for being the first character from a Pixar film to join. Moana was added in 2019, and Raya was announced as the thirteenth member in 2022.

This franchise has achieved massive financial success globally. By 2001, Disney Consumer Products generated approximately $300 million from the line. By 2012, the revenue for the division had increased to $3 billion. This growth made it a top seller of consumer entertainment products worldwide. The franchise reached the $1 billion mark in revenue within just three years of its launch. This success was driven by many different licensees. Companies like Mattel and Hasbro produce dolls and games. Other partners include Fisher-Price for plastic figurines and Lego for building sets. Even brands like Glidden make wall paint featuring the princesses.

Beyond toys, the franchise includes many unique media and events. In 2012, Disney gave the princesses modern redesigns. Some characters received new hairstyles, while Cinderella received side-swept bangs and sheer sleeves. Disney also held the first National Princess Week in 2012. The brand has expanded into graphic novels, such as the Princess Comics line launched in 2018. There are also mobile apps, like the Disney Princess Palace Pets app. In 2021, the company launched the Ultimate Princess Celebration, a year-long event. This event featured the official anthem "Starting Now," released by the singer Brandy.

The Disney Princess franchise connects various branches of the Disney empire. It links animated film production with massive consumer product manufacturing. It also connects different storytelling traditions, such as classic fairy tales and modern hero stories. While some characters like Anna and Elsa from Frozen are eligible, they are often treated separately. This is because the Frozen franchise is successful enough to stand on its own. By grouping these characters, Disney creates a unified brand that spans movies, toys, clothing, and theme park experiences.