Zero to Heroine! 26 leading ladies of Disney ranked from most pathetic to most empowering.

As you've probably guessed by now, I. LOVE. Disney. ESPECIALLY the women of Disney. Some of them are pretty annoying and forgettable and let's face it, pathetic. But others are just plain badass. 

For an A Level project last year, I wrote a 3,000 word essay on Disney's representation of women and it's really clear that over time since Disney's first leading lady, Snow White, in 1937, princesses are represented more as a "strong independent woman" figure in recent years, as opposed to a ditzy damsel in distress who waits passively for a prince to come and kiss her...

On that note, let's see who's at the bottom of our badass Disney lady scale...

26 + 25. Snow White and Aurora

Now these two ladies are the definition of "Disney princess". However, despite how well-known they are, they're not very ballsy are they? Imagine Snow White and the Seven Dwarves if Snow White could fend for herself - she wouldn't collapse in forests crying, she wouldn't need to live with seven men, and she wouldn't be stupid enough to eat an apple off some crazy and creepy old lady so that she has to be saved by her prince. And as for Aurora, well, she doesn't really do a lot, and when she does she spikes her finger and dies, and once again, has to be saved. So, at the bottom of the pack are these two.

24. Lady

Again, doesn't really fend for herself very much. Only reason she's above Snow White and Aurora is because dogs are quite feisty.

23. Wendy

She had potential to be awesome - but followed Peter like a little puppy.

22. Maid Marian

Again, she's just a bit... Meh.

21. Cinderella

Cinderella is one of the most badass out of the traditional Disney princesses despite being fairly low - she does run away from the Prince at the ball and she does have a lot of optimism.

20. Alice

Still very ditzy but she taught us it was amazing to live in a dream world.

19. Rapunzel 

I do feel quite bad for putting her this low... But in my opinion, there's a lot more badass leading ladies than poor Rapunzel. But she does have those frying pan techniques AND runs away from her "mother".

18. Lilo

One of the only ladies not to end up with a man (even though she is like 12). Little Lilo is disobedient, sassy and will stop at nothing to get what she wants!

17. Ariel

Hannah, if you're reading this, please don't kill me. To be honest, the only reason she got this far was because of the second film, when she becomes a really cool mum. But in the first film, she gives up her voice to be with a man and (again) falls for a creepy purple woman's words. 

16. Esmeralda

Words aren't even needed for this one. Just look at that picture. Look at that tambourine. Queen. of. Sass.

15. Jasmine

Two words - Pet. Tiger.

14. Elizabeth Swann

Our first live action leading lady! Bet you all forgot about her! She goes from a posh little rich girl to a swashbuckling pirate in three films. Can't really get more feisty than that.

13. Anna

Anna is a fearless optimist - she always looks at the good side of things and people AND she travels in the ice to save her sister and then forgives her when she freezes her heart. 

12. Belle

Again, I feel quite bad for putting one of my favourites so low. But it's Belle's time. She's shown as one of the first intelligent Disney princesses and she doesn't judge her men on looks. 

11. Tiana

Just short of the top ten is the leading lady of "The Princess and the Frog". She is intent on achieving her dreams of owning her own restaurant (obviously the new age princess dream).

10. Jessie

Disney's biggest tomboy. She's a feisty redhead who doesn't have a love interest until the third film - I'm afraid that's what let you down!

9. Megara

Again, no words are needed, just a picture defining what Meg stands for.

8. Nala

She's queen of the lions. Duh?

7. Jane

She's not afraid to make a fool of herself - and that first encounter with Tarzan just sums her up.

6. Elastigirl/Helen Parr

She is a mum. Who is also a superhero.

5. Mary Poppins

Practically perfect in every way. And she's flying via umbrella.

4. Pocahontas 

She's my favourite Disney princess. She's a bit of a daredevil, and that hair is just flawless.

3. Merida

Okay, so the whole idea of Brave was to show an empowering young princess. And she certainly did the job. She puts her family first, she has no love interest AND she's fabulous with a bow and arrow!

2. Mulan 

Just missing out on the top spot is Mulan - she pretends to be a man in order to follow her dreams. You can't get any more gutsy than that... Or can you? Number one is...

1. Queen Elsa 


Okay, so I know this is a little cliche, but after a lot of deliberation, I really think Elsa is the most empowering Disney female. Not only is she a fabulous ice queen who runs away from her palace, it appears she has no interest in a man to look after her, and "Let it Go" is one of the most empowering songs of all time..

So there we have it. Hope you enjoyed my little countdown. Might do a villain one next time... Hmm...