Not every magical princess story comes from the House of Mouse. From Studio Ghibli’s breathtaking animated worlds to bold live-action adventures on streaming platforms, plenty of non-Disney films deliver the same wonder, heart, and charm we all love.
Whether you grew up watching Anastasia or just discovered Ponyo, these movies prove that enchantment has no single studio. Get ready to revisit old favorites and discover some hidden gems worth adding to your watchlist.
1. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Long before eco-friendly heroes were trending, Nausicaa was out here talking to giant bugs and saving the planet. This 1984 Studio Ghibli film follows a courageous teenage princess with a rare gift for understanding the toxic jungle that terrifies everyone else around her.
Her empathy and bravery make her one of animation’s most beloved characters. If you enjoy stories where the hero chooses compassion over conflict, this film will absolutely win your heart from the very first scene.
2. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Sheeta has no idea she is royalty when the story begins, and that mystery makes her journey all the more thrilling to watch unfold. Studio Ghibli’s Castle in the Sky is a sky-high adventure packed with pirates, robots, and a floating ancient civilization called Laputa.
Her magical crystal necklace holds secrets that powerful people will stop at nothing to steal. Adventure fans who love stories about unlikely heroes discovering their true origins will find this film completely irresistible and wildly fun.
3. The Swan Princess (1994)
Swan Lake gets a fun animated makeover in this 1994 fairy tale that many 90s kids hold close to their hearts. Princess Odette is cursed by a sorcerer named Rothbart and can only become human again under the light of the moon, which creates a heartbreaking and romantic tension throughout.
The film blends catchy songs with classic fairy tale drama in a way that feels genuinely charming. Young viewers who enjoy stories about love, curses, and determination will find Odette easy to root for every step of the way.
4. Princess Mononoke (1997)
San was raised by wolves and she fights like it too. Princess Mononoke is one of Studio Ghibli’s most powerful films, exploring the fierce clash between industrialization and the ancient spirit-filled forest that San will defend with her life.
She is not a princess in the traditional sense, but her connection to nature and her warrior spirit give her a presence that commands every scene. Older kids and teens especially will appreciate the film’s complex message about humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
5. Anastasia (1997)
Could an orphan girl really be a missing Russian princess? Anastasia takes that tantalizing mystery and wraps it in gorgeous animation, unforgettable songs, and one of the most charming animated romances of the 1990s.
Anya is scrappy, funny, and fiercely determined to find out where she truly belongs.
Originally produced by 20th Century Fox, this film has nothing to do with Disney despite what some people assume. “Once Upon a December” alone is worth watching the whole movie for.
6. The Princess and the Goblin (1991)
Hidden staircases, a magical great-great-grandmother, and an underground kingdom of goblins make this 1991 animated film feel like a classic fairy tale brought to life. Based on George MacDonald’s beloved novel, Princess Irene discovers she comes from a lineage far more magical than she ever imagined.
Her friendship with a brave mining boy named Curdie is genuinely sweet and adds warmth to the story. Younger viewers who enjoy whimsical adventures with a touch of spooky mystery will find this one delightfully charming from start to finish.
7. Spirited Away (2001)
Chihiro does not start out as a princess, but she earns every bit of that energy by the time the credits roll. Spirited Away drops a nervous, ordinary girl into a wild spirit world where she must work in a magical bathhouse to rescue her parents who have been turned into pigs.
Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning masterpiece is endlessly imaginative and emotionally rich. The film teaches resilience, kindness, and the importance of remembering who you are even when the world tries to make you forget.
8. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Getting cursed into an old woman’s body would ruin most people’s day, but Sophie Hatter just puts on a sturdy hat and moves into a wizard’s magical walking castle. Howl’s Moving Castle is a Studio Ghibli gem about self-discovery, courage, and learning to love yourself at any age or appearance.
The relationship between Sophie and the vain but secretly vulnerable wizard Howl is both funny and deeply touching. Fantasy lovers who appreciate layered characters and stunning hand-drawn visuals will adore every frame of this film.
9. Ponyo (2008)
Part fish, part human, and completely irresistible, Ponyo is basically the most enthusiastic creature in any animated film ever made. Studio Ghibli’s 2008 treasure reimagines the Little Mermaid concept with a bubbly goldfish princess who falls head over fins for a kind little boy named Sosuke.
The animation is breathtaking, especially the scenes where Ponyo races across massive ocean waves. Families with younger children will find this one perfect for cozy movie nights, with its gentle story and pure, wholehearted joy.
10. The Secret of Kells (2009)
Aisling moves like a whisper through the ancient Irish forest, and her scenes in The Secret of Kells feel genuinely magical in a way that is hard to put into words. This stunning animated film follows young Brendan as he works to complete a legendary illuminated manuscript with Aisling’s mysterious guidance.
The artwork is inspired by Celtic designs and looks unlike anything else in animation. History buffs and art lovers will be completely captivated by its unique visual style and its heartfelt story rooted in real Irish folklore.
11. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2014)
Found inside a glowing bamboo stalk by a humble farmer, Kaguya grows from a tiny girl into a breathtaking young woman at an almost impossible speed. Studio Ghibli’s 2014 masterpiece is drawn in a delicate watercolor-sketch style that looks like a living painting from ancient Japan.
Her story is bittersweet, beautiful, and deeply human despite her celestial origins. Viewers who appreciate slower, more poetic storytelling will find this film profoundly moving, especially its emotionally devastating and visually stunning final act.
12. Shrek (2001)
Nobody expected a princess story to end with the heroine turning into an ogre and absolutely thriving, but here we are. DreamWorks’ Shrek gleefully tosses every fairy tale rule out the window, and Princess Fiona is the beating heart of that subversion.
She is tough, funny, secretly trained in combat, and completely unapologetic about who she truly is. The film’s message about inner beauty and embracing your real self still resonates just as strongly today as it did when it first hit theaters in 2001.
13. Trolls (2016)
Poppy is the kind of optimistic leader who responds to a crisis by planning a party, and somehow it works. DreamWorks’ Trolls is a sugar-rush of color, music, and surprisingly heartfelt messages about happiness, friendship, and finding joy even in the darkest moments.
As princess and later queen, Poppy never stops believing in the power of community and kindness. Kids who love music-driven stories with bright visuals and a main character who absolutely refuses to give up will have an absolute blast watching this one.
14. Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
Mary stumbles upon a mysterious flower that only blooms once every seven years, and suddenly an ordinary girl becomes the most sought-after witch at a very strange school. Studio Ponoc’s debut film carries a warm, familiar magic that fans of Studio Ghibli will immediately recognize and love.
Mary is curious, clumsy, and wonderfully relatable as she navigates a world she never asked to enter. The film is a love letter to classic magical adventure stories, wrapped in lush animation that makes every frame feel alive and wondrous.
15. Damsel (2024)
Princess Elodie shows up to her royal wedding thinking she has found a fairytale, only to discover she has been dropped into a dragon’s lair as a sacrifice. Millie Bobby Brown brings fierce energy to this Netflix original that completely flips the damsel-in-distress script on its head.
Armed with nothing but her wits and sheer determination, Elodie fights her way through an underground labyrinth in one of 2024’s most gripping princess stories. Fans of survival thrillers mixed with fantasy will find this one genuinely exciting and refreshingly bold.
16. Spellbound (2024, Netflix Animated Musical)
Waking up to find your parents have been turned into monsters is a rough morning by anyone’s standards. Netflix’s animated musical Spellbound follows the tenacious Princess Ellian as she races to reverse a powerful spell before her kingdom loses hope entirely.
Packed with original songs and vibrant animation, the film captures the feeling of classic fairy tale musicals while giving its young heroine real emotional depth and agency. Families looking for a newer princess adventure with big heart and catchy music will find this one hits all the right notes.
17. Scarlet (2025)
Revenge is a powerful motivator, but descending into the actual underworld to get it takes real conviction. Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Scarlet is a 2025 Japanese animated film set in the 16th century, following a princess whose burning vow of vengeance leads her somewhere no living person was meant to go.
Hosoda’s signature emotional storytelling style promises this will be far more than a simple action tale. Anime fans and newcomers alike should keep this visually ambitious film firmly on their radar as one of the year’s most exciting releases.