When discussing cinema and its romances, it’s almost impossible to leave Disney out of the conversation. Since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs debuted way back in 1937, Disney have given the world magical tales of love, friendship, and acceptance in the form of both live-action and animated films.
The studio sits alone at the top of the entertainment world, supported by its rich history and diverse array of films and franchises. There is no studio that better encompasses the word ‘iconic.’ At the heart of their success lies Disney’s ability to craft and tell the perfect love story, and these romances are some of their finest and most enduring examples.
10 Jack And Sally Are The Nightmare Couple That Dreams Are Made Of
Few faces are as marketable as Jack Skellington’s, and with his partner Sally in hand, he’s been a license for Disney to print money since his debut in 1993’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Pumpkin King and his ragdoll queen pop up in everything from video games to theme park rides to Blink-182 lyrics, and fans the world over hold them as a symbol of the perfect relationship.
Jack and Sally are a couple that generations of romantic partners can aspire to emulate. Add in Jack’s ghost dog, Zero, and you just might have the perfect family.
9 Faith, Trust, And Pixie Dust Can Make A Perfect Couple
The fantastical world of Neverland can transport even the oldest viewer to a time and place of innocence and youthful wonder. The land of pirates, mermaids, and fairies is a near-perfect setting for a romance. The story of Wendy and the boy who wouldn’t grow up, Peter Pan has held fans’ adoration for generations.
Parts of Disney’s 1953 film haven’t aged quite as gracefully though, as its offensive depiction of Native Americans can’t be dismissed as simply a product of its time, which prevents Peter Pan and Wendy’s romance from holding a higher ranking on this list.
8 Aladdin And Jasmine Have A Romance Worthy Of Three Wishes
For many fans, Genie is the most memorable and enduring character from 1992’s Aladdin, though it’s a testament to Jasmine and Aladdin’s love story that they hold their place in pop culture despite Robin Williams’ show-stealing performance.
Aladdin is a magic carpet ride of Disney’s most epic proportions, and its driving force is Aladdin’s desire to win over Princess Jasmine, the very princess often credited with introducing racial diversity into the hall of Disney princesses.
7 Ariel And Prince Eric’s Is The Romance That Started The Renaissance
Following Walt Disney’s death in 1966, Disney’s animation movies showed a decline in critical and commercial success, and it would take a red-haired princess and her human prince to turn things around. 1989’s The Little Mermaid kickstarted a resurgence for the studio and paved the way for their incredible success and box office dominance that stand to this day.
Ariel’s rebellious nature coupled with Prince Eric’s naivete made them fan favorites, and the pair journeyed from the big screen to TV series, sequel films, video games, and even theme park rides.
6 She’s The Belle Of The Ball (When Beast Is On Her Arm)
There are plenty of heartstring-tugging moments in Disney’s animated classic to warm viewers to the Belle and Beast romance. Be it the wonderous animation of the ballroom dance scene or the adorable relationships between the cursed castle servants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The movie and its titular love story perfectly encapsulate the magic of Disney.
Belle’s significance as a strong female character can’t be understated, either. The brave bookworm-turned-princess acted as a pioneer for generations of Disney princesses to come. The tale as old as time has certainly stood the test of it, with Beauty And The Beast receiving a live-action adaptation in 2017 starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens.
5 Simba And Nala Are The Pride Of The Pack
Simba and Nala take the lion’s share when it comes to many fans’ adoration for Disney romances, and being in one of the most successful animated features of all time certainly helps. The Lion King remains the world’s highest-grossing traditionally animated film.
It’s an enduring love story, one of childhood friends finding their way back to each other after years of hardship, and it continues to resonate with people today, whatever their place in the circle of life may be.
4 Sleeping Beauty Was The First Love For Many Disney Fans
Another hugely significant romance from the Disney archives, given that even Disney’s own logo owes a debt to the story of Princess Aurora and Prince Philip, Sleeping Beauty and its tale of true love’s first kiss holds a spot in many a Disney fan’s heart.
The movie hit theaters in 1959, and while its high production cost and initial poor performance led to losses for Disney as a company, later rereleases of the film would cement it as a true Disney classic. As with many on this list, the film would eventually be selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
3 Lady And The Tramp Go Together Like Spaghetti And Meatballs
Man’s best friend hasn’t just maintained a steady presence in the Disney catalog over the years – the four-legged companions have blessed audiences with some of the most heartwarming tales in all of cinema.
Lady and the Tramp may just be top dog. The upper-class Lady and suitably named Tramp are another case of opposites attracting, and their descent into love gifted the world the quintessential love scene. There are few more iconic scenes than the famous spaghetti noodle moment.
2 Cinderella Is A Perfect Romance, If The Shoe Fits
Cinderella’s glass slipper has come to represent much of what Disney romance is all about: wonder, magic, and finding a sense of belonging against all odds. Cinderella and Prince Charming’s connection has inspired couples throughout the generations since Walt Disney’s Cinderella was released in 1950.
Weddings, engagements, anniversaries – their influence is inescapable, and many a lonely heart has longed for a love story of their own to match the magic of Walt’s masterpiece.
1 Disney Is Mickey And Minnie’s World; The Others Are Just Living In It
Walt Disney created a media monster back in 1928 in the form of these adorable mouse spouses, and the world of entertainment has never been the same. In the 1930s, Minnie took a step back from the limelight to allow for the meteoric rise in popularity of Mickey’s pals Goofy, Donald, and Pluto, but she never left the public eye for long and kept a strong place in the hearts of young and old across the globe.
The pair are simply untouchable when it comes to their status in the Disney universe, and with their 100th birthday coming up later this decade, the world can expect more celebrations of the romance of all romances, Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
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