The new Beauty and the Beast live-action remake hits theaters next month, and it’s generating a whole lot of buzz, mostly about whether it can live up to its 1991 predecessor, which was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture. It’s one of the best romances Disney has ever offered, and with Valentine’s Day, a holiday dedicated to romance, fast approaching, now seems like a good time to take a look at the great couples Disney has brought us over the years.
10. Ariel and Eric-The Little Mermaid
This was one of the first Disney couples who got to know each other before they ended up together, rather than just meeting and marrying. Ariel had long been fascinated with life on land, but meeting Eric turned out to be the tipping point. Soon, she’s trading her voice for legs in order to be with him, and he’s falling for her too, not knowing that she’s the mystery woman who saved his life. True love’s kiss comes just a bit too late to give them their happily ever after, but they make that happen with their bravery and commitment to being with each other. Plus, Ariel’s dad being surprisingly cool with her hooking up with a guy at 16.
9. Belle and the Beast-Beauty and the Beast
This couple had the rockiest start on the list, having met when Belle volunteers to take her father’s place as the Beast’s prisoner. The Beast hopes she may be the one to break his curse, but he isn’t great at winning her over. But he eventually turns over a leaf when he saves her life, gives her a frigging library, and even risks being cursed forever when he lets her leave so she can help her father. Belle is a heroine for the ages, ahead of her time with her independence, her love of reading, and above all, her rejection of the handsome yet arrogant Gaston.
8. Tarzan and Jane-Tarzan
Different worlds is an understatement with these two. He was raised by gorillas in Africa, she’s a proper Victorian lady who comes to his home with her scientist father. Jane has her own adorable nerdy quirks, and Tarzan needs a bit of help relating to his own kind after a lifetime of isolation from other humans. Both Tarzan and Jane’s wonder as they show each other the places they hail from and come to understand each other better is genuinely sweet.
Advertisement
7. Mulan and Shang-Mulan
Talk about unconventional. These two meet in the fight to save China from an invading Hun army…when Mulan is impersonating a man to save her father and Shang is her commander and trainer. They grow to respect each other as soldiers first, then fight alongside each other to save the Emperor after her secret is revealed. Mulan’s final battle with the movie’s villain is literally one of Disney’s most explosive, with fireworks galore.
6. Hercules and Megara-Hercules
He may be a true hero and an all-around great guy, but he started out as an awkward kid whose lack of control over his superhuman strength wreaked havoc and made him an outcast. His heroic deeds were also all in service of an agenda: to restore his godhood and get him back to Olympus. Megara has a complicated backstory too. She sold her soul to Hades to save her ex, who repaid her by running off with someone else. The experience has left her understandably jaded, and distrustful of guys in general. So her interest in Hercules starts as an attempt to learn his weaknesses so she can report them to Hades, but she can’t help but fall for Herc’s innate goodness and charm, even if her signature number is entitled I Won’t Say I’m in Love. But by the end, they both end up risking everything for each other.
Advertisement
5. Aladdin and Jasmine-Aladdin
He’s a thief who steals to survive, and she’s a princess who wants more control in a life that she feels is being lived for her. So when Aladdin makes himself into a prince to gain her affections, she initially thinks he’s just another jerk. But one magic carpet ride can work wonders.
4. Giselle and Robert-Enchanted
Amy Adams as a character that is both an homage to and a parody of the classic Disney princesses? Yes. And Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden as her love interests? YES. Adams is Giselle, who was about to marry Prince Edward (Marsden) in an animated fairy tale world, until a witch transports her to modern-day New York City and she meets Robert (Dempsey), a cynical divorce lawyer. Their love story is as romantic as it is funny, with Amy Adams getting some help from rats and cockroaches as she cleans Robert’s apartment, then causing ordinary life to turn into a musical as she charmingly sings about love in a park.
Advertisement
3. Lady and Tramp-Lady and the Tramp
She’s from a life of ease and privilege, and he’s a player from the wrong side of the tracks. But Tramp sure steps up when Lady finds herself in trouble on his side of town. Before long, he’s showing her around his world, and even ends up saving a baby. And who can forget that romantic, iconic spaghetti dinner? Best date ever.
2. Anna and Kristoff-Frozen
These two have a more complicated love story. They certainly don’t meet cute, and she was actually engaged to someone else! Kristoff is not a prince, or a bad boy with a heart of gold, and his aim isn’t to fall in love with a princess. What he is is loyal, smart, and very supportive of Anna and her mission to save both her sister and her kingdom. But he’s also not afraid to call her out on the mistakes she makes, like getting engaged to a prince she’s only known for a few hours. And he can be just as weird and quirky as her.
1. Carl and Ellie-Up
Talk about pulling on the heartstrings. There’s no magic spells, curses, or evil stepmothers in Carl and Ellie’s relationship, which is pretty firmly grounded in the real world. They meet up as kids, grow up, and then grow old together. They have the most ordinary of lives and difficulties, but their story still feels like one of the most epic yarns Disney has ever given us.
Advertisement