One of the dark Disney princess stories is 'Snow White'. The Queen's jealousy led her to try to kill Snow White multiple times. Another is 'Sleeping Beauty'. Maleficent curses Aurora to prick her finger and die. And in 'The Little Mermaid', Ariel gives up her voice and endures great pain to be with a human, which has some dark undertones of sacrifice and the unknown in a new world.
Well, take 'Cinderella' for example. Her stepmother and stepsisters treat her horribly, making her life a misery. It's a kind of dark aspect of the story. Then there's 'Beauty and the Beast'. Belle is trapped in the Beast's castle against her will at first, which is a rather dark start to the story. Also, in 'Pocahontas', the historical and cultural clashes shown can be seen as a form of darkness in the story.
In the story of 'Mulan', she has to go to war in place of her father. This is a very dangerous and difficult situation for a young woman, which adds a dark element. For 'Tangled', Rapunzel was locked in a tower for years by Mother Gothel. This isolation and the false relationship she had with Gothel are dark parts of the story. And in 'Moana', although it's not as dark as some others, the idea of the dying ocean and the past mistakes that led to it can be considered a bit of a dark side to the story.
For Cinderella, there could be a dark side story in how her stepsisters and stepmother treated her so cruelly. However, from the stepsisters' perspective, they might have been pressured by their mother to be that way in order to secure a better future for themselves. And in the case of Belle from Beauty and the Beast, some might say that her being so willing to stay with the Beast, a creature who had kidnapped her father, has a bit of a dark undertone. But she was also trying to save her father.
One dark side is the lack of agency in some stories. For example, Snow White. She was mainly a passive character, waiting to be rescued by the prince. Another is the emphasis on beauty as the most important trait. Cinderella was only noticed by the prince because of her beauty at the ball. And in some princess stories, there is a kind of class divide that is not really challenged. The princesses often end up with princes, which might give the idea that marrying into royalty is the only way to a happy ending.
Some of the popular Disney Princesses include Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Jasmine (Aladdin), Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana (The Princess and the Frog), Rapunzel (Tangled), and Merida (Brave).
Snow White is really popular. She was the first Disney princess, and her story of the seven dwarfs and the evil queen is well - known. Cinderella is also very popular. Her rags - to - riches story with the help of her fairy godmother has charmed generations.
The Evil Queen from Snow White is a common character in this type of fanfiction. Writers like to delve deeper into her motives and give her more backstory, making her more than just a one - dimensional villain. Also, Ursula from The Little Mermaid is popular. She can be made even more menacing or given a more sympathetic backstory that ties in with the darker re - imaginings of the princesses' stories.
Cinderella is quite popular. Her story of going from a poor girl to a princess is always a hit. Ariel from The Little Mermaid is also a favorite, with her underwater adventures. And of course, Snow White with her seven dwarfs.
Some fanfictions play with the idea of the princesses being villains themselves. Belle could use her intelligence to manipulate those around her instead of being the kind - hearted book - lover. And Jasmine might be a power - hungry princess who will stop at nothing to gain more control over her kingdom, rather than just wanting to escape the arranged marriage.
One popular theme is the 'what if' scenarios. For example, what if Cinderella didn't lose her glass slipper? Another is the crossovers between different princesses. They could team up to face a common enemy. And of course, there are also many stories about the princesses' lives after their 'happily ever after', like how Ariel manages her underwater kingdom while also dealing with the surface world politics.
Well, take Cinderella for example. She was mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters but still remained kind. With the help of her fairy godmother, she got to go to the ball, lost her glass slipper, and in the end, Prince Charming found her through the slipper and they lived happily ever after.
Cinderella is very popular. Her rags - to - riches story is really appealing. And Snow White is also well - loved. Her kindness and the way she overcomes the evil queen's plot are great. And Belle from Beauty and the Beast is popular too, with her love for books and her ability to see the good in the Beast.