Some of the best Disney love stories – great for any time of year but especially at Valentine’s Day!
Yup, I’m a Disney dork. Which is why I can’t think of much better than spending my Valentine’s Day watching a romantic Disney movie! While many people go out on Valentine’s Day, I’ve had an interesting series of events the past 10 years that means I almost always have some sort of conflict on Valentine’s Day. Everything from my cat getting sick to being on vacation to having to go to work, February 14th itself doesn’t always seem to work out. But I still like to celebrate the holiday because I feel like love is always worth celebrating. If you’re at home, by yourself, with someone else or whatever, a fun Disney love story is a fun way to spend the night. I picked out what I think are the best Disney love stories for you to enjoy in February or any time!
Beauty and the Beast
This movie is great in general, but I love the relationship between Belle and the Beast. She isn’t turned away by his appearance. They take actual time to get to know each other and fall in love naturally, rather than “love at first sight.” And don’t give me that Stockholm Syndrome nonsense – I don’t believe that to be the case but explaining why would be a whole other blog post 😉 They grow and change together because of their love for each other and that’s a beautiful thing. The quote on the poster calls it “the most beautiful love story ever told.”
Cinderella
This is a good one for me to watch solo because my husband absolutely hates Cinderella (I don’t agree, but don’t get him started). It’s the classic Disney romance. The ball, the shoe, the carriage – these things have become symbolic of Disney romance and Disney weddings now. I also highly recommend the live action movie. I actually like it better than the animated one.
Lady and the Tramp
If you had to name the most famous romance scene in a Disney movie, chances are good that you’ll come up with the spaghetti scene from Lady and the Tramp. Make yourself a spaghetti dinner at home and put on this movie! They are the definition of the romantic notion that “opposites attract.”
Hercules
I’ve always loved the relationship between Hercules and Megara, though I do feel that this one isn’t the first one you’d think of! They overcome so many obstacles together. She falls in love with him despite swearing never to love again. He loves her even after learning she’s working for Hades. She dies for him, he saves her from that death by risking his own life. And then at the end Hercules is offered the chance to become a god, which he turns down so he can stay with Meg. If that’s not love I don’t know what is.
Up
While most of this movie takes place after the love story, it’s this love that is constantly driving and pushing Carl to do the things he does. Plus, the first ten minutes of this movie are sure to move you – a cute love story told beautifully in a short amount of time.
Princess and the Frog
This is one of my all-time favorite Disney love stories because the relationship between Tiana and Naveen just feels so real and important. They don’t just instantly fall in love. And they balance each other out. Tiana teaches him to work hard and really care about things, and Naveen teaches her to relax a little and enjoy life. When Naveen cares more about making her dream come true than anything else, you know it’s real love. You also have the side love story of Ray and Evangeline that leads to a beautiful love song.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
I’m not keeping this list just to the traditional animated movies! While there is a lot of other stuff going on in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, there is a great love story here too. The relationship between Roger and Jessica seems unlikely based on appearance, but it is very pure. They would do anything for each other. And while Jessica could probably be with anyone, she loves Roger for many reasons but a big one is because he makes her laugh. And I think laughter is so important to a relationship!
101 Dalmatians
You get two of the best Disney love stories in this film! Roger and Anita are lovely together. They have great chemistry, support each other, and have fun just dancing together in the living room. Then you’ve got Pongo and Perdita. They also love and support each other and are able to work together and do anything necessary to save their babies.
Tangled
Rapunzel and Flynn are another great pairing I really like. They are similar to Tiana and Naveen in that they are very different but this just brings out the best in each other. Neither are looking for love when they meet each other yet they both find it. The lantern scene on the boat is one of the most beautiful in a Disney movie and the quote “You were my dream” “And you were mine” is one of the most emotional.
Frozen 2
Anna and Kristoff are a cute couple who get together in the first movie, but I think their love story really shines in Frozen 2. That movie shows that relationships aren’t always easy but they get through the hard times and love each other anyway. Kristoff gets major props in this movie. It was so awesome to see a male character who was there to love and support his woman while she was doing what needed to be done. When Anna apologizes for things being “so crazy,” his response is “My love is not fragile.”
The Lion King
The Lion King has a little bit of everything – important father/son relationships, a fight for king, and even a romance. Simba and Nala’s relationship has deep roots, from their friendship as children to when they are older and she finds him in the forest. It also led to one of the greatest love songs of all time, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
Wall-E
Who knew two robots could have such an adorable relationship? One of the best Disney love stories from Pixar, Wall-E and Eve’s relationship is sweet, relatable, and pure. From seeing them hold hands for the first time to when Eve shares their memories together, I feel like there’s a lot we humans can learn about relationships from these robots.
There are plenty of other films that I think have good Disney love stories but these are the top for me!
But who is the best Disney couple?
Are the best Disney love stories automatically the best couples? I personally really like the couples who balance each other out and bring out the best in each other. My favorites are probably Tiana and Naveen, and Anna and Kristoff.
Who is the most romantic Disney princess?
I suppose it depends what you mean by romantic! I think Cinderella, in many ways, is the embodiment of classic romance. She has the sweet story, beautiful dress, and the true love moment. Beauty and the Beast is another one where I think the romance element is strong, especially because you get to see their romance blossom over time.
Other blog posts of interest:
Best Disney couples
Disney movies and wine pairings
10 most romantic restaurants in Disney World
Disney Valentine’s Day gifts on Etsy
Why the Disney Princesses are good role models
What do you think are the best Disney love stories?
Beauty and the Beast is my favourite Disney movie ever!
Mine too!
Beauty and the Beast has long been my favorite, too! I definitely appreciate the love story, gradually getting to know each other even though it didn’t go so well at first–and just think of the epic “how we met and fell in love” story they have to tell their future kids! 😛
Haha oh my goodness, imagine trying to explain that story to the future kids!
Great post!
Beauty and the Beast is of course the most awesome romantic Disney movie to choose, lol! I also don’t go with that “Stockholm Syndrome” nonsense or any argument that some feminists make against the Disney Princesses especially against Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora. I love them all!
I liked the live-action Cinderella, but not better than the animated version.
Aladdin might be another good one to put up here. In my opinion, their kiss on the balcony is the hottest Disney kiss ever, perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration, lol!
You and your husband partake in plays? What plays are you guys doing?
I totally agree with you, I hate when feminists rant against the classic princesses. Aladdin is another good option, I like his and Jasmine’s relationship, and it doesn’t get much more romantic than that flying carpet ride!
Yes, my husband and I actually met doing theater! He’s currently involved in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and I’m doing Anything Goes.
I wish I would get notifications on WP whenever you reply to a comment, but I guess since your site isn’t a “.wordpress.com” anymore, it’s a different format.
Yeah, I don’t identify as a feminist and really hate all the hate those top 3 get. Ariel’s another one that feminists either really love or really hate; it’s a split decision.
I’d love to attend a play one day and act in one one day. Well technically, I’ve acted in one already: I played a Munchkin in our 1st grade production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, lol!
Yeah, I’ve actually been wanting to switch to a different commenting system that would send emails when someone responds to your comment but I haven’t gotten around to setting it up yet. Maybe I’ll do that today since I have the day off 😉
You should totally try to do some theater if you get the chance! It’s so much fun. I was in the Wizard of Oz as a kid too, we did it in Girl Scouts when I was in 4th grade and I played Glinda!
I think Up will always win my heart.
It is such a beautiful movie.
I love that you and your husband are involved in the theatre community. I hope to remain involed for all of my life. I’ve never seen Hercules (I should change that!), but I totally agree with everything on this list. Speaking of Up, how did Pixar make me fall in love and then break my heart in the span of a ten minute montage where no one speaks???
Oh my goodness, you should watch Hercules! For some reason it never made a huge impression on me as a kid when it first came out, but as an adult I love it. Great music, interesting story. Every time I watch it I like it more. And those fist ten minutes of Up are just incredible – I don’t think I can get through it without crying!
So many great movies and love stories! I absolutely love Tangled, but I think my favourite couple and story has to be Tiana and Naveen! I love they playful relationship, and how she still gets to follow her dream – he just joins her 🙂 Such a great message!
I was super close to putting them on this list but I decided to stop at 5! Princess and the Frog is possibly my 2nd favorite Disney movie and I love Tiana and Naveen. I think they complement each other so well!
Yes to all of these! Up always makes me cry so much. Their love is the sweetest!
I know, it’s amazing that a movie can get me to cry when it’s just started!
I have not seen these movies in so long! I absolutely loved Beauty and the Beast when I was younger! I think I may need to have a disney love movie marathon this weekend!
I think that’s a fantastic idea!
Ahh! You’re definitely getting me in the mood to watch some good Disney movies!! My all time hands down favorite is Mulan. I love their relationship in that movie!! I’m not a huge Cinderella fan, I’m with your husband on that one lol, but I do love Lady & The Tramp, and Hercules! Great list 🙂
~Mattie
http://www.mattiesmakings.com
Thanks! Mulan is another great movie, a favorite of mine for sure.
I agree with you that Beauty and the Beast is a wonderful love story as they get to know each other and fall in love naturally. I think the movies where the princess falls in love with someone instantly because of how he looks are portraying a shallow view of love.