Disney’s The Princess and the Frog Ended an Animation Era But Became a Masterpiece

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For a long time, Disney princesses were often portrayed as needing to be rescued, but Disney started to change that as early as 2009 with the film The Princess and the Frog. Inspired by E.D. Baker’s The Frog Princess, the movie features Anika Noni Rose as Tiana and Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen. As of February 2026, it continues to be popular, consistently ranking among the top 10 most-watched films on Disney+, currently at number 6.

Disney’s The Princess and the Frog stood out from other Disney films from the beginning, taking place in the lively city of New Orleans during the 1920s and centering on the ambitious dreams of a young woman named Tiana. Although the film earned $271 million globally in 2009, it wasn’t considered a massive success by Disney’s typical measurements. While it didn’t perform as well in theaters as some other Disney movies, it appears audiences are increasingly recognizing the unique quality of this story about a different kind of Disney princess, and its popularity is growing as of 2026.

The Princess and the Frog Was an Atypical Disney Fairytale, and It Worked

Disney’s The Princess and the Frog begins in 1926 New Orleans, following Tiana, a hardworking 19-year-old African American waitress with big dreams of opening her own restaurant. Unlike typical fairy tales, Tiana doesn’t come from royalty and can’t simply wish her way to success. Instead, she realistically works two jobs and takes on extra catering gigs—like making beignets for a wealthy man—to save up the money she needs.

Disney princesses hadn’t often been portrayed as working women with ambitions, and it was unusual for those ambitions to be something as grounded as owning a restaurant. Most significantly, The Princess and the Frog broke new ground as the first Disney princess of color, making it a landmark film for the studio.

Being part of the Disney world already gave Tiana a certain foundation, but her story stood out because the filmmakers created a unique journey for her and the other characters, subtly changing what people expected from this type of movie. When Tiana meets Prince Naveen at Charlotte’s party, he also breaks the typical Disney prince mold.

Naveen isn’t handsome, noble, or brave – actually, he’s quite the opposite. This prince is broke because his parents stopped giving him money, and he’s hoping to marry the rich Charlotte as a quick fix to his problems. The magic and charm of the film The Princess and the Frog come through in the villain, Dr. Facilier, a voodoo doctor who plans to take Naveen’s place, marry Charlotte, and use his magical powers to control New Orleans.

Dr. Facilier transforms Prince Naveen into a frog. Believing Tiana is a princess, Naveen asks her for a kiss, hoping to break the spell, but it fails. Instead, Tiana also becomes a frog, and the pair are sent to the bayou. There, they encounter unique creatures like alligators and fireflies, and together, they work to change back into humans and ultimately save New Orleans.

The Princess and the Frog playfully subverts classic fairytale conventions. Instead of the frog transforming into a prince, the princess becomes the frog! And rather than being rescued by a prince, the film features a determined young Black woman who saves the day – and she’s not even a princess to begin with, just a hardworking dreamer. This fresh approach sets it apart from typical Disney movies, making it a beloved animated film that continues to resonate with audiences.

The Princess and the Frog Brought Back 2D Animation

During the 2000s, 3D animation became incredibly popular, leading Disney to largely stop making traditional 2D animated films. However, The Princess and the Frog marked a return to 2D animation – and specifically, the classic hand-drawn style – after a five-year break.

The movie strongly resembled classic Disney films, particularly in its smooth and realistic animation style, echoing the look of films like Bambi and Lady and the Tramp. Even the digitally created backgrounds drew inspiration from these older works, and some scenes were visually inspired by the paintings of Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas.

While some fans were excited to see Disney return to traditional 2D animation, it didn’t last long. The Princess and the Frog was intended to signal a return to those classic roots, but it ended up being Disney’s final 2D animated film. The company then shifted its focus back to 3D and computer-generated imagery.

This unique quality sets the 2009 film apart. It briefly revived a classic animation technique before it faded into nostalgic appreciation. While The Princess and the Frog stood out for its distinctive animation style, its modest box office returns likely discouraged the studio from making more traditionally animated 2D films.

The Princess and the Frog Is Getting a Revival on Streaming

Although The Princess and the Frog earned $271 million worldwide and covered its $105 million production cost, it wasn’t seen as a big success for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Disney sets a very high standard, with films like Frozen, Inside Out, Toy Story, and The Lion King all earning over a billion dollars. Compared to those hits, The Princess and the Frog didn’t perform as well.

Beyond just box office numbers, audiences are starting to appreciate this film, which perhaps resonated more with viewers than it did in 2009. At its core, The Princess and the Frog is a surprisingly feminist story, giving its female lead, Tiana, a level of independence rarely seen in Disney films. Ironically, some critics at the time actually disliked that Tiana wasn’t a typical princess—they felt her ambition and work ethic meant she lacked the usual motivations for a Disney heroine.

Tiana’s situation was unique compared to typical fairy tales. Unlike most princesses, she wasn’t waiting for a prince or riches—her own dreams and freedom were what mattered most. She worked tirelessly to achieve her goal of opening a restaurant, and she even found love along the way. In fact, it was Naveen who underwent a significant transformation, learning to be more truthful and considerate.

People are connecting with The Princess and the Frog now more than ever, largely because audiences in 2026 relate to Tiana’s story on a deeper level. Combined with a growing appreciation for nostalgia and classic styles – like the traditional animation Disney used to be known for – the film feels fresh and appealing. It’s a story that beautifully celebrates individuality, authenticity, Black culture, and the unique atmosphere of New Orleans.

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2026-02-20 16:07