Disney has been my obsession growing up.
I still have all my Princess plush toys that my mother gave me growing up.
I don’t think I can ever outgrow them.
In this post, I’ll list all the Disney characters (I’ll lay more emphasis on the Princesses and Protagonists) with red hair.
Let’s get to it!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may make a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to click on a link and purchase something. Click here to read the full disclaimer.
1. Ariel from The Little Mermaid(1989)
Ariel is my favorite Disney Princess.
My mother gave me an original Ariel Plush from the movie, and I still have her.
Ariel is a spirited, brave, and adventurous young mermaid princess. She’s known for her iconic red hair and enchanting voice. Because of her curiosity about the human world, she collects various human artifacts that have washed ashore.
She yearns to be human and makes a life-changing deal with the Sea Witch – Ursula. In exchange for her voice, she can become human and experience life on land.
Her ultimate goal is to win the heart of Prince Eric.
Contrary to most people’s views, I loved the animated and live-action versions.
I actually adored Hailey Bailey’s version in the film and I find the new Ariel dolls fabulous!
2. Anastasia (1997)
This is not a very popular animated film, but I can guarantee that whoever watches it falls in love with it.
Century Fox made this movie (I was surprised because the animation was so similar to Disney) and later it was bought by Disney – that’s why the movie is currently available in Disney+.
Anastasia follows the historic storyline from Anastasia – and the entire movie surrounds the Princess and how she finds her way back to her grandmother so she can reclaim her history and what’s hers.
Voiced by Meg Ryan, I found her very lovable – and the chemistry between her character and Dimitri is beautiful!
3. Merida from Brave (2012)
The first thing that caught my eye was Merida’s hair.
Back in 2012, this animation was considered way out of its league, and I remember going home and researching how they animated Merida’s hair.
I even downloaded the Brave version of Temple Run to watch her run with her glorious red locks bouncing behind her.
The animation team actually faced unique challenges due to Merida’s wild, curly, and voluminous red hair. Here’s a simplified overview of how Disney-Pixar created Merida’s hair:
Pixar’s animators used advanced simulation techniques to replicate the physics of real hair. Each strand of Merida’s hair was treated as an individual entity, responding to gravity, wind, and movement just like real hair.
The simulation software created natural-looking hair dynamics, including bouncing, swaying, and flowing as Merida moved.
Simulating individual hair strands required careful consideration of how they interacted with each other. Strands could intertwine, clump together, or separate naturally, contributing to the hair’s realistic appearance.
Artists created Merida’s distinctive curly hair by carefully crafting a 3D model of her hairstyle. The model incorporated information about her hair’s texture, shape, and density, ensuring accuracy and authenticity.
Even the doll has pretty accurate red curly locks.
4. Giselle from Enchanted (2007)
Amy Adams outdid herself.
She portrayed Giselle, the animated red-haired character’s personality so beautifully – it was surreal.
I had a hard time believing that the two were separate characters.
This movie was so authentic, and the storyline was so unique and well-crafted – I feel Disney outdid itself with this live-action movie that was partly animated.
The story follows Giselle, a young and naive maiden who lives in the animated fairy-tale land of Andalasia.
Giselle is awaiting her true love’s kiss from a prince named Edward so they can marry and live happily ever after. However, her plans are disrupted when Edward’s stepmother, the wicked Queen Narissa, who wants to retain her throne, pushes Giselle into a magical well that transports her to the bustling real world of New York City.
In the modern world, Giselle finds herself transformed from an animated character into a live-action person. She struggles to adapt to the harsh realities of city life, encountering a cynical divorce lawyer named Robert and his young daughter, Morgan. Giselle’s boundless optimism and fairy-tale outlook clash with the practicality of the real world, leading to humorous and touching moments.
It’s a lovely story, and this is a movie every child and adult can watch.
5. Anna from Frozen (2013)
Anna is one of the main characters in Disney’s animated film “Frozen,” released in 2013.
Her story is central to the movie’s plot, which revolves around love, sisterhood, and self-discovery themes.
Anna is the younger princess of the kingdom of Arendelle. She is spirited, outgoing, and eager for adventure, but she has spent most of her life isolated in the castle due to her older sister Elsa’s magical ice powers. Elsa has the ability to create and control ice and snow, but her powers become a danger when she accidentally exposes them in public during their coronation ceremony.
During the coronation, Elsa accidentally triggers an eternal winter and flees into the mountains to avoid hurting anyone with her powers. Anna, determined to bring back summer and mend their fractured relationship, embarks on a journey to find Elsa. She is accompanied by an iceman named Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a comical snowman named Olaf, who Elsa inadvertently brought to life.
Frozen made history – because of its animation, songs, and unique storyline. The Frozen merchandise does surprisingly well!
6. Princess Fiona from Shrek (2001)
Shrek changed how animated movies were perceived.
The story has so many innuendoes that I still decipher new ones as an adult. Don’t get me started on Lord “Farquaad”.
Princess Fiona is first mentioned by the villainous Lord Farquaad, who is seeking a bride to become his queen and secure his rule over the kingdom of Duloc.
He decides to marry Fiona, who is trapped in a dragon-guarded tower, as part of his quest for power. However, he needs first to rescue her from the tower, and he enlists the reluctant help of the titular ogre, Shrek.
But Shrek eventually falls in love with Fiona – and the only thing stopping him from moving on her is that she’s a beautiful princess and he’s just an ogre.
However, the movie has a lot of twists and turns – and is a delightful watch for both kids and adults.
There is even a Fiona Doll available in the market!
7. Lady Marian from Robin Hood (1973)
Okay, don’t laugh at me.
I know she’s a fox, but I had to include Lady Marian from Robin Hood – because I think those born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s loved this film.
I can’t even count how often I’ve watched this seriously funny and lovable film with my parents.
Lady Marian (aka Maid Marian) is a kind and gentle vixen, and she is portrayed as the love interest of the film’s protagonist, Robin Hood, who is depicted as a fox. She is depicted as a loyal friend to Robin Hood, sharing his concern for the oppressed and his desire to help those in need.
In the movie, Lady Marian resides in Nottingham, suffering under the oppressive rule of the greedy Prince John and his henchman, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, including Little John and Friar Tuck, lead a campaign to steal from the rich and give to the poor.
Throughout the film, Lady Marian supports Robin Hood’s cause and his efforts to thwart Prince John’s unjust rule. Her interactions with Robin Hood are filled with affection and playful banter, showcasing their deep bond.
I feel their chemistry is out of this world – and if you’re looking for a lovable movie to watch for the entire family – please watch this one.
8. Eep from The Croods (2013)
This was such a cute movie with a stellar voice cast!
Emma Stone voices Eeep – a red-haired, feisty girl living in the stone age who has more issues with her father’s strict parenting than the actual hostile environment.
This was such an adorable movie – and it’s funny too!
The voice acting by Nicolas Cage, Ryan Renolds, Emma Stone, and more is amazing – and you’ll be engrossed from start to finish.
At the beginning of the first film, Eep is frustrated by her family’s overly cautious and sheltered lifestyle.
She yearns to see what lies beyond the cave and is eager to experience new things. Her desire for independence and exploration leads her to encounter Guy, a young and innovative nomad who introduces her to new concepts and inventions.
As the story unfolds, Eep’s interactions with Guy and the experiences she goes through challenge her preconceived notions and encourage her personal growth.
She learns to appreciate the importance of family and to balance her adventurous spirit with the wisdom of her clan’s traditions.
9. Jessie from Toy Story 2
When Toy Story 2 came out, I genuinely believed that it couldn’t be as good as the first movie.
I was wrong.
They introduced a few new characters and it worked.
They seamlessly fit into the plot, and I cried when they played Jessie’s story of how she came to be.
I was so happy when they were finally reunited, with Andy adopting all the new toys as his own.
It was the perfect ending to the perfect movie.
Jessie is a cowgirl doll and a member of the “Woody’s Roundup” toy line from the 1950s. She’s known for her vibrant personality, boundless energy, and adventurous spirit.
In “Toy Story 2,” Jessie is initially introduced as one of the toys collected by Al McWhiggin, a toy collector who plans to sell them to a museum in Japan.
Jessie is known for her enthusiastic and vivacious nature.
She’s brave, resourceful, and always ready for action. However, she also feels sad due to her past experiences. Jessie was once a beloved toy but was eventually abandoned by her owner, which left her with a fear of being forgotten again.
By the end of “Toy Story 2,” Jessie becomes a part of Andy’s toy collection after Woody and his friends rescue her from Al. She adjusts to her new life with the other toys and bonds closely with characters like Buzz Lightyear and Bullseye, a loyal horse toy.
Her chemistry with Buzz Lightyear is explored a little further in the next movie.
You can even get a Jessie doll online.
10. Kim Possible from Kim Possible (2002)
Who didn’t love Kim Possible when growing up?
I loved the brilliant and clean animation, and I absolutely adored the writing!
It was fast-paced, fun, and adventurous!
Not to mention Kim’s red hair is to die for!
Kim Possible takes on a variety of missions to save the world from various villains, often assisted by her best friend Ron Stoppable and his pet naked mole rat Rufus. Kim’s catchphrase, “I can do anything,” embodies her can-do attitude and belief in her abilities.
She uses a variety of gadgets and skills to navigate dangerous situations and defeat her adversaries.
Despite her heroic pursuits, Kim also deals with typical teenage issues such as school, friendships, and crushes.
She maintains a close bond with her best friend Ron and develops a romantic relationship with him as the series progresses – which I felt was a brilliant choice.
Kim’s interactions with her family, including her supportive parents and twin brothers, add depth to her character.
I hope you enjoyed this list of Disney female protagonists with red hair. Let me know if you’d like to see more lists like these.
Which Disney princess with red hair is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
