Princess Shows to Binge in Your Tower
If the recent pandemic has you begging Mother Gothel to tell you why you can't go outside, you're not alone. Sometimes watching your favorite 90-minute princess movie just isn't enough to pass away the hours and weeks you must spend locked in your tower. That's why I've compiled a list of some of the best princess shows that are available to watch right now on Netflix, Disney+, or online. Like my 100 princesses post, this list is in no particular order and is staggered between animation and live-action so you won't skip over a genre you're less interested in and take away your chance to discover something new. You've probably read about most of these shows on my blog already, so now is a great time to check them out in full if you didn't get have the time to earlier. I will also include links to my original reviews for shows that have them. Happy tower binging!
Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders
Where to watch: The Jewel Riders Archive channel on YouTube
Why to watch: This show is the ultimate escapist fantasy because it takes place in a beautiful pastel-colored dreamlike interpretation of Avalon that is powered by friendship and filled with faeries, unicorns, and mermaids.
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
Where to watch: It's free on ABC's website!
Why to watch: When the writing on ABC's Once Upon a Time started to go south, they released this gem of a spinoff with thirteen fully fleshed out episodes containing one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever seen about a grown-up Alice in Wonderland and her relationship with a young genie from Agrabah.
Sofia the First
Where to watch: The series is available in full on Netflix.
Why to watch: Similar to Jewel Riders, this show fulfills an escapist fantasy of immersing yourself in the kid-friendly kingdom of Enchancia, which is filled with faeries, mermaids, and unicorns and features a kind-hearted protagonist who learns to wield incredible powers while training alongside the Disney Princesses.
My review: Forever Royal: The Last Sofia the First
Ashes of Love
Where to watch: The series is available in full on Netflix, but prepare to lose some sleep because it's addictive and long.
Why to watch: This Chinese escapist fantasy takes place in one of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen and centers around a "lost princess" archetype named Jinmi who is the secret daughter of the late queen of the Floral Realm. She travels to the breathtaking Heavenly Realm and falls in love with the Phoenix prince, where countless obstacles come between them.
Mia and Me
Where to watch: The first two seasons are available on Netflix. The latest season has a bunch of clips available on YouTube.
Why to watch: This Italian animated/live-action hybrid grants a young girl the fantasy of turning into a faery and flying around a magical storybook world full of unicorns and friendship.
H2O: Just Add Water/Mako Mermaids
Where to Watch: All seasons of both shows are available on Netflix.
Why to watch: If you'd rather be a mermaid than a faery, this Australian series is for you. H2O: Just Add Water features three ordinary teen girls who are granted extraordinary mermaid powres when they fall into an enchanted cave. Its spinoff series, Mako Mermaids, reveals more about where the mermaids came from but is less consistent with its storytelling and characters.
Tangled: The Series/Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure
Where to watch: The first two seasons are available now on Disney+. The third season will be available in one month on April 23rd.
Why to watch: It fleshes out the kingdom of Corona that was introduced in Disney's 2010 Tangled feature and gives Rapunzel her first female friend and all the drama that comes with it.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Where to watch: The series is available in full on Netflix.
Why to watch: The show centers around a protagonist who wants to live her own romantic fairy tale right down to singing all her emotions out loud. It deconstructs the romance/fairy tale genre by exploring how to maintain a healthy mindset toward love without losing your princess-like optimism.
Elena of Avalor
Where to watch: The first two seasons are on Disney+, and all the episodes from season 3 so far are available on DisneyNOW with a cable login.
Why to watch: This Disney Princess series is set in the same world as Sofia the First, but contains a darker backstory for its protagonist. It is a culturally dynamic show that is filled with Aztec mythology and will be ending later this year, so now is a good time to get caught up.
My review: Elena Is Back and Better Than Ever!
Reign
Where to watch: The series is available in full on Netflix.
Why to watch: This historical drama taught me a lot about the trials and tribulations of Mary, Queen of Scots without being boring like a documentary. I loved the storylines they incorporated to flesh out Mary's four ladies-in-waiting even though I was aware that most of them were probably fabricated.
My Review: Final Thoughts on the CW's Reign
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Where to watch: The first four seasons are currently available on Netflix with the final season slated for May 15th.
Why to watch: This show is an exponential improvement over its 1980s predecessor with dynamic character-driven stories that blur the lines between what it means to be a "good" or "bad" person.
My reviews: Season One
Barbie
Where to watch: Several of the movies are available on Netflix as well as the Dreamhouse Adventures and Dreamhouse Adventures Go Team Roberts series. The earlier movies can be found online through less savory channels.
Why to watch: With her "Be anything" theme, Barbie has encouraged girls to dream by playing everything from fairy tale princesses to mermaids to faeries to superheroes. Her current Dreamhuse Adventures series on Netflix is pretty mediocre next to her movies, so I would only recommend the series if you're incredibly bored and have already seen everything else on this list.
My review: Barbie Is a Part-Time Princess
The Little Mermaid: The Animated Series
Where to watch: The series is available in full on Disney+.
Why to watch: If you didn't grow up with Ariel's adventures in Atlantica, your childhood was sorely lacking. There's no time like the present to catch up!
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