a definitive ranking of the top 10 Barbie princes of all time
no i will not be taking critiques
The Barbie Cinematic Universe (BCU) is a highly slept on collection of masterpieces of film which are yet to have been fully celebrated as they should be by the cinephile community. Perhaps in another 50 years, we will look back and see them for their worth. Only time will tell.
We can already look to the original Barbie movies and celebrate them for the celebration of girlhood that they are. I can’t think of one Barbie movie that does not pass the Bechdel test, for example. Sisterhood and friendship were central themes to these works of art, putting romantic relationships at a lower tier. Barbie was feminine and etheral but also goodhearted and brave. And the aesthetics were so magical and incredibly unique to the classic Barbie universe. Never again have we seen such marvelous use of mossy greens, deep pinks, and lavenders.
But one aspect the BCU has not gotten credit for is its top tier romantic interests and representations of gentle masculinity. So today I will be ranking my top 10 BCU princes worst to best.
Number 10: Prince Antonio
“The Island Princess”
Prince Antonio from “The Island Princess” sits firmly at the bottom of my list for many reasons. I was hardcore not a fan when I was younger. First of all is his “business from the front, party from the back” energy. It’s really not just the ponytail but also the look of the ponytail. From the front, he doesn’t even look like he should have a ponytail. He looks like he’s got a normal, business casual, financial consulatant-esque haircut.
Then he turns around and it’s like “WOAHHHH ponytail” like where did that come from? Why the slick-back low ponytail gelled with curtain bangs…?
Second of all. I know Barbie was technically a castaway in this scenario and she’s white and blonde so it’s okay (???) but the whole thing is truly giving me major Christopher Columbus vibes. What was this expedition for? What was he looking for? And how do you know this white woman isn’t native to the island? Now you’re just gonna snatch her away with some exotic animals? And the name Antonio…. yeah let’s not pretend he wasn’t a Spanish conquistador type individual.
Personally speaking I just don’t think he really did much and he was simping in the most annoying way. Simping is not inherently bad. It actually will be a plus later on in the list but with him… yeah no. Did I maladaptive daydream to this plotline as a child? Yeah maybe. Does that make Antonio better? No. In conclusion:
Number 9: Prince Daniel
“Swan Lake”
Another man with a crazy slick back but I’m not going to go into it. Prince Daniel pissed me off the whole way through but I won’t lie, I lived for the drama in this one.
First things first, he was def a Sagittarius. In a man… not the best look for him. I sensed this intuitively even as a young child.
Second of all. And this is my biggest bone to pick with him. The famous turning point of Barbie’s “Swan Lake” is when the villain Odile steals Barbie’s whole entire look and vibe and pretends to be her just to get a dance with this guy while Barbie is stuck in swan mode. She sees them dancing together and is distraught.
He even proposes to her which almost causes Odette/Barbie’s death. First of all, she’s so real for that. But more importantly, Daniel should have known. He should have known by her micro-expressions and breath patterns if he really truly loved Odette. Because you know who would have known? Julian from “Princess and the Pauper” but we’ll get into that later. So if you ask me, it’s kind of giving cheater energy.
Also Odette literally has to save his life at the end anyways so it’s like you’re killing her and then she has to save you… kind of dead weight, no offense.
Number 8: Prince Nalu
“Fairytopia”
Not particularly memorable to me but nothing but good vibes to me from this man. Idk no beef but no big feelings.
Number 7: Prince Stefan
“Rapunzel”
I’m gonna be honest, it’s also been a long time since I’ve watched this one because it wasn’t really as good as the others. But he did honestly fight so hard to be with Barbie. And I liked the basic man/cool artsy girl duo which I think was good representation for that particular community.
He also reunited her with her father which was super nice and valiant of him. Good job Stefan.
Number Six: Ian and Jeremy
“The Diamond Castle”
I use this picture of them distantly in the background purposefully. And you know why? They were not the main point nor the main love interests on the DL. This movie was for the girls and the gays.
First you have these two stunning women living in a secluded cabin in the woods singing love songs to each other with matching purse dogs and jewlery. Then you have… these two random dudes no one was interested in who did pretty much nothing and dissipated so quick once the real plot kicked in. This was the WLW cottagecore fantasy and Ian and Jeremy were the best beards these girls could have asked for. And their allyship is what lands them firmly at number 6.
They were fun accessories! Small dog and a cute guy for each AND they play guitar to give these queer baddies a little background music? A little tune to jam out to? Yesssss I love it.
Points off for misogyny but then point gained back for learning their lesson!
Number 5: Prince Aidan
“Magic of the Pegasus”
Okay now it’s getting really seriously into my top picks.
First of all, I loved the name Aidan so much as a kid and it was coincidentally the name of my 3rd grade crush so this did bump him up subconsciously, I think. But on a real note, this movie altered my brain chemistry permanently so he earned his spot.
He was kind of sarcastic and really didn’t sugarcoat with Barbie and I really vibe with that. But the moment that changed me forever… if you watched this movie as a kid you already know what I’m going to say.
THIS WAS CINEMAAAAAA. THIS WAS ART. I was shaken. When he jumps into the ice to save her???? ugh. This scene shaped my bedtime daydreams so much. The drama of it all. This was just generally such a good movie.
Number 4: Prince Eric
“The Nutcracker”
First of all, Eric was one of the finest of the bunch just point blank period. The rest of them were cute but Eric was actually sexy in a really pixelated CGI type of way. He was bringing out my savior complex so hard back then. So tortured… He cared so much about his kingdom AND got his redemption arc AND turned into a human and it turns out he was fine AF the whole time? Just a good overall run for him. I was already into him as a nutcracker with that big ass Funko pop head and that says everything you need to know about him.
Idk I just liked that he was saving his kingdom for his people and not so they would like him because he was being so down on himself as maybe he should be, I don’t remember. But he just has this very earnest type energy. Like if he was a politician I would vote for him. I don’t think what happened was his fault even? Like he’d be the kind to make an apology video and cancel himself meanwhile everyone is confused cuz he didn’t do anything.
And they were hot together tbh. So classy… These were some of my favorite Barbie looks in the franchise. Barbie is the reason I wore my hair half-up half down like every day until I was 22 and this movie is a prime example of why.
Number 3: Julian
“Princess and the Pauper”
Julian is not technically a prince. He was a royal tutor. But he did marry Barbie and become royalty so I’m making an exception.
Looks wise… mmm not really my top choice. He’s another ponytail-headed individual but it actually makes sense for him and isn’t weird so I didn’t revoke points.
The tutor thing was sexy for him though! Like I get the appeal tbh. Tutor and princess is a cute combo. He had that little scholarly serious thing to him too that really did work in his favor.
But he earns this spot for me because his absolute loyalty. Let’s remember Prince Daniel first for reference, who “couldn’t tell” he was being tricked. Alright sure… Julian over here puts together an entire plot to save Barbie/Anneliese’s life. And this all started because he knew her so well that he was literally sleuthing around, smelled her note, and said “she would never use lilac… her favorite scent is rose”. DO YOU SEE WHY DANIEL GOT DEMOTED NOW?? That is dedication!!!! Shows that if he wanted to, he truly would.
As a Leo Venus, that truly bumped him up considerably for me. As well as the part in “To Be A Princess” when he goes on a simp solo about her beauty that no one asked for.
Number 2: Prince Derek
“The 12 Dancing Princesses”
Derek was honestly the finest of the bunch. He’s the definition of Korean “glass skin”. His hair was perfectly cut and the brows were threaded to perfection. He was clearly taking good care of himself, and was the only one of the bunch to be a legitimate business owner/artisan. Also technically not a prince but included on the list. He’s self-made. He doesn’t come from generational wealth like many of the others. And I respect him for that.
Even so, I like that Barbie/Genevieve was royalty so she was somewhat above him. That was a cute power dynamic for him, and his simp energy was also one of the best of the bunch. Not over the top but still present. They could all tell he liked her and she liked him and idk it was just a cute little vibe.
But as someone who loves her sister and was best friends with her sister growing up (we would watch these movies together, in fact), I loved seeing his dynamic with her sisters and how much he showed up for them too. Like Julian, he also caught on that something was wrong, put his life on the line not just for her but for all of them, did his own sleuthing, and ended up in their magical world where he did a beautiful dance with Genevieve. He was just a girl’s girl at heart. A girl’s boy? King of being secure in his masculinity as well!
And he played the flute??? I literally started playing the flute in elementary school and played it for like 3 years because of him. I wanted to learn his little song but sadly it did not happen. Boo.
Number 1: Prince Dominic
“Princess and the Pauper”
Prince Dominic… Where to even begin.
First of all, I loveddd Erika the pauper getting the prince. Love love love. She really truly deserved it.
I really vibed with the whole “secretly watching her as a royal guard and knowing she wasn’t the princess all along” thing. Because that meant that not only was he not a snitch, but he saw her for her real self and loved her all along. Both men in this movie were loyal AF. Actually, I feel weirdly a bit speechless like it’s difficult to convey my big emotions about him.
Julian was def a Virgo sun with some Libra placements somewhere and maybe a Scorpio placement scattered in there. But Dominic was most definitely a Scorpio sun and that’s one of my favorite signs for a man. Just something about the secrecy, the costumes, wanting a real deep love that he knew instead of an arranged marriage, and then going in and loving her even more because they were both sneaking around. It was just meant to be.
He also played the piano and she was a singer???
My favorite part was how instead of them getting together right away, he waited for her while she went off to get famous and then when she came back, they got married. Idk he’s just a real one who wants true love at the end of the day.
So that’s been my list. I’ve been waiting years to get that off my chest so I hope it resonated and no I will not change my mind.
At the end of the day, a BCU prince will beat almost any Disney prince anyday. Except maybe Flynn Rider but even that is kind of a tough competition.