10 Magical Films Like The Princess Diaries
Have you seen The Princess Diaries? A lot of people have (even if they don’t all admit it!) In this movie, an awkward 15-year-old discovers that she’s actually a princess. After going through a swan-like transformation, she must choose between living as a normal teen or royalty. If you’re looking for other films like The Princess Diaries, these fun flicks should win you over.
1. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
After a disastrous 13th birthday party, Jenna Rink wishes that she could be “thirty and flirty.” Thanks to a sprinkle of magic dust, her wish comes true. Now, Jenna has to navigate the world as a thirty-year-old and learn to appreciate the teenaged life she left behind. The film’s stars, Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo have amazing chemistry, and the teen cast members look just like their adult co-stars!
Director: Gary Winick
2. Clueless (1995)
In this 90s teen classic, sheltered rich girl Cher discovers she has a talent for matchmaking. After helping two of her teachers fall in love, she decides to help Tai, the new girl at school, by giving her a stylish makeover. When the transformation is a little too successful, Cher realizes that she’s been spending too much time trying to improve others and not enough time making over herself. Starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd, this fashion-forward movie is bursting with charm and heart.
Director: Amy Heckerling
3. A Cinderella Story (2004)
Sam Montgomery is a real-life Cinderella. After the death of her father, her evil stepmother, Fiona, forces her to spend her nights working at the family diner. Even though Sam doesn’t have much time for romance, she’s been chatting with a mysterious boy she knows only as “Nomad.” The two finally meet at the school’s masked Halloween dance, but because Sam has to hurry back to work, she doesn’t have the chance to show Nomad her face. Sam has to figure out how to connect with her love interest and take charge of her life.
Director: Mark Rosman
4. Legally Blonde (2001)
Sorority girl Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, is sure that her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, is about to pop the question. Unfortunately, he pops something else on her: a breakup. At first, Elle is brokenhearted, but after a few crying sessions, she decides to fight back. Elle follows her ex to Harvard Law so that she can prove to Warren that she’s more than a dumb blonde. Along the way, Elle learns that she’s more than a pretty face. She’s smart, capable, and a powerhouse in the courtroom. Soon, Elle’s more concerned about a big trial than her big breakup.
Director: Robert Luketic
5. Ella Enchanted (2004)
When Ella is born, her fairy godmother grants her the gift of obedience. Unfortunately, this gift turns out to be a curse. When Ella is commanded to do something, she has no choice but to obey. Ella decides to track down her fairy godmother so that she can give back her gift. Along the way, she meets and falls in love with the handsome Prince Char. However, Ella knows that she can’t be with Char unless she finds a way to break her curse. The star of Ella Enchanted, Anne Hathaway, is incredibly charming in this magical and inspiring family-friendly film.
Director: Tommy O’Haver
6. What a Girl Wants (2003)
Daphne, who has grown up in America, has never had the chance to meet her British father. She decides to head to Europe and connect with her long-lost dad, Lord Dashwood. Unfortunately, her father isn’t the only person that she finds. Lord Dashwood is engaged to Glynnis, a social climber that sees Daphne as a threat. Daphne has to decide if she’s willing to hide who she is to become closer to her father and his aristocratic family.
Director: Dennie Gordon
7. Miss Congeniality (2000)
When the Miss America pageant is threatened by a terrorist, tough FBI agent Gracie Hart, played by Sandra Bullock, has to go undercover. While Gracie doesn’t look like pageant material at first, she’s able to fit in thanks to a makeover and the help of a pageant coach. Now, Gracie must compete against experienced beauty queens while working to catch the terrorist before it’s too late. William Shatner and Candace Bergen also star in this action-comedy.
Director: Donald Petrie
8. First Daughter (2004)
Being the daughter of the president isn’t easy! Samantha MacKenzie wants to have a normal college experience, but it’s hard to fit in when she’s surrounded by Secret Service agents. When she begs her dad to call the agents off, he has an undercover agent, James, pose as a student instead. As James gets closer to Samantha, the two of them begin to fall in love. Is their romance strong enough to survive when James’ secret is revealed?
Director: Forest Whitaker
9. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
Lara Jean doesn’t have much of a love life, but she does have a vivid fantasy life. Whenever she has passionate feelings for a boy, she writes him a love letter and then hides the letter where no one can see it. When Lara’s secret letters are mailed out, she suddenly has more romance in her life than she knows what to do with. Is Lara Jean ready for real love, or will she keep locking her feelings away? Princess Diaries similar movies don’t come any more heart-warming than this.
Director: Susan Johnson
10. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Jess Bhamra loves soccer, but her strict Indian parents forbid her from playing organized sports. When another girl, Jules Paxton, sees her practising, she convinces Jess to try out for her woman’s semi-pro soccer team. While Jess quickly becomes the team’s star player, she has to find a way to keep her family from discovering her secret. Things get even more complicated when Jess starts to fall for the team’s coach, Joe. Can Jess follow her dreams without hurting her family? This is a character study film to warm your heart. Keira Knightley, Parminder Nagra, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers star in this inspirational film.
Director: Gurinder Chadha
In truth, there are only a small number of movies that are really like Diaries but the sentiment and audience interests are represented in similar ways in the films we’ve covered above.
If you enjoyed this list of 10 films like The Princess Diaries, then make sure you check out the Bob app! It’s a fantastic way to find films that you, friends and family will enjoy, giving you more out of your streaming services.