16 Years Ago, This Classic Disney Movie Ended an Era for Animation (And Its Sequel Got Cancelled)

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Sixteen years ago, a beloved Disney Princess movie signaled a turning point for Disney Animation, but plans for a sequel were unfortunately scrapped years later. Over the decades, Disney Animation has experienced several distinct periods, with some being more successful than others. As the 2010s began, Disney was at a crossroads, searching for a new direction to revitalize its animated films.

This week marks the 16th anniversary of the release of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, which premiered on December 11, 2009. The film was groundbreaking as it introduced Disney’s first and only Black princess. It was also one of the last Disney movies created using traditional hand-drawn animation, before the studio shifted towards computer-generated imagery, as seen in Tangled (released a year later). Despite its popularity, plans for a sequel have unfortunately been cancelled.

The Princess and the Frog Ended a Disney Era

Released in 2009, The Princess and the Frog marked a significant change for Disney fans. While Disney had begun experimenting with computer-generated animation in films like Chicken Little, Bolt, and Meet the Robinsons, they hadn’t abandoned traditional 2D animation altogether – despite the unsuccessful Home on the Range. The Princess and the Frog retells the classic fairy tale The Frog Prince, similar to many beloved Disney Princess stories, and introduced a wonderful new princess to audiences.

Tiana stood out from the other princesses. She wasn’t focused on finding a prince or getting married; instead, she was a determined young woman with big dreams of opening her own business and creating a thriving community, inspired by her happy childhood. Life in New Orleans was challenging for her, until a magical turn of events transformed her into a frog.

Tiana’s relationship with Prince Naveen was unlike traditional Disney princess stories. They clashed throughout much of the film, as Naveen was initially selfish and inadvertently caused Tiana’s troubles. However, they eventually find happiness, and Tiana achieves her dream while becoming a princess. Despite its charm, the movie faded from the spotlight as Disney focused on computer-animated films and later found even greater success with movies like Frozen.

What Happened to Princess Tiana?

While several Disney Princesses have returned in sequels or spin-offs, Tiana hasn’t had the same opportunity. Although her movie inspired updates to the Splash Mountain ride and a new song, fans have been hoping for a proper follow-up to The Princess and the Frog without success. Unfortunately, a planned TV series based on the film was cancelled before it could even air, making the situation even more disappointing.

A Disney+ series featuring Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, with Anika Noni Rose reprising her voice role, was unfortunately cancelled. Originally announced in 2020, the show was put on hold and ultimately scrapped as Disney+ changed its strategy and moved away from making lengthy TV series. While the project experienced some internal changes during development, the decision to shift focus ultimately led to its cancellation, at least for the time being.

While Tiana might reappear in a future Disney project, it’s disappointing that The Princess and the Frog hasn’t received the same attention as other recent films. Although it wasn’t Disney’s last 2D animated movie (that was Winnie the Pooh), it feels overlooked. Many films like Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Moana, and Zootopia have gotten sequels or continuations, but The Princess and the Frog hasn’t been included.

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2025-12-14 00:42