Growing up meant pirates, imaginary friends, trampolines, chalk, and of course, Disney Princesses.

Disney, for many generations, has been providing family-based entertainment like movies, books, and television shows. For my generation—those born in 2002—that meant lots and lots of Disney animated movies. Cars has always been a particular favorite of mine, along with The Incredibles and The Emperor’s New Groove. Those movies, characters, and plots shaped us kids into who we are, and some of the things we like today. The love of racing, superheroes, and animals aren’t the things to take from a Disney film, though. Audiences can also learn all about growing up, finding a family (even if it’s not blood related), that the best person to be is yourself, and how the act of kindness can go a long way. We see all of this, and more, in Disney’s Tangled.

This year, we’re celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Tangled, one of the best Disney Princess movies!

WHEN WILL HER LIFE BEGIN?

I’ll be honest—Tangled is my personal favorite Disney princess movie, so I’m a bit biased. I remember watching this movie when it was released with my Mom and my Grandma in this small, vintage movie theatre. Then, I can remember watching it a hundred more times when we bought the DVD. As a little girl, I was absolutely starstruck by this version of Rapunzel. Like a lot of little girls, I grew up hearing about princess tales, but before Tangled, Rapunzel’s story never stuck with me. Her story often got overshadowed by some of the other classics, like Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, or Snow White. What most know about Rapunzel’s story, which originates from Brothers Grimm, is that she had long, blonde hair, and was locked in a tower. She’s a damsel, she’s in distress; it just blended into all of the other princess noise back then.

Now, though? In Tangled, Rapunzel has so much characters. She’s kind and nurturing, which is an amazing thing seeing as she grew up with a caregiver like Mother Gothel. Rapunzel fights for herself, her dreams, and the people she loves. She isn’t a damsel in distress, but finds her way out of situations using her brains and a trusty frying pan. She may be stuck in the same, old tower, but she figures a way to get out of it, and this time, she doesn’t plan on returning. With Pascal the chameleon on her side, Rapunzel can do whatever she sets her mind to.

SHE WANTS SOMETHING THAT SHE WANTS!

Flynn Rider is the unlucky (and lucky) thief who helps Rapunzel live her dreams. Unlike the original story, Flynn is no prince. He’s a prize burglar with bounties on his head, and kingdom soldiers on his heels. Tangled introduced these characters, and their subsequent meeting, with Flynn stealing his biggest trophy yet; the jeweled tiara of the lost princess. We know that princess is Rapunzel, but neither herself of Flynn realize that yet. After running away from burly partners long abandoned, angry guards, and a dedicated palace horse, Flynn stumbles upon Rapunzel’s tower. After their initial meeting, Rapunzel and Flynn make a deal. She will give him back his crown and let him go, as long as Flynn takes her to the floating lanterns that appear every night on her birthday.

Of course, as with every Disney movie, what happens in Tangled after Flynn and Rapunzel leave the tower is much more than a simple deal.

HEY, BLONDIE!

Not only is Tangled an amazing watch for all ages, but it’s also a wonderful musical! The Tangled soundtrack is one of my Disney favorites. Mandy Moore (voice of Rapunzel) and Zachary Levi (voice of Flynn Rider) were the perfect choices for these characters. The songs in Tangled may be few, but each one is an absolute masterpiece orchestrated by composer Alan Menken. Not to mention the iconic instrumental “Kingdom Dance” from the score that is a pivotal moment in the movie, and a dance that people replicate in real life.

One of my personal favorite songs in Tangled comes from the end credits song. “Something That I Want” is by artist Grace Potter, and I highly recommend that you listen to it right now. Every time that songs plays I am transported back to the end credits of Tangled; I can picture the hand-drawn animations in front of my eyes, and the good feeling that swells in my chest. I’m not the only one who adores “Something That I Want”, because just a few years ago it became a trending song on TikTok! If that’s where you recognize the song, just know that it came from Tangled before anything else!

WE ALL HAVE A DREAM

If you want to feel something magical this year, watch Tangled with friends, with family, with a pet, or even just with yourself. I guarantee that you will leave feeling just a bit lighter than when you started. Celebrate 15 years of the smolder, of magical suns, and of an enemies-to-lovers story, and give Tangled a deserved rewatch.

Tangled is currently streaming on Disney+