1. Kelly Macdonald as Merida (Brave)
Pixar is already known for going against the animation grain, creating classics that appeal across age lines. Brave is no different, but it also turns the classic Disney Princess on her head. Kelly Macdonalds Merida is not your typical Disney Princess. For one thing, unlike Disneys recent attempts to shift the focus from male leads to females (The Princess and the Frog, Tangled), there isnt really a major love interest or even an empowered male character in the film. Instead of a romantic relationship, the film focuses on the mother-daughter relationship, creating a powerfully feminist angle for a kids film. The men in the film are frequently emasculated by the stronger female characters, namely Merida and her mother. The archery contest, breaking up the fights between the clans, defeating Mor'du, all of these scenes make it clear the the women are the ones in charge.