Every girl who grew up in the early 2000’s is familiar with the wondrous work that is The Princess Diaries film franchise. With a charming lead such as Anne Hathaway and a continuously quotable screenplay, The Princess Diaries series has continued to be a staple rom-com that families adore. Many girls found solace in Mia’s portrayal of teenage girlhood before we even knew what it was like to be one. And while millions of girls have consistently turned to it for its nostalgia and sentimentality, many still label the series as childish and inconsequential simply because it is marketed for girls. But that does not make it any less worthy of reverence and love. It has spunk, wit, and a breadth of fond displays of womanhood that have made it such a beloved movie.

Perhaps the majority of The Princess Diaries’ charm lies in its cast and characters. Hathaway was fairly unknown at the time but her perfect encapsulation of Mia quickly made her a household name. Part of what differentiated Mia from other female leads was her authentic awkwardness and likability. Oftentimes, female protagonists are written to be obnoxiously quirky or perfect, so much so that we end up despising the character as a whole. In fact, part of why Hathaway was chosen for the role was her clumsy nature in her audition that producer Gary Marshall found endearing. Viewers could both idolize and relate to Mia because Hathaway’s portrayal was so delightfully real. She followed her heart and tried to do what she felt was right which is all any of us can really do when we’re young and inexperienced. To see that on-screen was a warm affirmation for young girls that we are all confused; both princess and commoner.

The ever so elegant Julie Andrews was equally noteworthy. She possessed all the makings of a perfect grandma and was so utterly cool. After all, she was a literal queen! Lily Moscovitz was undeniably quirky and eccentric, and still, the most loyal friend. Her comedic relief and lack of self-awareness made her so memorable. Her socially-conscious radio show “Shut Up and Listen”? Iconic. And of course, who could forget Michael and Nicholas.

Michael was Lily’s cool older brother who was in a band; the boy of our dreams. However, his time in the series was cut short after the first film. But that was just fine, because newcomer Chris Pine entered the picture and his portrayal of Nicholas was absolutely swoon-worthy. In The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Nicholas and Mia’s contentious yet magnetic relationship practically birthed our dear enemies to lovers trope. Their progression from a mere romantic encounter to extreme loathing to blissful love was a rollercoaster from beginning to end; the kind of chaos you can't resist.

Ultimately, the screenplay made this movie so irresistible. It was hilariously written, romantic, and more than anything, its narrative was so evidently female-centered. You could easily detect the female influence of creators Whitney Houston and Shonda Rhimes because its women conveyed such nuance and complexity.

Now I am not blind to the reality that this is not an Oscar-nominated film, but frankly, so what? Should we not allow ourselves to relish in the simple pleasure of enjoying a movie just because it’s cheesy and not high brow? A movie can still be powerful, even if it’s labeled a “comfort movie” or “rom-com” because movies like these are the ones that raise generations of girls and provide them a sort of catharsis they so desperately need in this world of institutionalized misogyny. The harsh reality is that Hollywood will always scorn and mock these kinds of female coming-of-age films because it is a sexist industry that doesn’t think a young girl’s interpersonal growth is a plot worthy of attention. Just because a movie is predictable or immature, does not mean it doesn’t warrant some recognition for its widespread impression on American girlhood. Its box office success speaks for itself; $165.3 million means that it’s resonating with someone, that “someone” just happens to be little girls. Until a young girl’s narrative is seen as important in the eyes of Hollywood, movies like these will always be brushed aside. I am not asking for a stellar Roger Ebert review, but simply that we treat movies of this nature with the affection they gave us. The Princess Diaries is a treasure and its popularity all these 20 years later shows us that that will never change.

Princess Diaries: The Quintessential Comfort Movie