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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries is a 2001 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by Garry Marshall and released by Walt Disney Pictures.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Princess Diaries is a 2001 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by Garry Marshall and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Anne Hathaway in her film debut as Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who learns she is the heir to the throne of the fictional European kingdom of Genovia. The film is based on Meg Cabot’s 2000 novel of the same name and was followed by a 2004 sequel.

Plot and premise

The film centres on Mia Thermopolis, a shy San Francisco teenager who discovers she is the princess of Genovia. She receives lessons in royal behaviour from her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi, while deciding whether to accept her role.

Production

The film was directed by Garry Marshall and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It was adapted from Meg Cabot’s novel, with screenplay credit given to Gina Wendkos.

Cast

Anne Hathaway stars as Mia Thermopolis in her first film role, and Julie Andrews appears as Queen Clarisse Renaldi. The cast also includes Héctor Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore, Caroline Goodall, and Robert Schwartzman.

Release and reception

The Princess Diaries was released theatrically on August 3, 2001, and became a commercially successful family film. It later gained a sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, released in 2004, and remained a widely recognised part of Disney’s live-action catalogue.

Key facts

  • Anne Hathaway made her film debut as Mia Thermopolis.
  • The story follows Mia as she learns she is the heir apparent to Genovia.
  • Julie Andrews plays Mia’s grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi.
  • The film is based on Meg Cabot’s 2000 young adult novel.
  • A sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was released in 2004.
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Canadian context

The film was widely distributed in Canada through Walt Disney Pictures and became part of the broader North American teen-comedy and family-film audience.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Princess Diaries about?
It follows Mia Thermopolis, a San Francisco teenager who learns she is heir to the throne of Genovia and must decide whether to become a princess.
Who stars in The Princess Diaries?
Anne Hathaway stars as Mia Thermopolis and Julie Andrews plays Queen Clarisse Renaldi.
Is The Princess Diaries based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Meg Cabot’s 2000 novel The Princess Diaries.
When was The Princess Diaries released?
It was released in the United States on August 3, 2001.
Did Anne Hathaway make her film debut in this movie?
Yes. The Princess Diaries was Anne Hathaway’s first film role.
Was there a sequel?
Yes. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement was released in 2004.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_Diaries_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, studio, cast, plot premise, and basis on Meg Cabot’s novel.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/princess_diaries
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producer details, release date, genre, and production company information.
  3. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/83811/12-regal-facts-about-princess-diaries
    Supports: Anne Hathaway’s film debut and the original working title tied to New York/Tribeca.
  4. Business Insider — https://www.businessinsider.com/the-princess-diaries-facts-2019-1
    Supports: Genovia as a fictional country within the film’s universe.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247638/
    Supports: Principal characters, setting, and plot outline.