How to Watch The Princess Diaries on Netflix

A socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl discovers that she's the princess of a small European country. Her comical transformation toward poise and princess-ness begins, as she battles media storms, jealous schoolmates and a plot to take over her kingdom.

A cult classic that launched Anne Hathaway's acting career, the 2001 film was directed by Garry Marshall and featured Julie Andrews as Mia's grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi. Now, a third installment is in the works at Disney.

1. Watch on Netflix

Whether you're looking for a quick fix of teen fantasy or just need a little nostalgia this holiday season, The Princess Diaries is the perfect film to watch on Netflix. It's the 2001 coming-of-age rom-com that follows Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), a nerdy and awkward high school student who discovers she's actually the heir to a European kingdom.

The Princess Diaries is a cult classic that spawned a sequel in 2004 and was based on Meg Cabot's novel of the same name. It was directed by Garry Marshall and stars Anne Hathaway as Mia and Julie Andrews as her grandmother Clarisse Rinaldi.

While the movie is best-known for its iconic makeover scene, which turns a clumsy nerd into a regal ballerina, it's also a comedy that explores themes of self-love and confidence. Even if you've seen it before, the comedic chemistry between Hathaway and Andrews will still be a delight to watch.

When Mia discovers that she's the heir to Genovia, she undergoes a series of "princess lessons" to transform her into a royal — all while coping with her relationship with her best friend Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo) and being bullied by Lana Thomas (Mandy Moore). But once Mia learns about her actual heritage, things get out of hand.

After discovering that she's actually the heir to king and queen of Genovia, Mia spends her days under the tutelage of her grandmother (Julie Andrews) as she decides to claim her rightful place on the throne or renounce it for good. She finds solace in her cat, Fat Louie, and her friendship with Lilly. But when the media catches on to her new identity, she's thrust into the spotlight and pushed to her limits.

2. Watch on Amazon

A teeny tiny country called Genovia is thrust upon socially awkward San Francisco teenager Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) when she finds out she is a princess. To her credit, she takes on the challenge with aplomb. The film, directed by the one and only Garry Marshall, is a feisty blend of humor, romance, and royal shenanigans, all topped off with a splashy ad campaign from Disney that is both clever and witty. The best part about this movie is that it's actually fun to watch. It was also a big hit for Anne Hathaway and she hasn't looked back. Thankfully, the movie is available on demand and you can download it in high definition to watch on your TV at home or on the go. You can find it on Amazon, Vudu, and DIRECTV. You may have to do a bit of shopping around for the best prices. The best of luck! You'll also want to check out the movie's swag bag if you haven't already. The Princess of Genovia is a must-watch for anyone with an eye for a good time.

3. Watch on Hulu

A socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl, Mia Thermopolis, finds her life completely turned upside down when she discovers that her long-absent father is the prince of Genovia. She's given three weeks to experience what it's like to be a princess, and then it's up to her to decide whether she wants to rule the small European country.

The Princess Diaries is based on the Meg Cabot novels of the same name and stars Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. It was released in 2001 and was a breakout role for Hathaway, who earned more than six times her budget at the box office. It also led to a 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, and a third movie is reportedly in the works.

In the original film, Anne Hathaway plays Mia Thermopolis, a socially awkward but very bright high-schooler who suddenly discovers that her father is the king of a tiny European country. Upon learning that she's the heir to the throne, her life takes on an entirely new direction as she's introduced to scarves, waves and pears in order to be a proper princess. She also receives a makeover and is given lessons on etiquette from her grandmother, who is also the queen of Genovia.

After the media gets a hold of her story, she's suddenly thrust into the spotlight at school and in the newspapers. She has to face her jealous classmates, a plot by her father to take over Genovia and her own choice of whether or not she wants to accept the crown she's been given.

The Princess Diaries is available to watch on Netflix, HBO, Hulu and Disney+. All you need to do is sign up for a subscription and you can start watching this film on your computer, smartphone, tablet or Smart TV of choice.

5. Watch on Apple TV

In 2001, The Princess Diaries launched actress Anne Hathaway into stardom, and it's a beloved romantic comedy that has since made two sequels. The third film in the franchise is reportedly in the works at Disney, and it's expected to air soon.

You can watch The Princess Diaries on Apple TV, but you need to sign up for the streaming service Apple TV Plus. It's ad-free and has its own slate of original content. Some of the shows you can watch on Apple TV+ include Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, Foundation, and For All Mankind.

There are also lots of classic movies you can watch, including The Lord of the Rings and the Star Wars trilogy. The service is available on desktop browsers, smart TVs, and video-game consoles like the Nintendo Switch.

Unlike other streaming services, Apple's app is easy to use and includes a built-in library. All the films and TV shows you've bought or rented will appear in the Apple TV app, and you can browse them by genres or recently purchased.

When you're ready to start watching, just tap a title from the list of shows or movies. It's all part of the Watch Now tab, which displays suggestions based on your viewing habits and new shows from Apple TV+.

The app is also a great place to browse for upcoming episodes of shows you've already watched. You can also watch live sports on Apple TV.

The app also has a Family Sharing feature, which lets you share subscriptions with up to six people. It's a great way to save money on cable or satellite TV subscriptions, or share a one-time fee with your entire household.