Brave

Set in the misty Scottish Highlands, Brave follows Merida, a headstrong princess who loves archery and won't accept the path her family has arranged. After she defies an ancient custom meant to settle a clan dispute, her choice triggers conflict at court and strains the bond with her mother, Queen Elinor. Trying to make things right, Merida visits a quirky Wise Woman and gets a charm that brings unexpected trouble. Her loud father Fergus remains protective while three clan lords, MacGuffin, Macintosh and Dingwall, bumble through offers of help and comic chaos. The story centers on Merida working to repair family ties while wrestling with tradition, identity and the fallout from changing her fate, and tests what family really means.

Brave was released in 2012 by Walt Disney Pictures, developed at Pixar by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman and Steve Purcell, with voices from Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson and Billy Connolly. It's also a Pixar animated fantasy-adventure mixing folklore and drama.

Brave won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2013, the film earning Pixar recognition for technical animation as well as its emotional mother-daughter storyline. The Oscar highlighted the studio's ability to blend folklore, action and heartfelt family drama, in modern animation.

Merida's wild red hair and refusal to accept a traditional princess role helped her stand out, and she was added to the official Disney Princess franchise, which boosted merchandising and visibility. The character encouraged more discussion around independent, less stereotypical female leads in family films, and remains a recognized heroine.

Critical response leaned positive, and audiences gave it a 7.02/10 vote average from 13,893 votes. Reviewers often praised the animation, voice performances and the central mother-daughter relationship, while some noted the film's tonal shifts as the plot moves from humor to darker, more dramatic moments. It remains a well-regarded entry.