Women and stereotypes in Disney animated films have gradually changed over the years; Since the early 1900s, starting with their first feature film Snow White (1937) to their most recent box office film Frozen (2013). Since the founding of the Walt Disney Company in 1923, the way women's roles were portrayed depended on the era. Snow White (1937), Cinderella (1950) and Sleeping Beauty (1959) were the first Disney princesses of the era. The three princesses were depicted as helpless or distressed damsels, saved by the sword or the kiss of a prince. Cinderella, in particular, was a prime example of this stereotype. Living with her neglectful stepmother and sisters, she was repressed in any daily activities her in-laws participated in. She was regularly tormented and forced to work; cleaning and cooking for her spoiled family members. She didn't have the self-esteem to stand up for herself. These three princesses all had supporting characters to take care of them, have a happy ending and “marry the prince”. Cinderella's godmother magically gives her a dress, a carriage, and glass slippers, and the house mice also help her. Snow White has the seven dwarves and Sleeping Beauty has her three fairy godmothers. With the emergence of the second wave of women's rights, Disney also improved the role of women. Along with The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992), and Beauty and the Beast (1991), they all had different roles and shared one specific trait: curiosity. They were also looking for something new. Belle was the most notable in that what defined her was her brains and intellect. Beauty and the Beast really pushed the patriarchal views of women in France at the time. Gaston being the...... middle of paper...... century-old films show complete independence and a variety of characteristics. Works Cited Thomas, O. (1995, October 26). Cinderella. Christian Science Monitor. p. 12. Garside, C. (2006). Animated essentialized females. International Journal Of The Humanities, 3(6), 33-40. England, D., Descartes, L. and Collier-Meek, M. (2011). Representation of gender roles and Disney princesses. Sex Roles, 64(7/8), 555-567.Zarranz, L. (2007). ARE THE DISWOMEN COMING BACK? THE EVOLUTION OF DISNEY WOMEN IN THE 1990S. Atenea, 27(2), 55-67. Snow White (December 21, 1937). FilmCinderella(February 15, 1950) Film.Sleeping Beauty(January 29, 1959) Film.The Little Mermaid(November 17, 1989) Film.Aladdin(November 25, 1992) Film.Beauty and the Beast(September 29, 1991) Film. Mulan(June 19, 1998) Film.Lilo and Stitch(June 21, 2002) Film.Brave(June 22, 2012) Film.Frozen(November 27, 2013) Film.