The evolution of Disney princesses, from Snow White to Encanto

Over the past almost century, Disney princesses have gone through quite a lot of (much-needed) evolution. From the very first one that debuted in 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to 2021's Encanto, the royal legacy is constantly changing for the better. Click through the gallery to see the timeline of Disney princesses through the years, and find out how today's heroes compare to the past's damsels in distress. Started from the '30s, now we're here!

Related: Encanto's 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' ties 'A Whole New World' as highest-charting Disney animation song of all time

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs came out in 1937, debuting the very first Disney princess with Snow White herself. Voiced by Adriana Caselotti, she's incredibly of her time (i.e. dated af). Her whole deal is she's, like, really pretty. Plus, she cooks and cleans a house for seven dudes who can't seem to pick up after themselves. Thankfully, we've come a long way with our Disney princesses since Snow White.

Another Disney princess who is extremely outdated when looking at her through a modern lens is Cinderella's titular damsel (voiced by Ilene Woods). Forced to cook and clean for her ugly—which, back then, meant evil—stepsisters and stepmother, all she needs to achieve happiness is a pretty dress and a handsome, rich husband to fall in love with her and pull her out of her dreary life? That's not a great message to send young kids watching today.

Keeping the problematic train rolling is Sleeping Beauty's Aurora (voiced by Mary Costa). It doesn't get more yikes than yet another woman who is awoken from a cursed sleep by a nonconsensual kiss (see also: Snow White). Aurora caps off the trifecta of the "Golden Era" of Disney princesses, i.e. the damsels in distress who wait around for their princes to save them. But the trend of passive female main characters ends here, thankfully.

Related: Original Sleeping Beauty shares note to fans

After a 30-year hiatus, The Little Mermaid splashed onto the scene with an extremely different kind of Disney princess. Unlike the gentle, delicate women that came before, Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) is rebellious, curious, and confident, and goes after what she wants in life. She breaks the rules and seeks adventure. She doesn't wait around for a man to save her—she saves her prince. Twice! And don't try to argue that Ariel gives up her voice to get the guy. She actually chooses to give up her voice to become a human, fulfilling a lifelong dream of living up above the confines of the sea. A romance with a hot, dog-loving prince was just a fun bonus. She's the first Disney princess to own her agency, signaling an important shift in the company's values.

Related: All the women who have played Ariel

Just two years later, Beauty and the Beast introduced Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara). This Disney princess, like Ariel, wants more out of life. She's smart, choosing to read as many books as possible instead of swooning over the hunky (but horrible) town eye candy. She also falls in love with a man for his personality over his (beastly) looks. Talk about a modern woman!

Related: How well do you know Beauty and the Beast?

Up until now, all the Disney princesses were white. It wasn't until Aladdin's Jasmine (voiced by Linda Larkin) that fans saw their first Disney princess of color. Problematically, Larkin is a white person voicing a character who is not, but still...baby steps. (It should be noted that Filipina actor-singer Lea Salonga did the singing voice for Jasmine.)

Related: 25 interesting facts about Disney's animated hit Aladdin

Pocahontas continued the much-needed push for non-white Disney princesses with the titular Native American heroine, voiced by Irene Bedard. But, unlike Aladdin, Pocahontas' speaking voice behind the princess actually is a woman of color—Bedard is one of the most well-known Native American actors. This was definitely a step in the right direction for Disney. (Though Pocahontas' singing voice is provided by a white actor known for her extensive work in musical theater, Judy Kuhn.) Plus, Pocahontas is literally out here ending wars and pushing for acceptance, no matter what your skin color is.

Related: Irene Bedard is not a Native American Barbie

And the war-ending princesses don't stop there, as Mulan came out a few years later. Voiced by Ming-Na Wen (with Lea Salonga providing the singing voice for a second princess), Mulan battled and defeated the Huns...and, more importantly, sexism, as she proved that a woman warrior is just as good—if not better—than men.

Related: Mulan: The story behind 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' and its other hit songs

Enchanted marks the first live-action Disney princess, and while Amy Adams' naive, optimistic Giselle's way of thinking is more in line with the earlier Disney princesses, this rom-com subverts all those dated stereotypes and ideas brilliantly, as Giselle gets a harsh but authentic dose of reality when she's exiled from her animated fairy-tale world into live-action NYC.

Related: Disney reinvents the princess in Enchanted

The Princess and the Frog's Tiana (voiced and sung by Anika Noni Rose) introduces Disney fans to a woman who would rather work hard (sometimes to the point of exhaustion!) to achieve her dream than take any shortcuts—or rely on a man to help her get there. But she also does the right thing, even when it's the hardest choice to make. There aren't many role models better than Tiana.

Related: Disney reveals name and opening for Splash Mountain's Princess and the Frog revamp

Disney took a classic fairy-tale character like Rapunzel and modernized her for Tangled. Voiced by Mandy Moore, she's another Disney princess who bursts out of her comfort zone to seek a better life for herself. Plus, she outsmarts a con artist to get what she wants. Not bad for someone who had never been outside of her tower prison her entire young adult life.

Related: Why Tangled is better than Frozen — and deserves more love

If you want to see just how far Disney princesses have come since Snow White, just look at Brave. The young and headstrong Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) refuses to marry a prince, and competes for her own hand in marriage instead. Her growth during the movie has nothing to do with finding love, but rather mending her broken relationship with her mother.

Related: Brave: Merida remains the girl you know and love — EXCLUSIVE

Sarah Silverman's plucky young character is Disney's first Jewish princess, since it was revealed at the very end of Wreck-It Ralph that she was an actual princess instead of just a racer. She strives to race with all the other players despite her glitching putting her at a disadvantage. In the end, she embraces her glitching and turns her weakness into a strength.

Related: See the Disney princesses' new outfits in Ralph Breaks the Internet

Both of the princesses in the first Frozen movie represent strong, positive, and modern traits. The real love story is between sisters Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel), rather than with a guy. Plus, Elsa learns to embrace her power rather than suppressing or fearing what makes her special, giving us the power ballad that defined a decade. And, with Frozen 2, these princesses continue to push Disney's values forward.

Related: Frozen: The reviews are in...

Along with introducing acting/singing phenom Auli'i Cravalho to the world, Moana also debuted a young princess who puts her own life on the line to save her people. She doesn't let fear or doubt stop her from doing the right thing. And she also doesn't let anyone get in her way—even if it's a legit demigod.

Related: 10 fun facts about Moana

While Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope actually came out in 1977, introducing fierce princess (now General) Leia to the world, the Disney–Fox merger that made her a Disney princess didn't happen until March 2019. And she's the perfect Disney princess—rebellious, strong, and a true leader, fighting the war against evil no matter how impossible the odds may be. And late star Carrie Fisher was a true national treasure, using her platform to elevate important conversations about addiction and mental illness and becoming a true advocate who spoke up, even when it was tough. It feels right that Fisher's Leia is an addition to the Disney princess club (even if it's by a technicality!).

Related: 10 characters who are now technically Disney princesses thanks to the Disney–Fox merger

Raya and the Last Dragon continues Disney's modern push for onscreen diversity with another war-ending princess, this time with a focus on Southeastern Asian culture. And, even though the COVID pandemic delayed this film's release by four months, Raya was absolutely worth the wait. Voiced by Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker), the young warrior princess is fierce, noble, and selfless—but, most importantly, still flawed. She makes mistakes—even fatal ones that may seem unredeemable at first, but she never gives up and ultimately learns a valuable lesson about trusting other people.

Related: Kelly Marie Tran on being the first Southeast Asian actress to lead a Disney animated film

We definitely talk about Mirabel Madrigal. The young teen at the center of Encanto is imperfect, quirky, and feels a deep empathy for others. Unlike everyone else in her large Latin American family, Mirabel has no special powers, skills, or gifts, but that doesn't stop her from doing what's right, proving that anyone has what it takes to be a hero. And what makes Mirabel the most modern Disney "princess" yet is that she isn't even a princess, and she's not battling a "villain" at all—the movie's climax features her going against her own overbearing but well-meaning grandmother to face her family's intergenerational trauma head-on. Now that takes real bravery.