Media representations of gender can significantly influence children’s gender role beliefs. Gender representation by frequent media elements in young children’s lives, such as Disney movies, is therefore bound to have an impact on their upbringing. By analysing a sample of four movies – The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Princess and the Frog (2009), and Frozen (2013) – this thesis investigates gender representation in Disney animated films and its evolution over the last four decades. Using a multimodal approach of Critical Discourse Analysis, the study explores how these films represent female protagonists, drawing on theories of gender performativity, stereotypes, and social roles. The analysis reveals that earlier Disney princesses conform to conventional femininity, emphasising romantic and domestic ideals. In contrast, later movies, while still carrying some stereotypes, present more modern and progressive portrayals of female characters. Overall, this research highlights a significant transition in gender representation from traditional to more nuanced portrayals, situating these changes within broader societal shifts. The findings underscore the impact of society’s development on representations of gender and the evolving nature of female characters in popular media.