The first Disney Princess movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, released in 1937. Snow White was Disney’s first princess to star in a full-length animated feature film, making her the original Disney Princess. Cinderella followed in 1950, and Aurora appeared in Sleeping Beauty in 1959.
When Did the First Disney Princess Movie Come Out?
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered on December 21, 1937. It was Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated movie and helped establish the studio’s reputation for animated fairy tales.
Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the movie follows Snow White as she escapes the Evil Queen and finds shelter with seven dwarfs in the forest. Its memorable characters, songs, and storybook animation established elements that would appear in later Disney Princess films.
The original movie runs approximately 83 minutes. Despite its age, it remains an important part of Disney animation history and the starting point for anyone watching the princess movies in release order.
What Were the First Three Disney Princess Movies?
Disney’s first three princess movies were released over a period of 22 years:
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937): Introduced Snow White, Disney’s first princess.
- Cinderella (1950): Introduced Cinderella, who became Disney’s second princess.
- Sleeping Beauty (1959): Introduced Aurora, the third Disney Princess.
After Sleeping Beauty, another 30 years passed before Ariel arrived in The Little Mermaid (1989), helping launch a new era of Disney animated musicals.
For the complete chronology, see my guide to Disney Princess movies in order, which covers all 13 original animated feature films associated with the official princess lineup.
Was Cinderella the First Disney Princess?
Cinderella was Disney’s second princess, not its first. Her movie debuted in 1950, thirteen years after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The two characters share familiar fairy-tale elements, including cruel family members, magical events, and a prince. However, Snow White established the animated princess tradition before Cinderella became one of Disney’s most recognizable characters.
Was Snow White the First Official Disney Princess?
Snow White is both the first Disney Princess in movie release order and a member of Disney’s official Princess franchise.
However, the Disney Princess franchise did not exist when her movie premiered in 1937. Disney created the official character lineup decades later, bringing together heroines from different animated films under one brand.
Snow White remains part of that lineup today, alongside Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, and other Disney heroines. You can compare the complete roster in my guide to how many official Disney Princesses there are.
The starting point has never changed: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) was the first Disney Princess movie, and Snow White was the princess who started it all.
