The Curse of Masculinity | Jonah Montgomery

Snow White

Jan 13, 1937

Disney's first animation, Snow White, is released

Fantasia

Nov 13, 1940

Disney's Fantasia gives life to dancing objects.

Cinderella

Feb 15, 1950

Disney's 12th animated film sticks to the princess genre and brings even more inanimate objects to life.

Lethal Weapon 2 Provides a Comforting Image for Mainstream Audiences

Jul 7, 1989

Lethal Weapon's character Roger Murtaugh is never shown to be a "lethal weapon" as the film suggests. Instead, he is a nonlethal, kill only when needed, type of action hero. This interpretation of a safe, justified African-American was able to appeal to, refresh, and calm audiences.

RoboCop 2 Takes a New Stance with Personal Conflicts

Jun 22, 1990

RoboCop 2 shows society's breakaway from the destruction-focused men of the 80's by showing it's protagonist struggle with not just physical enemies, but personal weakness and distress.

Kindergarten Cop Shows a Redefined Man

Dec 21, 1990

Kindergarten Cop follows the icon of 80's masculinity, Arnold Schwarzenegger, on his journey in which he learns that being a family man is more important to him than being the strong and powerful cop he used to be. This film helped to shape society's views of masculinity and told men everywhere that the family man was more powerful and meaningful than the rough and tough macho man of the 80's.

Beauty and the Beast

Nov 22, 1991

Disney's Beauty and the Beast follows this trend of "family-man over action hero" by portraying Gaston (reminiscent of the 80's ideal man) as the antagonist, and the gentle beast as a prince.