A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley has highlighted a significant gender imbalance in the portrayal of non-human characters in children’s animated films. The research, which analyzed 224 animated movies released between 1937 and 2025, found that male characters dominate screen time compared to their female counterparts.

The analysis covered a wide range of well-known films including classics such as Pinocchio, and modern hits like Frozen, Shrek, and Toy Story. According to the study, male non-human characters—including animals, monsters, magical beings, and robots—account for approximately 75 percent of screen presence. Female characters of similar categories, in comparison, comprise only 25 percent of the screen time.

Dr. David Bamman, who led the study, described these findings as revealing a persistent gender disparity within the domain of animated storytelling. The research points out that even when the characters are non-human—such as Olaf in Frozen or Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc.—portrayals are predominantly male.

The study, published on an open-access platform, offers an extensive overview of gender representation in animation over nearly nine decades. It suggests that despite evolving social attitudes toward gender equality, non-human characters in children’s films continue to reflect a notable imbalance favoring male roles.