Tiger Lily debuted as a supporting character in Walt Disney Productions' 1953 animated feature film Peter Pan, loosely adapted from J.M. Barrie's works. She is portrayed as the princess daughter of the Native American chief of Neverland's indigenous tribe, often referred to as the Piccaninny or Indian tribe. Depicted with long black hair in braids, tan skin, and a fringed tan dress adorned with a feather headband, Tiger Lily embodies a stoic and graceful presence, though she has no spoken dialogue in the film, communicating solely through actions and expressions.

In the narrative, Tiger Lily demonstrates unwavering bravery and loyalty when captured by Captain Hook, who ties her to Skull Rock to drown as rising tides approach, intending to force her to reveal Peter Pan's hiding place. She remains defiant, refusing to betray her friend even at the risk of her life, until Peter Pan impersonates Hook to rescue her. Following her salvation, she participates in a celebratory dance with Peter, briefly kissing him in gratitude, which incites jealousy in Wendy Darling and underscores her close alliance with Peter and the Lost Boys.

While Tiger Lily experiences limited character development in the original film, serving primarily as a symbol of exotic allure and a plot device, her portrayal has drawn significant criticism for perpetuating Native American stereotypes, leading to content warnings on modern platforms and her omission from the 2002 sequel Return to Never Land. In subsequent Disney media, such as the animated series Jake and the Never Land Pirates and the 2023 live-action remake Peter Pan & Wendy—where she is portrayed by Alyssa Wapanatâhk—she is reimagined with greater agency, dialogue, and cultural sensitivity, evolving into a resourceful warrior and ally while maintaining her core traits of courage and independence.