A process for preparing 2-cyano-3,3-diarylacrylic esters of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkyl groups, C.sub.- C.sub.12 -alkoxy groups or di(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl)amino groups and R.sup.3 is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkyl group which can be interrupted by ether-functional oxygen atoms, by reacting a benzophenone imine of the general formula II ##STR2## with a cyanoacetic ester of the general formula III ##STR3## wherein the reaction is carried out at from 20 to 60.degree. C. and, during this, the liberated ammonia is continuously removed from the reaction mixture with the aid of a stream of gas or by reducing the pressure to from 900 to 100 mbar.