What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBeauty and the Beast
Betsy Gould Hearne, Larry DeVries · Book · 1991
If you loved Beauty and the Beast, start with Beauty and the Beast (1946) — a film from the same story. Below: 1 film, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Beauty and the Beast across media.
What hooked you in Beauty and the Beast was the profound tension between physical appearance and the hidden truth of one's character.
Start with the source
The source
Beauty and the Beast
Film · 1946
Inspired by
The Beautician and the Beast
Film · 1997
Films on the same thread
Beastly
Daniel Barnz · Film · 2011
Shares 3 threads with Beauty and the Beast: Inner Beauty, Redemption, Transformation.
This modern retelling mirrors the central arc of Beauty and the Beast by forcing a callous protagonist to confront his inner ugliness through a literal, supernatural transformation.
Series on the same thread
Yo soy Betty, la fea
Fernando Gaitán · Series · 1999
Explores: Ugly Duckling, Unrequited Love, Social Class.
Like the classic narrative of Beauty and the Beast, this story explores how societal judgment masks true value, focusing on a brilliant woman navigating perceptions of her physical beauty.
True Beauty
Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Beauty and the Beast: Transformation.
This series captures the core anxiety found in Beauty and the Beast regarding identity, showing how the fear of being seen for one's bare self dictates human relationships.
Faerie Tale Theatre
Series · 1982
Explores: Retelling, Morality Tale, Nursery Rhyme.
If you enjoyed the historical folklore analysis of Beauty and the Beast, you will appreciate this anthology series, which preserves the traditional spirit of classic fairy tale storytelling.
The Magic School Bus
Bruce Degen · Series · 1994
Explores: Science Education, Teamwork, Curiosity.
While distinct in genre, the sense of wonder and curiosity that drove the development of Beauty and the Beast is echoed in this series through transformative, magical adventures.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dark History
Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold narratives, institutional corruption, societal taboos.
Much like the scholarly examination of Beauty and the Beast, this podcast peels back the layers of established narratives to reveal the hidden, often darker, realities underneath.
You're Wrong About
Podcast
Explores: Misconceptions, Public Perception, Historical Analysis.
Just as the academic study of Beauty and the Beast challenges your perspective on a familiar tale, this podcast invites you to re-examine historical figures and public myths.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the history behind Beauty and the Beast?
The book Beauty and the Beast by Betsy Gould Hearne and Larry DeVries, published in 1991, provides a comprehensive look at the history and development of the popular tale. It traces the evolution of the story from its origins through its various cultural interpretations over time.
Is Beauty and the Beast related to the 1946 movie?
Yes, Beauty and the Beast is a tale with a long history of adaptations. The 1946 movie is one of the notable film versions of this story, which is also explored in the 1991 book by Betsy Gould Hearne and Larry DeVries regarding the narrative's development.
How does As Old as Time connect to Beauty and the Beast?
As Old as Time, published in 2018, serves as an adaptation that revisits the classic story. It functions as another entry in the collection of works inspired by the original tale, joining the 1991 book by Betsy Gould Hearne and Larry DeVries that examines the history of Beauty and the Beast.
Should I watch The Beautician and the Beast after Beauty and the Beast?
The Beautician and the Beast, released in 1997, is an adaptation that draws thematic inspiration from the original story. While it offers a different take on the narrative, it remains part of the broader collection of media influenced by the core Beauty and the Beast tale.