What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMaleficent
Robert Stromberg · Film · 2014
If you loved Maleficent, start with Sleeping Beauty (Clyde Geronimi, 1959) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Maleficent across media.
If Maleficent drew you in, it is because you crave stories that explore the complex motivations behind legendary villains and cursed figures.
Start with the source
The source
Sleeping Beauty
Clyde Geronimi · Film · 1959
Books on the same thread
Daughter of the Forest
Juliet Marillier · Book · 2000
Explores: Family Curse, Self-Sacrifice, Forbidden Love.
Like the transformation in Maleficent, Sorcha’s journey involves a heavy burden and magical sacrifice to protect her family, mirroring the intense emotional stakes found in your favorite film.
Snow White and Rose Red
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm · Book · 1945
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Good vs Evil.
This classic tale captures the same fascination with fairy tale archetypes and the power of magical transformation that defined the visual and narrative world of Maleficent.
Wicked
Gregory Maguire · Book
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Revisionist fairy tale.
This exploration of Elphaba’s history provides the same revisionist perspective on a misunderstood witch that made Maleficent such a compelling and sympathetic figure of moral ambiguity.
Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm · Book · 1972
Explores: Jealousy, Beauty, Good vs. Evil.
If you enjoyed the way Maleficent recontextualized classic lore, this foundational folk tale offers the essential, stark good versus evil contrast that originally defined the iconic villain.
Series on the same thread
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Explores: Power Struggles, Moral Ambiguity, War and Politics.
The power struggles and moral ambiguity in this series echo the epic battle for a kingdom and the shifting loyalties that drive the plot of Maleficent.
Star vs. the Forces of Evil
Daron Nefcy · Series · 2015
Explores: Interdimensional Travel, Fish Out of Water, Secret Identity.
Much like the protagonist of Maleficent, Star Butterfly balances her immense, confusing power with the challenges of protecting her world from forces that threaten her home.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Barry Sonnenfeld · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Good vs Evil.
These orphans face the same struggle against a powerful, villainous force that defined the life of Maleficent, grounding their dark journey in themes of resilience and hidden secrets.
Once Upon a Time
Edward Kitsis · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Redemption.
This series expands on the fairy tale revisionism of Maleficent by trapping legendary characters in a cursed reality where breaking the spell is the ultimate goal.
Podcasts on the same thread
MALIKMATA
Podcast
Explores: Philippine Folklore, Filipino Culture, Mythical Creatures.
These stories tap into the same dark folklore roots as Maleficent, bringing supernatural creatures and mythic terror to life through an intimate, focused storytelling lens.
Mahabharat
Fever FM - HT Smartcast · Podcast
Explores: Ancient History, Indian Epic, Moral Lessons.
This podcast explores an epic legend from a fresh perspective, mirroring the way Maleficent invites you to reconsider a classic narrative through a new and deeper lens.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Maleficent based on the 1959 Sleeping Beauty movie?
Maleficent is a live-action reimagining of the classic fairy tale featured in the 1959 Sleeping Beauty movie. While both films explore the story of the iconic villain, Maleficent provides a specific perspective on her life, the betrayal she suffered, and her transformation into the protector of the forest kingdom.
What is the central conflict in Maleficent?
The central conflict in Maleficent begins when an invading army threatens the harmony of her forest kingdom. After suffering a ruthless betrayal, Maleficent shifts from being a pure-hearted protector to a vengeful figure, eventually leading to an epic battle against the invading king to defend her land and people.
How does Maleficent change throughout the movie?
Maleficent starts as a pure-hearted young woman living an idyllic life in a peaceable forest kingdom. Following a ruthless betrayal by the invading army, her heart begins to turn into stone. This emotional shift drives her quest for revenge and defines her transformation into the land's fiercest protector.
Should I watch Sleeping Beauty before Maleficent?
Watching the 1959 Sleeping Beauty movie before Maleficent is helpful for understanding the original context of the story. Maleficent reinterprets the events and characters from that classic fairy tale, allowing viewers to see the narrative from the perspective of the antagonist rather than the traditional hero or princess.