If you loved
Maleficent
Robert Stromberg · Film · 2014
What hooked you in Maleficent was the way a powerful, misunderstood figure navigates the complex line between vengeance and redemption.
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 Maleficent, Sorcha faces a world of darkness and betrayal, finding that the path to protecting those she loves requires immense personal sacrifice and a complete transformation of self.
The Land of Stories
Colfer Chris Dorman Brandon · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Good vs Evil.
If you enjoyed the way Maleficent reimagines classic fairy tale lore, you will appreciate how this story centers on the Enchantress and the origins of a legendary, world-altering curse.
Frozen (Little Golden Book)
RH Disney · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Fairy Tale Adaptation.
Much like the complex sisterhood dynamics found in Maleficent, this story explores the burden of magical power and the internal journey toward accepting oneself despite the fear of others.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas · Book · 2020
Explores: Beauty and the Beast retelling, Faerie courts, Enemies to lovers.
This tale mirrors Maleficent by forcing a human protagonist into a treacherous faerie realm, where the line between monster and protector blurs through a tense, slow-burning enemies-to-lovers narrative.
Series on the same thread
Star vs. the Forces of Evil
Daron Nefcy · Series · 2015
Explores: Interdimensional Travel, Fish Out of Water, Secret Identity.
The struggle to control and understand a volatile, reality-bending power makes this a perfect match for those who loved watching Maleficent navigate her own transformation into a formidable magical force.
The Originals
Julie Plec · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Redemption.
Fans of Maleficent will recognize the heavy focus on family loyalty and the drive for revenge against those who have wronged you within these ancient, power-hungry, supernatural bloodlines.
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Explores: Power Struggles, Moral Ambiguity, War and Politics.
The political maneuvering and moral ambiguity that defined the conflict in Maleficent are elevated here, as noble houses and ancient evils collide in a constant, high-stakes battle for control.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Barry Sonnenfeld · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Maleficent: Good vs Evil.
If the dark, gothic atmosphere of Maleficent drew you in, you will enjoy these orphans navigating a world where evil adults and constant threats mirror the protagonist's own isolated struggle.
Podcasts on the same thread
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cultural origins, archetypal storytelling, human condition.
For viewers fascinated by the revisionist nature of Maleficent, these podcasts offer a deeper look into the original, often darker roots of the legends that inspired the film.
Scamanda
Lionsgate Sound · Podcast · 2025
This story of a woman concealing a secret life mirrors the duality found in Maleficent, where the public perception of a person masks a much more complicated, hidden reality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Maleficent a direct remake of the 1959 Sleeping Beauty movie?
Maleficent is not a direct remake of the 1959 Sleeping Beauty movie. While both films share the same source material, the 2014 Maleficent offers a different perspective by focusing on the origin story of the protector of the forest kingdom and her personal journey toward revenge.
What is the primary conflict that changes the character in Maleficent?
In Maleficent, the protagonist experiences a shift in her nature following a ruthless betrayal by an invading king. This specific act of treachery causes her heart to turn to stone, leading her to transition from a pure-hearted protector of the forest into a figure bent on revenge.
Should I watch the 1959 Sleeping Beauty before watching Maleficent?
You do not need to watch the 1959 Sleeping Beauty before viewing Maleficent. Maleficent functions as an independent narrative that reimagines the classic story from the perspective of the antagonist, providing a complete account of her transformation and the battle against the invading army.
Is Maleficent the character a villain in the 2014 movie?
In the 2014 movie Maleficent, the character begins as a pure-hearted protector of a peaceable forest kingdom. She only turns toward revenge after suffering a betrayal by an invading king, which challenges the traditional portrayal of the character found in the 1959 Sleeping Beauty adaptation.