If you loved
Penelope
Mark Palansky · Film · 2007
What hooked you in Penelope was the way a fantastical curse becomes a personal journey toward self-acceptance and defying societal expectations.
Books on the same thread
Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine · Book · 2012
Like the protagonist of Penelope, Ella must navigate a restrictive magical burden while asserting her own agency, making this a perfect follow-up for fans of whimsical curse-breaking stories.
If Only I Had Told Her
Laura Nowlin · Book · 2024
If you appreciated the emotional stakes of Penelope, you will resonate with this story's focus on navigating destiny and the complex, often painful process of finding one's true path.
The Lunar Chronicles: Cinder
Marissa Meyer · Book · 2012
Much like Penelope, Cinder is a character defined by an external condition who must embrace her true self to overcome the rigid expectations placed upon her by society.
Just for the Summer
Abby Jimenez · Book · 2024
Fans of Penelope will enjoy this modern take on the curse trope, where the search for a soulmate becomes a humorous and heartfelt exploration of fate and relationships.
Series on the same thread
Kamisama Kiss
Series · 2012
Just as Penelope finds herself thrust into a new reality, Nanami must adapt to her unexpected supernatural role, leaning into the same themes of transformation and fated connections.
Hazbin Hotel
Vivienne Medrano · Series · 2024
If you loved the focus on redemption and breaking cycles in Penelope, this story of misfits seeking a fresh start provides a similarly hopeful perspective on second chances.
Goblin
Kim Eun-sook · Series · 2016
This drama mirrors the core premise of Penelope by centering on a character burdened by an immortal curse who seeks a fated partner to finally break their spell.
Anne with an E
Moira Walley-Beckett · Series · 2017
Like the heroine in Penelope, Anne is an outsider fighting for her place in the world, proving that self-acceptance is the most powerful tool for creating your own ending.
Podcasts on the same thread
anything goes with emma chamberlain
emma chamberlain · Podcast · 2026
Those drawn to the introspective journey of Penelope will appreciate this honest exploration of personal growth, which mirrors the film's emphasis on finding one's voice amidst external pressure.
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
If the banter and relationship dynamics in Penelope kept you engaged, you will enjoy this candid look at the realities of modern partnership and the challenges of daily life.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Penelope a traditional fairy tale?
Penelope is an untraditional fairy tale. While it features a cursed heiress and a quest for love, the story focuses on the protagonist bucking convention to create her own happy ending rather than following the standard tropes found in classic fairy tales.
Why is Penelope sequestered in the family estate?
Penelope is sequestered inside her family estate because of a curse placed upon her. Her parents keep her company within the home to hide her condition from the world, which prevents her from meeting a soulmate of suitable stock to break the curse.
What must Penelope do to break her curse?
To break the curse, Penelope must fall in love with someone of suitable stock. The film explores her struggle to achieve this while she is isolated from society and restricted by her family's efforts to keep her hidden away from the public.
Who directed the movie Penelope?
The 2007 movie Penelope was directed by Mark Palansky. The film tells the story of an heiress living under a curse who decides to defy her family's expectations to find her own path to happiness and break the spell placed upon her.