What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSleeping Beauty
Clyde Geronimi · Film · 1959
If you loved Sleeping Beauty, start with Maleficent (Robert Stromberg, 2014) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Sleeping Beauty across media.
If Sleeping Beauty enchanted you, you will love these stories that explore the classic struggle between fated destiny and the courage to forge your own path.
Start with the source
Inspired by
Maleficent
Robert Stromberg · Film · 2014
Books on the same thread
Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm · Book · 1972
Explores: Jealousy, Beauty, Good vs. Evil.
Like Sleeping Beauty, this timeless tale centers on a princess facing a dark, magical curse and the relentless envy of an evil force, perfect for fans of classic folklore.
Snow White and Rose Red
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm · Book · 1945
Shares a thread with Sleeping Beauty: Good vs Evil.
This story mirrors the magical atmosphere of Sleeping Beauty by focusing on the classic good versus evil struggle, rewarding kindness and transformation in a way that feels beautifully familiar.
The Chronicles of Narnia
C. S. Lewis · Book · 1950
Shares a thread with Sleeping Beauty: Good vs Evil.
Fans of Sleeping Beauty will appreciate this grand battle between good and evil, where the weight of prophecy and the necessity of sacrifice define a hero's coming of age.
Thumbelina
Christian Andersen Hans · Book · 1961
Shares a thread with Sleeping Beauty: Coming of Age.
Much like the journey of Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, this story follows a delicate protagonist experiencing a coming of age as she navigates a world filled with forced constraints.
Series on the same thread
Sailor Moon
Series · 1992
Shares 2 threads with Sleeping Beauty: Coming of Age, Good vs Evil.
Those drawn to the destiny-driven narrative of Sleeping Beauty will enjoy watching Usagi embrace her role as a princess, balancing her ordinary life with a fight against darkness.
Dragon Ball Z
Series · 1989
Shares a thread with Sleeping Beauty: Good vs Evil.
The epic confrontation between good and evil that defines Sleeping Beauty is mirrored here, as characters undergo powerful transformations to protect their world from persistent, destructive threats.
Samurai Jack
Genndy Tartakovsky · Series · 2001
Shares a thread with Sleeping Beauty: Good vs Evil.
Just as Sleeping Beauty centers on an evil force disrupting a kingdom, this story follows a hero fighting a malevolent wizard to restore balance to a fractured, dystopian world.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Joss Whedon · Series · 1997
Shares 2 threads with Sleeping Beauty: Coming of Age, Good vs Evil.
Readers who admired the chosen one narrative in Sleeping Beauty will find a modern echo in this story of a girl destined to fight the forces of darkness alone.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sleep With Me
Silver Sleeper Productions LLC · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Insomnia Relief, Mindfulness, Boredom Induction.
If the tranquil, dreamlike atmosphere of Sleeping Beauty helped you drift away, this experience offers a similar path to deep relaxation by guiding your mind into a restful state.
Wake Up and Win
Podcast
Explores: anime inspiration, personal growth, goal achievement.
If you were inspired by the heroic growth found in Sleeping Beauty, these motivational reflections use similar themes of inner strength to help you awaken your own potential.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Sleeping Beauty from 1959 the same story as the 2014 Maleficent movie?
While both films feature the same core characters and the curse placed upon Princess Aurora, the 2014 Maleficent movie provides a different perspective on the events depicted in the 1959 Sleeping Beauty. The newer film focuses on the motivations of the fairy who cursed the princess.
What is the main conflict in Sleeping Beauty?
In Sleeping Beauty, the evil fairy Maleficent curses Princess Aurora as a baby to die. To protect her, three good fairies hide the princess away while she grows up, but Maleficent remains determined to track her down and ensure the curse is fulfilled.
Should I watch the 1959 Sleeping Beauty before watching Maleficent?
Watching the 1959 Sleeping Beauty first helps you understand the traditional narrative of Princess Aurora and the curse. Maleficent serves as a modern adaptation that builds upon the established lore, so viewing the original film provides necessary context for the changes made in the 2014 version.
How does Maleficent affect Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty?
In Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent acts as the primary antagonist who places a death curse on Princess Aurora when she is an infant. The entire plot revolves around the three good fairies attempting to hide the princess from Maleficent to prevent the evil fairy from sealing her fate.