Where to start
Sleeping Beauty
2 versions · originally a film, 1959
The enduring struggle between dark malice and light-hearted grace defines this iconic tale of a cursed princess and her powerful nemesis.
✦ Most fans start here
Maleficent (2014)
The original movie
Sleeping Beauty
Clyde Geronimi · Film · 1959
Sleeping Beauty (1959) serves as the definitive animated foundation, offering a classic fairy tale aesthetic and the quintessential portrayal of Maleficent as a purely villainous force of nature.
Inspired by
✦ Start hereMaleficent
Robert Stromberg · Film · 2014
Maleficent (2014) reimagines the narrative by shifting the perspective toward the antagonist, providing a complex origin story that explores the motivations behind her descent into darkness and protective vengeance.
Common questions
Is Maleficent a direct sequel to the 1959 Sleeping Beauty?
Maleficent is not a direct sequel to the 1959 Sleeping Beauty. It is a live-action reimagining that retells the story from the perspective of the antagonist, Maleficent, providing a different interpretation of the events originally depicted in the 1959 animated film.
Should I watch the 1959 Sleeping Beauty before watching Maleficent?
Watching the 1959 Sleeping Beauty first is recommended to understand the original context of the characters and the plot. Because Maleficent serves as a subversion of the classic tale, knowing the original film allows you to appreciate how the 2014 movie alters the traditional narrative.
How does the story in Maleficent differ from the 1959 Sleeping Beauty?
The 1959 Sleeping Beauty portrays the classic conflict between a hero and a villain. In contrast, the 2014 film Maleficent recontextualizes the antagonist as the central protagonist, altering the motivations and backstories established in the original animated version of the tale.
What is the primary connection between Maleficent and the 1959 Sleeping Beauty?
The primary connection between the two films is the source material. Both movies adapt the same underlying fairy tale, with the 2014 film Maleficent utilizing the characters and iconic plot points established in the 1959 Sleeping Beauty to create an alternative cinematic perspective.