Where to start withSleeping Beauty
2 versions · originally a film, 1959
Themes: Good vs Evil, Fate vs Free Will, Sleeping Curse, True Love's Kiss, Coming of Age.
Start with Sleeping Beauty (Clyde Geronimi, 1959) — the film. Sleeping Beauty exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a film in 1959; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The enduring conflict between the dark, vengeful Maleficent and the protected innocence of Princess Aurora defines this classic fairy tale.
✦ Most fans start here
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
The original movie
✦ Start hereSleeping Beauty
Clyde Geronimi · Film · 1959
Sleeping Beauty (1959) is the definitive animated masterpiece, offering a lush, stylized visual aesthetic and a quintessential portrayal of the struggle between absolute good and iconic, terrifying fairy-tale evil.
Inspired by
Maleficent
Robert Stromberg · Film · 2014
Maleficent (2014) reimagines the narrative through the eyes of the antagonist, providing a complex origin story that explores the motivations behind the sorceress's descent into darkness and her protective transformation.
Common questions
Is Maleficent a direct sequel to the 1959 Sleeping Beauty movie?
No, Maleficent is not a direct sequel to the 1959 Sleeping Beauty. Instead, it is a live-action reimagining that tells the story from the perspective of the titular antagonist, offering a different narrative interpretation of the classic events depicted in the original Sleeping Beauty film.
What is the relationship between the 1959 Sleeping Beauty and the 2014 Maleficent movie?
The 2014 Maleficent movie serves as a modern adaptation of the source material found in the 1959 Sleeping Beauty. While both films share the same core characters and foundational premise, they present conflicting viewpoints regarding the motivations of the fairy Maleficent and the history of the kingdom.
Should I watch the 1959 Sleeping Beauty before watching Maleficent?
Watching the 1959 Sleeping Beauty first provides necessary context for the characters and plot points that the 2014 Maleficent movie subsequently subverts. Familiarity with the original animated film helps viewers identify the specific narrative changes made in the live-action adaptation.
How does Maleficent differ from the 1959 Sleeping Beauty?
Maleficent differs from the 1959 Sleeping Beauty by shifting the narrative focus to the villain. While the 1959 film follows the traditional heroic arc of the princess, the 2014 movie explores the backstory and personal history of the antagonist to explain her actions against the royal family.