Classic fairy tales can go from the page to the screen, as if by magic. First, the animated films of Disney inspired audiences to follow their dreams and believe in fairy godmothers. More recently, a number of studios have put live-action spins on these timeless stories. The best live action fairy tale movies feature beloved literary characters played by talented actors and actresses, and magical obstacles that can only be surmounted by true love and pure hearts. This is a list of the top live fairy tale movies including everything from The Princess Bride to Oz the Great and Powerful to Cinderella.
What films will you find on this list of the best live action fairy tales movies? In Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, Mia Wasikowska played the courageous lead, but it was Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter that stole every scene. Helena Bonham Carter also won over audiences with her wonderfully wicked spin on the Red Queen. Penelope is another great live action fairy tale film full of imagination and creativity. The lives of multiple fairy tale characters collide in the 2014 adaptation of the hit musical Into the Woods. Other enchanting movies found on this list include Beauty and the Beast, Red Riding Hood, and Finding Neverland.
It's up to you to decide which fairy tale film deserves the top spot on this list. Vote your personal picks towards number one, and please add any magical movies that are missing.1
25668Beauty and the Beast
Dan Stevens, Luke EvansReleased: 2017
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10824Cinderella
Julie Andrews, Edie AdamsReleased: 1957
Directed by: Ralph Nelson
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a musical written for television, with music by... more3
10021Snow White
Diana Rigg, Nicola StapletonReleased: 1987
Directed by: Michael Berz
Snow White is a 1987 American musical/fantasy film based on the classic fairytale and released... more
410022Hey, Cinderella!
Jim Henson, Frank OzReleased: 1969
Directed by: Jim Henson
Hey, Cinderella! is a television special adaptation of Cinderella featuring The Muppets.... more5
10929Cinderella
Ginger Rogers, Lesley Ann WarrenReleased: 1965
Directed by: Charles S. Dubin
Cinderella is a 1965 musical fantasy film written by Joseph Schrank and directed by Charles S.... more- 610225
Tales From Muppetland: The Frog Prince
Trudy Young, Jim HensonReleased: 1971
Directed by: Jim Henson
Enchanted by an evil witch, a beautiful princess is forced to speak only in nonsense phrases.... 7
13866Enchanted
Amy Adams, Susan SarandonReleased: 2007
Directed by: Kevin Lima
Enchanted is a 2007 American musical live-action/animated fantasy romantic comedy film,... more8
7426Peter Pan
Jason Isaacs, Saffron BurrowsReleased: 2003
Directed by: P. J. Hogan
Peter Pan is a 2003 Australian-American-British fantasy film released by Universal Pictures,... more9
15699Cinderella
Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham CarterReleased: 2015
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Cinderella is a 2015 American romantic fantasy film directed by Kenneth Branagh, from a... more10
8046Snow White and the Huntsman
Charlize Theron, Kristen StewartReleased: 2012
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Snow White and the Huntsman is a 2012 American dark fantasy action film based on the German... more11
6534Mirror Mirror
Julia Roberts, Lily CollinsReleased: 2012
Directed by: Tarsem Singh
Mirror Mirror is a 2012 American comedy fantasy film based on the fairy tale "Snow White"... more12
131102The Princess Bride
Billy Crystal, Robin WrightReleased: 1987
Directed by: Rob Reiner
The Princess Bride is a 1987 American romantic comedy fantasy adventure film directed and... more13
4721Aladdin
Mena Massoud, Naomi ScottReleased: 2019
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Aladdin is a 2019 American musical romantic fantasy adventure film directed by Guy Ritchie,... more14
5937Red Riding Hood
Amanda Seyfried, Gary OldmanReleased: 2011
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Red Riding Hood is a 2011 American dark fantasy historical romance film directed by Catherine... more15
3916Pan's Labyrinth
Sergi López, Maribel VerdúReleased: 2006
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Pan's Labyrinth is a 2006 Spanish-Mexican dark fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro. It... more16
8266Stardust
Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De NiroReleased: 2007
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Stardust is a 2007 British-American romantic fantasy film from Paramount Pictures, directed by... more17
115104Ever After
Drew Barrymore, Anjelica HustonReleased: 1998
Directed by: Andy Tennant
Ever After is a 1998 American romantic comedy-drama film inspired by the fairy tale... more18
4732Penelope
Reese Witherspoon, Christina RicciReleased: 2008
Directed by: Mark Palansky
Penelope is a 2008 fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Mark Palansky which was first... more19
134138Maleficent
Angelina Jolie, Elle FanningReleased: 2014
Directed by: Robert Stromberg
Maleficent is a 2014 American dark fantasy film directed by Robert Stromberg, loosely inspired... more20
3730Splash
Tom Hanks, John CandyReleased: 1984
Directed by: Ron Howard
Splash is a 1984 American fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Ron Howard, written by... more21
99114Ella Enchanted
Anne Hathaway, Heidi KlumReleased: 2004
Directed by: Tommy O'Haver
Ella Enchanted is a 2004 British–American–Irish fantasy romantic comedy film loosely based on... more22
3128Sydney White
Amanda Bynes, Sara PaxtonReleased: 2007
Directed by: Joe Nussbaum
Sydney White also known as Sydney White and the Seven Dorks is a 2007 teen comedy film... more23
74Gretel & Hansel: A Grim Fairy Tale
Sophia Lillis, Sam LeakeyReleased: 2020
Directed by: Oz Perkins
Gretel & Hansel: A Grim Fairy Tale is a 2020 American supernatural horror film directed by Oz... more24
84115Alice in Wonderland
Johnny Depp, Anne HathawayReleased: 2010
Directed by: Tim Burton
Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 British-American live action and computer animated adventure... more25
1822The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Mackenzie Foy, Keira KnightleyReleased: 2018
Directed by: Lasse Hallström
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a 2018 American fantasy film directed by Lasse... more
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