Sleeping Beauty Movies in Order (Including Maleficent) & How Many Are There?
The classic tale of Sleeping Beauty has been a beloved story for generations and has been adapted into several movies over the years. From the traditional Disney animated film to the more recent live-action retellings, Sleeping Beauty has captured the hearts of audiences young and old alike. But with so many adaptations of the story, it can be difficult to keep track of them all.
If you’re a fan of Sleeping Beauty and curious about the different movies made over the years, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll look at the various adaptations of the story, including the Disney classic, the more recent Maleficent films, and everything in between. Whether you’re a die-hard Sleeping Beauty fan or just looking to brush up on your knowledge of the story, read on to learn more about the different Sleeping Beauty movies in order.
How Many Sleeping Beauty Movies Are There?
There have been several adaptations of Sleeping Beauty over the years, ranging from the classic Disney animated film to more recent live-action retellings. There are four Sleeping Beauty movies, including the original Disney film, a segment of Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, Keys to the Kingdom, and the Maleficent movies.
Here is a list of all four Sleeping Beauty movies, listed in chronological order of their release date:
- Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- Keys to the Kingdom (2007)
- Maleficent (2014)
- Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
Now let us see what is the best way to watch Sleeping Beauty movies in order.
Sleeping Beauty Movies in Order
In this section, we’ll look at the different Sleeping Beauty movies in order, starting with the original Disney film and moving to the more recent Maleficent movies. Whether you’re looking to relive the magic of the classic animated film or discover a new take on the story, read on to learn more about the different Sleeping Beauty movies in order
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Sleeping Beauty (1959) is a classic Disney animated film that tells the story of Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the wicked fairy Maleficent to die on her sixteenth birthday after pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. However, the good fairy Merryweather can alter the curse so that instead of dying, Aurora will fall into a deep sleep that true love’s kiss can only break.
To protect Aurora from Maleficent’s curse, the three good fairies take her into the forest and raise her as their own under Briar Rose. But when she meets Prince Phillip and falls in love with him, her true identity is revealed, and Maleficent puts her plan into action.
The movie is known for its stunning visuals and beautiful music, including the iconic song “Once Upon a Dream.” It also features memorable characters such as the three good fairies (Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather), the handsome Prince Phillip, and the menacing villain Maleficent. Sleeping Beauty has become a classic and beloved film, and it continues to captivate audiences with its timeless story of love, magic, and the battle between good and evil.
Keys to the Kingdom (2007)
Sleeping Beauty: Keys to the Kingdom is a direct-to-video animated film released in 2007. The movie follows Princess Aurora as she becomes the new queen of her kingdom after her parents retire. However, when Maleficent returns and tries to take over the kingdom, Aurora must cooperate with her friends and family to stop her. Along the way, she learns valuable lessons about leadership and the importance of being true to oneself.
Keys to the Kingdom is a continuation of the original Sleeping Beauty story, and it features many of the same characters, including Prince Phillip, the three good fairies, and Maleficent. The film introduces characters such as Aurora’s cousin, Princess Lila, and her animal friends. While the movie was not as well-received as the original Sleeping Beauty film, it still offers an enjoyable adventure for fans. It is a fun addition to the Sleeping Beauty movie franchise.
Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent is a live-action retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story, released in 2014. The movie stars Angelina Jolie as the titular character, Maleficent, and tells her side of the story. The film starts with Maleficent as a young fairy living in the Moors, a magical realm that borders a human kingdom. When a young human boy named Stefan enters the Moors and befriends Maleficent, the two eventually fall in love. However, when Stefan betrays Maleficent to become king, she seeks revenge by cursing his daughter, Princess Aurora, to fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday.
Maleficent received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office success, grossing over $750 million worldwide. The movie was praised for its stunning visuals and Jolie’s performance as Maleficent. It also features an all-star cast, including Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora, Sharlto Copley as King Stefan, and Sam Riley as Maleficent’s raven, Diaval. The film’s dark and mature take on the Sleeping Beauty story and its emphasis on the bond between Maleficent and Aurora set it apart from other adaptations. It made it a popular addition to the Sleeping Beauty movie franchise.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is a sequel to the 2014 live-action retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. Released in 2019, the movie picks up several years after the first film’s events. It follows Maleficent as she struggles to accept her past and her place in the world. When Aurora becomes engaged to Prince Phillip, Maleficent is at odds with his mother, Queen Ingrid, who seeks to destroy Maleficent and all magical creatures.
The movie was again directed by Joachim Rønning and starred Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora. It also introduced new characters, including Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Conall, a fellow fairy who helps Maleficent in her quest. Like the first film,
Mistress of Evil received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, grossing over $490 million worldwide. The film’s focus on the conflict between Maleficent and the human world and its themes of family and acceptance added a new dimension to the Sleeping Beauty story. It made it a popular addition to the Maleficent movie franchise.
Do You Need To Watch Sleeping Beauty Movies in Order?
While each Sleeping Beauty movie tells a variation of the same story, they can be watched in any order without causing confusion. The original Disney animated film remains a classic and is a great starting point for those new to the Sleeping Beauty story. However, the Maleficent movies offer a different take on the story and can be watched as standalone films. The direct-to-video sequel is not essential to the main story but can be enjoyed as a fun addition to the franchise.
Will There Be More Sleeping Beauty Movies In The Future?
No official announcements regarding any new Sleeping Beauty movies are in development. While it remains uncertain if any future adaptations of the story are planned, it is worth noting that in a 2021 interview, Producer Jeff Kirschenbaum confirmed that a third Maleficent movie was in the early stages of development. Despite this confirmation, no recent updates regarding the project have left fans of the Maleficent franchise in the dark about the possibility of any new movies being released.
