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Fairy tales have long been a cherished part of childhood. Whether it’s reading Ladybird’s Little Red Riding Hood or watching Disney’s timeless Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, most of us can easily recall these stories. Recently, however, these classic tales have found new life in unexpected ways, reappearing in films, comic books, video games, and more. While not all adaptations hit the mark, many are certainly worth exploring. What follows is a selection of some of the more fascinating reimaginings; even if they don’t always nail the execution, they make up for it with their passion.
10. The 10th Kingdom
A fairy tale-inspired fantasy miniseries that twists familiar elements into something unexpected. It features all the usual suspects: Snow White, a magical mirror, a (somewhat) charming prince, and even a half-wolf big bad wolf. Virginia, a brave waitress from Central Park, is unexpectedly pulled into a magical realm teeming with fairy tale characters. (By the way, the '10th kingdom' refers to our world, the one outside the magical universe.) Despite its mixed reception, the show received positive reviews and even earned an Emmy. Though sometimes a bit cheesy, it’s an endearing effort.
9. Shrek
Although the Shrek franchise has admittedly stretched a bit beyond its prime, the first few films are undoubtedly worth experiencing. With a stellar voice cast featuring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, along with notable additions like John Cleese and Antonio Banderas in later films, Shrek took classic fairy tale tropes, flipped them on their head, and created an entertaining movie. It offered refreshing takes on familiar characters (like a secretly rebellious Pinocchio and a conniving fairy godmother) while continuously challenging the concept of 'happily ever after.' Shrek is definitely worth watching, at least once.
8. The Princess and the Frog
I had avoided including Disney films in this list previously, as they often remain largely unchanged (apart from softening their darker elements, of course). However, Disney’s 2009 animated movie, The Princess and the Frog, stands out as an exception. Tiana is a young waitress living in New Orleans with dreams of opening her own restaurant. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she is transformed into a frog after kissing the cursed Prince Naveen. A refreshing return to Disney’s traditional 2D animation, The Princess and the Frog demonstrates how fairy tales can be reimagined while still maintaining family-friendly charm without being overly sentimental.
7. The Path
The Path presents a surreal, dreamlike journey, existing somewhere between art and video game. Created by Belgian studio Tale of Tales and released in 2009, it reimagines the tale of Little Red Riding Hood in an entirely new light. The player chooses from six girls, each named after a different shade of red, and is told to follow the path leading to grandmother’s house. However, sticking to the path leads to failure. To succeed (or at least loosely succeed), you must veer off course and confront each girl’s own unique wolf. After encountering their wolves, the girls are left seemingly broken. While it may not strictly qualify as a game, The Path offers plenty of room for deep analysis.
6. Enchanted
The plot of Enchanted (2007) revolved around the concept of fairy tale characters entering the hustle and bustle of contemporary New York City, forming a comedic yet insightful contrast between the animated fantasy world and real life. The film provided a delightful exploration of how beloved fairy tale figures might respond to the complexities of the modern world. Despite the harsh critiques from the film’s antagonist, the wicked stepmother Narissa, who claimed Earth had no place for happy endings, Enchanted delighted viewers with its humor and joyful conclusion, earning both box office success and critical acclaim.
5. The Brothers Grimm
Terry Gilliam's 2005 fantasy comedy, The Brothers Grimm, offers a whimsical take on the lives and legends of the famous storytellers. With a fictionalized narrative, the film portrays the two brothers as adventurous characters embroiled in a mix of magic, fantasy, and danger. Featuring Matt Damon and Heath Ledger in the lead roles, the film also stars Monica Bellucci as the wicked Mirror Queen and Lena Headey as the fearless Angelika. Despite some critiques about the film’s emphasis on stunning visuals over storyline, it performed well at the box office and is a memorable watch for fans of fantastical adventure.
4. The Bloody Chamber
Considered by many to be Angela Carter's most iconic collection of short stories, The Bloody Chamber (1979) is a deeply influential and beautifully written work. With its lush prose and dark, magical realist undertones, this collection reimagines classic fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast. A standout moment from the collection is The Company of Wolves (1984), a film directed by Neil Jordan, which delves into the werewolf-centered stories and explores the recurring Red Riding Hood motif. Carter’s remarkable narrative style brings these eerie, adult versions of well-known tales to life, making The Bloody Chamber a must-read.
3. Fables
Created by Bill Willingham, the Fables comic book series offers a fascinating blend of modern-day fantasy and classic fairy tale elements. Debuting in 2002, this series follows the lives of legendary characters from fairy tales and folklore, now living in exile in New York City, where they blend into human society. Among the key figures are Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf, who now lives as a human), Snow White, Jack Horner, and Boy Blue. With its rich storytelling, Fables has earned widespread acclaim and won multiple awards. Plans for a TV series and a video game adaptation ensure the series’ continued popularity.
2. Pan’s Labyrinth
Although not a direct adaptation of any particular fairy tale, Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth weaves fairy tale-like themes into its narrative. The film opens with a fairy tale about the lost Princess Moanna, daughter of the underworld king, before transitioning to post-Civil War Spain. In this new reality, young Ofelia and her mother move in with her stepfather, where she seeks escape into a fantastical world. Guided by a mysterious faun, Ofelia embarks on a series of trials to determine if she is the lost princess. With its compelling narrative and stunning visuals, Pan’s Labyrinth became an immediate classic, resonating with audiences and critics alike.
1. Revolting Rhymes
The first time I encountered fairy tales with a twist was through Roald Dahl’s 1982 collection, Revolting Rhymes. This book, featuring six poems, reimagines classic tales like Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Little Pigs. With Dahl’s signature humor and sharp wit, paired with Quentin Blake’s lively illustrations, these stories add a cheeky and mischievous spin to well-known fairy tales. Memorable moments include Red Riding Hood pulling out a pistol from her knickers to deal with the Big Bad Wolf, and the famous line from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: “Gambling is not a sin / Providing that you always win.”
