Heads up: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It’s no cost to you and I appreciate your support!

Welcome, Friends, glad you're here!

In this post we're exploring Beauty and the Beast movie retellings from beloved classics to hidden gems. While researching this post, I even discovered a few adaptations I haven't seen yet, which sounds like the perfect excuse for a movie night.

Whether you're a longtime fairytale fan or simply looking for a movie recomendation, I bet you find something to pique your interest.

Why Beauty and the Beast Stories Continue to Captivate Us

First, let's explore why we are drawn to love affairs between a woman (or man) and a monster. In traditional retellings, the notion of female empowerment where Beauty tames the Beast into a gentleman is attractive.

“I said: "He cannot be so bad if he loves roses so much."

"But he is a Beast," said Father helplessly.

I saw that he was weakening, and wishing only to comfort him I said, "Cannot a Beast be tamed?”

― Robin McKinley, Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

What about just flat out being attracted to the idea of a bestial lover? Yep.

“There is many a monster who wears the form of a man; it is better of the two to have the heart of a man and the form of a monster. ”
― Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast

Finally, think about the movies where there's attraction between a man or woman and an other-type character? I'm thinking Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Dracula.

A favorite author who explored the importance of Beauty and the Beast in modern culture shares the idea that movies are "our shared dreams projected on to the Big Screen." It's current culture dreaming out loud. (Griswold, p 18).

Beauty and the Beast Gold Standards

When I think of Beauty and the Beast movies, there are two gold standards:

The 1946 French masterpiece by Jean Cocteau
Disney's 1991 animated classic

Jean Cocteau's La Belle et la Bête (1946): The Fairy-Tale Masterpiece

I feel like Cocteau's version set a fairytale standard for movies. It's such a stunning visual feast. It follows the heart of Madame Beaumont's abridged version, with a few extra flourishes.

One of my favorite elements of this gem are the fantastic costumes - flouncing collars, ruff collars, the beast's make-up, bedazzled everything and a variety of sparkling tiaras - and the artistic shots of beautiful people and Beauty's gothic bower. Even in black and white - maybe because it's black and white - it's elegant and sumptuous.

The addition of Diana's Pavilion and how the curse is broken is an interesting riff on Beauty and the Beast lore. Truly, La Belle et La Bête is work of art that every Beauty and the Beast and fairytale fan should see at least once.

“Children believe what we tell them. They have complete faith in us. They believe that a rose plucked from a garden can plunge a family into conflict… I ask of you a little of this childlike simplicity, and, to bring us luck, let me speak four truly magic words, childhood’s ‘Open Sesame’: ‘Once upon a time…’” — Jean Cocteau.

La Belle et La Bête, directed by Jean Cocteau

Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991): The Animated Classic

Belle and Beast topiary at Epcot, taken 2018

Now let's talk about Disney's delightful story of Belle and her beast. Just about every girl and most boys I know hum the lyrics when they hear a song from the soundtrack. She's the princess who's not a princess, who saves the day with her own resilience, moral fortitude and smarts. She wants to experience a full life and a partner who can keep up with her intellectually. She was a new standard and she is wonderful!

The creative team behind Disney's Beauty and the Beast studied the lore and created an evolution of concepts from Beaumont's abridged version and Cocteau's film that has elevated the Beauty and the Beast standard. If you're interested in this wormhole of info, the Beauty and the Beast (1991 film) - Wikipedia page was a helpful place to begin.

And yes, the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast was great… just not as great as the original.

Hidden Gem Beauty and the Beast Retellings Worth Watching

Penelope, 2006

Penelope (2006): A Charming Modern Fairy Tale

Penelope is a delightful, modern version of Beauty and the Beast with Christina Ricci and James McAvoy, where you might wonder who's actually Beauty and who's the Beast. Appreciating your own journey is a moral underpinning with this fairytale - without giving too much away. IMO, this movie was well done and featured an all-star cast.

Beastly (2011): Beauty and the Beast in Manhattan

Beastly, 2011

Beastly isn't winning any awards, but I loved the modern take set in Manhattan. I appreciated that it aligned with Alex Flinn's book, Beastly (which is oddly important to me in movie adaptations). It follows the basic Beauty and the Beast plotline, with contemporary, magical realism flair. Kyle and Lindy develop a sweet relationship, and Kyle realizing how the unpopular and under-privileged live was satisfying. I'm sappy - welcome to my blog.

La Belle et la Bête (2014): A Visually Stunning French Retelling

This modern French version is a feast for the eyes. The costumes and setting are just lovely. This adaptation calls upon a few elements and the enchanted feel of the original fairytale by Madame Barbot de Villeneuve, which is a neat change from typical Beauty and the Beast retellings. The Beast in this version is more forward. It has a magical, fantasy-type feel. Watch this one when you're feeling dreamy.

La Belle et La Bête, 2014

Beauty and the Beast Adaptations That Didn't Quite Work for Me

Beauty and the Beast, 1976

Before Belle read her way into the Beast's heart, there was the awkward Beauty and the Beast based on the traditional fairytale, featuring George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere. Yes, I've seen it. It's been a long time, and I still remember it feeling awkward. I'll watch it again... for research, of course.

Blood of the Vikings (Blood of Beasts), 2005

I couldn't remember the details of this interesting reel, so I recently watched it again (for research...). Plus, hint of fantasy? Viking hero? I'm in. The main characters are Freya, daughter of the Viking Jarl, and a Beast who is cursed by Odin. It was not stellar; definitely a B (C?) production and the actors were vaguely familiar. But... it has the only alternative ending to a BATB tale that I've so far noted that wasn't a happily ever after. I won't give it away - you'll just have to watch it.

More Beauty and the Beast Movies and Retellings to Explore

And wait, there's more! Here are three others I have yet to watch:

Panna A Netvor is a Czech horror-fantasy that I haven't seen yet… and may be frightened to see!? I don't love horror.
The Shape of Water - Why I've not seen this yet, I don't know. Remedied soon.
Belle (2021) is an anime by Mamoru Hosoda that I'm dying to see.

Beauty and her beast continue to inspire - I know I'm missing others and I'm sure new lore will be added.

Why Beauty and the Beast Remains One of the Most Adapted Fairy Tales

I appreciate this article by Roger Ebert about the endurance and persistence of the Beauty and the Beast tale as a vehicle to help women and others express and cope. Plus, Beauty and the Beast movies are simply enchanting. They take us away from the today and into worlds of possibilities and deeper thinking.

I'd love to hear from you - Which retelling is your favorite? Is there a hidden gem I missed? Let me know in the comments!

PS - Let's talk soon about Beauty and the Beast on TV. We didn't talk a whit about Vincent and Catherine from the 1980's TV show - definitely my all-time favorite, even before Belle. Back when you had to remember the night your show was on and decline sleep overs so you wouldn't miss an episode. Next time.

Notes:
Griswold, Jerry. The Meanings of "Beauty and the Beast" A Handbook. Broadview Press Ltd., 2004