EverAfter

Danielle de Barbarac is a bright, spirited young woman whose life turns bitter after her father's death leaves her at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Rodmilla, intent on fortune, keeps Danielle busy with chores and plots to wed her own daughters to the prince, while Danielle's own dreams seem to shrink under the weight of servitude. A chance encounter with a prince in disguise exposes Danielle to court life and a romance that blooms with honesty and humor. Along the way, she leans on clever thinking and a few gracious allies, including a witty Leonardo da Vinci who observes the world with painterly mischief. The tale blends fairy-tale magic with witty, modern sensibilities.

Directed by Andy Tennant and released in 1998, Ever After adapts Charles Perrault's Cinderella with a screenplay by Susannah Grant and Rick Parks, blending fairy tale charm with social satire and strong period detail.

Its worldwide total reached $98,005,666, a strong return given its modest $26 million budget and broad appeal across families and romance fans.

Ever After is often cited as a feminist reinterpretation of Cinderella, centering Danielle's ingenuity and grit rather than a passive rescue. Drew Barrymore's likable performance helped redefine the princess archetype for late 90s audiences, while the film's lush production and witty dialogue left a memorable imprint on romantic fantasy.

Critics generally praised Barrymore's charm, the smart rewriting of the fairy tale, and the film's warm, humorous tone, while noting strong supporting turns from Anjelica Huston and Dougray Scott. The movie treats class, resilience, and romance with a light touch. It endures as a warm revision of a familiar tale.