Maleficent

Maleficent is a luminous guardian of a verdant forest kingdom who protects her world with clever magic and quiet courage. Her peaceful life is upended when an invading army crosses into the valley and threatens the harmony she cherishes. She answers with fierce defense and cunning tactics, earning a fearsome reputation as the land's steadfast sentinel. A brutal betrayal by someone she trusted leaves her heart scarred and her sense of trust broken. In a moment of anger she places a curse on a newborn princess, changing the fates of both women. As Aurora grows, a tentative bond forms that challenges Maleficent's assumptions about power, mercy, and what it means to belong.

Released in 2014, this Disney fantasy was directed by Robert Stromberg and reimagines the Sleeping Beauty myth through the character of Maleficent, with Angelina Jolie in the lead and Elle Fanning as Aurora.

Box office data is not provided in the material here, but the film was released theatrically to broad audience appeal and became a notable example of Disney expanding its live action fairy tale roster, signaling a shift toward more mature themes within a glossy family format.

Maleficent left a lasting mark by reframing a classic villain as a nuanced anti hero with a maternal undertone. Jolie's towering presence and the film's elaborate visual design influenced later Disney live action projects and renewed discussion about villain complexity in family cinema, marketing and merchandising. Factory tours, tie in games, and continued fan discourse followed.

Critical reaction highlighted Jolie's bold performance and the film's striking visuals while noting a softer fairy tale tone that mitigates some menace. The story wrestles with power, vengeance, and the cost of isolation, pairing a protective maternal impulse with questions about forgiveness, trust, and the nature of true happiness. Audiences responded to the twist on expectations and the emotional depth at the center of Maleficent's arc.