Cinderella stories are always being told, and some of them follow the formula of Disney's classic 1950 animated feature. Many of Cinderellas to the modern teen versions, numerous circumstances have surrounded the leading ladies.
It is interesting to look back and see how one of the most famous princesses has been interpreted through the years outside of Disney.
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019): 5.3
In the 2019 Christmas twist on Cinderella, Kat Decker (Laura Marano) is an aspiring singer-songwriter whose stepmom and stepsisters force her to be their servant and forfeit part of her wages. While working at a Christmas park, Kat meets a Santa who is actually Dominic/Nick Wintergarden (Gregg Sulkin), a billionaire's son. Despite the odds against them, Kat and Nick end up together.
Another Cinderella Story (2008): 5.8
This is one of the most well-known modern retellings of the fairy tale. Selena Gomez plays Mary Santiago, a talented dancer stuck under the rule of diva stepmother Dominique Blatt (Jane Lynch) and her two daughters. Mary's friend, Tami (Jessica Parker Kennedy), is a fairy godmother of sorts in helping her get to the school dance.
Mary falls for pop heartthrob Joey Parker (Drew Seeley), and in a funny twist that somewhat dates the movie now, the glass slipper is a Zune MP3 player.
A Cinderella Story: If The Shoe Fits (2016): 5.8
2016's installment in the Cinderella Story series stars Sofia Carson from Descendants as Tessa, a teen mechanic who gets stuck with the traditional stepmother and two stepsisters after her father's death. Tessa sees her stepsisters auditioning for a musical about Cinderella and expresses interest in performing, but her family forbids her to audition. A make-up artist gives Tessa a new look so that she can follow her dream. Tessa's dance shoe stands in for the glass slipper, and whoever can return the shoe to her crush gets the starring role of the musical.
A Cinderella Story (2004): 5.9
Many who came of age in the 2000s would Hilary Duff's iconic role as Sam Montgomery in A Cinderella Story. The 2004 theatrical teen rom-com finds Sam working long hours at the family diner her stepmother (Jennifer Coolidge) has taken over. With a little help from Rhonda from the diner (Regina King), Sam makes it to the Halloween Homecoming dance and spends time with her virtual crush, Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray). Sam's flip phone is the glass slipper, and after her secret identity is revealed, Sam tells Austin off at a football game and then accepts his kiss.
A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song (2011): 6.0
This 2011 re-telling of Cinderella stars Lucy Hale as Katie Gibbs, a teen whose stepmom and stepsiblings try to thwart her dreams of singing. After Katie's crush hears her sing, her stepsister, Bev, uses Katie's voice to trick Luke, the crush. In this case, Katie's voice is like the glass slipper in that it must be rightfully matched with its owner.
Ella Enchanted (2004): 6.3
Ella Enchanted (2004) came out when millions of viewers already knew Anne Hathaway's name. The Princess Diaries star is Hugh Dancy), Ella sets out to find Lucinda so that the magical condition can be removed so that she is free of her stepmother and stepsisters' control.
The Slipper And The Rose: The Story Of Cinderella (1976): 7.0
This 1976 British musical version of Cinderella takes place in the fictional land of Euphrania, where Prince Edward (Richard Chamberlain) is expected to get married. As in the 1950 animated film, Cinderella (Gemma Craven) is a servant to her stepmother and stepsisters and must help the sisters prepare for the Prince's grand ball. With the Fairy Godmother's help, Cinderella meets Prince Edward at the ball, and the rest is history.
Ever After (1998): 7.0
Ever After (1998) was made by Fox long before Disney acquired the studio. Drew Barrymore plays Danielle, the Cinderella figure of Renaissance-era who is forced to serve her stepmother and stepsisters.
Anjelica Huston plays Rodmilla, the stepmother. One of her daughters treats Danielle with kindness. Danielle eventually becomes a princess when she marries Prince Henry (Dougray Scott). The story is told as a flashback that the Grand Dame tells the Brothers Grimm.
Cinderella (1957): 7.6
Julie Andrews' starring role as Cinderella was one of her earliest on screen. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical film adheres to Charles Perrault's fairytale, and approximately three quarters of the United States viewed the television premiere on March 31, 1957. Fans new and old can view the rich repertoire of songs, including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible," and "A Lovely Night."
Cinderella (1965): 7.8
Rodgers and Hammerstein's original musical adaptation of Cinderella was remade as a 1965 television film. This time, Lesley Ann Warren is Cinderella, and Ginger Rogers is the Queen. Cinderella meets the Prince before the ball when she gives him a drink of water, but the lavish ball still happens. Her dress is a unique golden creation with a fur stole. The music of the prior movie is retained, as it is in the 1997 version for The Wonderful World of Disney starring Brandy.
