Top 10 Greatest Cinderella Movies

Actress and singer Brandy plays the first onscreen black Cinderella in this musical with a multiracial and color-blind cast. Interestingly, Cinders doesn’t have to wait for her Prince to sweep her off her feet – she meets him just minutes into the movie. He’s disguised as a commoner, however, and the two will have to overcome many obstacles, including class differences and social expectations, to end up together. With impeccable choreography, playful dialogue, colorful costumes, and Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother, this magical sing-along is fairy tale fun.

This film takes the fairy tale to the dance floor. Mary Santiago wants to follow her mom’s footsteps as a dancer, but slaves away for her legal guardian, a has-been pop star named Dominique Blatt. Still, Mary is determined as ever to follow her heart, especially since teen heartthrob Joey Parker is back in school. With her BFF Tami’s help, Mary and Joey meet at a masquerade ball. The two make all the right moves without Joey ever recognizing her. He tracks her down using the Zune she left behind, and they both realize that following your dreams also means following your heart.

Aspiring singer Katie Gibbs sneaks her demo tape into record exec Guy Morgan’s briefcase, hoping to make it big. Katie’s tone-deaf stepsister Bev and stepmom Gail pretend it’s Bev’s demo to impress Guy and his son, Luke. Gail is so bent on getting Bev a record deal that she makes her lip-sync Katie’s original songs. As a love triangle develops between the girls and Luke, Katie’s voice becomes the proverbial glass slipper, exposing Gail for the cruel schemer she is. A musical rom-com with a hint of Bollywood flair, this Cinderella story is pitch perfect.

The last two entries would be nothing without the original. In this teen rom-com, Hilary Duff plays Sam Montgomery, a high school student with Ivy League dreams. While her nasty stepfamily lives off of her dad’s estate, Sam saves up money to go to Princeton by waitressing. She also chats online with the mysterious Nomad, who turns out to be her crush, high school quarterback Austin Ames. Finally meeting at the Halloween dance, the two realize they’re not so different after all. Just like the original Cinders, Sam works her way to love and the crown.

Based on the hit Broadway musical, this movie features an ensemble cast playing your favorite fairy tale characters. Anna Kendrick plays Cinderella, who helps the Baker and his wife break a spell. Once the spell is broken, Cinders marries her Prince and lives happily ever after… or does she? Well, this prince isn’t so charming after all, and cheats on her with the Baker’s Wife! The royal couple aren’t the only ones with an unhappy fate, and it’s up to Cinders and the Baker to make things right. What happens next? Let’s just say Cinderella’s story ends happily… but not with someone you’d expect!

Clearly, Cinderella makes a great movie musical. But in this version, Prince Edward isn’t just Cinders’ love interest. While his parents think that an arranged marriage is better than a loving one, our Prince begs to differ. The typical Cinderella story ensues, glass slipper and all – but not so fast! Edward’s parents are still dead-set on an arranged marriage to prevent war, forcing him to choose between tradition and true love. But with a little help from Cinders’ fairy godmother, this decision just got easier. We didn’t think fairy tales and royal politics could mix, but like Cinders and Edward, they make a great pair!

Before Julie Andrews sang in “The Sound of Music,” she played the title princess in this TV musical. The song and dance numbers are perfect to sing along, and pretty funny too. Unlike many other Cinderella stories, we also see the King and Queen having frank discussions about their son’s future wife. Luckily, the hardworking Cinders is a perfect match. With her fairy godmother and animal friends on hand, she becomes the apple of his eye. Now if only he could track her down. But as the song says, impossible things are happening every day.

This adaptation is set in Renaissance France. Danielle de Barbarac may be a servant to her stepfamily, but she’s no damsel in distress – check out that fireman’s carry! Danielle is smart, eloquent, and isn’t afraid to defend herself – all perfect qualities to win Prince Henry’s heart. She even finds a confidante in her stepsister Jacqueline, who isn’t spared from her mother’s cruelty. And because this is historical fiction, Leonardo da Vinci steps in as Danielle’s godparent, fashioning wings to make her the belle of the ball. Danielle isn’t just a servant who becomes a princess; she’s also the most badass Cinderella of them all.

In this blockbuster remake, Ella tragically loses both of her parents. Before she dies, Ella’s mom tells her to “have courage and be kind,” a promise she tries to keep when faced with her awful stepfamily. Ella’s dismal fate is changed when she unknowingly meets Prince Kit, who’s instantly smitten. Much to Lady Tremaine’s dismay, the two make a splash at the royal ball. She finds and breaks Ella’s glass slipper, but her manipulative cruelty can only go so far. Remembering her mother’s dying words, Ella always stays true to herself, and gets the fairy tale ending that is rightfully hers.

Before we get to our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:

“Ella Enchanted” (2004)

“Rags” (2012)

“The Prince & Me” (2004)

There’s nothing like a classic! Decades after its release, this animated masterpiece is still must-see Disney. Cinderella’s transformation from neglected servant to beautiful princess is one of film’s most iconic makeovers. With fun comedic relief, impressive animation sequences, and just a hint of magic, this is the gold standard of Cinderella movies. The film proved so popular that it even helped save Disney from bankruptcy. What’s more, “Cinderella” earned three Oscar nominations, spawned two official sequels, and placed ninth on AFI’s Top 10 Animated Films list. The OG Cinderella takes the crown on our list, and reminds viewers everywhere that dreams do come true.