Hollywood Can't Stop Making Cinderella Movies, So I Ranked Them From "Bippity Boppity Boo" To "Bippity Boppity Woo"
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With the latest Cinderella now streaming, it's safe to say Hollywood has no plans to stop telling, and retelling, and retelling this classic fairy tale.
Disney / Via giphy.com
So I've taken it upon myself to rank the best Cinderella adaptations from my least favorite to favorite. Here is my completely subjective ranking:
15.Happily N'Ever After (2006)
Favorite Quote: "Girls, mom's gonna take matters into her own hands; don't wait up." –Freida (Sigourney Weaver)
Well, with a 4% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's not surprising Happily N'Ever After lands the 15th spot on this list. Even for 2006, this CG animation is super weird, and most of the jokes fell flat. Although, the movie does score some points in my book for casting real-life couple Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Cinderella and her prince!
14.Cinderella (2021)
Favorite Quote: "Let's not ruin this incredibly magical moment with reason." –Fabulous Godmother (Billy Porter)
Nothing could prepare me for Camila Cabello's Cinderella, except for those viral "Crosswalk the Musical" clips that collectively scared the internet for a few days. I wanted to love this movie for the sake of Billy Porter as the Fabulous Godmother alone, but alas, the girl boss agenda was too strong. From the random, overly auto-tuned song covers to the over-the-top acting, it's safe to say I will not be rewatching this movie.
13.Another Cinderella Story (2008)
Favorite Quote: "You know what sucks about falling for a guy you know you're not right for? You fall anyway 'cause you think he might turn out to be different." –Mary (Selena Gomez)
You've heard of A Cinderella Story, but what about Another Cinderella Story? Selena Gomez plays Mary, the stepdaughter of Jane Lynch, who makes her life a living hell with endless chore lists. The absolute best part of the film is Jane Lynch singing about bacne (back-acne). The worst part about this film is it's not for everyone. It's pretty cheesy and clearly directed for a younger crowd.
12.If the Shoe Fits (1990)
Favorite Quote: "I am covering parts of the body that haven't been covered in years." –Francesco Salvatore (Rob Lowe)
Even though this movie was made for TV, it stars big names like Dirty Dancing's Jennifer Grey as Kelly Carter and Rob Lowe as the high-end fashion designer Francesco Salvatore. Kelly dreams of designing for Francesco and one day runs into a fairy on the street who enchants a pair of her shoes, turning Kelly into a supermodel named Prudence whenever she slips them on. Of course, Francesco falls for the supermodel and Kelly is forced to juggle being Francesco's bookish, awkward assistant while also being the face of a new line. It's a fun movie overall, but it's a bit too cartoonish and plays on tired stereotypes of vanity.
11.Sesame Street: CinderElmo (1999)
Favorite Quote: "First of all, it's not what you look like or what you wear that makes you special ... It's you." –Frank (Oliver Platt)
If you grew up watching Sesame Street, this rendition might hit you right in the feels. Elmo plays CinderElmo and Keri Russell plays Princess Charming, who is hosting a "Princess Charming's 18th Birthday Holiday Find-a-Husband Ball." Appearances are also made by fan favorites: Grover, Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, Count von Count, Big Bird, and Mr. Snuffleupagus. Naturally, it's a little silly, but overall delightful.
10.Cinderfella (1960)
Favorite Quote: "Oh, the Cinderella legend has brought nothing but dissatisfaction to the hearts of women. And their husbands have taken the brunt of it." –Fairy Godfather (Ed Wynn)
Cinderfella took on gender-swapping movie rolls before it was cool. Comedy icon Jerry Lewis delivers a gleeful performance as Fella with Anna Maria Alberghetti as Princess Charming. Overall the film is a nice reminder that underneath fancy clothes and money, love can still prevail.
9.Into the Woods (2014)
Favorite Quote: "I was raised to be charming, not sincere." –Cinderella's Prince (Chris Pine)
As a former theater kid, this next statement might be controversial, but I'm not a huge fan of Into the Woods. Anna Kendrick plays a wonderfully existential Cinderella opposite Chris Pine's devilishly handsome prince. Although, in the end, the "charming" prince turns out to be a cheater, which completely disenchants Cinderella. The Cinderella plot line doesn't make up the entire movie, but it adds some more realistic elements to the famous tale.
8.Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965)
Favorite Quote: "If it is enchantment, I hope it is forever. If it is a dream, I wish never to awaken." –Cinderella (Lesley Ann Warren)
Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical classic was brought to the big screen for Cinderella. The quality of the film is a little outdated, but Lesley Ann Warren's Cinderella is charming and expressive! Nevertheless, it's not the best Rodgers & Hammerstein adaptation, let alone the best Cinderella movie out there.
7.Ella Enchanted (2004)
Favorite Quote: “I wonder if my opponent is basing her opinion on the Prince's politics or how cute she thinks his butt is?” –Ella of Frell (Anne Hathaway)
This film, based on the novel Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, follows Ella of Frell who grows up with the "gift" of obedience, bestowed upon her by her incompetent fairy godmother, Lucinda. Ella is forced to do whatever she is told, which lands her in a sticky situation when her goofy stepsisters and narcissistic stepmother discover her secret. Anne Hathaway absolutely carries the movie on her back as political activist Ella, who protests the segregation of the kingdom rather than fawning over the dreamy Prince Char, played by Hugh Dancy. And who could forget the completely strange cover of Queen's "Somebody to Love" at a literal Giant's wedding celebration?!
6.The Glass Slipper (1955)
Favorite Quote: "The son of cook in the palace of the Duc." –Ella (Leslie Caron)
Leslie Caron plays a tomboyish "Cinder" Ella who is generally disliked by everyone because she is shy and has short hair. She meets Prince Charles in the woods, who tells her he is the son of the palace cook and invites her to a ball. While there are comedic and whimsical elements in this rendition, it follows the traditional glass slipper plot to a tee and leaves little room for suspense.
5.A Cinderella Story (2004)
Best quote: “Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought. Useless and disappointing." –Sam (Hilary Duff)
Look, it's certainly cheesy, but there's no denying that Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray were a match made in '00s heaven. Plus, Jennifer Coolidge steals literally every scene as the evil-stepmother, Fiona, delivering iconic burns like, "You're not very pretty, and you're not very bright." And let's be honest, we all could use Academy Award-winning actor Regina King as a fairy godmother.
4.Cinderella (2015)
Favorite Quote: "Just because it's what's done doesn't mean it's what should be done." –Cinderella (Lily James)
Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella did a wonderful job of capturing the original spirit of the 1950 Disney cartoon. The sets are magnificent, and the costumes are awe-inspiring. I also highly enjoyed the simple, yet lovely chemistry between Lily James and Richard Madden.
3.Cinderella (1950)
Favorite Quote: "Well, there's one thing: They can't order me to stop dreaming.” –Cinderella (Ilene Woods)
Despite being made in 1950, I found the animation still holds up – especially all the glitter! This version is dreamy, romantic, and well paced. Gus the mouse is a showstopper as one of Disney's first adorable animal sidekicks. It's no wonder other adaptations have a hard time coming close to this classic!
2.Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)
Favorite Quote: "I would rather die a thousand deaths than to see my mother's dress on that spoiled, selfish cow!" –Danielle (Drew Barrymore)
Drew Barrymore plays Danielle, aka this film’s Cinderella, in Renaissance-era France. Danielle's intelligence, drive, and compassion win the heart of Prince Henry, who is obviously sick and tired of royal life. Unlike other Cinderella retellings, this film was heavily reliant on Leonardo Da Vinci (?) to move the plot along, which was honestly really fun from an art history perspective. And major points were scored in my book for the post-happy-ending pettiness of Rodmilla and Marguerite working as laundry servants!
1.Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)
Favorite Quote: “I see in you a man too perfect to be really true. Do I want you because you're wonderful? Or are you wonderful because I want you?” –Cinderella (Brandy Norwood)
This movie has everything I want from a Cinderella adaptation and then some! The star power from Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, and Whoopi Goldberg alone would've landed this movie in the number-one spot. Not to mention Brandy Norwood who, in her own little corner and her own little chair, delivers an iconic performance as Cinderella. This adaptation struck the perfect balance of modern and classic and really holds up!
