Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Disney's breathtaking animated classic brings the beloved fairy tale to life with stunning visuals, operatic music, and one of animation's greatest villains.
Sleeping Beauty - Movie Information
- Original Title: Sleeping Beauty
- Release Year: 1959
- Directed by: Clyde Geronimi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Fantasy, Animation, Romance, Family
- Age Rating (US): G
- Runtime: 1h 15m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 17, 1959 (Belgium - AL), December 25, 1959 (United States - G), July 29, 1959 (United Kingdom - U), October 30, 1959 (Germany - 6), December 16, 1959 (France - TP), May 1, 1960 (New Zealand), December 23, 1959 (Australia - G), December 22, 1960 (Brazil - L), December 24, 1959 (Mexico - A), December 1, 1959 (Italy), June 21, 1995 (Spain - APTA), July 25, 1973 (South Korea - ALL)
- Alternative Titles: The Girl Who Seemed to Die (US), Uyqudagi malika (UZ), الأميرة النائمة (SA), La Belle au bois dormant (FR), Yatmış Gözəl (AZ), La bella addormentata nel bosco (IT), Η Ωραία Κοιμωμένη (GR)
- Production Companies: Walt Disney Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Sleeping Beauty - Plot
Cursed to die by the evil fairy Maleficent when she was a baby, Princess Aurora is sent into hiding under protection from three good fairies. As she grows up far away, Maleficent becomes increasingly determined to seal the princess's fate.
Sleeping Beauty - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and step into Disney's enchanted kingdom:
Awaken to a World of Wonders!
Where to Watch Sleeping Beauty
Looking for where to watch Sleeping Beauty?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Sleeping Beauty - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Clyde Geronimi
Main Cast
- Mary Costa
- Bill Shirley
- Eleanor Audley
- Verna Felton
- Barbara Luddy
- Barbara Jo Allen
- Taylor Holmes
- Bill Thompson
- Marvin Miller
- Candy Candido
Writers
- Charles Perrault
- Erdman Penner
- Bill Peet
- Winston Hibler
- Ted Sears
Producers
- Walt Disney
Sleeping Beauty - FAQs
What is Sleeping Beauty about?
Sleeping Beauty follows Princess Aurora, cursed at birth by the wicked fairy Maleficent to die before sunset on her sixteenth birthday. Hidden in the forest by three good fairies, she grows up unaware of her royal identity—until fate and a fateful spindle bring the curse crashing down. Only true love's kiss can save her.
Is Sleeping Beauty based on a true story?
Not a true story, but it's rooted in centuries-old folklore. Disney's film draws primarily from Charles Perrault's 1697 fairy tale La Belle au bois dormant and the Brothers Grimm version. The story of a sleeping princess awakened by a prince has been retold across European cultures for hundreds of years.
Where can you stream Sleeping Beauty (1959)?
You can stream Sleeping Beauty on Disney Plus. It's also available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home—so there are plenty of ways to revisit this Disney classic whenever the mood strikes.
Who is the villain in Sleeping Beauty?
Maleficent is the villain—and one of Disney's most iconic ones. Voiced by Eleanor Audley, she's a self-proclaimed “Mistress of All Evil” who curses Aurora out of spite for not being invited to her christening. She transforms into a terrifying dragon in the film's climax, making her one of animation's most memorable antagonists.
Does Sleeping Beauty have a dragon in it?
Yes! In the film's thrilling finale, Maleficent transforms into a massive, fire-breathing dragon to stop Prince Phillip from reaching Aurora. It's one of the most visually spectacular sequences in Disney animation history, and the dragon design remains one of the studio's most celebrated pieces of character art.
Who voices Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty?
Mary Costa provides the voice—and singing voice—of Princess Aurora. Costa was a classically trained soprano, and her performance gave Aurora an elegant, operatic quality that set the film apart from earlier Disney princess films. Bill Shirley voiced Prince Phillip, and Eleanor Audley delivered the unforgettable Maleficent.
Was Sleeping Beauty a box office success in 1959?
It had a complicated debut. Made on a budget of around $6 million, Sleeping Beauty earned roughly $51.6 million over its lifetime—but its initial release disappointed Disney financially, leading the studio to scale back animated features for years. It's since been reappraised as one of Disney's greatest artistic achievements.
What makes Sleeping Beauty visually unique among Disney films?
Sleeping Beauty was deliberately styled after medieval tapestries and illuminated manuscripts, with angular, stylized artwork inspired by illustrator Eyvind Earle. It was also filmed in the widescreen Super Technirama 70 format—a first for Disney animation—giving it a grand, painterly look unlike any Disney film before or since.
More About Sleeping Beauty
Explore further details about Sleeping Beauty on these trusted resources.