Popular ‘Cinderella’ Adaptations, Ranked From Worst to Best

“A Cinderella Story” (2004) is a romantic comedy starring Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray.

cinderella story

This movie features the iconic white ballgown.

Warner Bros.


Critic Score: 12%

Audience Score: 53%

In this high-school retelling, Duff stars as a waitress at the diner that her evil stepmother, played by Jennifer Coolidge, forces her to run.

Most critics didn’t love the teen comedy, but many audience members somewhat enjoyed it, calling it both cheesy and a classic.

Amazon Studio’s “Cinderella” (2021) is the latest musical take on the classic story.

Camila Cabello singing in Cinderella

Camila Cabello is the protagonist in this latest film.

Amazon Studios


Critic Score: 42%

Audience Score: N/A

Camila Cabello plays the aspiring designer and lead in the recent retelling of “Cinderella.”

Audiences praised the star-studded cast and original songs but didn’t enjoy the flat performances and clunky dialogue.

Still, it became the most-watched musical of 2021.

“Ella Enchanted” It’s a fun fairy-tale retelling of the original story.

Ella Enchanted

It’s based on a unique retelling of “Cinderella.”

Miramax


Critic Score: 50%

Audience Score: 57%

Based on Gail Carson Levine’s novel of the same name, “Ella Enchanted” stars Anne Hathaway as Ella of Frell. The movie follows Ella as she tries to shed the “gift” she’s been given from a spacey godmother — she can’t disobey an order.

Many audience members enjoyed “Ella Enchanted” and wrote that the movie’s charm mostly comes from Hathaway’s stand-out performance.

Selena Gomez starred in “Another Cinderella Story” (2008).

Another cinderella story

The film was all about dance.

Warner Home Entertainment


Critic Score: N/A

Audience Score: 74%

This teen film starring Drew Seeley and singer-actor Gomez is all about dancing. In this version, the protagonist leaves behind her Zune, a now-defunct type of portable music player, instead of a glass slipper.

Many audience members wrote that they enjoyed this film’s premise and especially liked Gomez’s performance.

Kenneth Branagh’s “Cinderella” (2015) has been lauded for its costumes and simplicity.

cinderella

Lily James plays Cinderella in Disney’s live-action remake of “Cinderella.”

Walt Disney Pictures


Critic Score: 83%

Audience Score: 78%

Starring Lily James in the titular role, the Disney adaptation of this tale is considered to be a fairly traditional retelling complete with a fairy godmother, an evil stepmother, and magic.

Overall, audiences appreciated this simpletale and praised its impressive costumes and visual effects.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” (1997) has become a modern classic.

cinderella 1997

The film is full of music.

BrownHouse Productions


Critic Score: 86%

Audience Score: 74%

Based on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1957 televised musical, this film stars Brandy Norwood as Cinderella and features an all-star cast including Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jason Alexander.

This version is beloved for its diverse casting, strong vocals, and exquisite costume design. And, according to audiences, the comedic stylings of these famed actors and musical powerhouses make this one such a hit— and many can’t believe that this was a made-for-TV movie that did not debut in theaters.

“Ever After: A Cinderella Story” (1998) is a film about romance and history.

ever after

Drew Barrymore is the star of the film.

Twentieth Century Fox


Critic Score: 91%

Audience Score: 84%

Starring Drew Barrymore, “Ever After” is focused on the history and romance of the classic “Cinderella” tale.

Set partially in 16th-century France, this film has been praised for its uniqueness, impressive costumes, and memorable characters.

Disney’s “Cinderella” (1950) is beloved by audiences for its charming story and stunning animation.

cinderella movie 1950

It is more than 60 years old.

1950


Critic Score: 97%

Audience Score: 80%

“Cinderella” was one of the highest-grossing films in 1950 and it continues to dazzle and entertain audiences today. Per audience reviewers, the animation is still impressive and delightful to watch, even over 60 years later.

Plus Mary Blair’s character designs in this film continue to inspire animators today and have influenced designs in “Sleeping Beauty,” “Frozen,” and more.

Editor’s Note: Movies are ranked according to their critic score. We used the audience score if there was no critic score.

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