Confundida

The most famous base version of this tale was published by French writer Charles Perrault in 1697 as Cendrillon. Another version was collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812 as Aschenputtel.

Cinderella is probably the fairy tale most often adapted, perhaps not only for its timeless themes, but also because it's easy to replicate with or without the magical elements.

Cinderella (1950 Film)

Animated musical film produced by Walt Disney himself

Starring Ilene Woods as Cinderella, Eleanor Audley as Lady Tremaine, Verna Felton as the Fairy Godmother

The film has 2 sequels with a new cast starring Jennifer Hale: Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002), which is a 3-part anthology, and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007). Tami Tappan was the singing voice in movie 3.

Cinderella (1997 TV Film)

This is the third version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella musical, featuring a few extra songs. The movie was produced by Walt Disney Television and Whitney Houston. It is known for the portrayal of a black Cinderella and the overall color-blind casting.

Starring Brandy Norwood as Cinderella, Whitney Houston as Fairy Godmother, Paolo Montalban as Prince Christopher Rupert, Bernadette Peters as the wicked stepmother

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998 Film)

This film reimagines the tale as a historical romance taking place during Renaissance-era France. It removes the magic elements from the tale.

Starring Drew Barrymore as Danielle de Barbarac, Anjelica Huston as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent (the stepmother), Dougray Scott as Prince Henry

Ella Enchanted (2004 Film)

Fantasy comedy film loosely based on Gail Carson Levine's 1997 novel of the same name. It's worth noting some of the Cinderella concepts seen in the book were lost in the film.

Starring Anne Hathaway as Ella of Frell, Hugh Dancy as Prince "Char" Charmont, Cary Elwes as Sir Edgar (the King Regent)

A Cinderella Story (2004 Film)

A modern teen romantic comedy take on the tale, without magical elements

Starring Hilary Duff as Samantha "Sam" Montgomery, Chad Michael Murray as Austin Ames, Jennifer Coolidge as Fiona, Regina King as Rhonda

The film's success inspired several other modern Cinderella Story movies with different casts, released straight to video

Rags (2012 TV Film)

A modern gender-switched musical take on the tale, without magical elements. It's a Nickelodeon original movie!

Starring Max Schneider as Charlie Prince, Keke Palmer as Kadee Worth

Cinderella (2015 Film)

Disney's live-action movie based on its 1950's animation, but without musical numbers (among other changes)

Starring Lily James as Ella, Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine, Richard Madden as Prince Kit, Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother

Once Upon a Time (2011-18 TV Series)

Created by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

This series features various fairy tales characters that, due to a curse, were transported to our world, known in-universe as the Land Without Magic, without memory of who they truly are. Using flashbacks, the story is told partially in the modern world and partially in the characters' homelands.

There are two versions of Cinderella in the series. Jessy Schram played Ella / Ashley Boyd in a few episodes as a guest star on the show, first appearing early in season 1.

The 7th and last season was a soft reboot of the series and introduced Dania Ramirez as Ella / Jacinda Vidrio as one of the main characters, with Cinderella being one of the central fairy tales of the plotline.

Cinderella (2021 TV Film)

Romantic comedy jukebox musical released on prime video.

Starring Camila Cabello as Cinderella / Ella, Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Robert, Idina Menzel as Vivian (the stepmother), Billy Porter as Fab G

Sneakerella (2022 TV Film)

A modern gender-switched musical take on the tale. It was released on Disney+. Features a mostly black cast.

Chosen Jacobs as El, Lexi Underwood as Kira King, John Salley as Darius King, Devyn Nekoda as Sami, Juan Chioran as Gustavo

My Happy Marriage (2023- Anime Series)

The show tells an original story set in 1910s/20s Japan filled with spirits/monsters and magic. The protagonist grew up living a Cinderella story, which is the focus of season 1, specially the first half.

The source material is the Light Novel series by the same name written by Akumi Agitogi. Season 1 adapts the first 2 books, which were also adapted into a live-action movie (more so the first book). A manga adaption is also in publication.

Starring Reina Ueda as Miyo Saimori, Kaito Ishikawa as Kiyoka Kudo

Cinderella's Castle (2024/5 Stage Musical)

This Starkid production is a gothic reimagining of the fairy tale featuring monsters. It was perfomed on stage in 2024, being released online in 2025. Not intended for kids (maybe 14+ Idk).

Starring Bryce Charles as Ella Ashmore, Angela Giarratana as The Stepmother, Lauren Lopez as Rancilda & Lucy, Mariah Rose Faith Casillas as Putrice & Justine

Betrothed to My Sister's Ex (2025 Anime Series)

Adaption of the first 2 volumes of the Light Novel series written by Tobirano and illustrated by Mai Murasaki. While the story goes on in the books, the anime does feel conclusive enough, finishing the Cinderella retelling. A manga adaption is also in publication.

Starring Rena Motomura as Marie Shaderan, Daiki Hamano as Kyros Granado

Bridgerton (2020-)

Based on the books by Julia Quinn, set during the British Regency, in the early 19th century. Each of the 8 books tells the love story of a Bridgerton sibling. Neither the books nor the show are intended for kids (18+? Idk)

Season 4 (2026) adapts the 3rd book, An Offer from a Gentleman (2001), which is inspired by the fairy tale.

Starring Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek

Check out more Cinderella adaptions: [x]

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Personal Comments:

So many (Cinder)Ellas!!!!! It's hard to choose. My favorites are probably Disney animation, Brandy's, A Cinderella Story, Disney live action.

Disney's Cinderella animated sequels are also nice :)

I do love Ella Enchanted but bear in mind it spirals into its own thing... The book is more of a Cinderella story though.

I love Bridgerton's thing of being the continuous story of a family where each season a different member gets the spotlight! It's a good show, and season 4 was a delight! I haven't read the books but I believe this was the only one based on a fairy tale. Great Cinderella retelling!!! I do wish the stepsisters (and maybe the stepmother) had more screentime though.

I also like My Happy Marriage. If you try season 1 don't stop halfway through cause the end does elevate it imo. I enjoyed the film but the anime is much better. It's worth noting this is a loose version of Cinderella, it's more inspired by it really.

Ever After is an obligatory watch, it's a high quality period drama, quite nice! I should rewatch it, it's been a long time.

It's been ages since I've seen Rags, but I remember it being nice. I recently watched Sneakerella and it was rather charming! I find it funny we got 2 modern genderbent musicals.

OUAT's Ellas are nice but the first one scarcely appears and well, season 7 is generally weak - though it does have its moments.

Camila's Cinderella could be better, but it's ok.

Cinderella's Castle has a few things I don't enjoy but overall it's cool, specially cause it's quite different from your usual Cindy stories! It has some pretty fun concepts, cool puppets and dope character designs!

Betrothed to My Sister's Ex has some interesting ideas! It's also a loose version.