“Damsel,” released on March 8, quickly became one of the most popular films of 2024 on Netflix, winning the title in 127 countries. With the success of this film directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, a question arises for movie buffs and fairy tale lovers: are there other films similar to “Maiden” available on streaming platforms?
Although it is an unusual fairy tale, “Maiden” is full of references to other classic films that address themes such as princesses, evil, struggles, courage and heroes who shape their own destinies.
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The plot of “Maiden” follows the journey of Elodie (played by Millie Bobby Brown), a young woman who agrees to marry out of convenience to help her kingdom, which is facing harsh conditions due to the intense cold. However, what initially seems like a fairytale story turns into a nightmare when Princess Elodie is offered as a sacrifice to a dragon that threatens the royal family, and is thrown into a cave.
At this moment, escaping conventional fairy tales and defying the clichés of fantasy novels, Fresnadillo brings us a heroine who forges her own destiny, breaking with the traditional image of the damsel in distress waiting for a prince charming to save her from danger.
Without many dialogues and with a look that speaks, Elodie will face the great challenge of finding ways to survive and maintain her determination to return to her family.
The cast of “Damsel” features not only Millie Bobby Brown, but also renowned names such as Robin Wright, known for her roles in “House of Cards” and “Forrest Gump”, Angela Bassett, acclaimed for her performance in “Black Panther” and “Tina”, and Nick Robinson, who stood out in films such as “Love, Simon” and “Everything and Everything”.
1 – Into the Woods (2014)
Inspired by the renowned musical of the same name, “Into the Woods” features a strong cast, including Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Chris Pine, interweaving the classic tales of Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella into a universe singular.
The plot follows the journey of a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt), visited by the neighboring witch (Meryl Streep), who cast a spell on them, preventing the conception of children. In their quest to undo the spell, they embark on a journey that intertwines each story, influencing their outcomes.
Both “Into the Woods” and “Maiden” present characters as more complex figures, subverting the fairy tale format and providing character development. Both films address the realistic idea that achieving a dream is not always simple.”
Available on Disney+
2 – The Princess (2022)
In “The Princess”, starring Joey King, Dominic Cooper and Olga Kurylenko, the protagonist shares similarities with “Maiden”. After being trained in combat from a young age, she is forced to marry a brutal prince. After leaving him at the altar, he invades the castle, kidnaps his family and locks them in a tower. With her skills, the princess fights to free her family and defeat the prince once and for all.
Both films highlight a protagonist skilled with a sword, but “The Princess” intensifies the action sequences and makes direct comparisons to fairy tales, as in the tower scene.
Finally, in “The Princess”, the protagonist receives support from her family and friends, while in “Maiden”, we witness Princess Elodie facing a dangerous dragon alone.
Available on Star+
3 – Ella Enchanted (2004)
In “A Enchanted Girl”, Anne Hathaway plays Ella, a young woman gifted with a peculiar gift: the obligation to obey any command. Amid hilarious and romantic situations, Ella embarks on a journey to undo the curse imposed on her and save her prince charming.
Ella and Elodie share a similar drive to survive, rescuing themselves from danger imposed by others. However, Ella embraces a more comical tone, which highlights the serious moments.
The musical nature of the film adds a fairy tale feel, allowing the story to satirize the genre and reveal the characters’ personalities concisely. The film’s happily ever after feels earned, as the audience enjoys the laughs along the way.
Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
4 – Ever After (1998)
“Ever After”, one of the films similar to “Maiden”, reinvents the story of Cinderella, without magic or fairy godmothers. With a period style, it maintains the original essence. The characters are more complex, with emphasis on the prince, his relationship with his father and his future as king. The film also explores the character of the stepmother, especially her relationship with Danielle (played by Drew Barrymore).
Danielle, like Elodie, is skilled with a sword and fights fiercely, as seen in the film’s climax. She also uses her cunning to defeat opponents. Her plan to help a friend by pretending to be a noblewoman gets complicated when she falls in love with the prince, but her intelligence is rewarded in the end.
Danielle’s story touches on dark fairytale themes of sadness, belonging, and courage. She overcomes her challenges with determination and the support of her loved ones, making the film emotional and realistic.
Available on Amazon Prime Video
5 – The Princess Bride (1987)
A grandfather tells a fairy tale story to his grandson, with a beautiful princess, fencing duels and giants. The tale follows the life of Buttercup (played by Robin Wright), a princess who falls in love with a peasant Westley (played by Cary Elwes).
After believing him to be dead, she marries a prince, but soon discovers his evil. On her wedding day, Buttercup is kidnapped, where she recognizes her beloved peasant among the kidnappers. Together, they face many challenges to be together.
“The Princess Bride” adopts a lighter tone compared to “Damsel,” but still has moments of suspense, especially with Westley and the final confrontation with Prince Humperdinck (played by Chris Sarandon). As an added bonus, both films feature Wright, who plays Queen Isabelle in “Maiden.”
Available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube
