Maleficent is a Disney franchise that started with the 1959 animated movie Sleeping Beauty. The franchise centers around the villain Maleficent and her backstory, as well as her interactions with other characters in the Disney canon. The franchise has expanded to include live-action movies, merchandise, and theme park attractions.
- The character of Maleficent was first introduced in the Disney animated movie Sleeping Beauty in 1959.
- In 2014, Disney released a live-action movie called Maleficent, which explored the backstory of the character.
- Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, a sequel to the 2014 movie, was released in 2019 and further expanded on the world of the character.
- Maleficent has become a popular character in the Disney parks, appearing in shows, parades, and other attractions.
Wicked is a Broadway musical that tells the story of the witches from the Wizard of Oz. It has a similar focus on the backstory of a villainous character.
Disney has many merchandise lines that focus on its popular villains, including Maleficent. This includes clothing, accessories, and home decor.
The Descendants franchise is a series of Disney Channel original movies that takes place in a world where the children of Disney villains attend a school with the children of Disney heroes. Maleficent's daughter, Mal, is one of the main characters.
The Maleficent movie was released in 2014 and is a live-action retelling of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of Maleficent. It stars Angelina Jolie as the titular character.
The Maleficent: Mistress of Evil movie was released in 2019 and is a sequel to the 2014 movie. It continues the story of Maleficent and explores her relationship with Princess Aurora.
Disney offers a wide variety of Maleficent merchandise, including clothing, accessories, home decor, and toys.
Maleficent's backstory has been explored in the 2014 and 2019 movies. She was originally a fairy who lived in the Moors, a magical forest. She was betrayed by a human king and cursed his daughter, Princess Aurora, as revenge.
Maleficent's popularity can be attributed to her striking appearance, her status as a classic Disney villain, and the recent live-action movies that have given her more depth as a character.
Maleficent is often portrayed as a villain, but the recent movies have shown her in a more complex light, with redeeming qualities that blur the line between hero and villain.
Angelina Jolie plays Maleficent in both the 2014 and 2019 movies.
Other popular Disney villains include Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Jafar from Aladdin, and the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.