Maleficent

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1:31

Maleficent

PG

Released May 30, 2014

1h 38m

Fantasy

Adventure

Action

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Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

274 Reviews

70%

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100,000+ Ratings

As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.

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Critics Consensus

Angelina Jolie's magnetic performance outshines Maleficent's dazzling special effects; unfortunately, the movie around them fails to justify all that impressive effort.

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Suzette Smith

Bitch Media

As the sum of all its parts, Maleficent is a downright fun film.

Jan 21, 2021

Full Review

Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

Angelina Jolie is good in the film, and I do think kids will dig this movie.

Rated: B-

Dec 14, 2018

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Philippa Hawker

The Age (Australia)

It's a splendid-looking film. The effects are striking throughout, whether they are dramatic battle confrontations between humans and the forces of the natural world, or small moments of delicate detail.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 14, 2018

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Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

Even if Maleficent has its faults, you can experience this one and get some separation from the film from which it takes its inspiration.

May 27, 2023

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It is a righteous revenge film, but with a feminist twist and a redemptive journey.

Oct 9, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

By the end, one cannot help but wish that Disney had left Maleficent a fascinating villain instead of a dull protagonist.

Rated: 1/4

Aug 15, 2022

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William B

One of my favorite live action Disney movies

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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TROY S

Maleficent is magnificent. The story is sophisticated enough to delight adult audiences with a brilliant take on the beloved tale with a delightful twist

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

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SKYLER B

i watch these movies on repeat everything is perfection! and i mean everything. even the storyline they changed it but VERY good. i need more with the 3 movie about maleficent and where her family is and auora having a baby

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Sleeping Beauty is my favourite Disney movie and I really enjoyed this version too. I think they changed the story perfectly and I loved every second

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/24

Full Review

jason b

It’s okay. Its just nothing like the original unfortunately.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/05/24

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Thomas L

Maleficent is a frustrating departure from the *Sleeping Beauty* classic. The film distorts the original story beyond recognition, abandoning its medieval setting and the clear battle between good and evil. King Stefan's premature death, Maleficent's role in raising Aurora, and the introduction of bird-like creatures instead of dragon-like ones feel entirely out of place. Angelina Jolie's performance often relies on long stares rather than meaningful dialogue, adding to the film's disjointed and awkward tone. Staring into the camera or at another character does nothing to move the story forward - I counted 5 cuts between Mal and Aurora near the end without a shred of dialogue… Moreover, the only sleeping beauty in this entire 2 hour socially awkward, passive aggressive retelling, was the King!? What?! And the evil queen is actually a devouring mother?! How is maleficent - the ultimate evil queen with “all the powers of hell” - not the evil queen on this warped variation? Who writes this crap… Overall, it fails to capture the essence of the beloved and iconic 1956 tale. Disney turned a classic good vs evil, “love over hate” story into a sloppily written war story between a classic kingdom and Bambi and the forest nymphs… If you’re going to re-tell a known tale, don’t mutilate the corpse beyond recognition… a bird is not a dragon.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/24

Full Review

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Robert Stromberg

Director

Angelina Jolie

Maleficent

Elle Fanning

Aurora

Sharlto Copley

King Stefan

Lesley Manville

Flittle

Imelda Staunton

Knotgrass

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Synopsis

As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.

Director: Robert Stromberg
Producer: Joe Roth
Screenwriter: Linda Woolverton
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Roth Films, Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG (Sequences of Fantasy Action|Frightening Images|Sequences of Fantasy Violence)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 30, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 4, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $241.4M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, Datasat
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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