The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Sleeping Beauty
Entertainment • Film

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty is a 1959 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Film Distribution.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sleeping Beauty is a 1959 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Film Distribution. Based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale, it follows Princess Aurora, who is cursed by Maleficent to fall into a deep sleep on her 16th birthday and is later awakened by true love's kiss. The film has been widely distributed and re-released in Canada as part of Disney's classic animated library, making it familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical, home video, and streaming availability.

Plot

The film tells the story of Princess Aurora, who is cursed by Maleficent shortly after her birth. Raised in secrecy by three good fairies, Aurora eventually pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls into an enchanted sleep until Prince Phillip breaks the spell.

Production

Sleeping Beauty was produced by Walt Disney Productions and directed by Clyde Geronimi. Disney's official film information lists the screenplay contributors and notes its status as a Walt Disney Signature Collection title.

Source material

The film is based on Charles Perrault's 1697 fairy tale, with elements also associated with broader Sleeping Beauty traditions. The story has been adapted in many versions across literature, film, and animation.

Legacy

Sleeping Beauty is recognized as one of Disney's classic feature-length animated fairy tales. It has also become the basis for a wider Disney media franchise and remains one of the company's best-known animated films.

Key facts

  • The film is a Disney adaptation of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale.
  • It centres on Princess Aurora, who is cursed as an infant and falls into a magical sleep on her 16th birthday.
  • The curse is cast by Maleficent, who appears as the film's main villain.
  • Three good fairies help protect Aurora by raising her in hiding.
  • Prince Phillip defeats Maleficent and awakens Aurora with true love's kiss.
🍁
Canadian context

Sleeping Beauty has been widely distributed and re-released in Canada as part of Disney's classic animated library, making it familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical, home video, and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sleeping Beauty?
Sleeping Beauty is a 1959 Disney animated musical fantasy film based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Princess Aurora, who is cursed and later awakened after falling into a deep sleep.
Who is the villain?
The main villain is Maleficent, an evil fairy who places the curse on Aurora.
When was the film released?
It was released on February 6, 1959.
Who directed it?
The film was directed by Clyde Geronimi.
What is the film's runtime?
Its runtime is 1 hour and 14 minutes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_Beauty_(1959_film)
    Supports: Identifies the film as a 1959 American animated musical fantasy film and summarizes the plot and production company.
  2. Disney — https://movies.disney.com/sleeping-beauty
    Supports: Provides official release date, runtime, director, synopsis, and main characters.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053285/
    Supports: Confirms the 1959 film and gives a brief synopsis linking Aurora and Maleficent.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_Beauty_(franchise)
    Supports: Notes that the 1959 film began the Disney Sleeping Beauty franchise.