Bridgerton (2020) Season 4 is right around the corner with its two-part release, and if you've read the books, then chances are that, like me, you've been waiting for the season for a while now.
Based on Julia Quinn's third book of the series, An Offer From a Gentleman, the fourth season will follow the second son, Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek (Beckett in the books), in a Cinderella-inspired secret identity romance. In other words, Benedict is in a love triangle with the same woman, and it's going to be glorious to watch his buffoonery until he clocks everything in real-time (affectionately.)
But really, a large part of the reason why Sophie and Benedict are such a beloved pair is that there's something delightfully joyous and simultaneously angsty about Cinderella stories. How a couple falls in love quickly and slowly at the same time, without quite putting two and two together. It's an effortless trope to appreciate, and while we wait for the new season, here are the best Cinderella movies to watch, as well as the platforms you can stream them on, like Disney+ and more.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997)
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could ever top Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Brandy and Paolo Montalban are sensational, plus the incomparable Whitney Houston as the fairy godmother? It's in a league of its own in every way and the best live-action adaptation to date. One of the things Bridgerton gets a lot of credit for is its means of having inclusive casting in a time period where stories are centered around predominantly white characters, but in countless ways, Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella paved the way.
With incredible music, perfect performances, and a glowing production design that feels achingly nostalgic and warm, few things will ever come close to the magic of this version. If you're excited for Bridgerton Season 4 and only watch one Cinderella adaptation until then, let it be this one for its unique and transcendent spin.
A Cinderella Story (2004)
Some might say that consistently waiting for a new season of Bridgerton is the equivalent of Hilary Duff's Sam waiting for rain in this drought: useless and disappointing, until it's not. As far as modern-day classics go, A Cinderella Story is for the millennials. It's for the Lizzie McGuire (2001) girlies who'd follow Hilary Duff to the ends of the earth and beyond. But it's also a solid present-day retelling that explores the hierarchy of high school in a way that's still relevant today.
It's unclear how much of the books Bridgerton Season 4 will keep as is, but based on the book version, Sam and Sophie are most alike in how their own dreams and freedom are part of their bigger character journey outside of the romance. It's a lovely, quintessential early 2000s rom-com that hits in all the right ways, and a must-watch if you want something contemporary and nostalgic at the same time.
Cinderella (2015)
Disney live-action movies are unfortunately not as great as their animated counterparts, but everything about Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella glistens as a cinematic treasure. A large part of the reason this version works is that, like Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, it honors the original animated cartoon while adding realistic elements that feel organic. And the success of this really never meant that we needed a live-action version of everything.
Still, Lily James and Richard Madden are so perfectly cast as Ella and the Prince, that this adaptation is one of the few where we actually get to know him and his grief with his father, too. The side of him that we get to see with his father and everyone around him, parallels interestingly with Bridgerton in how Benedict interacts with his mother (a book moment that I hope the show keeps). Plus, we get to see Prince Kit shine in how he fully sees Ella, which makes their romance even lovelier.
A Cinderella Christmas (2016)
A Cinderella adaptation that takes place during Christmas? Nobody move, this one's for me specifically. A Cinderella Christmas is a charming and stunning adaptation that's rich with magic and layers in a way that feels particularly dreamy. It's not every made-for-TV Christmas movie that every type of viewer can appreciate, but Emma Rigby is perfect in the role, and it can be especially joyous if you've ever watched her in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013).
It doubles as a celebrity romance, which is fascinating when compared to Bridgerton because while the prolific family isn't exactly royalty, their popularity in the Ton is basically the equivalent of being a celebrity in the Regency era. It's deliciously trope-y, and the chemistry between Angie and Nicholas is an absolute treat in every area.
Ella Enchanted (2004)
For a whimsical and fun twist to the original story with a delightful cast and gorgeous production design, look no further than Ella Enchanted. It's bold and so full of layers that it's a film you'll want to rewatch a few times if it's not already on rotation. It's one that's especially perfect for the viewers who love the vibes in Ever After (1998), too.
Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy make a precious team, and the twists provide the kind of intriguing drama that makes it easy to appreciate how a story can fully become its own while still honoring the classic tropes we love and adore. And I mean, really, it's a musical, need I say more? I don't think I do.
