---
title: "Maleficent"
year: 2014
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/maleficent-2014"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 102651
imdb_id: "tt1587310"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 97
community_rating: 7.1
vote_count: 13801
content_rating: "PG"
---

# Maleficent (2014) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/maleficent-2014

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Maleficent is a 2014 American fantasy film that reimagines the classic Disney villain as a complex protagonist. The story explores the origins of the powerful fairy Maleficent, who lives in a magical forest realm known as the Moors. As a child, she shares a bond with a human boy named Stefan, but their relationship changes as they grow older. When an invading army threatens her homeland, Maleficent becomes its fiercest guardian. However, after suffering a deep betrayal, her heart hardens and she embarks on a path of vengeance. This leads her to place a curse on the newborn princess Aurora, daughter of the invading king. As Aurora grows, Maleficent begins to realize that the princess may be the key to restoring peace to the kingdom and unlocking her own redemption. The film stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as Aurora, with direction by Robert Stromberg and screenplay by Linda Woolverton. It presents a darker, more layered retelling of the 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A betrayed forest protector seeks revenge against a king and curses his newborn daughter."

### Why Watch
- visually stunning world-building
- compelling character-driven narrative

### Caveats & Content Note
- darker tone than traditional fairy tales
- Tone & Suitability: The film contains sequences of fantasy action and themes of betrayal that may be intense for young viewers.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: fantasy, dramatic, mythic, cinematic

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Disney Plus | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Disney Plus | None | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Disney Plus | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| **Australia (AU)** | Disney Plus | None | Fetch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Robert Stromberg
- **Networks / Studios**: Walt Disney Pictures, Roth Films

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Angelina Jolie** as *Maleficent*
- **Elle Fanning** as *Princess Aurora*
- **Imelda Staunton** as *Knotgrass*
- **Sharlto Copley** as *Stefan*
- **Lesley Manville** as *Flittle*
- **Juno Temple** as *Thistletwit*
- **Sam Riley** as *Diaval*
- **Brenton Thwaites** as *Prince Phillip*
- **Kenneth Cranham** as *King Henry*
- **Sarah Flind** as *Princess Leila's Handmaiden*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the film about?
It follows the life of a forest protector whose heart turns to stone after a betrayal.

### Q: Who is the main character?
The story centers on Maleficent, a woman who defends her forest kingdom from an invading army.

### Q: Does the film feature a curse?
Yes, Maleficent places a curse upon the newborn infant Aurora following a conflict with the king.

### Q: Is this a traditional fairy tale?
The film offers a new perspective on the story by focusing on the motivations of the antagonist.

### Q: What is the conflict?
The conflict arises from an invading army threatening the peace of the forest kingdom.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Maleficent | Disney Movies](https://movies.disney.com/maleficent)
- [Maleficent (film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleficent_(film))
- [Maleficent (film) - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleficent_%28film%29)
- [Maleficent (2014) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587310/)
- [Maleficent (2014) - IMDb](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1587310/)
- [Maleficent (2014) — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/102651-maleficent)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*