Maleficent, released in 2014, is an American dark fantasy adventure film directed by Robert Stromberg, featuring a screenplay by Linda Woolverton. The film stars Angelina Jolie in the titular role, alongside Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville in supporting roles.

Loosely drawing from Charles Perrault’s original fairy tale, Maleficent offers a live-action retelling of Disney’s 1959 animated classic Sleeping Beauty. It presents the narrative from the perspective of the eponymous antagonist, delving into her complex relationship with the king and princess of a corrupt kingdom.

Walt Disney Pictures announced the film’s development in 2010, with Joe Roth serving as producer and Jolie, Don Hahn, and Michael Vieira as executive producers. Principal photography occurred between June and October 2012. The movie had a special screening at Kensington Palace in London on May 9, 2014.

Maleficent premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on May 28, 2014, before its release in the United Kingdom on the same day. It reached theaters in the United States on May 30, 2014, in various formats including Disney Digital 3D, RealD 3D, IMAX 3D, and conventional theaters. Critical reception was mixed, with praise for Jolie’s performance, costumes, visual effects, and musical score, though some criticism was directed at the script and tonal inconsistencies.

Despite mixed reviews, Maleficent proved to be a commercial triumph, grossing over $758 million worldwide. It emerged as the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2014 and the highest-grossing film starring Jolie. The movie also garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design at the 87th Academy Awards.

In 2019, a sequel titled Maleficent: Mistress of Evil hit theaters, further expanding the tale.