Fairy Tale Films Coming to Theaters in 2012

Episodes of “Once Upon A Time” and “Grimm” won’t be the only places fantasy fans can catch stories following Hansel and Gretel, Snow White and Belle. Several fairy tales are slated to hit the big screen in 2012, including darker, adult versions of popular fables and the return of a classic.

Which “Once Upon a Time” faves are on the list?

‘Beauty and Beast 3D’ (January 13, 2012; Walt Disney Pictures; trailer ). The 1991 Disney classic returns to theaters in 3D. The animated musical, which tells the story of a beautiful damsel and her beastly suitor, is the second of several Disney films set for 3D re-release. After the success of “The Lion King 3D,” “Beauty and the Beast 3D” is sure to be a hit with Disney fans. The starring couple are also set to make appearances on “Once Upon A Time.”

‘Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters’ (March 2, 2012; Paramount Pictures). Director Tommy Wirkola offers a gory horror twist to the “Hansel and Gretel” tale. His version takes place 15 years after the familiar story. Since killing the cannibalistic witch and escaping from her gingerbread home, the titular siblings (Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton) have dedicated their lives to bounty hunting troublesome witches.

‘Mirror Mirror’ (March 16, 2012; Relativity Media; trailer ). Like “Once Upon a Time,” “Mirror Mirror” fixes on the jealous queen (Julia Roberts) from the tale of “Snow White.” Of the two Snow White films debuting this year, “Mirror Mirror” is the more light-hearted, comedic version. The film is not to be confused with the Gregory Maguire (“Wicked”) novel of the same name and fairy tale origin.

‘Dorothy of Oz‘ (August 3, 2012; Summertime Entertainment). In this animated sequel, the brave Dorothy Gale returns to Oz in order to help old (and new) friends defeat the latest Ozian menace. An all-star cast, which includes Lea Michele (“Glee”), Martin Short and Patrick Stewart, leads audiences on another musical adventure through the Land of Oz. Unlike some of the other films on the list, “Dorothy of Oz” sticks with being strictly kid-friendly.

‘Snow White and the Huntsman‘ (June 1, 2012; Universal Pictures; trailer ). The second Snow White film of the year puts a medieval, military spin on the fable. In the midst of war, the evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) seeks to keep her power and beauty by hiring a huntsman to kill Snow White, a threat to the throne. Little does Ravenna know, Snow White has teamed with the huntsman and an army of rebels to overthrow her.

‘Jack the Giant Killer’ (June 15, 2012; Warner Bros.; trailer ). The English tales of Jack the giant killer inspired a number of giant-slaying adventure stories in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the famous beanstalk version. Director Bryan Singer (“X-Men”) debuts his darker rendition of the legend this summer. It follows a medieval Jack (Nicholas Hoult) and his quest to stop a race of giants from reclaiming the land they once roamed (earth!). For television, an angry race of giants sounds more up the “Grimm” alley than “Once.”

*Release dates can change throughout the year. Check local listings.


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