Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.Beauty and the BeastA movie brief.
2017 / Fantasy romance film / Directed by Bill Condon
A tale as old as time, true as it can be.
What is Beauty and the Beast about?
A widowed merchant's youngest daughter, Beauty, takes her father's place in a deal with a mysterious Beast, living with him in his enchanted castle.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is a live-action adaptation of the 1991 Disney animated film, with Emma Watson as Beauty and Dan Stevens as the Beast.
World
The story takes place in a fictional French town, with a mix of realistic and fantastical elements.
Pressure
Beauty must navigate her feelings for the Beast while facing external threats and her own personal growth.
Craft
The film features a blend of practical and CGI effects, bringing the Beast and his castle to life.
Viewing note
The film offers a fresh take on the classic tale, with a strong focus on character development and emotional depth.
A thought to take with you.
Beauty enters the castle to spare her father, then has to judge the Beast through daily choices rather than his appearance or reputation. The fairytale's romance depends on changing a coercive arrangement into a relationship in which both people can choose freely.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a live-action musical retelling of the French fairytale. It emphasizes romance and spectacle while retaining captivity and a frightening transformation.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked September 8, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach