Top 10 Dark Fairy Tale Adaptations

The Red Shoes (2005)

This South Korean horror film gives a chilling twist to Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. Directed by Kim Yong-gyun, it follows Sun-jae, who leaves her unfaithful husband and tries to raise her daughter alone. When she finds a pair of striking pink shoes on the subway, her life takes a terrifying turn. Whoever becomes obsessed with the shoes faces nightmares, jealousy, and even death.

The Lure (2015)

Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s unique musical horror film reimagines The Little Mermaid with a modern twist. Marta Mazurek and Michalina Olszańska star as Silver and Golden, two sirens who become nightclub performers. While Golden seeks fame and blood, Silver falls in love with a human bassist named Mietek. A Triton warns Silver that turning her tail into legs will cost her voice, and if Mietek marries someone else, she will dissolve into sea foam unless she kills him before dawn.

The Little Mermaid (1975)

Toei’s 1975 anime version of The Little Mermaid, directed by Tomoharu Katsumata, is known for its emotional depth and tragic ending. The hand-drawn film features a haunting theme song and closely follows the original tale. In this adaptation, the mermaid Marina refuses to kill the prince to save herself, even though his blood would prevent her from turning into sea foam.

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Directed by Neil Jordan, The Company of Wolves uses dreamlike imagery to retell Little Red Riding Hood with a darker tone. Based on Angela Carter’s short story, the film follows Rosaleen, played by Sarah Patterson, as she navigates a world filled with warnings about men who turn into wolves. Angela Lansbury appears as her superstitious grandmother, while David Warner and Micha Bergese play key roles.

Tale of Tales (2015)

Directed by Matteo Garrone, Tale of Tales adapts several stories collected by Italian writer Giambattista Basile. Starring Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, and John C. Reilly, the film presents three interconnected narratives filled with dark fantasy themes. Garrone has said the stories reflect modern issues such as the desire for eternal youth, the longing for a child, generational conflict, and the challenges of growing up.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Directed by Michael Cohn, this horror-themed version of Snow White stars Sigourney Weaver as the troubled stepmother Claudia and Sam Neill as Snow White’s father. Monica Keena plays Lilli, who becomes the target of Claudia’s rage after a series of misunderstandings and tragedies. Claudia turns to witchcraft and her magical mirror as she plans revenge.

Red Riding Hood (2011)

Amanda Seyfried plays Valerie, who becomes entangled in a deadly hunt when a werewolf breaks its truce with her village. The film features Gary Oldman as Father Solomon, a priest who doubles as a witch and wolf hunter, and Julie Christie as Valerie’s grandmother. With family curses, shifting loyalties, and suspenseful encounters, the movie creates a moody world filled with danger.

November (2017)

Set in a 19th-century Estonian village, November blends folklore with surreal imagery. Directed by Rainer Sarnet and based on a novel by Andrus Kivirähk, the film includes spirits, werewolves, the Devil, and a strange automaton. The villagers use any means necessary to survive harsh winters and plague. The story also follows Lina, played by Rea Lest-Liik, who uses witchcraft to pursue Hans, even though he is infatuated with a mysterious baroness.

Little Otík (2000)

This Czech stop-animation film, directed by Jan Švankmajer and Eva Švankmajerová, tells a bizarre and disturbing story based on the folktale Otesánek. A couple unable to have a child discovers a tree stump shaped like a baby and raises it as their own, even faking a pregnancy. Once alive, the creature, now named Otík, develops a terrifying appetite, consuming hair, a cat, and eventually people.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

This action-horror twist continues the story after Hansel and Gretel escape the witch who tried to eat them. Directed by Tommy Wirkola and starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, the film imagines the siblings as adult witch hunters now immune to spells. They travel from place to place defeating dark magic and dangerous covens. The home release features even more graphic violence than the theatrical version.