Fairy tales are undergoing something of resurgence in popularity though television and film. Recent successes include:
1. Little Red Riding Hood
2. Alice in Wonderland
3. Mirror, Mirror
4. Snow White and the Huntsman
5. Hansel and Gretel
Why are fairytales re-emerging again in Hollywood?
Predominantly, fairytales start with “once upon a time…” and end with the “and they live happily ever after”. When things turn sour and individuals go through rough patches, they have the tendency to regress to the past and look for happier times. “…And they live happily ever after…” suggests that hopes and dreams can come true and people relate this to their lives. Fairytales have universal appeal and go deep into the core of what it is to be human, acting as a form of escapism.
Fairytales were originally intended for children to ignite their fantasy and imagination and to identify with the main character of the story, thereby acknowledging their personal self-value and discovering their own potential in a manner that is in the spirit of fun and enjoyment. Most traditional fairytales such “Mirror, Mirror” are reinvented and reinterpreted to suit the modern times, but the essence and universal appeal remains the same to the moviegoers.
Yet fairytales, particularly the modern interpretations and settings, also appeal to adults, especially for those who have gradually lost their ability to dream. The fantastical setting, costumes and characters of the fairytales help those mentally tired adults return to earlier times and rediscover the child within them; the child who had been full of dreams and imagination.
The writers and creators of fairytale movies and television shows surely had insight on the effects on the minds of moviegoers. While making these fairytale movies, the creators and producers must have foreseen not only the appeal, but also the marketability and profitability of the project.