In a surprising resurgence that proves the enduring power of a well-crafted villain, Angelina Jolie's 2014 fantasy blockbuster Maleficent has clawed its way back onto Disney+ streaming charts in May 2026. The film, which reimagines the classic Sleeping Beauty tale from the perspective of its iconic antagonist, is once again captivating audiences more than a decade after its original release.
Directed by Robert Stromberg in his feature debut—one of the most expensive directorial debuts ever, with a reported budget of around $260 million—Maleficent stars Jolie as the titular anti-heroine, alongside Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Juno Temple, Sam Riley, Lesley Manville, and Imelda Staunton. The film grossed over $750 million worldwide, making it Jolie's highest-grossing live-action project at the time and cementing her status as a box office powerhouse.
Jolie, who had topped Forbes' list of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses in 2011 and again in 2013, reportedly earned more than $30 million for her role. She was drawn to the project partly because she wanted to star in films her children could enjoy, following her voice work in DreamWorks' Kung Fu Panda. Before Maleficent, her biggest live-action hit was Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which grossed nearly $500 million worldwide, while her breakout Lara Croft: Tomb Raider films combined for about $450 million.
The film arrived during a wave of live-action Disney reboots, following the success of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Burton was originally attached to direct Maleficent but stepped aside for his production designer, Stromberg, to take the helm. Despite mixed reviews—the film holds a 54% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Jolie's magnetic performance but finding the story lacking—audiences have embraced it as a dark, visually stunning fantasy.
According to FlixPatrol, Maleficent landed among the top 10 titles on Disney+ this weekend, trailing only The Devil Wears Prada. The streaming resurgence highlights how the film's twisted take on a classic Disney villain continues to resonate, especially as viewers seek out bold fantasy storytelling. For fans of the genre, it's a reminder of how fantasy franchises that keep getting better with every movie can find new life on streaming platforms.
A sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, was released in 2019, directed by Joachim Rønning, and grossed nearly $500 million globally. Jolie later starred in Marvel's Eternals in 2021, which underperformed with $400 million worldwide. Since then, she has limited her output, making Maleficent's streaming revival all the more notable as a testament to her star power and the film's lasting appeal.
As streaming continues to reshape how audiences discover and revisit movies, Maleficent's return to the charts underscores the appetite for dark, character-driven fantasy. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, Jolie's iconic performance as the horned fairy queen is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good villain origin story.
