Fairy godmothers: 15 who have us under their spell (2024)

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Fairy Godmother, Cinderella (2015)

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Helena Bonham Carter is great at playing villains, which makes her casting as the godmother rather than the stepmother in Kenneth Branagh's live-action Cinderella an interesting one. Still, she adds her trademark zaniness to the role: Her godmother is a little daffy and a little out of control. For example, see how she severely underestimates the power of her ability to enlarge a pumpkin. —Esther Zuckerman

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Fairy Godmother, Cinderella (1950)

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It's not easy to make the phrase "bibbidi-bobbidi-boo" cool, but Verna Felton's canonical godmother managed to do just that. She turns mice into white stallions, a horse into a coachman, a dog into a footman, and a pumpkin into a carriage — not to mention she gives Cinderella a sparkling gown and those glass slippers. Sure, other fairy godmothers have done the same since, but Felton's was the OG — and she's still as sweet as they come. Needless to say, she's pretty much the most modest (and magical) badass you can find. —Taylor Weatherby

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Fairy Godmother, Cinderella (1997)

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As far as I'm concerned, Brandy's 1997 Cinderella is the only one that matters — which means that the inimitable Whitney Houston is THE Fairy Godmother. For one thing, that honey-coated voice has always cast a magical spell over those lucky enough to hear it. For another, she's so believable as a benevolent, all-powerful guardian angel that the terribly cheesy, late-'90s special effects don't even seem that silly. —Isabella Biedenharn

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Fab G, Cinderella (2021)

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After years of fairy godmothers granting makeovers to various Cinderellas, it was about time the beloved role got a revamp. In the 2021 jukebox musical, Billy Porter's Fab G slays as the first genderless fairy godmother in the Cinderella canon, helping the titular protagonist (Camila Cabello) achieve her dressmaking dreams by materializing one of her designs. Performing a stellar rendition of 's "Shining Star" in an androgynous gold dress, Fab G lends their support with graceful wand work and a cliché yet spellbinding "yas, future queen, yaaas!" —James Mercadante

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Fairy Godmother, Cinderella (1965)

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The Fairy Godmother is sometimes a kind, older matron, but in this version of the story, Celeste Holm plays her like an older sister — the cooler, hotter, older sister who knows how to get stuff done. Her character's one song laughs at how impossible her task is before pulling off all the magical pumpkin-to-carriage transformations with a flick of her wand. She has matter-of-fact instructions for how Cinderella can pull the whole ball thing off, too; it's not her fault they weren't obeyed. —Christian Holub

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Fairy Godmother, Cinderella (1957)

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Edie Adams gave her godmother a modern wryness. In fact, she basically fakes out Julie Andrews' Cinderella, telling her that her dreams are impossible — until she actually makes those dreams come true. When she magically gives herself a beautiful get-up, she says, "This old thing? I've had it for 832 years." And, she positively nails Oscar Hammerstein II's wonderful lyrics. —E.Z.

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Leonardo da Vinci, Ever After (1998)

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Come on — you think some wand-waving flibbertigibbet can compete with Leonardo Mother-Effing da Vinci? In Andy Tennant's classic "realistic" take on Cinderella, the original Renaissance man (Patrick Godfrey) takes on the role of (metaphorically) magical savior — and it suits him well. Da Vinci isn't too busy painting, inventing, and otherwise solving the mysteries of the universe to help Drew Barrymore's ersatz Cinderella when she needs him most, freeing her from her wicked stepmother's prison, and whipping up a gorgeous pair of wings for her to wear to the ball. I'd like to see Donatello try that. —Hillary Busis

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Rhonda, A Cinderella Story (2004)

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No one would ever think Lizzie McGuire needed a fairy godmother — that is, until Regina King came along. Sam, Hillary Duff's character in this modernized remake, doesn't have an actual fairy godmother, but King might as well be one. She provides Sam with a gorgeous gown that attracts the attention of oh-so-hot "prince" Chad Michael Murray, runs Sam's dad's diner, and eventually inspires Sam to stand up to her evil botoxed stepmother, played by the wickedly hilarious Jennifer Coolidge. How could a princess not want a fairy godmother with that much take-charge energy? —T.W.

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Fairy Godmother, Shrek 2 (2004)

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Some — okay, most — fairy godmothers are inherently good. But not Shrek 2's version, voiced by Jennifer Saunders. Throughout the movie, she plots to unite her son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), with Fiona (Cameron Diaz), in lieu of Shrek (Mike Myers). Don't worry: The fairytale and kids' movie trope held, with good winning and the Godmother weirdly dissolving into bubbles — but not before a Bonnie Tyler-inspired number. —Will Robinson

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Mandy, Ella Enchanted (2004)

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Ella Enchanted isn't your typical Cinderella narrative, although it does feature a fairy godmother-type character in the form of Mandy (Minnie Driver). Ella (Anne Hathaway) was given the "gift of obedience" by a fairy named Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox). It turns out to be the worst "gift" ever, since others tend to use it against her. As Ella grows up, household fairy Mandy is the only one who knows the truth — and while she's great at keeping secrets, she's not so great at casting spells. Ask for some magical help, and Mandy just might turn you into a book — like her poor boyfriend Benny. —Megan Daley

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Murray, A Simple Wish (1997)

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Martin Short's Murray is a fairy godmother who bucks gender norms, while stumbling right into the trope of the blundering do-gooder. He mixes up "rabbits" and "rabbis," then accidentally turns Anabel Greening's (Mara Wilson) father into a statue. But, all's well in the end, of course — and wouldn't you want a jolly, well-meaning Murray by your side throughout a wacky adventure like that? —I.B.

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Cosmo and Wanda, The Fairly OddParents (2001–2017)

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Everyone loves to wax poetic about '90s Nickelodeon, but '00s Nick had some gems — and one of the shiniest (though it could just be all the fairy dust) was The Fairly OddParents. This cartoon starred a boy named Timmy and his fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda (voiced by Daran Norris and Susanne Blakeslee), who grant wishes to help him thwart his evil babysitter Vicky. They're cute, they're lovable, and there are two of them, which adds up to a very strong case for having them on our best fairy godmother list. Well, besides the fact that their wish-granting often makes things worse. —I.B.

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Merryweather, Sleeping Beauty (1959)

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The shortest and bluest of Sleeping Beauty's three fairy godmothers is also the greatest. Merryweather, voiced by Barbara Luddy, is as loving and godmotherly as her dippy compatriots — but, she also brings a welcome streak of rationality and stubbornness, whether she's arguing what color Princess Aurora's dress should be (blue, obvi), or using magic to help clean the cottage (of course!). —Kat Ward

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Mama Odie, The Princess and the Frog (2009)

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Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis) isn't your traditional fairy godmother — she's 197 years old, blind, and lives in a tree in the middle of a swamp. But, she helps Tiana and Prince Naveen become humans again, proving that sometimes, unconventional works. She's just like your zany grandma, offering you hard candies, taking impromptu naps, and saying exactly what's on her mind. But, Mama Odie's real talk and "sorry not sorry" attitude make her the perfect 21st-century fairy godmother. —Dana Rose Falcone

Fairy godmothers: 15 who have us under their spell (2024)
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