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Beauty and the Beast

Name: Beauty and the Beast
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Released: 1946-10-29
Cast: Jean Marais, Josette Day, Marcel André, Mila Parély, Nane Germon

1946 | 96 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for romantics and fantasy fans. If you loved Edward Scissorhands, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Warm and romantic.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off: It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Made in 1946: an older pace and style.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The story of a gentle-hearted beast in love with a simple and beautiful girl. She is drawn to the repellent but strangely fascinating Beast, who tests her fidelity by giving her a key, telling her that if she doesn't return it to him by a specific time, he will die of grief. She is unable to return the key on time, but it is revealed that the Beast is the genuinely handsome one. A simple tale of tragic love that turns into a surreal vision of death, desire, and beauty.