Fairy tale fans, get ready because Netflix just gave the world its best look yet at one of the most anticipated animated films of 2026! At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this week, Netflix Animation Studios held a work-in-progress presentation for “Steps,” a wildly creative reimagining of the Cinderella story told from the perspective of the so-called “evil” stepsisters, and from everything revealed, this one has instant classic written all over it.
The film centers on Lilith, voiced by Ali Wong, one of Cinderella’s stepsisters who is tired of living in her shadow. Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball alongside her sister Margot, voiced by Stephanie Hsu. This accidentally puts the kingdom in the hands of the villainous Priscilla, voiced by Nikki Glaser, a scheming mean girl with major early 2000s Paris Hilton energy. Amanda Seyfried voices Cinderella herself, bringing a grounded emotional depth to the iconic character, while the legendary Bette Midler voices the Fairy Godmother. The result is a powerhouse cast that feels perfectly assembled for a story this fresh and funny.
Directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa took the Annecy stage alongside art director Dan Casey and head of character animation Jason Figliozzi to walk audiences through the six-year journey of bringing “Steps” to life, a Netflix original made with teams across Burbank, Sydney, and Vancouver. The film’s style draws more from Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” than from any traditional fairy tale playbook, with elaborate rococo-inspired costumes and a very contemporary sense of humor. Director Tzue has said the film is, at its core, about two very different sisters realizing they are more alike than different, and that the story was deeply personal to her as someone who always felt like the overlooked kid growing up.
“Steps” is a landmark moment for Netflix Animation Studios, as it marks the very first feature film to be fully produced in-house by the studio. The film is produced by Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell, and Kim Lessing, and is expected to arrive on Netflix later in 2026, likely around Thanksgiving. Early buzz out of Annecy is extremely strong, with many calling it one of the freshest takes on a fairy tale in years. This is absolutely one to put on your radar! Are you excited for “Steps” to hit Netflix later this year? Let us know in the comments!
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