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These imaginative movies often took surprising approaches to this classic tale and gave us some of the most shocking and terrifying movies as well as iconic movie children of all time. Movie lovers can enjoy this beloved tale and get lost in its wonderful world no matter if they love classic old movies, family-friendly fantasy films, thought-provoking dramas, or creepy psychological horror tales.
7 Hansel and Gretel – 1988
Hansel and Gretel is perfect for old movie and musical lovers. This classic adaptation follows closely the original fairy tale’s story and is a fun family-friendly version with great retro design and fantasy elements. Since it’s an older movie it has a cozy vibe and lets its viewers get lost in the magical world of this timeless tale.
Similarly to the original tale, the story follows Hansel and Gretel who after being careless with food are sent to the dark forest to pick some berries. Unfortunately, the two children get lost in the woods and find a magical house where a seemingly lovely old lady lives. Soon, they find out that she’s a witch and plans to eat them. The siblings have to figure out how to escape and find their way back home.
6 Hansel and Gretel – 1983
Hansel and Gretel is one of the most lesser-known and underappreciated Tim Burton movies. This weird and wonderful short film lets its viewers experience this timeless fairy tale while enjoying Burton’s one-of-a-kind visual world. This movie’s story is similar to the original Hansel and Gretel tale but with weird and nightmarish twists.
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Burton combined live-action and stop-motion to tell his story which makes the kids’ adventure even more creepy. The story follows as the two kids live with their loving father and evil stepmom who eventually manages to leave them in the forest where they get lost. There they find the delicious gingerbread house and the evil witch they’ll eventually have to defeat.
5 Tales of Halloween – 2015
Tales of Halloween is one of the funniest horror movies based on Hansel and Gretel and other iconic fairy tales and movies. The stories are set in the modern American suburb where suddenly all kinds of fantasy creatures appear on Halloween night.
Fairy tale fans can meet some of their favorite characters and can experience these tales in a new hilarious and nightmarish way. However, the characters in the movie will also have to defeat and escape the attacks of evil ghouls, aliens, and axe murderers which all make this hilarious horror movie weirder and much more entertaining.
4 Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters – 2013
Jeremy Renner not only played one of the smartest comic book characters but also one of the most iconic fairy tale children, Hansel too. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters transports its viewers into a dark and adventures-filled fantasy world where the two children are now fully grown and became professional witch-hunters.
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The movie takes place fifteen years after the original fairy tale and now the two kids are skilled and successful bounty hunters. The two dedicated their lives to helping others and getting rid of all the evil witches. However, soon they meet a new challenge that sheds light on a dark secret leading back to their past.
3 Gretel & Hansel – 2020
Gretel & Hansel is one of the spookiest fantasy horror movies based on the classic Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. This is another fantasy-horror adaptation but for adults. This creepy horror movie takes its viewers on an eerie and visually beautiful adventure set in the modern world.
The story follows Gretel and Hansel who have to take care of themselves after their mother’s mental illness worsens and becomes unable to take care of her children. The two decide to try their luck in the nearby woods where they eventually find a charming but isolated house where the owner left food outside. While the owner seems welcoming and kind at first the two children soon realize that she has an evil plan.
2 Hansel and Gretel – 2007
Hansel and Gretel is one of the best Korean horror movies based on this world-famous fairy tale. Hansel and Gretel’s story inspired artists all over the world and this Korean adaptation is one of the best and creepiest of them all.
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The story follows a young man who after suffering a car crash is rescued by a young girl who wants to help him and leads him to a seemingly normal house. However, the man soon finds out that he can’t leave, and dark secrets start to unravel about the mysterious house and its residents.
1 Nightbooks – 2021
Nightbooks is one of the newest fantasy movies based on Hansel and Gretel. It’s a wonderfully designed and modern version of this classic tale that transports its viewers into a magical realm. The story’s characters travel between this magical place and the modern world.
This spooky and fun kid-friendly movie is perfect for Halloween movie nights. The story follows Alex and his journey who gets trapped by an evil witch and is forced to write scary stories if he wants to stay alive. The story only has elements from the original tale which makes this a unique and fun experience.
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