1. The Shrek Movies

Shrek is easily one of the most successful series of movies featuring fairytale characters. There are four films starring Shrek the ogre and his pals, as well as the popular spin-off "Puss in Boots." It's refreshing that Shrek is as far from Prince Charming as you can get, and the twisted take on Princess Fiona's curse adds a wonderful layer of depth to the story.

It's also great that a non-fairytale character, Shrek's shadow Donkey, plays such an important part in the plot. In addition to Puss in Boots, the extensive list of fairytale animation cartoon characters in the Shrek movies includes the Gingerbread Man, Peter Pan, Rumpelstiltskin, Pinocchio, The Three Little Pigs, The Big Bad Wolf, Merlin, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel. If you love this franchise, check out our other animated films recommendations.

2. The Snow Queen

If you enjoyed Disney's "Frozen," you should check out this 1957 animated Russian movie about a different Snow Queen. In this version, a boy named Kay runs away with the Snow Queen after splinters of enchanted ice pierce his eye and heart. His friend Gerda then sets out on an epic rescue mission. This fairy cartoon movie is much closer to the original Hans Christian Andersen tale than the modern Disney adaptation.

I really love the design of the Snow Queen; she resembles an icy, regal version of the Evil Queen from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." You can often find this classic on YouTube with English subtitles for a truly unique viewing experience.

3. The Swan Princess

This 1994 movie is based on the "Swan Lake" ballet, which draws from Russian folk tales and old German legends. In the movie, the evil sorcerer Rothbart casts a spell that transforms Princess Odette into a swan during the day. He hopes to force her into marriage to seize her kingdom, but a charming prince is determined to break the curse. This one might look like a Disney movie, and for good reason—it was directed by Richard Rich, a former Disney animation director.

Why these movies stand out:

4. Thumbelina

Warner Bros. brought this Hans Christian Andersen tale to life in 1994 before Disney could get their hands on it. Fans of fairies like Tinkerbell should enjoy this film, which features a fairy prince and a tiny redheaded girl who just wants to find where she belongs. The movie stays relatively true to the source material, meaning poor Thumbelina is pursued by a toad, a beetle, and even a mole before reaching her happy ending. It's a charming animated movie with fairy tale characters that many 90s kids remember fondly.

5. Peter & the Wolf

I really love stop-motion animation, and I was impressed by the high quality of this 2006 adaptation. It is based on the Russian children's tale about a boy living in the forest with a menagerie of friends, including a duck and a bird. His grandfather warns him about a wolf that roams the woods, but Peter's curiosity leads him to try and capture the creature himself. This award-winning short is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates artistic storytelling.

6. Hoodwinked!

Hoodwinked! is a very clever take on the "Little Red Riding Hood" story, reimagined as a police mystery with Rashomon-style flashbacks. The Big Bad Wolf, Granny, Red, and the Woodsman all give their conflicting accounts to the investigators. They are all suspects in the hunt for the "Goodie Bandit," who might just be one of the most unexpected non-Disney animated movies villains you'll encounter. If you are tired of the standard princess formula, this is a great breath of fresh air.

7. The Last Unicorn

Unicorns are iconic fairytale figures, yet it is surprising how few films actually center on them. This Rankin/Bass classic, based on the 1968 novel by Peter S. Beagle, follows a unicorn who discovers she may be the last of her kind. Her journey leads her to a terrifying Red Bull and a transformative experience that is both beautiful and haunting. The movie is unusual for its mature themes and the unique way it handles magic and identity.

While these movies might not have the same marketing machine as Disney, they are absolutely worth your time. They offer different perspectives on classic tales, whether by subverting expectations or using unique animation styles to bring them to life. Do you have a favorite from this fairy movies list, or is there another non-Disney gem we missed?