Beauty and the Beast is a captivating romantic fantasy musical directed by Bill Condon and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. This live-action adaptation of the beloved 1991 animated classic, originally written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and later reworked by Stephen Chbosky, was released on March 17, 2017. The film stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.

The first film became a major success, garnering positive reviews from both critics and audiences and grossing a staggering $1.2 billion worldwide on a budget of $254.6 million. It ended up as the second highest-grossing film of 2017, even surpassing the original animated version.

The story begins in a grand castle in the heart of France, where a vain and selfish prince throws an extravagant ball to attract the most beautiful women in the kingdom. During the event, an elderly beggar woman seeks refuge from the storm and offers the prince a single rose as her gift.

Offended by her appearance and the interruption, the prince rejects her cruelly. In response, the beggar woman reveals herself to be a powerful sorceress, transforming before the prince’s eyes. Regretful, the prince asks for forgiveness, but the sorceress curses him, turning him into a fearsome beast. His servants are also cursed, becoming enchanted objects, and the castle, along with all its inhabitants, is wiped from the villagers’ memories.

Building on this rich legacy, Beauty & The Beast 2 promises to further explore this magical universe. The upcoming 2024 teaser hints at an exciting sequel, filled with new adventures, romance, and the themes of magic and redemption, keeping the enchantment of this timeless story alive for fans around the world.