Top 10 Fairy Tale Moments to Celebrate The Language of Thorns

Today, we’re celebrating the release of The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo — a collection of stories, myths, and fairy tales inspired by the Grishaverse in which her Shadow & Bone and Six of Crows series take place.

One of the most exciting things about this book is how it connects the idea of fairy tales, myths, and legends — and what they mean to a society — to the imagined world of the Grishaverse. Just as stories like Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, and Snow White hold a certain lasting fascination for our world — so too do the stories of The Language of Thorns hold for the Grishaverse.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I adore fairy tales in many forms – and especially so on the big screen. So to celebrate the lasting impact of these types of stories, today I’m bringing you my picks for the Top 10 Fairy Tale Movie Moments. And yes, they’re mostly Disney movies. I like the Disney movies.

Be sure to tell me your favorite fairy tale movie moments in the comments below – and pick up your copy of The Language of Thorns, in stores today!

10. Big Business

One of the most underrated Disney princess movies of all time is The Princess & the Frog, which is beautifully animated, filled with fabulous catchy music, and has a wonderfully modern-feeling princess story. Tiana doesn’t spend her days dreaming of a prince. Nope, this girl has her eye set on being a business woman — and even falling for the prince won’t change that. (Good thing she falls for a prince who is loving and supportive of his lady’s dreams, as all good fellows should be.)

9. The Royal Ball

Nobody makes fun of Disney better than Disney, and they proved that with the success of Enchanted — a movie that is both a send-up and a tribute to the studio’s classic animated fairy tales. The royal ball scene towards the end of Enchanted is the pinnacle of the romance in this movie. But the question I still want answered is this: who are the people throwing these costumed, royal balls and how can I get them to organize one where I live? Because I am so on board with this plan.

8. Magic Carpet Ride

Who doesn’t still swoon a little over Aladdin’s magic carpet ride with Jasmine? I mean, sure, he’s lying about his identity to woo her … but the flying carpet ride is pretty romantic, right?

7. When in doubt, woo her with books.

There are memes aplenty – but we all know they’re true. The most romantic part of Beauty & the Beast is when he gives Belle the library.

6. Fiercest of Them All

Let’s be honest, not all Disney princes are created equal. In my book, none are more fierce and bad ass than Sleeping Beauty’s Prince Phillip, who fights a freaking dragon to save his girl.

Also, he spouts one of my favorite sassy lines in any Disney movie ever:

5. The lanterns are for you, Rapunzel!

I’ll admit a certain bias towards loving this movie, and this scene in particular. It was my third date with my now-husband, and he’d invited me over to his apartment, cooked me dinner, and queued this movie up after I told him I hadn’t seen it yet. My husband, being a romantic sentimental sort, still gets weepy-eyed during this scene anytime we’re watching the movie.

4. What do stars do best?

Before he became the devil of Hell’s Kitchen in Netflix’s Daredevil TV series, Charlie Cox made us all swoon as the lovable Tristan – the hapless villager who falls in love with a fallen star. Based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman and filled with a truly remarkable cast, the movie is utterly delightful and is still one of my all-time favorites to watch. It’s hard to pick a favorite moment from this movie … so I won’t. The whole movie. It’s the best. It’s so original and lovely and magical and romantic.

3. “I don’t believe you’ve met … my wife.”

Any fellow 90s teens will no doubt agree with me that the Drew Barrymore Cinderella retelling Ever After is one of THE best fairy tale adaptations of all time.

Of. All. Time.

And it’s hard to pick a favorite moment, because really it’s the whole movie. When she walks into the ball and reminds herself to “just breathe”? Ahhh.

When the prince “rescues” her, but she’s already rescued herself? Ahhh!!! And the joy when he says her name – her real name! SWOON.

But the real satisfying kicker of this movie is when the stepmother and the evil one of the two stepsisters arrives at the palace, thinking they’ll be asked for a marriage to the prince, only to discover … well, watch for yourself:

(Seriously if you haven’t watched this movie, get on it STAT!)

2. The Reprise Splash

I make no secret about the fact that The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney princess of all time. Of all time, guys. And while I love pretty much every minute of the movie, let’s be real. The real show-stopper is the climax of the reprise of “Part of Your World,” when her animated hair is swirling in the wind, she belts out the final notes, and the wave crashes behind her on the rocks.

1. Cinderella’s Ballgown

My husband made fun of me endlessly when we saw the 2015 live action Cinderella movie – because apparently I looked like a four-year-old, with mouth agape, during every scene featuring that amazing ballgown! And let’s be real: it was total eye candy. From the transformation, through her arrival at the ball, her waltz with the prince, right up to the moment the magic wore off. This is the dress that dreams are made of. It’s poofy princess ballgown perfection. Where can I get one?

For the comments: What are your favorite fairy tale movie moments?

Here’s more about The Language of Thorns, in stores today:

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid’s voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy’s bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

Save

Save

Save

Save