Full Breakdown
Bette Midler Joins Netflix’s First In-House Animated Feature “Steps” as the Fairy Godmother
5/18/2026, 9:45:29 PM
Film Overview
Netflix’s upcoming animated musical *Steps* reimagines the Cinderella tale by centering the narrative on the traditionally vilified stepsisters. The story follows Lilith (voiced by Ali Wong) who steals the Fairy Godmother’s wand, hijacks the Royal Ball, and inadvertently places the kingdom under the rule of the schemer Priscilla. The film is slated for release on Netflix later in 2026, though exact dates vary across announcements.
Production Milestone
*Steps* marks the first feature fully produced in-house by Netflix Animation Studios, joining a slate that includes titles such as *K-Pop Demon Hunters*, *Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio*, and *The Mitchells vs. The Machines*. Netflix will showcase a Work-in-Progress session for the film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 23, featuring directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, art director Dan Casey, and head of character animation Jason Figliozzi.
Creative Team and Cast
The film is co-directed by Alyce Tzue—winner of a Student Academy Award gold medal for *Soar*—and John Ripa, co-director of Disney’s *Raya and the Last Dragon*. Production is overseen by Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell, and Kim Lessing of Paper Kite Productions. The voice roster includes Amanda Seyfried as Cinderella, Ali Wong as Lilith, Stephanie Hsu as Margot, and Bette Midler as the Fairy Godmother.
Narrative Premise
According to the official synopsis, “Sick of living in Cinderella’s shadow, Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball,” prompting a kingdom-wide crisis. Lilith must ally with Cinderella to battle biker trolls, evade henchmen, traverse the Screaming Woods, and ultimately restore a fractured fairy-tale ending that grants even “villains” a chance at happily-ever-after.
Official Statements & Responses
Midler expressed enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing the character’s blend of good intentions with comedic flaws. Director Alyce Tzue described the film as a personal story about outsiders, noting that the sisters’ journey highlights their underlying similarities despite outward differences.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The beloved Fairy Godmother, the wholesome Fairy Godmother, the one with all the good intentions, has been around for a long, long time. This particular version of the Fairy Godmother has good intentions, but she’s a little bit of a bumbler and she’s a little bit of a schemer. I’m thrilled to be part of this film! And I’m thrilled to be with this cast!” — Bette Midler, Actress
- “Tzue told Netflix’s Tudum, “This story is, at its core, about two very different sisters — one who fits perfectly into this fairy tale kingdom and one who doesn’t — realizing they’re more alike than different.” — Alyce Tzue, Director
- “Sick of living in Cinderella’s shadow, Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball with her sister Margot, breaking the Cinderella story as we know it and dooming the kingdom to the tyrannical rule of Priscilla, a villainous schemer who swoops in and snatches the throne.” — Netflix official synopsis
- “Steps is a massive milestone for the streamer, marking the first film to be fully produced in-house within Netflix Animation Studios.” — Netflix press release
Conflicting Release Information
Press releases state the film will arrive “later this year,” while other announcements specify “later in 2026.” No precise launch date has been confirmed, leaving the exact timing ambiguous.
What’s Next
Following the Annecy work-in-progress showcase, Netflix plans to release a full trailer and finalize the release schedule. *Steps* is positioned as a flagship title for the studio’s expanding original animation portfolio, aiming to broaden the fairy-tale genre with a fresh, inclusive perspective.
