January 29, 2026

Today In Disney History: Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Released

Walt Disney’s sixteenth animated feature film Sleeping Beauty is released on this day in 1959. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Film Distribution.

Sleeping Beauty tells the story of Princess Aurora, a young royal cursed at birth by Maleficent to fall into an eternal sleep on her sixteenth birthday. Raised in secret by three good fairies—Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather—Aurora grows up unaware of her true identity until fate draws her back to the kingdom and into the path of the curse. When Maleficent’s spell is fulfilled, the fairies rally to protect the realm and guide Prince Phillip on a perilous quest to defeat the evil fairy. Through courage, love, and magic, the curse is finally broken, restoring peace and awakening Aurora to her happily ever after.

Directed by Clyde Geronimi (Supervising Director), Eric Larson (Sequence Director), Wolfgang Reitherman (Sequence Director), Les Clark (Sequence Director) and produced by Walt Disney. Starring the voices of Mary Costa (Princess Aurora), Bill Shirley (Prince Phillip), Eleanor Audrey (Maleficent), Verna Felton (Flora and Queen Leah), Barbara Luddy (Merryweather), Barbara Jo Allen (Fauna), Taylor Holmes (King Stefan), Bill Thompson (King Hubert). Directing Animatirs included Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, John Lounsberry, Frank Thomas. 

We talked about Sleeping Beauty on Episode 65 (Click Here) of the Talking Disney Podcast

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