Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)

Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)
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Name	Beauty and the Beast
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Bill Condon
Producer	David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman
Based on	Beauty and the Beast (1991 film) by Walt Disney Animation Studios; Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont
Starring	Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson, Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nathan Mack, Hattie Morahan, Robbie Coltrane, John Legend
Music	Alan Menken
Distributor	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Released	March 17, 2017
Runtime	129 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$160–255 million
Gross	$1.264 billion

Beauty and the Beast (2017 film) is an American romantic musical fantasy film directed by Bill Condon and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1991 animated animated film, itself derived from the fairy tale popularized by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. The film stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, featuring new sequences and songs alongside reimagined animation-to-live-action elements.

Plot

In 18th-century France a cursed Prince is transformed into a Beast by an enchantress; the Beast's servants become enchanted household objects. The tale follows Belle, daughter of an inventor, who ends up at the Beast's castle and develops a relationship with him while the villagers, led by Gaston, conspire to confront the monster. The narrative explores themes of sacrifice and redemption as Belle's empathy challenges societal expectations and the Beast's curse is confronted.

Cast

The film's principal cast includes Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, and Josh Gad as LeFou. Supporting performances feature Kevin Kline as Maurice, Ewan McGregor as Lumière, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, Nathan Mack as Chip, Hattie Morahan as Agathe, and Robbie Coltrane in a cameo. Additional credited actors include John Legend and Evanna Lynch in cameo voice or musical roles, with ensemble appearances by performers drawn from theatre and film.

Production

Development began after Disney's success with live-action adaptations of Alice in Wonderland (2010 film), Cinderella (2015 film), and The Jungle Book (2016 film), leading to a greenlight for a new version. Bill Condon was hired to direct, reuniting talents from Broadway and Hollywood; producers included David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Principal photography took place at Shepperton Studios and on location in England, employing production designers influenced by Gustave Doré, John Tenniel, and Arthur Rackham. Visual effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic, Framestore, MPC, Weta Digital, and other VFX houses, combining motion-capture performance for the Beast with practical set pieces. Costume design incorporated inspirations from 18th-century fashion, designers such as Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, and consultations with historians. The screenplay by Stephen Chbosky, Evan Spiliotopoulos, and Bill Condon expanded character backstories and added a new song by Alan Menken and Tim Rice.

Music

Alan Menken, composer of the 1991 score, returned to adapt and expand the soundtrack, collaborating with lyricist Howard Ashman’s original work and new lyrics by Tim Rice. The soundtrack features re-recordings of classics like "Belle", "Be Our Guest", and "Gaston", performed by the cast, and introduces a new ballad, "Evermore", performed by Dan Stevens. John Legend and Ariana Grande performed a pop single rendition of "Beauty and the Beast" for the end credits. The film's score and songs were recorded with orchestras and vocalists in studios associated with blockbuster productions, and the soundtrack release coincided with the film's promotional campaign.

Release

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributed the film, which premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles and was released worldwide in March and April 2017. Marketing included trailers unveiled during high-profile events like the Super Bowl LI telecast promotion cycle and partnerships with brands linked to retail and theme parks. The film was released in multiple formats including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 3D in selected markets. Home media release followed on digital platforms and physical formats several months after theatrical distribution.

Reception

The film grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2017 and a top earner in Disney's catalogue. Critical reception was mixed to positive: reviewers praised the production design, costume and set design, visual effects, and lead performances while critiquing its pacing and perceived safety compared to the animated original. Audience responses were generally favorable, reflected in box office strength and fan engagement across social media platforms. The film sparked discussions in outlets covering film criticism and cultural commentary, and its commercial performance reinforced Disney's live-action adaptation strategy.

Accolades

The film received nominations and awards across ceremonies including the Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and various guild awards for art direction, costume design, visual effects, and music. It earned recognition for Alan Menken's score and for technical achievements in production and costume design, as well as nominations for performances by Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in some critics' circles. The soundtrack and single releases also received industry acknowledgment.

Category:2017 films Category:Walt Disney Pictures films Category:Live-action remakes of animated films