Netflix’s new 'Cinderella' movie Steps gets surprise streaming-only release

Netflix’s upcoming animated film Steps, a reimagining of the classic Cinderella story, will be released directly on the streaming platform, with co-director John Ripa supporting the decision.

Speaking at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Ripa said the direct-to-streaming release will allow the film to reach a wider audience after nearly six years of production. He explained that Netflix’s global reach would help audiences discover the animated feature at the same time.

While Ripa acknowledged that seeing the film on a big screen has its appeal, he said he was excited for his first movie to launch straight to streaming. Netflix has previously taken a case-by-case approach with animated films, sometimes giving projects limited theatrical releases for awards consideration.

Directed by John Ripa and Alyce Tzue, Steps offers a new perspective on the Cinderella story by focusing on the traditionally misunderstood stepsisters. The film features a voice cast including Amanda Seyfried, Bette Midler, Ali Wong, Stephanie Hsu and Nikki Glaser.

The filmmakers said the project explores the idea that everyone deserves their own “happily ever after”, including characters who are often viewed as villains. The animated film aims to present a different interpretation of the well-known fairytale and examine themes of identity, belonging and acceptance.

Tzue explained that the creative team wanted to move away from traditional animated character designs and create more diverse representations of female characters. The project was first developed with Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite and was officially picked up by Netflix in 2020.

The Steps presentation was part of Netflix’s showcase at Annecy, where the studio is highlighting its upcoming animation and anime projects. A release date for the film has not yet been announced.