Bad Fairies

Bad Fairies is an upcoming animated musical comedy that turns the fairy tale genre on its head. Set in a contemporary London where magic operates under strict bureaucratic rules, the film follows a gang of mischievous fairies who reject the notion that they must be paragons of virtue. Led by the charismatic Jayne Staplegun, voiced by Cynthia Erivo, these so-called bad fairies are chaotic agents of change, determined to disrupt a rigid magical order and inject some delightful anarchy into the world.

The voice cast includes Ncuti Gatwa, James Acaster as Stickers, Dee Bradley Baker as Groundbeef, and Serrana Su-Ling Bliss as Fei, each bringing unique personalities to the group. Directed by Megan Nicole Dong, known for her work on Raya and the Last Dragon, with a screenplay by Deborah Frances-White and the creators of the hit musical Six, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the film promises sharp, satirical dialogue and a soundtrack that blends theatrical vocals with contemporary pop and indie influences. Isabella Summers of Florence and the Machine composes the score, adding an eclectic, modern edge to the fantasy setting.

Produced by Carolyn Soper and Mary Coleman, Bad Fairies is a UK-US co-production involving Locksmith Animation, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, DNEG, and Sketchshark Productions. The film was showcased at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June 2026, signaling a new chapter for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation under President Bill Damaschke. With its subversive take on fairy lore and a focus on rebellion and authenticity, Bad Fairies is set to offer a refreshing alternative to sanitized moral lessons, appealing to audiences tired of conventional fairy tales. [edit]

Bad Fairies unfolds in a vibrant, contemporary London where magic exists but operates under a strict, bureaucratic system. Far from the benevolent sprites of folklore, the film's central characters are a ragtag gang of rule-breaking fairies who have been marginalized for their disruptive behavior. At their head stands Jayne Staplegun (Cynthia Erivo), a charismatic and rebellious fairy who rejects the expectation that her kind must be paragons of virtue. Jayne and her crew, including the witty Stickers (James Acaster), the formidable Groundbeef (Dee Bradley Baker), and the enigmatic Fei (Serrana Su-Ling Bliss), see themselves as agents of necessary chaos in a world they find overly rigid and stifling.

The central conflict emerges from the tension between these bad fairies and the established magical order, which demands conformity and purity. The Fairy Council, or a similar governing body, views their antics as a threat to the stability of the magical community. As the fairies navigate human skepticism and magical law enforcement, they must also contend with internal dynamics and the consequences of their actions. Ncuti Gatwa voices a character who brings magnetic charm and perhaps hidden depths to the group, adding layers to their collective identity.

The narrative follows the fairies as they embark on a series of escapades that blend slapstick comedy with musical numbers composed by Isabella Summers. These sequences serve not only as entertainment but also as exposition, revealing the characters' backstories and motivations. The fairies aim to execute a grand scheme that challenges the authority of the Fairy Council, all while exploring themes of rebellion, self-acceptance, and the subjective nature of good and bad. As they push boundaries, they face escalating challenges that test their loyalty to one another and their resolve to remain true to their bad selves. The film builds toward a climax where the very definition of a fairy is called into question, forcing the characters to decide whether to conform to societal expectations or embrace their chaotic nature fully.[edit]