Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

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Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is a 2019 American fantasy film and the sequel to Maleficent (2014). It continues the story of Maleficent, the powerful fairy, and her bond with Aurora, the monarch of the Moors. Angelina Jolie returns as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as Aurora, with a cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Harris Dickinson, Ed Skrein, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Lesley Manville, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Set five years after the first film, Aurora now rules the Moors with Maleficent as her guardian. The nearby kingdom of Ulstead still distrusts Maleficent. At Aurora and Prince Philip’s wedding, Queen Ingrith reveals a deep hatred for the Moor fairy folk and plans to wipe them out using iron weapons and a dangerous red powder created by a pixie named Lickspittle. Ingrith also uses Maleficent’s spindle to curse King John, a secret she keeps hidden.

During the celebration, the Moor fairies are trapped in the chapel, and Ingrith’s plot unleashes a magical battle. The Dark Fey, a powerful group of fairies, come to Maleficent’s aid. Maleficent fights hard and is struck by an arrow infused with the powder, appearing to die. Aurora’s tears revive Maleficent as a Phoenix, giving her a new, fiery life. Maleficent then helps forge peace between the Moors and Ulstead. Ingrith is punished, and the two sides agree to live in harmony. Maleficent blesses Aurora and Philip before returning to the Moors with the Dark Fey, promising to attend the christening of their future child.

The movie was directed by Joachim Rønning, written by Linda Woolverton with Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, and shot in England. The score was composed by Geoff Zanelli. It opened in October 2019 and later came to home video and Disney+. It earned about $492 million worldwide on a budget of $186 million and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Critics gave it mixed reviews, praising Jolie, Fanning, and Pfeiffer but noting a muddled story and heavy visuals.

A third Maleficent film is in development, with Jolie expected to return and Woolverton writing the script. As of 2025, Woolverton remains attached to pen the sequel.