Cinderella

The most famous rags-to-riches fairy tale gets a wonderful Disney makeover under director Kenneth Branagh. Lily James is perfect as Ella, breathing touching, credible sweetness into the role, and her transformation from fireside servant to princess-in-waiting is enthralling. Cate Blanchett is exceptional, too, as her sumptuously outfitted, vindictive stepmother - think Bette Davis does Cruella De Vil. With respectful links to the original (Lucifer the cat, a spirited rendition of Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo) and storybook tweaks to add freshness (including a pre-ball encounter and the glass slipper being made a more powerful symbol of change), this is an opulent, magical, timeless enchantment in its own right.