Disney's New 'Beauty and the Beast' Hits Theaters Today (Magical Poster Showcase)

Beauty and the Beast triptych poster - Click to view desktop wallpaper size

It's a highly anticipated day for many folks - not just fairy tale fans - and no matter what critics are saying this movie is going to be HUGE.

The biggest draw is likely for the nostalgia crowd, which is one of the biggest guaranteed demographics. That double-edged sword also makes it apparent that this movie comes with a curse of its own: it will forever live in comparison to the animated classic, unlikely to ever truly be judged on its own merit. That said, nostalgia will win out for Beauty and the Beast fans because, at worst, it's going to be an enjoyable movie, even if its new spin isn't as groundbreaking as the first movie was.

We're going to see it in theaters at some point because, why not? It's clearly been made with love and attention to detail and isn't that what you want in a movie? Especially a family fantasy? In reimagining a well known story, even down to lines, songs and scenes that are all very familiar, each storyteller brings their thumbprint to the telling and we're curious to see the prints - and be able to see the details in the corners of the big screen - on this one.

We'll be posting some more Beauty and the Beast themed posts during the next few days, in tribute to the current social focus on this fairy tale, but for now, enjoy the fact that millions of people around the globe will be happily - excitedly - talking about fairy tales this week (at least), and if you happen to be out and about chatting fairy tales there's a good chance you'll meet some new fairy tale friends.

In case you hadn't seen them, here are the eleven, quite magical, character posters for the movie.

Yeah, we don't quite know what's going on with the Beast poster either, but overall pretty great. Here are the, better quality, static poses below, this time including the Prince. (You can click on them to view a much larger size.) Enjoy!

New "Beauty and the Beast" Images In the Wild (Posters, Images, Costumes, Toys...)

New French Promotional Poster

There are more images of Disney's live action Beauty and the Beast out there in the world (wild), thanks to overseas posters, displays around LA to promote the film over the busy Christmas movie period and, of course, merchandising. Being the holiday period, if you can it's nice to indulge in frivolous things, so here's a image roundup for those looking forward to the film to enjoy.

The costume display will make people who have been less-then-thrilled with Belle's yellow ball dress a little more please, we think, as well as a pic below where she's holding a (different?) candelabra and you can see more costume/period details.

Take a look:

First up - books! And yes, they're releasing a new version of Villeneuve's tale, with Walter Crane's gorgeous illustrations too - yay!

1. A new edition of the making of Beauty and the Beast will be released including new material from director Bill Condon

2. A new edition of Villeneuve's original tale classic, the current known version is based on.

3. A French edition of Beauty and the Beast. No further info yet (March 8th '17)

4. Beauty and the Beast: Belle's library: quotes, drawings and new material from Linda Woolverton (January 31st '17)

5. Book based on the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. Unknown release date.

6. Lost in a Book: by Jennifer Donelly. Belle discovers a Book called Nevermore which takes her to a new magical world. (more detail on this and a better close-up of the cover below)

New promo poster 

This next one is interesting - channeling a little Jasper FForde and Thursday Next (wonderful series)... here's the description:

The story is an original addition to the beloved Beauty and the Beast fairytale. It follows lonely, bookish Belle as she finds an enchanted book in the Beast’s library called “Nevermore” that carries her into a glittering new world. There, Belle is befriended by a mysterious countess who offers her the life she’s always dreamed of. But Nevermore is not what it seems, and the more time Belle spends there, the harder it is to leave. Good stories take hold of us and never let us go, and once Belle becomes lost in *this* book, she may never find her way out again. 

 A collection of costumes and props on display in movie theaters around Los Angeles, during the popular holiday theater-going season:

Ball scene costumes

Lumiere and Plumette

Belle's basic outfit and magic atlas ('Magic' atlas!? Apparently yes.)

Enchanted rose and mirror on table

Gaston and LeFou

Lumiere, Plumette and Cogsworth

Accessories and enchanted objects set (I see the Enchanted Objects being coveted by adult fans) 

On the back of a toy box - not sure which one - but it shows nice dress details

Tea set - bringing tea time back for afternoons

The Royal Celebration outfit - note: NOT A WEDDING (people are getting yelled at for saying it is)

Royal Celebration doll pair (to show Beast's/Adam's outfit)

New promo image used a few countries, not just France 

For our costume and fashion readers: here are Belle's costumes seen so far

The Human Form of Disney's B&tB Enchanted Objects

Phew, have we been busy! We have lots of news to share but thought we'd kick off with something brief before we get to the awesome, juicy, special behind-the-scenes we have to share... and a tip for the best last minute seasonal present for a real fairy tale lover you might ever give... Stay tuned! You should find out sometime later today.

For now - if you haven't already seen this floating around the internet, take a good look at how the enchanted objects from Disney's live action Beauty and the Beast, will look* in their true and human form.

That the giant movie theater promotional cutout features the humans is probably a large hint as to the emphasis of this movie: people's true selves. We're most curious to see how that plays out with the Beast's transformation into human form and Belle's acceptance of that, after she's come to love him in his transformed state (boy are there going to be some interesting conversations arising from this!)

One question: where's the human Chip? (And is Mrs. Potts drinking from... him? O.O )

Thoughts?

*Inside the Magic