Info in Movie News | Netflix is rewriting one of the oldest fairytales on the planet, and this time, Cinderella isn’t the one stealing the spotlight. The streamer is getting ready for Steps, an animated musical movie coming in 2026 that for the first time really gives the stepsisters not only a voice, but a surprisingly relatable story as well. The two sisters, instead of being the typical evil tormentors, are described as misunderstood outsiders who are trying to find their way in a kingdom that expects them to fit a certain story that they have never changed.
According to Collider, Steps' main theme is centered on Lilith who is a stepsister and is generally considered as the villain even before she gets the chance to justify herself. Her situation got out of hand when she was accused of taking over the Royal Ball with a magic wand that she had stolen, a wrongdoing she hadn’t done. During the riot, she mistakenly turned her sister Margot into a frog, thus, their kingdom became defenseless against a prince-obsessed tyrant. As a result, Lilith forged a bond with Cinderella, the only way to save the day, which would be a chaotic rescue mission comprising of bravery, sisterhood, and even a lovely troll who, at the most unexpected moment, joins the adventure.
Ali Wong provides the voice of Lilith and Stephanie Hsu is Margot in Steps which mainly depends on its characters. Also, both actresses are known for their range, Wong with her dark comedic beats in Beef, and Hsu with her critically lauded performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once, so the pairing of the two characters is an outstanding point of the movie especially. The movie is another collaboration between Wong and Netflix, the two have a strong creative relationship which they have developed through projects like Always Be My Maybe and Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, which is one of the reasons why the movie is significant. Hsu also continues her streak of animated work on the platform, previously lending her voice to Leo and Blue Eye Samurai.
Behind the scenes, directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa are leading the charge. With this project, Tzue a Student Academy Awards gold medal winner, is making her feature directorial debut. She mentioned that Steps is her heartfelt story, which was strongly influenced by her upbringing as an artsy Taiwanese kid who was frequently out of place. The feeling of being left out becomes, in fact, the main theme of the movie which the authors use as the emotional core of their work. Ripa whose name is associated with the work on Raya and the Last Dragon, was attracted by the story’s message about the change of viewpoint, mercy, and the difficult times of the silent characters who are seeking their place in the world.
The production lineup behind Steps is equally impressive. The producing team is led by comedy icon Amy Poehler, who along with Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing, comprises the team. Their aim is to present a humorous, musically charming, and meaningful-story one, a kind of movie Netflix is increasingly adding to its animated movie slate. After the success of movies such as Kpop Demon Hunters and In Your Dreams, Steps is turning up as another potential favorite for fans of heartfelt, character-driven animated movies.
Although Netflix has not disclosed more cast members so far, the streaming service has been indicating that Steps will be a major title in its 2026 lineup. The movie mixes the energetic comedic side, the emotional depth, and a novel twist of one of the most adapted stories worldwide. What is really different about Steps is its determination to show the misunderstood characters taking over their stories, thus, “villains” being the new heroes.
As the hype keeps building, fans should be prepared for more trailers, cast announcements, and musical teasers throughout 2025. At present, the sneak peek photo of Lilith character gives an idea of a lively, and very much personality-packed adventure, which could be the next great fairytale for a new generation.
Steps arrives on Netflix in 2026.
Source Collider, CinemaExpress, Deadline, Netflix Tudum
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