Explore 100+ Public Domain Fairy Tales for Crafting Your Screenplay

If you're a writer or director looking for material, you can use the public domain to your advantage. One of the deepest sources of public-domain ideas, look no further than fairy tales. People love them, recognize them, and you can use them to your advantage to put your spin on stories.

Fairy tales were told and retold through generations, passing down from one storyteller to another. Nowadays, we can read and enjoy these stories in books, watch adaptations on the big and small screens, and even listen to them in audiobooks.

The beauty of fairy tales lies in their ability to captivate audiences with their magical worlds, fantastical creatures, and timeless lessons.

Thanks to the public domain, we have access to over 100+ fairy tales that have stood the test of time and are free for anyone to use, adapt, and enjoy.

From beloved classics like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood to lesser-known gems like The Wild Swans, these stories have inspired countless works of literature, film, and art. So whether you're a fan of fantasy or just looking for a good bedtime story, join us on a journey through the wonderful world of fairy tales in the public domain.

Let's dive in.

'The Company of Wolves'Credit: ITC Entertainment

What Are Some Advantages of Adapting Fairy Tales in the Public Domain?

Adapting fairy tales in the public domain for film and TV can have several advantages, including:

1. Familiarity: Fairy tales are well-known stories that many people are familiar with. Adapting them for film or TV can draw in viewers who already have an attachment to the story.
2. Established storylines: Because fairy tales have been around for generations, their storylines are well-established. Adapting them for film or TV can make it easier for filmmakers to create a coherent and compelling narrative.
3. Endless source material: There are hundreds of fairy tales in the public domain, so filmmakers have a wide range of stories to choose from. They can also combine elements from different stories to create something new.
4. Themes and messages: Many fairy tales have themes and messages that are still relevant today. Adapting them for film or TV can allow filmmakers to explore these themes and messages in a modern context.
5. Multigenerational appeal: Fairy tales are often enjoyed by people of all ages. Adapting them for film or TV can create a product that appeals to both children and adults.
6. Universal appeal: Fairy tales often have universal themes that are not tied to a specific culture or time period. Adapting them for film or TV can create a product with global appeal.

'Cinderella'Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

100+ Fairy Tales That Are In The Public Domain

1. Cinderella
2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
3. Beauty and the Beast
4. Sleeping Beauty
5. Rapunzel
6. Hansel and Gretel
7. Little Red Riding Hood
8. The Frog Prince
9. The Little Mermaid
10. The Emperor's New Clothes
11. The Ugly Duckling
12. The Tortoise and the Hare
13. The Boy Who Cried Wolf
14. The Three Little Pigs
15. Jack and the Beanstalk
16. Goldilocks and the Three Bears
17. The Pied Piper of Hamelin
18. The Gingerbread Man
19. The Musicians of Bremen
20. The Goose Girl
21. The Princess and the Pea
22. The Emperor and the Nightingale
23. The Snow Queen
24. The Three Billy Goats Gruff
25. The Lion and the Mouse
26. The Fisherman and his Wife
27. Thumbelina
28. The Brave Little Tailor
29. The Little Match Girl
30. The Magic Fish
31. The Golden Goose
32. The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids
33. The Red Shoes
34. The Steadfast Tin Soldier
35. The Wild Swans
36. The Elves and the Shoemaker
37. The Princess on the Glass Hill
38. The Twelve Dancing Princesses
39. The Bremen Town Musicians
40. The Three Feathers
41. The Valiant Little Tailor
42. The Snow-White Dove
43. The Little Red Hen
44. The Girl Without Hands
45. The Magic Porridge Pot
46. The Frog Princess
47. The Dragon and the Princess
48. The Master Cat; or, Puss in Boots
49. The Story of Bluebeard
50. The Story of Tom Thumb
51. The Queen Bee
52. The Singing Bone
53. The Water of Life
54. The Wolf and the Crane
55. The Wolf and the Sheep
56. The Young Giant
57. The Golden Bird
58. The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean
59. The Swineherd
60. The Three Princesses of Whiteland
61. The White Cat
62. The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack
63. The White Snake
64. The Boy Who Wanted More Cheese
65. The Drummer
66. The Golden Crab
67. The Golden Key
68. The Little Glass Slipper
69. The Old Woman and Her Pig
70. The Story of the Three Bears
71. The Travelling Musicians
72. The Two Brothers
73. The Witch in the Stone Boat
74. The Witch's Daughter
75. The Woodcutter's Daughter
76. The Young Slave
77. The Seven Ravens
78. The Blue Light
79. The Brave Little Parrot
80. The Glass Mountain
81. The Golden Goose of the Wonderful Garden
82. The Golden Lion
83. The Lazy Spinner
84. The Little Good Mouse
85. The Little Nut-Tree
86. The Old Woman in the Wood
87. The Seven Foals
88. The Sun, the Moon, and Talia
89. The Thief and His Master
90. The Two Brothers and the White Bearded Old Man
91. The White Bird
92. The White Duck
93. The Wise Little Girl
94. The Witch and Her Servants
95. The Magic Mirror
96. The Wild Man
97. The Fairy Gifts
98. The Fire-Bird, the Horse of Power, and the Princess Vasilissa
99. The Juniper-Tree
100. The King of the Golden Mountain
101. The Little Mermaid and the Prince
102. The Master Thief
103. The Nightingale
104. The Six Swans
105. The Twelve Huntsmen
106. The Golden Bird and the Good Hare
107. The Iron Stove
108. The Milk-White Doo
109. The Nettle Spinner
110. The Princess and the Goblin
111. The Princess Mayblossom
112. The Rose Tree
113. The Sea-Maiden
114. The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood

'Mirror Mirror'Credit: Relativity Media

Summing Up 100+ Fairy Tales in the Public Domain

The fairy tales in the public domain offer us a treasure trove of enchanting stories that have captivated audiences for centuries. With over 100 tales to choose from, there's no shortage of magical worlds to explore, brave heroes to root for, and cunning villains to outsmart.

Whether you're a fan of the classics or seeking something new and undiscovered, these stories have something for everyone. So take a journey through the pages of these beloved tales, and rediscover the magic of storytelling that has captivated generations before us.

With their timeless lessons and enduring appeal, these stories will continue to inspire and delight readers, young and old, for generations to come.

Now go get writing.