‘Steps’ Trailer Revealed Netflix’s Cinderella Twist Gets a Release Date
The tale of Cinderella has seen countless retellings, often focusing on the glass slipper’s perspective. However, Netflix’s upcoming animated comedy ‘Steps’ aims to give the so-called evil stepsisters a voice, as showcased in the newly released trailer.
This project has been in the works since 2021, stemming from the creative minds of Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci of Garfunkel and Oates, with production by Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions. After a period of silence, it reemerged in December 2025, featuring Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu as the stepsisters.
The anticipation is almost over. Netflix has unveiled the main trailer, key art, and a new set of stills, confirming that the film will debut on the platform next month. Alongside the trailer, fans can look forward to soundtrack news, including a new song from BLACKPINK’s JENNIE.
A new trailer for ‘STEPS’ has been released. Releasing on Netflix on November 20. https://t.co/TShufJKx4s
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) October 15, 2026
The narrative centers around Lilith, voiced by Wong, who feels overshadowed by her famous family. When she is blamed for disrupting the Royal Ball with the Fairy Godmother’s stolen wand, she accidentally transforms her sister Margot into a frog, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to a prince-obsessed mean girl named Priscilla.
In the trailer, Lilith emphasizes that viewers deserve to know the true story of Cinderella, promising an exciting adventure. The film retains classic elements like glass slippers and a prince while introducing high-speed chases, revenge plots, and a captivating troll.
Lilith teams up with Cinderella for an epic journey, facing biker trolls, evading evil henchmen, and escaping the Screaming Woods. The film is rated PG for its action, thematic elements, rude humor, and brief suggestive content.
The voice cast is impressive, featuring Wong as Lilith, Amanda Seyfried as Cinderella, Hsu as Margot, and Nikki Glaser as Priscilla. Bette Midler lends her voice to the Fairy Godmother, while Daniel Radcliffe plays The Prince, Peter Dinklage portrays Roderick, a murderous man-nanny, and Young Mazino is Gef, the film’s heartthrob. WWE Superstar Damian Priest joined the cast in July as Cracktor.
The film is directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa. Tzue, a recipient of the 2015 Student Academy Awards Gold Medal for Animation for her short ‘Soar’, and Ripa, who co-directed ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’, both aim to illustrate how “a single act of kindness can change everything,” as stated in a Netflix Tudum article.
Visually, ‘Steps’ embraces a bold aesthetic, blending 18th-century French Rococo with punk rock influences. The filmmakers have discussed Y2K-inspired villains and giant biker trolls at the Annecy festival, opting for a three-dimensional computer animation style that creates a maximalist visual experience.
Music plays a significant role, with the soundtrack launching on the same day as the film, featuring JENNIE’s new song “Someone to Hold.” Grammy nominee Justin Tranter has written and produced four original songs, with additional vocals from Seyfried, Rose Gray, and EMEI. Kris Bowers composed the score, and the soundtrack is available for pre-save now.
‘Steps’ marks a significant milestone for Netflix, being the first feature produced entirely in-house at Netflix Animation Studios, with animation handled by teams in Sydney and Vancouver. This underscores Netflix’s commitment to original animation.
This film joins a lineup that includes ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, the most popular Netflix film to date, along with ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ and ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’. Upcoming titles in the same lineup include ‘In Waves’ and ‘Ray Gunn’.
The release timing is strategic, placing ‘Steps’ during the Thanksgiving and holiday season, a period Netflix has previously utilized for major animated releases like ‘Leo’. With its family-friendly comedy and star-studded cast, it seems poised to resonate with audiences.
The concept is refreshing, flipping the traditional fairy tale narrative to explore whether the villains were ever truly villainous. If the trailer’s energy is any indication, ‘Steps’ could successfully transform the stepsisters into the story’s main attractions.
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