Faerie Tale Theatre poster

TV series

Faerie Tale Theatre

1982NR6 seasons8.1 / 10

26 ways to live happily ever after.

A live-action children's television anthology series retelling popular fairy tales.

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Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Sep 2, 2026

Faerie Tale Theatre premiered September 11, 1982. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

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Synopsis

A live-action children's television anthology series retelling popular fairy tales.

Season 2 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

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Episode 1

Rapunzel

Feb 5, 198351m4.0 / 10

From High atop a tower, a beautiful young woman lets down her hair - and lets in love. Thats the time-honored story of Rapunzel. Shelly Duvall, producer of the entire Faerie Tale Theatre series of which Rapunzel is a part , stars as the maiden.Jeff Bridges is the prince who climbs to Rapunzel's balcony via her long , long hair.And Gena Rowlands is the lovely, but wicked witch who tries to keep them apart.

Episode credits

Directed by Gilbert CatesWritten by David WylesGuest stars Gena Rowlands, Jeff Bridges, Roddy McDowall, Phil Fondacaro, Shelley Duvall, Sal Fondacaro, George Rossitto, Gil Cates Jr.

Where to watch Faerie Tale Theatre

Episode 2

The Nightingale

May 10, 198351m1.0 / 10

Cathay, a kingdom with harmony and peace. A simple kitchen maid, whose mother is very sick, learns of magical faeries and a root that can cure even the worst disease. She also comes across a beautiful bird, the nightingale, that she soon falls in love with its song. The emperor, is unpleased to learn that his great and vast palace does not completly please the poets, rather a simple bird, the nightingale, does. His royal court gets the bird, with the help of the kitchen maid, and the emperor is very pleased. After a while, an artificial bird is given to the emperor as a gift. He banishes the other the nightingale. But when the artificial bird breaks, he suddenly becomes deathly ill. It's up to the nightingale to save him, but will she after he banished her? Mick Jagger portrays the emperor very well, Barbara Hershey is superb as the kitchen maid, and Edward James Olomos is great as the prime minister. The Nightingale has a great message and great fun!

Episode credits

Directed by Ivan PasserWritten by Joan Micklin SilverGuest stars Mick Jagger, Bud Cort, Edward James Olmos, Barbara Hershey, Anjelica Huston, Jerry Hall, Mako, Chao Li Chi

Where to watch Faerie Tale Theatre

Episode 3

Sleeping Beauty

Jul 7, 198351m8.0 / 10

Christopher Reeves and Bernadette Peters star in this charming adaption of the classic story, an evil witch puts a curse on a beautiful princess which entails that by her 16th birthday she will stick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!!, the curse is somewhat lifted by a good fairy so that instead of death it is sleep. When the evil curse comes true the good fairy puts a spell on the castle to place everyone asleep until the princess is wakened by loves first kiss.

Episode credits

Directed by Jeremy KaganWritten by Jeffrey Alan FiskinGuest stars Richard Libertini, René Auberjonois, Bernadette Peters, George Dzundza, Christopher Reeve, Beverly D'Angelo, Sally Kellerman, Carol Kane

Where to watch Faerie Tale Theatre

Episode 4

Jack and the Beanstalk

Sep 8, 198351m7.7 / 10

Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum... Remember the shivers you felt from the giants cry when you were a child? Now in this delightful production of Jack and the Beanstalk, a marvelous script and magical special effects recreate the adventure. Dennis Christopher is the idealistic hero who trades a cow for magic beans, then climbs the resulting beanstalk and stumbles onto an incredible adventure. A large part of that adventure is an encounter with Jean Stapleton and Elliot Gould, a giant husband and wife time that make this one of the most memorable episodes.

Episode credits

Directed by Lamont JohnsonWritten by Rod Ash, Mark CurtissGuest stars Jean Stapleton, Katherine Helmond, Dennis Christopher, Elliott Gould, Jerry Hall, Lise Lang, Ty Crowley, Lamont Johnson

Where to watch Faerie Tale Theatre

Episode 5

Little Red Riding Hood

Nov 10, 198351m5.0 / 10

Mary Steenburgen encounters a surprise on the trip to grandmas -- he has big eyes - big ears and a set of sparkling Razor sharp teeth. He has decided to take an extra liking to "Miss Hood" as he accompanies her on her trip through the forest. He hasn't counted on the cunning and ever-sweet Granny nor has he thought about what danger he might be in from Miss hoods admirer -- all in all the vain wolf learns that humans are just as cunning.

Episode credits

Directed by Graeme CliffordWritten by David Wyles, Rod Ash, Mark CurtissGuest stars Diane Ladd, Mary Steenburgen, Frances Bay, John Vernon, Darrell Larson, Malcolm McDowell

Where to watch Faerie Tale Theatre

Episode 6

Hansel and Gretel

Dec 5, 198351mfinale

A mean and selfish stepmother convinces her husband that if they are to keep from starving he must abandon his children in the woods. Lost and Hungry the children come across a wonderful gingerbread cottage covered with candy and icing. Unknown to them the house is owned by an evil witch who uses it to trap boys and girls lost in the wood. She captures the children with the intent on baking them up in her oven-- but Gretal decides to try some home cooking herself!

Episode credits

Directed by James FrawleyWritten by Patricia ResnickGuest stars Bridgette Andersen, Paul Dooley, Joan Collins, Ricky Schroder

Where to watch Faerie Tale Theatre

Episode information updated Sep 14, 2026

Available now in United States

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More about Faerie Tale Theatre

Cast

Shelley DuvallThe Miller's Daughter

Roy DotricePeter Vanderdonk

Jean StapletonThe Giantess

Paul ReubensPinocchio

Bud CortMusic Master

Paul DooleyThe Miller

Eric IdleNarrator (voice)

René AuberjonoisKing Ulrich

Credits

Written by: Maryedith Burrell, David Felton, Alister Berry, Mark Curtiss, Rod Ash, Robert C. Jones, Maryedith Burrell, David Wyles, Nicholas Meyer, Eric Idle, Jules Feiffer, Gerald Ayres

Production details

Status: Ended
Series type: Scripted
Episodes: 27
Original language: English

Networks & production

ShowtimeUnited States
Gaylord Productions
Platypus Productions
Lion's Gate FilmsUnited States

Themes

anthologyfaerie tale theatrefairy talemagic