The “Hocus Pocus” star is pausing her witchy ways to make a few wishes come true.

Bette Midler to voice Fairy Godmother in Netflix animated Cinderella reimagining Steps

The "Hocus Pocus" star is pausing her witchy ways to make a few wishes come true.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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May 18, 2026 9:02 a.m. ET

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Bette Midler in 'Steps'. Credit:

- Bette Midler will play the Fairy Godmother in a new Cinderella retelling. - Netflix's *Steps* offers a new take on the classic tale, centering Cinderella's so-called "evil" stepsisters. - The *Hocus Pocus* alum describes her character as a "bumbler" and a "schemer."

Bette Midler is going from buck-toothed witch to bumbling fairy godmother.

The *Hocus Pocus** *alum has found her next magical project: Midler will lend her voice to the Netflix animated film, *Steps*, a reimagining of the fairy tale classic, *Cinderella*. Midler will play the benevolent Fairy Godmother, who makes Cinderella's dreams come true by using magic to send her off to the royal ball.

But in this version of events, things will unfold a little differently.

Lillith, Margot, the Fairy Godmother, and Cinderella in 'Steps'.

Rather than centering Cinderella, *Steps* will focus on the so-called "evil" stepsisters as they embark on their own grand adventure, sending the story way off its usual course. Midler for one is excited for viewers to meet her iteration of the wish-granting fairy and see where the new story will lead.

"The beloved Fairy Godmother, the wholesome Fairy Godmother, the one with all the good intentions, has been around for a long, long time," Midler said in a statement. "This particular version of the Fairy Godmother has good intentions, but she's a little bit of a bumbler and she's a little bit of a schemer. I'm thrilled to be part of this film! And I'm thrilled to be with this cast!"

The cast also includes Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu as stepsisters, Lilith and Margot. Amanda Seyfried voices Cinderella.

Bette Midler in 2025.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Per the official synopsis, the plot is triggered when Lilith, who is "sick of living in Cinderella's shadow" hatches a plan to steal the Fairy Godmother magic wand to hijack the Royal Ball with Margot. But their actions accidentally doom the kingdom to "the tyrannical rule of Priscilla, a villainous schemer who swoops in and snatches the throne." To make matters worse, Margot is transformed into a frog.

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The synopsis continues, "Now, Lilith must team up with Cinderella to fight biker trolls, outrun evil henchmen, and escape the Screaming Woods on an epic quest to save the kingdom, but most importantly, their relationship."

The film is helmed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa (*Raya and the Last Dragon*), with a producing team that includes Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell, and Kim Lessing.

*Steps* is slated to arrive on the streaming service in 2026.

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- Animated Movies

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Source: “EW Animated”