In the 2014 film Maleficent, Maleficent abducts Prince Phillip so he can try to awaken Aurora with true love’s kiss. His kiss fails, revealing that the expected romantic rescue is not the answer in this retelling.
The film reworks the story of Sleeping Beauty from Maleficent’s point of view. After cursing the infant Aurora, Maleficent gradually develops a protective bond with her. When Aurora falls into the enchanted sleep on her sixteenth birthday, Maleficent realizes that her curse may be reversible only through true love.
Prince Phillip is the human prince Aurora has met in the forest, and he is played by Brenton Thwaites. Maleficent brings him to Aurora and encourages him to kiss her, but nothing happens. Maleficent’s own affectionate kiss on Aurora’s forehead breaks the curse instead.
Viewers sometimes remember the prince as “Philip,” reflecting the spelling used in Disney’s 1959 animated Sleeping Beauty. The 2014 film generally spells his name “Phillip,” with two l’s.