Beauty and the Beast

1h 36m · 1946 · Directed by Jean Cocteau · 4.1 / 5 on Letterboxd

Beauty and the Beast (1946) runs 1h 36m, directed by Jean Cocteau. It is one of 3,647 films in the 100 Minute Movies catalog — every one rated 3.0 or higher by Letterboxd members and short enough to finish in an evening.

The story of a gentle-hearted beast in love with a simple and beautiful girl. She is drawn to the repellent but strangely fascinating Beast, who tests her fidelity by giving her a key, telling her that if she doesn't return it to him by a specific time, he will die of grief. She is unable to return the key on time, but it is revealed that the Beast is the genuinely handsome one. A simple tale of tragic love that turns into a surreal vision of death, desire, and beauty.

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Where to watch: HBO Max (US, checked 9 July 2026)