Maleficent is the main antagonist of Disney's 16th full-length animated feature film Sleeping Beauty.
She is an evil fairy that takes offense at not being invited to the christening of Princess Aurora, and attempts revenge on King Stefan and Queen Leah by cursing their beloved daughter, Aurora.
Contrary to popular belief, Maleficent is a fairy, albeit a dark one, responsible for all the misfortune in King Stefan's kingdom; she appears to particularly have a hatred of the Three Good Fairies; Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, her benevolent rivals who do all in their power to keep Maleficent's overwhelming evil magic at bay.
With her gothic, elegant design, dramatic and flamboyant animation and unlimited arsenal of magic powers, Maleficent is one of the most popular and well-known Disney villains.
She was voiced by the late Eleanor Audley who also voiced Lady Tremaine in the 1950 film Cinderella. Angelina Jolie portrayed the titular role of the same villainess in Disney's 2014 live action film Maleficent.