Ella Enchanted

Right now you can watch Ella Enchanted in the US on fuboTV and Paramount Plus Premium — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. With 1,986 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Anne Hathaway's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on fuboTV and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Ella Enchanted earns its spot. The jokes in Ella Enchanted land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Ella lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It hit screens in 2004. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Ella Enchanted holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Ella Enchanted respects your intelligence. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Anne Hathaway sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.