Bette Midler Attends Steps Premiere in New York
The animated Cinderella comedy featuring Midler as the Fairy Godmother premiered in New York City ahead of its Netflix release.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Comedy
Bette Midler appeared at the New York City premiere screening of Netflix's animated comedy Steps on November 8, 2026, posing with her costars on the red carpet. The film, a Cinderella retelling focused on the stepsisters, arrives on Netflix on November 20.
Why it matters
The premiere marks the public debut of the film's voice cast ahead of its streaming release, placing Steps in front of audiences for its Netflix launch. It also highlights Midler's continued work in animated comedy as she approaches her 81st birthday.
Steps releases exclusively on Netflix on November 20, 2026, with no theatrical run reported in the extraction. Midler's appearance at the premiere is the only commercial milestone cited so far, and no viewership or box office figures are available yet.
The players
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an acclaimed American singer, actress, and comedian known for films such as The Rose and Hocus Pocus, and she voices the Fairy Godmother in Steps.
Ali Wong
Ali Wong is an American comedian and actress known for her stand-up specials and the series Beef, and she voices the stepsister Lilith in Steps.
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service that produces and distributes original films and series, and it is distributing Steps.
The details
The premiere screening took place in New York City on November 8, 2026, where Midler wore a floor-length black beaded gown with a structured collar and Ali Wong appeared in a strapless purple satin gown. Steps is an animated comedy reimagining the Cinderella fairy tale through the eyes of Cinderella's stepsisters, whose efforts to control their own destinies turn the kingdom upside down.
Timeline
December 1, 2025: Bette Midler celebrated her 80th birthday.
November 8, 2026: Steps premiere screening held in New York City.
November 20, 2026: Steps arrives on Netflix.
Industry Dynamics
Steps reframes the Cinderella story from the perspective of the stepsisters rather than the title character, departing from the 1950 Disney animated adaptation that defined the fairy tale for generations. The film's Netflix-first release reflects the streaming platforms' continued role in launching major animated comedies directly to subscribers.
Steps will stream exclusively on Netflix beginning November 20, 2026, meaning subscribers can watch it at home without a theatrical ticket. The film's release date is set, so viewers can plan to watch it on that day.
The takeaway
Animated films that reimagine classic fairy tales from overlooked characters' perspectives continue to draw attention as a way to revisit familiar stories. Readers interested in Steps can mark November 20 to stream it on Netflix.
What happens next
Steps arrives on Netflix on November 20, 2026.
Further reading
For more on film comedy, see the Comedy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HELLO!.
