Beastly (2011)

Beastly (2011) offers a contemporary, high school-set twist on the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. The story centers on Kyle Kingson, a handsome and arrogant young man who, despite his immense wealth and popularity, gets off on humiliating the weaker and less attractive. His cruel nature is put to the test when he invites his misfit classmate, Kendra, to an environmental rally at their school, only to later blow her off. Spurned and seeing through his shallow facade, the goth girl Kendra casts a dark spell on Kyle, transforming him into everything he detests: a physical embodiment of his inner ugliness that repulses society. Following his curse, Kyle is given a year to find someone who can truly love him despite his monstrous appearance, thereby breaking the enchantment. Under the new identity of Adrian, he is isolated in an opulent apartment until he encounters Lindy, the unassuming girl who might hold the key to his salvation. *Beastly* belongs on a "Best Romance movies" list because it masterfully explores the genre's most enduring themes: the triumph of inner beauty over superficiality, and the transformative power of genuine love. The film beautifully portrays Kyle's arduous journey from an insufferable narcissist to a genuinely caring individual, forced to confront his own shallow prejudices and learn to see beyond appearances. It's a poignant and emotionally resonant romance, particularly for a young adult audience, demonstrating how unconditional love can profoundly reshape a soul and offer a path to redemption.