The topic of this final paper refers to the world's most famous fairytales through their classical and contemporary interpretations. By analyzing and interpreting the fairytales of the world's greatest and most famous fairytale writers, such as Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault, we can gain an insight into the poetic characteristics of their writing, as well as the moral lessons they wanted to emphasize. Their most famous works were passed down from generation to generation, so modern and postmodern versions have been created in modern times that reflect the stylistic and ideological characteristics of the time in which they were created. The Croatian writers featured in the work, such as Zvonimir Balog, Ivanka Borovac, Hrvoje Hitrec, Zoran Pongrašić, Pajo Kanižaj and Luko Paljetak, interpreted some of the world's most famous fairytales in their own unique way, adding freshness, authentic style and atmosphere. The paper problematizes Perrault's fairytales Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, the Brothers Grimm's fairytales Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Andersen's fairytales The Little Mermaid and The Match Girl. Fairytales by Croatian authors Zoran Pongrašić, Hrvoje Hitrec, Ivanka Borovac, Pajo Kanižaja, Luko Paljetak and Zvonimir Balog were analyzed as examples of contemporary versions. In the final part of the paper, the basic differences between classic and contemporary fairytales are singled out and interpreted, and a review is given of the reception dimension of fairytales then and now. The paper indicates that the approach to the theme, character design, teaching, stylistic and narrative characteristics has changed, which results in changes in the general understanding of the fairytale and its function.