Modern sci - fi fairy tales often have a scientific basis for the 'fantastical' elements. In traditional fairy tales, it's magic. For example, in a sci - fi version, a flying carpet could be a hovercraft based on anti - gravity technology.
Modern science - fiction fairy tales differ in their themes as well. Traditional fairy tales often focus on things like true love, good versus evil in a rather straightforward way. In contrast, modern sci - fi fairy tales might explore themes such as the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity, or the ethics of time travel. They are more complex and reflect the concerns of a modern, technology - driven society.