Every Disney Live-Action Remake, Ranked

It’s practically predictable that certain life events occur: death, paying taxes, and Disney transforming their animated masterpieces into live-action films. It’s not surprising why the studio is eager to remake numerous originals, as money clearly holds sway. Although often panned by critics, each film has amassed substantial profits. Four adaptations—The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, and Aladdin—have surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, with most other cinematic releases earning more than $500 million. This financial success likely explains why Disney is planning numerous more adaptations, such as Lilo & Stitch, Moana, Hercules, Bambi, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, among others.

In this analysis, we’re focusing solely on films that are direct adaptations of classic Disney animations, excluding sequels such as “Mufasa: The Lion King” and spin-offs like “Cruella”. The key element in our evaluation is how these movies handle the original material. Do they simply replicate the animated version or do they build upon timeless stories that have captivated audiences for decades? With the release of “Snow White” based on Disney’s inaugural animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, in cinemas this weekend, we’ve ranked every live-action Disney remake to determine which one sparkles the most.

16. The Lion King (2019)

Under Jon Favreau’s direction, the film adaptation of The Lion King is strikingly realistic, yet falls short when it comes to emotional expression – the computer-generated animal characters, while visually impressive, lack the ability to convey emotion effectively. This flaw makes every heartfelt scene from the original Lion King, which was so captivating, seem hollow. It’s quite remarkable how Disney transformed one of their most beloved classics into a rather dull viewing experience. The film’s categorization as live-action is puzzling, given that only one of its 1,600 shots is not computer generated. Despite resembling the original in many ways and unaccountably adding an additional half hour, it fails to capture the essence of the source material. The follow-up film, Mufasa: The Lion King, shows some improvement in the emoting department, but still falls short compared to the original. This remake is arguably the most unnecessary addition to Disney’s canon.

15. Pinocchio (2022)

The remake of Pinocchio, led by director Robert Zemeckis and featuring stars like Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo, and Luke Evans, carries an impressive pedigree on paper. However, upon closer inspection, it appears destined for a straight-to-streaming (be it video or Disney+) release. The production seems to lack energy, with inconsistent accents, noticeable boredom among the cast, and dated visual effects that felt outdated from the moment of its 2022 premiere. The new tunes fail to leave a lasting impression, while an abundance of new characters, including a chatty seagull and a puppeteer, only serve to drag things down further.

14. Mulan (2020)

The film Mulan reimagines its vibrant and thrilling predecessor by eliminating key elements like memorable songs and a dynamic supporting cast, resulting in a lackluster Wuxia adaptation as an alternative. While the 2020 version does attempt to introduce novel aspects into the tale, it unfortunately fails to do so effectively, leading to a painfully dull viewing experience.

13. Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

David Lowery’s dream-like approach to filmmaking suggests he could do a great job retelling the classic story of Peter Pan in ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’. However, this production is far from his best work. The acting ranges from poor to very poor, with Jude Law as Captain Hook appearing to be running on empty. Neverland lacks vibrancy and instead feels dull with its monotonous greens and browns. Unfortunately, the story falls short of capturing the excitement and adventure that is usually associated with this classic tale.

12. Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Tim Burton’s movie adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” is relentlessly tiresome, with the characters appearing as irritatingly annoying as they could be. Despite having a distinctive visual aesthetic, this distinctiveness makes it an unpleasantly harsh style; turning Helena Bonham Carter’s Queen of Hearts into a bobblehead is just one instance among many questionable choices made in the film. This movie takes the eccentric absurdity present in Lewis Carroll’s book and the 1951 Disney film, and pushes it to its limits, almost to the point of falling off a cliff. The sequel, “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” continues this trend, at least offering a vibrant and colorful spectacle!

11. The Little Mermaid (2023)

Halle Bailey delivers a remarkable portrayal of Ariel. Her curiosity and powerful singing voice bring freshness to “Part of Your World.” Unfortunately, the underwater visuals are disappointing and lack the charm of the 1989 version of “Under the Sea.” The new songs could use improvement, particularly “Scuttlebutt,” which seems to be vying for the title of Disney‘s worst song. The land scenes, surprisingly, are more lively. However, this adaptation of the classic Disney tale is overly expanded, running at 135 minutes—almost an hour longer than the original. Each extended minute is noticeable.

10. Lady and the Tramp (2019)

One of the most appealing aspects of “Lady and the Tramp” lies in its authentic canine cast rather than digitally crafted monstrosities. These real dogs infuse the movie with a rich character that is otherwise scarce. It’s oddly underdeveloped, as if it were an afterthought; however, given the charisma they bring to the table, this seems like a missed opportunity. The original 1955 release clocks in at a well-balanced 75 minutes, and its straightforward narrative is part of its appeal. Regrettably, the addition of an extra half hour without any substantial content makes it difficult to fully enjoy.

9. Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Emma Watson brings a captivating charm to her role as Belle, yet she’s not known for her exceptional singing abilities. On the other hand, the 2017 adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, despite its grandeur and elaborate production, seems excessively unnecessary. It adheres closely to the original story while adding superfluous music, questionable character developments that make the Beast less appealing, and a heavy reliance on CGI characters.

8. Aladdin (2019)

The choice of Guy Ritchie as director for the Aladdin remake was fitting, and the movie manages to preserve some of the original’s lively, unconventional humor. However, it doesn’t stand out as a particularly exceptional film. It’s rather forgettable, and the acting could be improved in many places (except for Naomi Scott, who brings a spark to Jasmine). The musical numbers are also less engaging compared to the dynamic, multilayered choreography of the 1992 version. Characters seem static during these performances, simply standing around as they sing, which is a significant drop from the vibrant energy of the earlier production.

7. Maleficent (2014)

Reframing the narrative of the 1959’s Sleeping Beauty from Princess Aurora, who had just 18 spoken lines, to Maleficent, our beloved antagonist, is a brilliant concept. Angelina Jolie brings an exceptional performance as a villain, but the film’s attempt to delve deeply into the origins of her wickedness can be exasperating. The explanation provided – she’s evil because a boy deceived her – feels unsatisfying. Sometimes, people are simply malevolent, and that’s acceptable. Unfortunately, the movie diminishes a screen legend by making her character seem commonplace due to lackluster dialogue and excessive plotlines. Despite this, the film is visually stunning, with Anna B. Sheppard’s costumes displaying intricate details. The 2019 sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, proves challenging to watch.

6. The Jungle Book (2016)

One of cinematography’s standout demonstrations of integrating live-action and digital effects, “The Jungle Book“, is visually stunning. The lush, captivating jungle setting was digitally created, and the entire film was shot in Los Angeles. It’s no surprise that it won an Oscar for visual effects. Not only does the narrative excel, but it cleverly expands upon the 1967 version while introducing some entertaining new characters. Although the storyline isn’t always seamless, and the world development could use refinement, the exceptional creature design and inspired choices for Idris Elba as Shere Khan and Bill Murray as Baloo more than compensate for these flaws.

5. Snow White (2025)

In a fresh take on Disney‘s initial animated feature film “Snow White,” directed by Marc Webb, the main character Snow White (played by Rachel Zegler) is portrayed as more proactive instead of passive. The majority of new songs are commendable, with Zegler’s standout solo “Waiting For A Wish” being a fantastic modern equivalent to the classic “I Want” song. However, the film isn’t without its flaws: Gadot delivers an underwhelming performance as the Evil Queen, and the CGI dwarfs, a decision that faced criticism even prior to the movie’s release, are poorly rendered and visually displeasing. Despite these issues, Zegler’s convincing and impactful portrayal of Snow White breathes new life into the classic princess character. Fortunately, “Snow White” successfully justifies its existence, which is a significant achievement in the realm of live-action remakes.

4. 101 Dalmatians (1996)

101 Dalmatians kicked off a new trend for Disney‘s live-action remakes and offers a heap of campy enjoyment. This movie showcases an outstanding, over-the-top performance by Glenn Close as Cruella De Vil, who embodies an extraordinary manic spirit. The film exudes high camp charm, and each scene with her is thrilling. Though she’s both terrifying and appropriate for young viewers, the main romance might not grab your attention. However, John Hughes’ script delivers a lot of entertaining slapstick humor and imaginative set-pieces to make up for it. There’s plenty of lighthearted family fun to be had in 101 Dalmatians. (It’s best to forget about the ill-advised sequel, 102 Dalmatians, though it’s far superior to Cruella).

3. Dumbo (2019)

In a refreshing twist for Tim Burton’s skills, his second Disney live-action adaptation, Dumbo, stands as a more fitting showcase. This modern version of Dumbo seems like an entirely new film compared to the 1941 animated classic, and that’s definitely a positive aspect. The human cast is top-notch; Michael Keaton delivers a chilling performance as a ruthless amusement park owner who mistreats Dumbo, while Danny DeVito brings warmth as a circus ringmaster with a golden heart. The elephant character looks stunning and almost overly endearing, and the exceptional set design breathes captivating life into the circus world.

2. Cinderella (2015)

Director Kenneth Branagh breathes grandeur into the heartwarming tale of Cinderella in the well-received 2015 adaptation. This remake boasts an exceptional cast, with Cate Blanchett portraying a chilling villain as Lady Tremaine, and Lily James skillfully capturing Cinderella’s yearning and hopefulness. The production exudes opulence—the sets are majestic and awe-inspiring, while the costumes showcase intricate detailing. However, it’s the subtleties in Chris Weitz’s script that make Cinderella truly worth watching, such as the development of the King (Derek Jacobi), whose background lends a touching depth to the story.

1. Pete’s Dragon (2016)

The movie “Pete’s Dragon” from 1977 isn’t of high quality, making it an ideal choice for a remake. Director David Lowery builds on the few successful aspects – primarily the special bond between a boy and his dragon – and gives the story a fresh spin. The new version has a distinctive feel, being both a nostalgic ’80s tribute and a moving tale about Pete (played by Oakes Fegley), a solitary child who lives in the woods with his dragon companion named Elliot. This remake is unique among Disney‘s remakes, as it offers an emotionally resonant, gentle, and dreamlike experience that significantly departs from the original film.

2025-03-21 15:06

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