Disney's 'live-action' variations, ranked — and the place to observe them

Evaluating Disney’s so-called “live-action remakes” is difficult enterprise.

For starters, the normal metrics of leisure success — be it field workplace attracts or vital opinions — do not apply the identical approach right here. Constructed on many years of nostalgia, these big-budget affairs are virtually all the time extensively attended, which means Disney greater than makes its a reimbursement in ticket gross sales and Disney+ subscriptions. However enjoying with beloved IP can backfire, leading to harsh opinions from critics and anger from followers. Consequently, a Disney reimagining can carry out properly with out being good.

As with so many issues Disney, we should observe our hearts to search out the true reply. Charting each live-action remake, prequel, and sequel to the touch a Disney basic since 1996, this is an up to date have a look at all the brand new Disney fantasies to return throughout our screens of late — ranked.

22. Alice in Wonderland (2010)

At first look, filmmaker Tim Burton and creator Lewis Carroll look like a match made in heaven. Sadly, as each of Burton’s Alice movies illustrate, that basically is not the case.

Interminably cynical, Burton’s Alice in Wonderland transforms a beloved journey down a rabbit gap right into a Joan of Arc-esque story that sucks all of the enjoyable out of a world with speaking cats. Stars Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, and Johnny Depp supply performances which are by and enormous positive, however fall in need of cartoonish amazement by adhering to the movie’s bitter tone.

Whereas the Academy Award-winning costuming and artwork path are pleasing sufficient, Alice in Wonderland stays a primary instance of why some classics are higher off left alone. — Alison Foreman, Leisure Reporter

Methods to watch: Alice in Wonderland (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

21. 102 Dalmatians (2000)

Directed by Kevin Lima, 102 Dalmatians is a disappointing follow-up to the 1996 live-action 101 Dalmatians remake, which ranks approach increased on this listing. The sequel picks up as Cruella De Vil, performed as soon as once more by Glenn Shut, is launched from jail following her crimes within the first film.

Now, Cruella has supposedly been cured of her want for puppy-made outerwear. However in fact, that does not final, and shortly she’s again at her dognapping antics as pet lovers Kevin and Chloe — basically the brand new Roger and Anita, performed by Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans — attempt to cease her.

Though the movie’s costuming was nominated for an Oscar, 102 Dalmatians primarily rehashes ideas that have been executed higher just some years earlier than. It is serviceable, however not “good.” — A.F.

Methods to watch: 102 Dalmatians(opens in a brand new tab) is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

20. Alice By means of the Trying Glass (2016)

The sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, which as soon as once more pulls liberally from the unique animated movie, ranks increased on our listing if solely as a result of it doubles down on its most annoying qualities with exceptional bravery.

With a vibrant colour palette, Alice By means of the Trying Glass tries to be extra enjoyable than its predecessor — however when time journey and a weird nod to the sexist medical practices of Victorian England are launched, every little thing goes again to being a giant ol’ bummer.

Whether or not the movie’s underwhelming field workplace was because of scandal surrounding its star Johnny Depp or its typically unbearable nature is hard to say. Both approach, Alice By means of the Trying Glass was a misfire for each Disney and its audiences. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Alice By means of The Trying Glass (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

19. Pinocchio (2022)

Within the precise phrases of Tom Hanks’ Geppetto, “Pinocchio! Pinocchio! Holy smokey-o!”

When you’re recovering from that, let’s delve into one of many least beloved live-action remakes of a Disney movie but. With Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning and extra mature method to the puppet who involves life launched in the identical yr, Disney had little likelihood of constructing an influence with this one, regardless of how visually gorgeous a few of the sequences are.

Director Robert Zemeckis pushes this Pinocchio even additional towards levity than the 1940 Disney movie, based mostly on Carlo Collodi’s ugly 1883 novel. Hanks’ Geppetto will get the backstory we by no means knew we by no means wanted, whereas the movie hammers dwelling Pinocchio’s core ethical dilemma: What precisely is a “actual boy”?

The live-action remake leaves out a few of the extra risqué (and a few of the extra racist) components of the unique, together with Pinocchio smoking and consuming at a no-rules theme park referred to as Pleasure Island. Nonetheless, it is an unnervingly threatening story behind all that singing. And there’s not less than one music lyric that ought to have gone by a number of extra approval rounds.

Past Hanks’ earnest Geppetto, Keegan Michael Key steals the present as thespian and con man Sincere John; Jiminy Cricket is voiced by an virtually unrecognizable Joseph Gordon-Levitt; and Cynthia Orivio makes essentially the most of her restricted display time because the Blue Fairy. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Methods to watch: (opens in a brand new tab)Pinocchio is streaming on Disney+.

18. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

Look, we get it: Anybody with the chance to forged Angelina Jolie as Maleficent a second time goes to take it. However Maleficent: Mistress of Evil actually wasn’t value anybody’s time or effort.

Directed by Joachim Rønning, this convoluted sequel returns Sleeping Magnificence followers again to the sophisticated world specified by the prequel Maleficent (2014), which noticed the enduring story of a princess cursed by an evil fairy activate its head. Sadly, Mistress of Evil fails to capitalize on that basis — as a substitute incorporating extra characters and extra concepts than it is aware of what to do with.

Jolie and Elle Fanning, who performs Aurora, return with sufficient vigor, and franchise newcomer Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith is entertaining. Nonetheless, it is a cross. Pity. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

17. Dumbo (2019)

Tim Burton’s tackle Dumbo wasn’t fairly as exhausting as his two Alice in Wonderland tasks, however it was equally self-indulgent.

Jam-packed with lingering pictures of the lovely child Dumbo whimpering for his mom and welling up with huge elephant-sized tears, Dumbo (2019) performs extra like a vaudeville-era ASPCA marketing campaign than a youngsters’s film. As Mashable’s Angie Han identified, it is not that Dumbo’s cuteness is an issue by itself, however it typically looks like unearned pandering in a movie with little else going for it.

Sure, components of this uneven remake — specifically Michael Keaton’s entire schtick and the Colin Farrell-ness of all of it — are pleasing sufficient. Sadly, the undertaking total fails to show that resurfacing a 77-year-old basic was well worth the effort. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Dumbo(opens in a brand new tab) is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

16. Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

If you wish to get technical, this one is not a remake; it is a sequel to the five-time Academy Award-winning live-action musical Mary Poppins, which options some sequences punctuated by animated animals and different cartoony wonders.

Because the title suggests, the eponymous nanny returns to the Banks household for extra misadventures and plenty of, many (too many) extra songs. Emily Blunt was “virtually good in each approach,” movie critic Angie Han wrote in our overview, additionally cheering the animated sequences that celebrated 2D animation as Disney did for many years.

Nevertheless, director Rob Marshall, who would go on to helm the live-action Little Mermaid remake, delivers an total wonky retread of the unique movie, plugging in new Banks youngsters, new-ish fantastical jaunts, and Lin-Manuel Miranda as a besotted lamplighter who’s principally Burt 2.0, however with an arguably even worse cockney accent. Extra troubling, nonetheless, is how a lot grief this film provides, to the purpose the place the whimsy Mary pushes for feels a bit poisonous.

As Han put it, “Mary is just a few girl distracting a household with warmed-over fantasies, whereas their lives fall down round them. All all through the movie, Mary tries to unfold surprise the place she goes. However finally, it appears, nobody wants an additional jolt of magic greater than Mary Poppins Returns itself.” — Kristy Puchko, Movie Editor

Methods to watch: Mary Poppins Returns is streaming on Disney+. (opens in a brand new tab)

15. Magnificence and the Beast (2017)

Magnificence and the Beast tries just a bit too arduous.

Starring the exceptionally forged Emma Watson, this 2017 remake makes an attempt to retell that “story as previous as time” with tons of added backstory, new characters, an all-star forged, a sorta-kinda (probably not in any respect) LGBTQ-inclusive subplot(opens in a brand new tab), and a uniquely wealthy visible type not like that of any Disney princess movie.

Sadly, these many efforts are likely to muddle the story of Belle and the Beast fairly than elevate it. There are moments the place the up to date fantasy is well worth the worth of admission — specifically, the staircase look of Watson in what is actually a yellow model of the gown Hermione Granger wore to the Yuletide Ball. However as an entire, it is not significantly memorable.

With a working time in extra of two hours, Magnificence and the Beast (2017) is with out query extra of the story you’ve got come to know and love. Nonetheless, that does not make it any extra magical. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Magnificence and the Beast(opens in a brand new tab) is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

14. Peter Pan and Wendy (2023)

Arguably the remake most in want of the making, Peter Pan and Wendy needed to retell the story of the everlasting boy with out the problematic vestiges of the 1953 animated movie. Neatly, the offensive portrayal of Indigenous folks have been dropped. As a substitute, Tiger Lily is a noble warrior princess, who watches over the Misplaced Boys whereas Peter is away. Talking of, the Misplaced Boys aren’t all boys, and the remainder of the island — together with the pirates — is extra inclusive within the model. Wendy even steps up from damsel in misery to self-rescuing heroine. 

Author/director David Lowery, who’d beforehand helmed the Pete’s Dragon remake, brings an earthy sincerity to the Pan story, which works greatest within the tense relationship between Wendy (Ever Anderson) and Captain Hook (Jude Regulation). Nevertheless, not the entire little one actors can hold tempo with these two, which makes the movie a bit too treasured. Jarring, contemplating its colour palette is a dingy gray that makes the entire movie a bit arduous to observe on a TV, which is particularly tough as a result of it debuted on Disney+ 

Whereas Lowery explored some intriguing new terrain for this Disney hero and his villain, Peter Pan and Wendy‘s adjustments really feel strategic over natural. And total, the sluggish pacing and boring colours could make this one a little bit of a slog, particularly for kids. — Ok.P. 

Methods to watch: Peter Pan and Wendy is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

13. Girl and the Tramp (2019)

Disney’s 2019 tackle Girl and the Tramp is about as middling as a remake can get.

A well-recognized however not fairly stale retread, Disney+’s retelling of those two iconic canines’ love story is nice sufficient. It isn’t incredible, however it’s additionally not dangerous. It is simply type of there, with its cute stars, regular pacing, and tremendously predictable plot line. That stated, in equity, these seemingly humdrum staples might be an asset relying on the kind of viewing expertise you are in search of.

“Generally, you do not need to be shocked or challenged,” explains Angie Han in Mashable’s official overview, noting how streaming-only entry made this launch really feel significantly simple in 2019. “Generally, you need one thing simple and cozy that might be ok, even when it is not nice. Generally, you need one thing precisely like Girl and the Tramp.” — A.F.

Methods to watch: Girl and the Tramp (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

12. Christopher Robin (2018)

Christopher Robin is a follow-up to Disney’s unique Winnie the Pooh movies — not a remake of them. However that is the primary time the animated residents of the Hundred Acre Wooden have obtained the live-action remedy, and as such it deserves a spot in our rankings.

A much less magical Hook rip-off, Christopher Robin follows the return of an grownup Christopher to his childhood fantasies. Star Ewan McGregor does his greatest to maintain the rickety story on its tracks, however it’s the incomparable Pooh, voiced by Jim Cummings, who steals the present.

Delivering dazzlingly humorous dialogue with nostalgic perfection, Pooh is precisely as you remembered him. It is the saving grace in a movie that usually feels compelled — a lot so, in reality, that we might watch Christopher Robin once more, if solely to play one other spherical of “Say What You See.” — A.F.

Methods to watch: Christopher Robin(opens in a brand new tab) is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

11. Aladdin (2019)

When photographs of a nauseatingly blue Will Smith first hit the online in February 2019, we feared the worst. However, because it seems, live-action Aladdin is not all dangerous.

Whereas the Genie remained a low level within the movie’s closing kind, stars Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott — each discovered by a world casting search — are breathtakingly wonderful as Disney’s favourite unlikely couple. Nailing each character nuance, with some much-needed enhancements(opens in a brand new tab) written in for Scott’s Jasmine, these two carry the movie by as a lot of its pitfalls as they’ll.

Sadly, the movie’s under-researched musical numbers maintain the pair again from reaching true greatness. Reflecting on Aladdin‘s lack of Bollywood-worthy dance numbers, Mashable’s Proma Khosla writes, “It is disappointing to see that in trying to pay homage to Japanese dance traditions, Aladdin opted to go the So You Suppose You Can Dance route and whittle these artwork types right down to what the West already acknowledges of them.”

Higher than anticipated, however nonetheless inferior to the unique, Aladdin is ok — however not Disney royalty. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Aladdin (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

10. The Little Mermaid (2023)

Director Rob Marshall has introduced Broadway musicals to the large display for higher (Chicago) and for worse (Into the Woods). Sadly, his live-action remake of the basic 1989 Disney princess musical The Little Mermaid leaned extra towards his misses than his hit. (He additionally made the underwhelming Mary Poppins Returns!) 

Whereas Halle Bailey thrilled audiences as a Black Disney princess who exuded pleasure and has a wonderful music in her coronary heart, Marshall’s film dulled the surprise of this sea-set story by a muted colour palette, jarring re-imaginings of Ariel’s animal sidekicks, and new songs that sunk extra typically than they swam. Additionally, for some cause, the filmmaker determined all of us wished extra Eric, wedging in a solo quantity and a trauma-rich backstory to the Disney prince. 

Apart from Bailey’s sensational singing voice, one of the best factor this remake had going for it was Melissa McCarthy because the manipulative sea witch Ursula. In live-action, Disney villains appear to thrive extra typically than their noble foes. And McCarthy got here alive as a bombastic and bioluminescent dangerous bitch, who might sling an apart, a music, and a spell with a dizzying angle. — Ok.P. 

Methods to watch: The Little Mermaid is now in theaters.

9. The Lion King (2019)

The Lion King is under no circumstances dangerous, however it does wrestle to outrun its worry of failure.

An unceasingly loyal shot-by-shot recreation of the 1994 masterpiece, Jon Favreau’s tackle the Saharan-set Hamlet clings to its supply materials — providing solely the gorgeous photorealistic animation type as justification for its creation.

Sure, the digitally rendered world of the Delight Lands is a technical triumph, and the voice appearing by its star-studded forged is basically pleasing. However as Mashable’s Angie Han writes, “None of this quantities to something contemporary or new or very important. The remake would not deepen our understanding of those characters, or this story, or this world, in any important approach.”

Arguably essentially the most fastidious of the movies on this listing, The Lion King cherishes the kings that got here earlier than it like no different however fails to earn a throne of its personal making. — A.F.

Methods to watch: The Lion King (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

8. Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers

Lots of Disney’s live-action remakes have been decried for being too near their supply materials, calling into query the very level of remaking them. Props to this remake, it shook up that irritating method. 

Impressed by the ’80s cartoon sequence of the identical title, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers took a Who Framed Roger Rabbit method, going meta and movie noir with a live-action setting. Chip (voiced by comic John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Saturday Evening Stay alumni Andy Samberg) have been two chipmunks who grew up along with huge desires of TV stardom — which they achieved with their very own Saturday morning cartoon! However years later, their fame has dwindled together with their bond. Might a lacking individuals case pitch them again collectively — and again into the highlight? 

With a delightfully wild humorousness, this film was enjoyable and fairly edgy for Disney — particularly when it will get to a controversial inclusion of Peter Pan! However Disney daring falls far in need of that Who Framed Roger Rabbit inspiration. So handle your expectations, however count on loads of giggles. — Ok.P. 

Methods to watch: Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab) 

7. 101 Dalmatians (1996)

Revealed in 1956, Dodie Smith’s timeless story of puppies on the run has all the time been endearing — however Disney’s campy live-action remake made it a full-on occasion.

Starring the unapologetically fabulous Glenn Shut as Cruella de Vil, this 101 Dalmatians transplants the characters of the unique animated function into a trendy world of London-based lunacy. De Vil, now a globally acknowledged fashionista, enters every scene as a sinister power, her gorgeous black-and-white costuming(opens in a brand new tab) virtually as iconic as she.

Extra attuned to the comedic stylings of the late ’90s, this remake struggles to carry up immediately because the latter half devolves right into a slapstick-laden mess. However Shut, whose stint as De Vil earned her a Golden Globe nomination, greater than makes up for it along with her spectacular line deliveries.

Price a revisit, 101 Dalmatians (1996) is proof of idea that Disney live-action remakes can work. — A.F.

Methods to watch: 101 Dalmatians (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

6. Mulan (2020)

Mulan (1998) and Mulan (2020) are very totally different experiences. For one factor, within the new movie, iconic Disney songs like “I am going to Make A Man Out Of You” and “Reflection” are lowered to transient thrives in a largely orchestral rating. Then, you will have the large story adjustments, with beloved characters like Mushu, Cri-Kee, and Li Shang nowhere to be seen in a plot that solely vaguely resembles the unique.

And but, regardless of these large shifts, Mulan (2020) is a largely gratifying watch.

Liu Yifei stars as all-time-great warrior Mulan, in an almost two-hour motion journey that swaps humor for combating and hand-drawn animation for particular results. You are not prone to take pleasure in this Mulan “higher” than the previous one, however it offers you a brand new appreciation for this hero and her journey. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Mulan (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

5. Maleficent (2014)

When it got here time for Disney to retell the 1959 basic Sleeping Magnificence, they did not cease at making every little thing live-action. As a substitute, they retold the story from the point of view of its iconic villain — a choice that has made this reimagining considered one of Disney’s greatest so far.

Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning star as Maleficent and Aurora, characters nonetheless pitted towards one another however for causes much more sophisticated than first appeared. Oozing with type, Maleficent creates a darkish world that’s much like the dominion seen within the unique Sleeping Magnificence, however with a darkish texture and slippery persona all its personal.

Half prequel, half remake, this Disney revisit is pleasing each as a standalone movie and as an extension of the animated unique. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Maleficent (opens in a brand new tab)is obtainable for hire or buy by Prime Video(opens in a brand new tab), Google Play(opens in a brand new tab), iTunes(opens in a brand new tab), and the Microsoft Retailer.(opens in a brand new tab)

4. Cruella (2021)

Director Craig Gillespie’s Cruella cannot solely justify giving a sympathetic origin story to a literal pet killer. Nonetheless, it is enjoyable and fabulous sufficient to make handwaving its antihero’s horrific repute completely palatable — if not solely acceptable.

On this 101 Dalmatians prequel, Emma Stone stars as Estella, an orphaned fashionista developing by London’s ’70s punk scene — alongside recognizable cohorts Jasper and Horace, performed by Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hauser. Estella, we be taught, will sometime be the infamous Cruella De Vil, however so much has to occur earlier than then. Particularly, she has to take down her evil vogue mogul boss, Baroness von Hellman performed by Emma Thompson.

Stuffed with intelligent turns and outrageous visible shows, Cruella is what reimagining previous tales needs to be. It is a mix of lots that is new however with a love for the basic that shines by the display. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Cruella(opens in a brand new tab) is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

3. Pete’s Dragon (2016) 

Earlier than author/director David Lowery was gritting and greying up Peter Pan and Wendy, he delivered a really magical reimagining of Pete’s Dragon. The 1977 model was live-action with a cartoon dragon, who kookily cavorted with an orphan boy as he crosses paths with a set of wacky, singing townsfolk. Lowery chucked a lot of this zaniness for his model, however it labored superbly. 

In his extra mature model, Pete takes a Mowgli route, however as a substitute of being raised by wolves, this orphan boy within the wilderness is raised by a giant, furry, dragon he calls Elliott. A cool inexperienced colour pallet performs into an earnest love of nature, reflecting Pete and Elliott’s bond, but additionally the movie’s themes of environmentalism and preservation. Gravitas is introduced by the supporting human forged, which incorporates Bryce Dallas Howard, Isaiah Whitlock, Jr., Karl City, and Robert Redford. However one of the best bits are how Lowery brings Elliott to life by terrific use of pc animation, a well-recognized sound design of snuffles and purrs, and motion sequences of flights and falling that carry our hearts with this winged surprise. 

Bonus: Whereas the music numbers are gone, Lowery’s model boasts a folksy soundtrack(opens in a brand new tab) that features The Lumineers, Leonard Cohen, and St. Vincent. — Ok.P. 

Methods to watch: Pete’s Dragon is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

2. The Jungle Ebook (2016)

Many Disney live-action remake advocates have argued that recreating basic movies will help introduce older tales to newer audiences. Jungle Ebook is the one that truly does that.

Escalating Mowgli’s jungle journey to its most cinematic, director Jon Favreau managed to make considered one of Disney’s lesser-known staples right into a top-tier choice for 2016 youngsters. Bringing the story of a kid befriending animals into the true world made it really feel without delay extra considerate, extra terrifying, and extra adventurous.

Neel Sethi shines because the younger hero, whereas Idris Elba and Invoice Murray dazzle as Shere Khan and Baloo. Price each second it took to animate all that animal fur, The Jungle Ebook is a brand new type of basic. — A.F.

Methods to watch: The Jungle Ebook (opens in a brand new tab)is streaming on Disney+.(opens in a brand new tab)

1. Cinderella (2015)

Informed and retold by numerous studios and creators — heck, one other model got here out in 2021 — the story of Cinderella assembly Prince Charming on the ball is as basic because it will get. So, it is no surprise that that is the one live-action remake Disney has managed to utterly nail.

Starring Lily James, Cate Blanchett, and Richard Madden, Cinderella (2015) honors the masterfully created photographs of the unique movie — together with an beautiful rendering of that sky-blue ballgown — whereas increasing the central storyline and characters to make the fantasy much more heartfelt.

Populating a fairytale with precise folks, Cinderella is every little thing one might need from a reimagined childhood dream. If solely it got here with glass slippers. — A.F.

Methods to watch: Cinderella (opens in a brand new tab)is obtainable for hire or buy by Prime Video(opens in a brand new tab), Google Play(opens in a brand new tab), iTunes(opens in a brand new tab), and the Microsoft Retailer(opens in a brand new tab).

UPDATE: Might. 23, 2023, 7:00 p.m. EDT This submit has been up to date to incorporate the newest Disney live-action remakes.