Ranking the Best Live-Action Disney Remakes

Disney dabbled in live-action remakes of its traditional animated films within the ’90s — see: 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians — however as soon as the Home of Mouse struck gold with 2015’s Cinderella and 2016’s The Jungle Guide, there was no going again. After which when 2017’s Magnificence and the Beast remake crossed a billion? Neglect about it.

With Disney’s newest live-action re-do — the beloved (and merchandise windfall) Lilo & Sew — hitting theaters this week, and proper on the heels of Snow White too, we determined to color the roses pink with our personal listing of the Finest Stay-Motion Disney Remakes.

To some Disney die-hards, these live-action remakes are a tough cross. And no matter what number of really feel in regards to the “cashing in” points of those movies, or whether or not or not you assume they’re soulless in comparison with the unique animated model, there are some gems within the bunch. There are additionally some administrators behind these movies who’ve reverence for the fabric and truly deliver the tales to life in new, poignant methods. What’s your favourite live-action Disney remake? Did it make our listing? Vote in our ballot and discover out under…

(Oh, and this listing is for remakes solely — not prequels, sequels, or re-imagined takes on characters like your Maleficents, Cruellas, Christopher Robbinses, and so on.)

10. Aladdin (2019)

2019’s Aladdin — which options Will Smith because the Genie within the magically manic voice position owned by the legendary Robin Williams — sits right here at 10 on our listing because the official wall separating first rate to nice live-action Disney remakes and the dregs. Aladdin did not supply up a lot new, however it was nonetheless better-than-people-thought-it-would-be, which form of turns into the gold commonplace after a film fad or franchise goes on lengthy sufficient. Aladdin, directed by Man Ritchie, performed the hits whereas additionally providing up extra attention-grabbing materials for Jasmine and the Genie. It was full of life and colourful and, for essentially the most half, innocent.

9. 101 Dalmations (1996)

Disney had a runaway hit on its palms within the mid-’90s when Oscar-winner Glenn Shut donned black and white hair as crazed canine coveter Cruella de Vil for a 101 Dalmatians remake. Utilizing early-stages CGI to reinforce this doggone journey (however with out making the canines speak like within the authentic film), 101 Dalmatians was the toast of the vacation film season in 1996. Geared extra for teenagers, making it a little bit of a grind for grownups, 101 Dalmatians was a slapdash show of slapstick upgraded by Shut’s kooky go-for-broke (Golden Globe-nominated) efficiency.

8. Mulan (2020)

The Mulan remake hit its mark with an epic scale, some spectacular motion, and a dynamic lead in Liu Yifei. It honored the spirit and enjoyable of the unique whereas additionally making distinct modifications (like ditching dragon pal Mushu, eradicating the songs, altering the love curiosity, and so on.). These tweaks and turns really assist the 2020 Mulan really feel like a assured retelling, with impactful messaging and that means, moderately than a retread of outdated hits. By grounding the saga a bit extra, this Mulan actually grew to become a woman price combating for.

7. Alice in Wonderland (2010)

If any traditional Disney animation was going to get the Tim Burton remedy, Alice in Wonderland was the optimum candidate (whereas historical past has taught us that 2019’s Dumbo was the least ultimate). The tip outcome was not solely a uniquely Tim Burton show of oddball wonders but additionally a billion-dollar hit about 5 years earlier than Disney would totally unleash the floodgates with these large live-action reworkings. Bringing some key members of the Burton Brigade with him — specifically Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and composter Danny Elfman — Burton blended components of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and sequel Via the Trying-Glass (simply because the 1951 animated film did) and unleashed a lush, subversively witty odyssey by an odd, unusual land.

6. Magnificence and the Beast (2017)

As probably the most initially daunting tasks of this remake period, Magnificence and the Beast was all the time going to have large, beastly footwear to fill. Not solely was the unique film the first-ever animated function to be nominated for a Finest Image Oscar, however the deep fan love for this story — far surpassing fandoms for Jungle Guide and Cinderella and the remakes that got here earlier than it — was all the time going to forged an enormous shadow. Happily, because of the route of Invoice Condon and terrific performances from a sport forged — specifically Emma Watson and Dan Stevens — the Magnificence and the Beast remake is a fascinating film that features the various components followers of the animated traditional would hope to see, whereas additionally introducing some new points that work rather well.

5. The Little Mermaid (2023)

2023’s The Little Mermaid met us in a really completely different pop-culture world and media panorama than the earlier remakes. It was the primary Disney live-action remake to get vast theatrical launch post-pandemic (Mulan, Pinocchio, and Peter Pan & Wendy have been all launched on Disney+, although Mulan was supposed to be launched in theaters) and so not solely did it want to hold the burden of being a blockbuster throughout occasions when films simply do not (form of mechanically) make a billion {dollars} anymore, however it additionally needed to endure from web toxicity. Regardless of all of that, The Little Mermaid had us all driving excessive on a heat wave of nostalgia, dazzled by a superb, weak efficiency by star Halle Bailey.

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4. Cinderella (2015)

Kenneth Branagh’s wonderful, charming Cinderella remake — starring Lily James, Cate Blanchett, and Richard Madden — by no means precisely leads the cost in conversations about Disney remakes. It could be as a result of extra focus is given to the Nineteen Nineties “Disney Renaissance” films than to the traditional films that got here out within the ’30s by the ’60s since, generationally, they aim the fashionable movie-going public extra. Or it may be as a result of Cinderella may be very old skool relating to gender norms, centering a narrative round a girl pining to be rescued from her life by a prince. All that apart although, this model of Cinderella is great, sustaining a concord between honoring the traditional Disney rendition and grounding the movie simply sufficient for it to work with a contemporary viewers.

3. Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

The Disney live-action remakes have introduced out award-caliber administrators — from Rob Marshall to Invoice Condon to Jon Favreau — however, as destiny would have it, the visionary who’s greatest at these trendy revampings is The Inexperienced Knight’s David Lowery, who’s landed two movies on this listing: two movies which have flown severely underneath the remake radar. The primary is released-to-streaming Peter Pan & Wendy, a whimsically morose tackle Peter Pan that zigs while you assume it ought to zag. As an alternative of being a boisterous household journey, it is a masterfully shifting story about loss with a beautiful backdrop. Jude Regulation, maybe previewing a little bit of what he’d additionally ship on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, performs Captain Hook on this unbelievable movie about accepting life’s tragedies.

2. The Jungle Guide (2016)

Seen as a film that kicked off the last decade of Disney remakes, Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Guide is a wild, heartfelt adaptation that some even really feel surpasses the unique (and it is one of many few movies on this listing to have the ability to tout that). Utilizing all of the CGI on the planet to populate its jungle, opening up a discourse about what really constitutes “live-action,” The Jungle Guide boasts voices from Invoice Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, and Christopher Walken. It is a beautiful achievement that is enjoyable for all ages, and earlier than the consensus began leaning adverse towards these remakes, The Jungle Guide had everybody believing.

1. Pete’s Dragon (2016)

Okay, primary is a bit of a cheat because the authentic 1977 Pete’s Dragon was a live-action/animation combine, however David Lowery’s modestly seen Pete’s Dragon from 2016 is a candy, stunning have a look at two weak souls caring for each other. It is hopeful, heartfelt, and stuffed with surprise. Was this whole listing written simply so we might advocate Pete’s Dragon to you? Who can say? However this Pete’s Dragon finds magic the place the unique one could have faltered. It is a true re-imagining that improves upon the earlier materials. Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley, Karl City, and a younger Oakes Fegley star on this distinctive providing.

What are your favorites? Let’s focus on within the feedback!