Disney is not opposed to double-dipping, and they have proved that time and time again with the release of the live-action remakes of their classic animated films. Even though they appear to be obvious cash grabs, Disney continues to crank them out, and who could blame them? Even though critical reception of the films has been all over the place, most of them have been financially more like The Lion King than Snow White.
This weekend sees the release of the live-action Moana, a movie that has already received a critical drubbing but hopes to sway audiences into attending a remake of an animated film that’s just a decade old. You’ll have to see for yourself if Moana is a case of the critics getting it wrong, but sometimes the Disney live-action remakes do justify their existence and turn out to be pretty good. So, as another hits the big screen, it’s time to list the five best live-action Disney remakes ever.
Honorable Mention: 101 Dalmatians (1996)
101 Dalmatians emerged before remaking Disney animated classics as live-action bait was all the rage, so perhaps that’s why its charms make it an entertaining retread that’s given an added boost from a stellar and committed performance by Glenn Close. Directed by Stephen Herek and from a screenplay by John Hughes (yep, that John Hughes), 101 Dalmatians is a live-action remake of the 1961 animated film of the same name, which was based on the 1956 novel, The Hundred and One Dalmatians. The film follows the same basic plot of the animated films that sees a litter of 15 puppies who are kidnapped by an obsessive socialite, Cruella de Vil (Close), who wants to make their fur into coats.
Disney deserves credit for restraining from turning the dogs into real/CGI hybrids that talk because the wise decision was made to just let these pups be cute, trained live animals that did their thing through impeccable direction. It’s a wise choice that has allowed this film to age well in an era when CGI is the go-to for making a film like this happen. Thanks to the writing of Hughes, there is a lot of 90s slapstick that gives the film some Home Alone-style charm that gives it an added dose of fun, but the real winner here is Close, whose take on Cruella de Vil is fiendishly excellent. From her sharp delivery to her eccentric wardrobe, Close understood the assignment and helped make this adaptation worthy of happening.
5. Aladdin (2019)
You may not find the live-action Aladdin high on many lists but given the fact that my personal expectations were to the ground when this was released, imagine my surprise when it turned into a fun alternate take of one of the best Disney animated films ever made. Directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay he co-wrote with John August, Aladdin is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated film which was based on the Middle-Eastern folk tale.
The film follows the titular character (portrayed by Mena Massoud), a street rat who discovers a magic lamp containing a genie (portrayed by Will Smith), who can grant him three wishes, one of which Aladdin uses to disguise himself as a wealthy prince to gain the affections of Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) and the approval of the Sultan of Agrabah (Navid Negahban) as the Sultan’s evil vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) plots to still the lamp for his own gains. Ritchie always seemed like a surprising choice to direct this film but he manages to create some vibrant set pieces, turning Agrabah into a hyper-colorful landscape that manages to turn the animated world into a potent live-action rendering of what was created in 1992.
Ritchie adds cinematic flare to the world, especially through the costuming and reimagined musical numbers, most notably “Prince Ali”, which stands out due to a modern twist on the music and elaborate choreography and staging. What makes the film work the most are the performances of the two leads, with Massoud and Scott sharing a natural romantic and comedic chemistry. On their own, Massoud is charming as the titular character while Scott brings more ambition and agency to her Jasmine that was actually missing from the animated film. Then there’s Smith’s take on the Genie. It was never going to top Robin Williams’ iconic vocal work so Smith wisely doesn’t mimic the late comedic actor. He puts his own spin on the character and made him work for this adaptation, mostly through his unique comedic timing. Aladdin certainly is better than it has any right to be and it’s proof that these films can be done without simply rehashing the animated movies.
4. The Little Mermaid (2023)
Much like Aladdin, The Little Mermaid offers a fun take on the animated classic while also giving its female lead way more authority in its story that she wasn’t afforded at times in the animated original. Directed by Rob Marshall and from a screenplay by David Magee, The Little Mermaid is a live-action adaptation of the 1989 animated film which was loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairy tale. The film follows Ariel (Halle Bailey), a mermaid princess who is fascinated by the human world. Following saving the handsome Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) from a shipwreck, Ariel makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) that will allow her to walk on the land but at the cost of her voice.
The best of these Disney remakes either adds more visual flare or character and world building and The Little Mermaid offers both. Visually the film stands out by creating a “live-action” underwater world that is dazzling things to Dion Beebe’s cinematography and Marshall’s direction, him being no stranger to razzle dazzle and spectacle thanks to his work on films like Chicago. In terms of character, Ariel’s feelings when she reaches land are expanded on a bit more through a new inner-monologue song called “For the First Time” that makes you further understand her desire to be on land and experience being a human.
Prince Eric, who was just animated male eye candy in the original, gets a bit more depth as the audience learns why he yearns to be a man of adventure. The character work is amplified by the casting of Bailey, who defied all the racial controversies surrounding her casting by delivering a performance that was vulnerable yet powerful, full of dynamic vocal range that gives her rendition of “Part of Your World” a sense of power for modern day audiences.
She quickly asserts herself as the heart of the film and the movie wisely empowers her more, particularly by giving her a more active role in the demise of Ursula. Speaking of Ursula, McCarthy represents perfect casting, bringing her signature humor with a dash of wickedness to make her standout. The side characters are a mixed bag (dug Daveed Diggs as Sebastian yet Awkwafina’s Scuttle was a bit much at times) but The Little Mermaid is solid because of the character and story beats it changes that benefit the narrative without diluting what made the original special.
3. The Jungle Book (2016)
With its mix of live-action and photorealistic imagery, The Jungle Book still stands out as a visual wonder that gave promise to where these adaptations could go before it was clear they were mostly being made as quick cash grabs. Directed by Jon Favreau and from a screenplay by Justin Marks, The Jungle Book is a live-action/photorealiatically animated adaptation of the 1967 animated film which was loosely based on Rudyard Kipling’s story collection of the same name.
The film follows Mowgli (Neel Sethi), an orphaned boy who is guided and protected by his animal guardians as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery while trying to evade the evil Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba). The photorealism used in The Jungle Book is simply mesmerizing as it blends seamlessly to create a living breathing world that feels 100 percent authentic. The Jungle Book was shot entirely at a studio in Los Angeles and yet it looks like it was shot on location in a jungle thanks to its revolutionary CGI.
This is how you blend a live-action world with an animated one, something Moana has seemed to have missed and one Favreau’s own The Lion King remake also didn’t touch with its photorealism that seemed to strip some of that story of its emotion. The Jungle Book also changes things up a bit with the narrative, turning it from a carefree adventure through the jungle into a coming-of-age story that was emotionally grounded and handled quite well by the young Sethi, who makes Mowgli a flesh and blood character dealing with higher stakes.
The vocal performances are also top notch, with Elba standing out with his menacing gravitas as Shere Khan, while Ben Kingsley and Bill Murray bring their signature talents to Bagheera and Baloo. The Jungle Book retains the essence of the original movie while also offering something a bit darker that showcases the natural brutality of nature while also never forgetting the beauty of it.
2. Pete’s Dragon (2016)
It might be easy to forget Pete’s Dragon since it was released the same year as The Jungle Book, which fared better at the box office, but once given a revisit, it proves difficult to forget its heart and how it diverts from the 1977 musical original in ways that make it a much more grounded and emotional retelling. Directed by David Lowery and from a screenplay he co-wrote with Toby Halbrooks, Pete’s Dragon is a remake of the 1977 film of the same name, although this 2016 take drops the musical numbers.
The movie tells the story of an orphaned feral boy named Pete (Oakes Fegley) who befriends a dragon which leads to repercussions once the town’s residents learn of their existence. This should’ve been a lesson to Disney early on not to just make shot-for-shot remakes of their classics because while that might be easy with a more financially enticing windfall, it’s not as fresh or as gratifying as what Pete’s Dragon offered when it was released. It takes the barebones of that story and turns it into a visually engaging tale of the unlikely friendship between a misunderstood boy and his dragon.
At its core, Pete’s Dragon is about finding your person and the gift that understanding can bring once you do. Despite a modest $65 million budget, Pete’s Dragon has stunning visuals and CGI, with Elliott the dragon becoming a fully alive character that feels like he wasn’t created by a computer. In many ways, he feels just as alive as Pete and it makes their bond all the more palpable. While the film is carried wonderfully by this pair, the supporting cast is also strong, with Bryce Dallas Howard, Karl Urban, and Robert Redford putting in solid work. By leaning into the wonder of the story, Pete’s Dragon finds the magic in this live-action adaptation that has been missing from many of their efforts.
1. Cinderella (2015)
Perhaps because it was the first of the newer crop of live-action adaptations or because it had a top-notch director behind the camera like Kenneth Branagh in its back pocket, Cinderella remains Disney’s finest live-action showing. It has genuine heart and resounding emotional depth that respects the 1950 animated film while bringing an old-fashioned sense of sincerity to a familiar story.
Directed by Branagh from a screenplay by Chris Weitz, Cinderella is a live-action adaptation of the 1950 animated film and follows the titular character (portrayed by Lily James), who is the daughter of a widowed aristocrat and is forced into becoming a servant to her cruel stepmother Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett) and wicked stepsisters. This is until one wish from her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) grants her the chance to attend a royal ball and meet the prince (portrayed by Richard Madden). It’s beautiful how lush Cinderella can be without an over reliance on CGI-enhanced visuals.
Through its combination of lavish costumes, practical sets, and impeccable cinematography from Haris Zambarloukos and Alexander Witt, Cinderella is a wonderfully simplistic visual spectacle that makes its $95 million budget look like so much more. Cinderella’s blue ballgown and glass slippers radiate and create a visual palette that is a wonder to behold. Character growth is also established, most notably with our Prince Charming (who is given a name on thus adaptation of Kit), also being given a personality and depth that makes his union with Ella feel like it has more stakes for both of them.
As the titular character, James gives her a strong-willed, kind-hearted nature that makes the audience root for her while Blanchett is her usual excellent self as Lady Tremaine, allowing her to not be a one note villainess and allowing the audience to see just how her jealousy has shaped her over time. It might sound like an insult to call Cinderella simple but that’s why it works. No big spectacle. No over the top action. No over abundance of CGI. Just a rich and respectful retelling of the story the gives the audience the classic fairy tale with the right amount of emotional depth to make this romantic fantasy work for new audiences.
Moana its screens nationwide this Friday.
Reviews