Disney is responsible for creating the most memorable animated movies that defined the childhoods of multiple generations. From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Frozen, Disney has brought joy and magic to audiences for decades and has left an indelible mark on the world. Their films have shaped the way stories are told and the way audiences engage with them.
In an attempt to recapture the magic of their animated movies, Disney has joined the remake trend, and has put together an impressive collection of live-action remakes — though in some cases, calling them “live action” is a bit of a stretch. With more remakes well on their way, now is a good time to re-examine the existing collection. Here is every Disney live-action remake, ranked.
25
‘The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story’ (1998)
The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story remains pretty faithful to the original story. It still revolves around a young boy named Mowgli who is raised by animals in the jungle. Mowgli encounters a slew of creatures, both friendly and not, throughout his adventures.
Why It’s Ranked Here
It’s really no one’s fault why this remake turned out this way. It tried to stay true to the story of the animated movie despite having access to a limited amount of resources. This results in a faithful, yet lackluster adaptation that looks like it was shot at a middling animal theme park. Stream on Disney+
24
‘102 Dalmations’ (2000)
Glenn Close reprised her villainous role as the fur-obsessed fashionista Cruella de Vil for 102 Dalmations, a follow-up to the 1996 hit that focuses on the seemingly reformed character as she sets out to create the “grandest” coat yet, reverting to her old devious behavior and stealing puppies in order to make the luxurious garment.
Why It’s Ranked Here
While the incomparable Close did what she could with the role, 102 Dalmatians didn’t bring anything new to the table, and its story was downright boring, with many parents and critics at the time also taking issue with the amount of violence included despite its G-rating. There truly was no need for the sequel, and not even Close could save the uninspired successor. Stream on Disney+
23
‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ (2016)
Apparently, there’s a recurring theme when it comes to Disney’s live-action sequels, and it’s that they’re rather…disappointing. Alice Through the Looking Glass attempted to recapture the magic of the 2010 blockbuster but instead left audiences yearning for something more. The film once again centers on the now 22-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as she finds herself back in Wonderland while embarking upon a time-traveling mission to save the Mad Hatter’s (Johnny Depp) life.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Tim Burton did not return as director for the sequel, and instead, James Bobin took over the reins. Burton’s absence was greatly felt as Alice Through the Looking Glass lacked the filmmaker’s signature whimsy and charm. The sequel also did not remain faithful to the Lewis Carroll novel, and despite touting stunning visuals like its predecessor, it was a big hit and a miss for Disney, with many calling it a shameless cash grab. Stream on Disney+
22
‘Pinocchio’ (2022)
Pinocchio is the live-action remake of the studio’s 1940 movie. The film follows the story of a sentient puppet named Pinocchio who dreams of becoming a real boy one day. Pinocchio, together with his friend and “conscience” Jiminy Cricket, goes on a journey of self-discovery. The remake stays relatively faithful to the original, aside from some minor changes.
Why It’s Ranked Here
The Pinocchio remake has the opposite problem of The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story. Despite having the necessary resources to make an accurate adaptation, what audiences are left with is a soulless reproduction of a beloved classic. While the movie certainly has some similarities to the original, modernizing the animation removes all the charm and character that were present in the original Pinocchio. Stream on Disney+
21
‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ (2010)
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is named after a segment from the 1940s animated film Fantasia. The movie follows a physics major named David Stutler, played by Jay Baruchel, who discovers that he has an aptitude for magic and may be the heir to inherit Merlin’s power. To help him hone his skills, a Merlinian sorcerer named Balthazar Blake, played by Nicolas Cage, takes David under his wing to teach him everything he needs to know about magic.
Why It’s Ranked Here
What’s great about this remake is that it isn’t afraid to stray from the source material. The film takes a more YA action-fantasy approach to this Disney classic and offers viewers a fun fantasy adventure set in New York City. While it does fall short of being anything more than a generic movie, it is a refreshing version of a remake by not being a shot-for-shot copy, and Disney could definitely have done far worse. Stream on Disney+
20
‘Snow White’ (2025)
Let’s face it: the live-adaptation of Disney’s crown jewel and its first animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was destined to fail before it ever graced the silver screen. West Side Story star Rachel Zegler stepped into the iconic shoes of the beloved princess, with the fantasy musical reimagining the timeless tale as Snow White survives an assassination attempt by her stepmother, the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot), and plots to reclaim her kingdom.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Where does one begin when it comes to the chaos that was Snow White? From the ridiculous public outcry over Zegler’s casting to the change-up regarding the Seven Dwarfs, and, of course, the political discourse surrounding the lead stars’ opinions, it sure seems like the adaptation didn’t stand a chance. Aside from the questionable creative choices, Zegler sang her heart out in the role of Snow White and proved naysayers wrong with her radiant performance. Stream on Disney+
19
‘Dumbo’ (2019)
Dumbo, directed by Tim Burton, reimagines one of Disney’s oldest classic animated films. The movie follows the story of a young elephant with oversized ears named Dumbo, who becomes the star attraction of a struggling circus due to his peculiar looks.
Why It’s Ranked Here
Let’s face it, Tim Burton was never really the best choice for this film. Despite its Burtonesque premise, the aesthetics of Dumbo simply don’t match Tim Burton’s creepy yet cute trademark style. With that being said, the movie expands upon the original tale by adding a storyline not present in the animated film, which does help bring the character of Dumbo to life. Stream on Disney+
18
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ (2024)
Hoping to capitalize on the worldwide success of 2019’s The Lion King, Disney set out to explore the legendary lion Mufasa’s epic life and history in the aptly named Mufasa: The Lion King, in which Rafiki (John Kani) sits down and shares the story of Mufasa to his granddaughter Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) with the colorful commentary provided by the dynamic duo Timon and Pumbaa (Billy Eichner & Seth Rogen).
Why It’s Ranked Here
Like its popular predecessor, Mufasa: The Lion King features CGI photorealistic visual effects that were downright stunning to behold, while the great Lin-Manuel Miranda teamed up with composer Dave Metzger to come up with the film’s spirited soundtrack. In many ways, the movie was viewed as an improvement over The Lion King because it made the animals more expressive, but it just wasn’t enough, and still felt cold and impersonal, being dragged down by a lack of animation. Stream on Disney+
17
‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ (2019)
The second installment in the dark fantasy series, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, reunites moviegoers with the powerful Dark Fey (Angelina Jolie) as she watches over her adopted daughter Aurora (Elle Fanning), who has been serving as the peaceful Queen of the Moors for five years. Maleficent prepares for Aurora’s upcoming nuptials to Prince Philip and meets his power-hungry mother, Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer), who wants to destroy the land’s fairies.
Why It’s Ranked Here
While critics weren’t too impressed with the sequel and believed it was lackluster (giving the film just a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score), audiences felt the complete opposite and awarded it both an A CinemaScore and 95% Popcornmeter, thoroughly enjoying its unique visuals, Jolie’s enchanting performance, and the addition of Pfeiffer as the villainous Ingrith. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil appeals to viewers of all ages and once again adds to the lore of the misunderstood fairy. Stream on Disney+
16
‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ (2023)
Peter Pan & Wendy largely fell under the radar of fans since it wasn’t given a proper theatrical release and was instead sent straight to streaming on Disney+. Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson star in the titular roles, with the film centering on the duo as they travel to the wondrous world of Neverland with her brothers and Tinker Bell, where they encounter Peter’s dangerous arch nemesis Captain Hook (Jude Law).
Why It’s Ranked Here
A passion project for director David Lowery, who previously helmed 2016’s Pete’s Dragon, Peter Pan & Wendy is a modern-day adaptation of the beloved Disney staple that refreshingly eliminated the racial stereotypes that plagued the 1953 original and otherwise remains deeply faithful to the source material. Full of swashbuckling action and sword fights, sweeping scenery, and endearing performances, the film remains one of Disney’s underrated live-action films. Stream on Disney+
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
