Disney nailed it with these 7 live-action remakes
Disney nailed it with these 7 live-action remakes
These remakes didn’t just cash in on nostalgia—they brought fresh energy, great casting, and real movie magic to some of Disney’s biggest animated classics.
I’m planning to see Disney’s new “Snow White” remake in theaters this week, and it got me thinking about all the other times Disney has tried to bring its animated classics into the real world. Some of these live-action remakes just kind of came and went, but a few really stuck the landing. Whether it was the casting, the music, or just a fresh spin that actually worked, there are definitely standouts. So, here’s my list of the top 7 live-action Disney remakes that managed to capture the real magic of a great movie.
Top 7 live-action Disney remakes on streaming right now
No. 7: ‘Aladdin’ (2019) | Disney+
Coming in at No. 7 is “Aladdin,” a colorful, crowd-pleasing remake that didn’t reinvent the magic carpet but still took audiences for a fun ride. Will Smith had the impossible task of following Robin Williams as the Genie, and while it’s definitely a different vibe, he makes it his own with charisma and just enough swagger. The musical numbers are big and bold—especially “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali”—and the added scenes give Jasmine a bit more agency this time around. It’s not perfect, but it delivers on spectacle, nostalgia, and energy, which is probably why it made over a billion dollars at the box office. If you’re looking for a live-action remake that plays the hits but adds a few new touches, “Aladdin” is a good place to start.
Aladdin
A kindhearted street urchin named Aladdin embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie while a power-hungry Grand Vizier vies for the same lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
No. 6: ‘101 Dalmatians’ (1996) | Disney+
Coming in at No. 6 is a movie that I watched a lot as a kid (and one that serves as a solid reminder that sometimes all you need for a good remake is a great villain and a lot of puppies): “101 Dalmatians.” This one skips the talking animals and leans into the real-world chaos, with Glenn Close absolutely owning every scene as Cruella de Vil. Her performance is so over-the-top and theatrical that it basically turns the whole movie into a fashion-fueled fever dream—in the best way. The rest of the cast plays it pretty straight, which lets Close go full cartoon without dragging the movie off the rails. It’s funny, fast-paced, and hits that sweet spot between campy and genuinely entertaining. Even decades later, it still holds up as one of the better early stabs at turning animation into live action.
101 Dalmatians
An evil, high-fashion designer plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess.
No. 5: ‘Cinderella’ (2015) | Disney+
Coming in at No. 5 is “Cinderella,” one of the first live-action remakes that actually felt like it had a reason to exist. Instead of trying to be edgy or ironic, this one leans all the way into sincerity—and somehow, that’s what makes it work. Lily James plays Cinderella with so much warmth and vulnerability that you totally buy into the fairytale, while Cate Blanchett brings just the right amount of venom to the evil stepmother role. The production design is lush, the costumes are gorgeous, and Kenneth Branagh directs it all with an old-school elegance that feels kind of rare now. It’s simple, sweet, and earnest—and that’s what sets it apart.
Cinderella
When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger in the woods.
No. 4: ‘Maleficent’ (2014) | Rent with Prime Video
Coming in at No. 4 is “Maleficent,” the movie that kicked off Disney’s whole “what if the villain’s actually the hero?” phase—and honestly, it worked. Instead of just retelling “Sleeping Beauty,” this one flips the script and makes Maleficent the emotional center of the story. Angelina Jolie leans all the way in, making her feel powerful, wounded, and weirdly relatable all at once. The film adds a tragic backstory, some surprising twists, and a very different version of that infamous curse. It’s more fantasy epic than traditional fairytale, with big CGI battles and moody forests, but it still manages to keep a beating heart at the center of it all. Love it or not, “Maleficent” paved the way for Disney’s whole reimagining trend—and did it with style.
Maleficent
A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land’s fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King’s successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent’s true happiness as well.
No. 3: ‘Cruella’ (2021) | Disney+
Coming in at No. 3 is “Cruella,” which I honestly loved way more than I expected to. It’s not a straight-up remake—it’s an origin story—but Emma Stone is so good in it that I don’t even care. She completely disappears into the role, giving us a version of Cruella that’s equal parts punk rock rebel, fashion icon, and emotional chaos. The movie leans hard into its ’70s London aesthetic, with killer music, killer outfits, and some surprisingly sharp writing. It’s flashy, messy, and a little over-the-top, but that’s kind of the point. Stone’s performance anchors it all, making the transformation from Estella to Cruella feel earned and, weirdly, kind of fun to root for. Out of all the Disney villain projects, this one easily stands out as one of my favorites.
Cruella
In 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, a young grifter named Estella is determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.
No. 2: ‘The Jungle Book’ (2016) | Disney+
Coming in at No. 2 is “The Jungle Book,” and I’ve gotta say—John Favreau crushed it with this one. I already loved him for “Iron Man” and “Elf” (one of my all-time favorites), but this movie really showed how good he is at blending tech with storytelling. The whole thing is basically shot on a soundstage, but it feels like you’re deep in the jungle, surrounded by lush trees, ancient ruins, and animals that look way too real to be CGI. And somehow, it still keeps the heart of the original. It’s not a shot-for-shot remake, but it’s close enough to hit the nostalgia, while also adding more emotional weight to the story.
Neel Sethi, the kid who plays Mowgli, has to act opposite green screens and tennis balls for two hours, and he totally sells it. Then you’ve got the voice cast: Bill Murray as Baloo is perfect, Idris Elba makes Shere Khan genuinely scary, and Christopher Walken as a giant, mob-boss orangutan is somehow both terrifying and hilarious. The movie walks this tricky line between epic and playful—it’s got the big action scenes, but it still lets you breathe during those quiet, character-driven moments. It’s a technical marvel, but also just a really solid movie. Favreau did what so many remakes fail to do: he made it feel fresh without losing what made the original special.
The Jungle Book
After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli, a man-cub fostered by wolves, is forced to flee the jungle, and he embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear, Baloo.
No. 1: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017) | Disney+
Coming in at No. 1 is “Beauty and the Beast,” the gold standard when it comes to Disney live-action remakes. It sticks super close to the animated version—like, down to the shot in some scenes—and it still works. Emma Watson steps into Belle’s iconic yellow dress and brings a grounded, thoughtful energy to the role, while Dan Stevens disappears behind layers of motion capture as the Beast. Visually, it’s huge: the castle, the costumes, the ballroom dance—it’s all designed to wow. And yeah, the “Be Our Guest” number is a full-blown CG spectacle, but it somehow doesn’t feel hollow. It’s just big and fun and kind of magical, which is exactly what you want from this story.
What really sealed it for me, though, is how confidently the movie handles the tone. It’s romantic, but not too cheesy. It’s dramatic, but never heavy-handed. The cast is stacked—Luke Evans as Gaston is a total scene-stealer, and Josh Gad adds the right amount of humor as LeFou. Even the new songs fit right in. And with over $1.3 billion at the box office, it’s clear audiences were fully on board. If you’re only going to watch one of Disney’s remakes, this is the one that delivers the full package: nostalgia, polish, and actual emotional payoff.
Beauty and the Beast
A live-action adaptation of Disney’s version of the classic tale of a cursed prince and a beautiful young woman who helps him break the spell.