Disney stories are timeless. They are charming, magical and can often take us back to a different time. These movies were part of most everyone’s childhood, but, because of advances in technology and society, some of them no longer appeal to audiences in the way they once did. And that is part of the reason why Disney has been putting out so many live-action remakes in the past few years. There are even some new stories based on old favorites, giving them another point of view or a continuation. Although there are obvious differences between them, live-action movies can be just as charming and magical as the originals. So let’s take a look at the top 10 live-action movies based on beloved Disney animations:
The Jungle Book
In 1967, Disney put out The Jungle Book, an animated musical adventure based on Rudyard Kipling storybooks. When it was released, the movie captivated audiences everywhere and even broke some box office records. The remake was also a success and brought us catchy songs like “The Bare Necessities” in unbelievable graphics fit for a 2016 audience.
101 Dalmatians
This 1996 remake just might have been as much a part of people’s childhoods as the original. The darling film tells the story of two dogs (and their humans) as they get together and have a whole lot of puppies. Even though it wasn’t a huge success, Disney still put out a second movie based on the sequel to the 1961 original. This year, at D23, the company released a first look into its upcoming Cruella de Vil prequel film, which will give us a peek into the villain’s life before everything happened.
The Lion King
The Lion King is undoubtedly one of Disney’s most iconic animations. When the remake was released this year, it quickly became the biggest opening for an animated film and the ninth largest of all-time. Needless to say, the quality is incredible. And with a star-studded cast, featuring names like Donald Glover and Beyoncé, the soundtrack does not fall behind.
Maleficent
Angelina Jolie plays Maleficent in this retelling of Sleeping Beauty from 2014 that gives a look into the story from the villain’s point of view. And while it changes the plot from the animation a little bit, Maleficent was a huge success. So big, in fact, that a second movie is coming out very soon, on October 18.
Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland has been retold a lot of times, but Disney’s 1956 animation is a classic for kids and kids-at-heart everywhere. In 2010, the company released a live-action version by director Tim Burton. Of course, it’s darker than the original and the story is a lot closer to the book. But it still has the same Disney charm. The film was such a hit it even got a sequel based on the second Alice book.
Dumbo
Dumbo tells the story of a circus elephant who is mocked for his unusually large ears. But what people don’t know is that he can flap his ears, like wings, and fly. Although it may not have been a box office success, this live-action remake is just as adorable as the animated original.
Cinderella
The Cinderella live-action remake has it all: beautiful costumes, lovely songs, and the most breathtaking scenery and special effects. In other words, it’s just as magical as the animation, but with enough updates to charm a modern audience. This one definitely is here to stay.
Beauty and the Beast
When Disney announced Beauty and the Beast was getting a live-action remake, it quickly became one of the most anticipated releases. While this version has all the catchy tunes of the 1991 classic, it adds a few more songs and a longer, deeper story. Some of the shots even match up perfectly with the original! And in addition to the extraordinary settings and a star-studded cast, this remake definitely makes for a new favorite.
Christopher Robin
Even though it was based on Winnie the Pooh animated series and films, Christopher Robin tells a completely new story. It’s a follow-up on the title character’s life as an adult. It’s beautiful, sad and funny and, all in all, it truly makes you appreciate the magic of being a kid.
Aladdin
Aladdin is being deemed the best Disney remake by a lot of fans because it has managed to find a perfect balance between old and new. In other words, the spirit of the movie is the same, but the characters and plot were developed for a 2019 audience. For example, the new Princess Jasmine solo, “Speechless“, that shows us just how strong the character is. In the end, while there are other changes, they all contributed to making the film better than expected.
