Disney live-action adaptations, for better or worse, have always been the top draw at the box office. And no wonder; every generation practically grows up with the animated movies, giving these live-action films strong nostalgia and reawakened childhood joy. Though the outcome sometimes leaves you asking “why bother at all?”, some manage to recreate the magic of the original. Here are the top 7 Disney live-action adaptations that did it best!
Cinderella (2015)
Starring: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham-Carter
We all know the story by heart. That is why it is remarkable how director Kenneth Branagh still managed to create something that feels magical, romantic, and fresh. First of all, the film is gorgeous to look at: from the costume design, score, to its dreamy fairytale world. And then there's Cinderella herself, who is written to embody a pure and kind archetype, bucking the “strong woman” trend at the time. It feels so paradoxical, but Cinderella felt daring precisely for staying traditional in portraying the main character. And yet, it was the right choice that perfectly conveyed how kindness, too, is strength.
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Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter
Putting Alice in Wonderland in the hands of Tim Burton was a masterstroke. After all, the animated film it was based on has a lot of the macabre and absurdist sensibility that Burton is known for. In his hand, the film possesses a distinctive visual that goes against the cookie-cutter Disney style and single-handedly started a gothic aesthetic trend in films.
As Alice, Wasikowska is the ideal Burton heroine. An outcast with a daring streak and a kind of weirdness that’s somehow… cool. Depp is being an absolute Depp as the Mad Hatter, and Bonham-Carter steals every scene with her bobble-headed Red Queen.
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101 Dalmatians (1996)
Starring: Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson
A whole generation might not realize it, but the 1996 101 Dalmatians actually originated from a 1961 animated film, which itself was based on a book by Dodie Smith. Written by Home Alone and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’s John Hughes, it’s the perfect family adventure comedy peppered with the writer’s cheeky humor. But we cannot deny that it is Glenn Close’s game performance as Cruella de Vil that made this film iconic. With her immaculate wardrobe and over-the-top styling, the character looms large as the fur-obsessed villainess with scathing remarks like “more good women have been lost to marriage than to war, famine, disease and disaster” and “congratulations. You've just won gold, silver, and bronze in the Morons Olympics!” The character was so iconic that she got her own film later on in 2021’s Cruella starring Emma Stone.
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The Jungle Book (2016)
Starring: Neel Sethi, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray
Dangerous adventure, heartwarming friendship, cutting-edge CGI animals… The Jon Favreau-directed feature definitely has all the, uh, bare necessities for a good live-action. When it came out, Disney was in the early days of live-actionizing their classic properties. It was a daring move to take on The Jungle Book, mostly because it comprises talking animals. But the Iron Man director said “challenge accepted” and created a jungle of enigmatic talking animals in live action, paving the way for The Lion King a few years later.
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The Little Mermaid (2023)
Starring: Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer King
Many derided this film before even seeing a single frame, but it rode the wave of criticism smoothly in the end. The final result was a beautiful reinterpretation of the 1989 animated classic, featuring a showstopping performance by Halle Bailey as the redheaded mermaid. Her golden voice truly brings out all of Ariel’s hope and vulnerability to the surface, evident especially in the moving “Part of Your World” number. She also shares a sweet chemistry with Hauer King, who played Eric - crucial since it is the romance that propels the story. The new music by Lin-Manuel Miranda feels awkward next to Alan Menken’s work, but since virality is the goal, it did its job. Lastly, the inclusion of Caribbean culture places Eric’s kingdom not in just any blank canvas fairytale land, but a specific place alive with real culture.
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Maleficent (2014)
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning
Unlike the other live-action films, this one actually flips the script and rewrites the tale from Maleficent’s perspective. This started the trend of humanizing Disney villains, and none that came after could touch Maleficent. This is largely due to Angelina Jolie’s regal portrayal of the evil witch, giving her a haughty yet vulnerable edge. Her backstory also gets expanded, but it’s her renewed dynamic with Princess Aurora that tugs at the heartstrings. The duo now shares a touching friendship, and it’s their love for each other that powers through the whole story, though the Prince is also here somewhere.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens
Recreating one of the most successful animated movies that revived Disney’s reputation and was nominated for Best Picture Oscar is no small task. Yet this Bill Condon movie vividly adapted the tale as old as time with enough grace and poise, even if it never truly matched the original. Anchored by brainy beauty icon Emma Watson, this adaptation is glitzy, polished, and really pleasant to look at. It’s not just sprinkled with Disney magic, it’s practically dripping with it. The film is also blessed with the entertaining tour de force that is Gaston, prancing and flexing about as the villain you wanna be like, love to hate.
This year, Disney is about to launch another live-action adaptation with Lilo & Stitch. Where do you think it will rank among our top 7 here? Sound off in the comments below!
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