Though there have been hundreds of Disney movies released over the decades, there have been dozens of live-action remakes (and originals) as well. Today, we’re going to look at some of the best live-action Disney movies to ever grace theaters. We are also going to look at a few of the most promising upcoming live-action remakes that you will be able to watch within the next year or so.
The Jungle Book (2016)
The original animated Jungle Book movie was released in 1967. It was a huge success and set the bar for animated movies involving animals. We never thought that the 2016 remake would have been near as successful, yet here we are. The Jon Favreau movie starred Bill Murray as Baloo and Idris Elba as Shere Khan. If you watch one live-action Disney movie, this should probably be it.
The Lion King (2019)
Released on July 19, 2019, The Lion King blew up the box office. Both children, parents, and ‘90s kids were dying to see the soon-to-be classic. Though it isn’t as lighthearted as most Disney movies, the new The Lion King is one for the books. The kids’ movie is surprisingly deep, political, and relevant. Plus, the animation is gorgeous!
Maleficent (2014)
The world is not black and white, good and evil. While most of us have a good grasp on what is right and wrong, most of us are misjudged by one person or another. We are all the villain in someone else’s story. That’s what Maleficent plays off of. While the setting can be a bit slow, the “love” story unfolds into something surprisingly beautiful.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Has Johnny Depp ever made a horrible movie? Not where he is concerned. Though I don’t recommend watching the sequel, the original 2010 flick is quite entertaining. Who is evil? Who is good? And who is just plain wacko? Alice in Wonderland set the stage for live-action Disney movies for both children and adults.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
With a tale as old as time, it’s easy to let fans down. But Beauty and the Beast failed to disappoint. Emma Watson was just about as perfect as could be, and the movie stayed about as true to the original as it could. Beauty and the Beast is the perfect example of how to do a solid “remake” rather than a “retold story.”
Cinderella (2015)
Cinderella is likely the most iconic Disney princess to ever exist. Retelling her story was also a dangerous game. But thanks to Kenneth Branagh’s directing and an amazing cast, the 2015 movie made it big at the time. Lily James was a sweet, innocent, yet strong Cinderella who took control of her own destiny.
Pete’s Dragon (2016)
As always, Pete’s Dragon hangs on the brink of sad and heartwarming. But isn’t that always the truth when orphans bond with wild animals in movies? The story is overwhelmingly sweet and wholesome. Robert Redford is an amazing storyteller and Bryce Dallas Howard gives you everything you could ever ask for in a heroine.
Mulan (2020)
Though it hasn’t been released yet, Mulan promises to be an instant hit. While other princesses where dresses, get saved by men, or have a chip on their shoulder, Mulan is quite the opposite. Everything she does is for honor. With a cast including Yifei Liu, Jason Scott Lee, and Jet Li, there’s not really much that could go wrong.
Sword in the Stone (2020?)
Although there is no official release date, Sword in the Stone has been promised to us. Not much is known about the upcoming movie, but fans of the classic 1963 film are ecstatic. The original is unlike any other, and we hope that the new one will give us a Lord of the Rings vibe while retaining the original innocence.
Lady and the Tramp (2019)
Is this real life? This is either going to be an epic fail or a complete masterpiece. Lady and the Tramp Live-Action is hitting Disney’s streaming platform later this year and you don’t want to miss it. Whenever one makes a movie starring real animals, you never know what to expect. Though we do have Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux confirmed as our two lovedogs! So come on, kid, start building some memories.