Over the last decade, Disney has produced numerous live-action remakes of their animated films, ranging from exact remakes of classics to live-action movies loosely based on the premise of an original animated story. Most live-action Disney Films are available to stream on Disney+ and other platforms, so whether you’re looking forward to an upcoming long weekend or need some entertainment while you recover from a procedure at here are a few of the best live-action Disney remakes.
Cinderella (2015)
Cinderella is a classic film and is the first thing that many people think of when thinking about Disney. In 2015, this classic film got a modern reboot, a live-action film starring A-list celebrities like Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham-Carter. Although this adaptation features enough modern twists to allow the story to make sense in a contemporary context, Cinderella manages to keep the magic of the original animation.
Cruella (2021)
This film tells the tale of Cruella, the villain of the classic Disney film 101 Dalmations. Played by Emma Stone, this film gives Cruella a place in the modern world and acts as a stand-alone film that even non-Disney fans are sure to enjoy. This is one of the most entertaining live-action Disney remakes, as well as one of the most critically acclaimed.
Maleficent (2014)
Similar to Cruella, Maleficent tells the story of the villain in a classic, animated Disney film: Sleeping Beauty. Angelina Jolie plays the titular character, alongside other A-list celebrities like Elle Fanning. With a star-studded cast and groundbreaking special effects, this film was met with praise from fans and critics alike, for a good reason.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
The first live-action Disney remake was Alice in Wonderland, a major blockbuster that was met with extreme critical acclaim. While some fans feel that the film did a poor job of allowing the classic story’s plot to be told coherently in this live-action adaptation starring Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway, the film’s stunning visuals and special effects make it one of the most memorable additions to Disney’s filmography.
The Jungle Book (2016)
When the live adaptation of The Jungle Book was announced, many fans and critics alike feared that filmmakers would not be able to pull off the extreme amount of CGI and other special effects that would be needed in order to allow the animated tale to translate well to real life. To the surprise of all viewers, however, The Jungle Book received excellent reviews and set the standard of high-quality special effects and editing in all Disney films to come.
