Disney has made a lot of live-action remakes over the past decade, and the results have been all over the place. Some have brought something fresh to the table, while others have felt unnecessary or failed to capture the magic of the originals. Here’s how I’d rank every Disney live-action remake, from best to worst!
Pete’s Dragon (2016)
The best Disney live-action remake, in my opinion. It’s emotional, beautifully shot, and tells a touching story that stands on its own. Unlike many Disney remakes, it doesn’t simply recreate the animated film; it's also one of the few that is actually better then the original and reimagines it into something that feels fresh while still capturing the heart of the original. Elliott is incredibly lovable, and the movie never loses sight of the emotional bond between him and Pete.
Christopher Robin (2018)
Is this technically a remake? Probably not, but according to Disney, it is. A heartfelt return to the Hundred Acre Wood that perfectly balances nostalgia and emotion. This feels less like a remake and more like a love letter to anyone who grew up with "Winnie the Pooh". Ewan McGregor gives a wonderful performance, and the film’s message about slowing down and appreciating what matters still resonates with me.
The Jungle Book (2016)
A fantastic remake that expands the original while delivering incredible visuals and great performances. The CGI still looks impressive years later, and the cast does an excellent job bringing these iconic characters to life. It’s one of the few remakes that actually improves on parts of the original instead of simply copying it.
Maleficent (2014)
A fresh perspective on Sleeping Beauty led by an unforgettable Angelina Jolie performance. Rather than retelling the animated classic, it gives one of Disney’s greatest villains a surprising amount of depth. Jolie completely owns the role, and the fantasy world is gorgeous to look at.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Tim Burton’s unique style makes this one of Disney’s most memorable reimaginings. While the story can be a little messy, the visuals are unforgettable, and the cast fully commits to Burton’s strange vision. It may not be perfect, but it’s never boring.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
A solid remake with beautiful production design, costumes, and music. Even if it doesn’t top the animated classic, the film looks gorgeous, and I appreciate some of the expanded backstory. It’s one of the more faithful Disney remakes, for better and for worse.
Cinderella (2015)
A well-made but fairly straightforward adaptation that didn’t leave a huge impression. Lily James is excellent as Cinderella, and the movie has a classic fairy tale feel that many of the newer remakes are missing. Even if it isn’t one of my favorites, it’s hard to deny how well made it is.
Aladdin (2019)
Fun in places, but inconsistent overall. I think Will Smith actually does a pretty good job as the Genie, especially considering the impossible task of following Robin Williams. While not every change works, the movie has enough energy and charm to make it an enjoyable watch.
The Little Mermaid (2023)
An okay remake with a strong lead performance, but the CGI and changes didn’t completely work for me. Halle Bailey was a great choice for Ariel, and her singing was excellent. Unfortunately, some of the underwater visuals felt lifeless, preventing it from reaching the magic of the animated original.
Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
As much as I expected not to like this one, I have to admit Disney put more effort into it than I expected. The acting is good, and I appreciate that they tried adding new story elements instead of making a shot-for-shot remake. It’s still not amazing, but it’s better than I anticipated.
Lady and the Tramp (2019)
Far from the worst movie I’ve ever seen. The voice acting is actually pretty good, and overall it’s perfectly watchable. It doesn’t do much to stand out from the animated version, but it’s a pleasant enough family movie if you keep your expectations in check.
Dumbo (2019)
One of Disney’s weaker remakes, with too much focus on uninteresting human characters. I’m also not a fan of the original Dumbo, so maybe this movie just wasn’t for me. Even with Tim Burton directing, it never really finds the emotional magic it was aiming for.
Pinocchio (2022)
A lifeless remake that failed to capture the magic of the animated classic. Despite having Tom Hanks in a major role, the film feels strangely empty and uninspired. It ends up being one of Disney’s most forgettable live-action remakes.
Snow White (2025)
A disappointing remake that never justified revisiting the original. Between the weird CGI decisions, uneven execution, and lack of the original’s charm, this is one of Disney’s biggest misses in the remake era. Very little about it left a lasting impression.
Mulan (2020)
Removing the songs and much of the original’s charm left this feeling empty. While I understand they wanted a more grounded take, many of the changes stripped away what made the animated film so memorable. It never felt like Mulan to me.
The Lion King (2019)
Technically impressive visuals couldn’t make up for the loss of emotion, personality, and expressive animation that made the original so beloved. I also wasn’t a fan of the changes to the songs. The photorealistic animals look incredible, but they lack the facial expressions that gave the animated characters so much life.
Moana (2026)
Who asked for this? Did you? No? We honestly didn’t need this movie. It might actually be a better made film than some of the lower entries on this list, but it exists far too soon after the original. Moana is still a modern Disney classic, so remaking it only a decade later feels completely unnecessary. Instead of bringing something new to the story, it mostly made me want to watch the animated version again.
Not every Disney animated classic needs a live action remake, but when Disney is willing to take creative risks, the results can be genuinely great. Hopefully, future remakes focus on bringing something new to these stories instead of simply recreating what already worked.
