Disney's Obsession
What started as a nostalgic nod to childhood classics has become one of Disney's most ambitious (and polarizing) strategies to date. Live-action remakes have reimagined fairy tales and animal kingdoms with star-studded casts. But which ones are the best?
21. Pinocchio (2022)
This retelling of the 1940 classic featured Tom Hanks as Geppetto with CGI creations like the Blue Fairy and, of course, the wooden boy himself. Released on Disney+, the film aimed for faithfulness but stumbled in tone. Critics noted a lack of charm compared to the original.
Trailer 2 | Pinocchio | Disney+ by Disney
20. Alice: Through The Looking Glass (2016)
The sequel to Burton's Alice traded him out for director James Bobin but kept the same surreal energy. This time, Alice travels through time to save the Mad Hatter, played again by Johnny Depp. While the visuals remained elaborate, the story didn't quite land with audiences or critics.
19. 102 Dalmatians (2000)
Following the success of the first film, Disney doubled down—literally—with a sequel that leaned more into over-the-top antics. Glenn Close returned with even more flair, but critics weren't as kind this time. Despite dazzling costumes and visual flair, the story felt like a stretched-out cartoon plot.
102 Dalmatians (2000) | trailer by MDB trailers
18. Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
In this Disney+ exclusive, director David Lowery offered a more grounded take on Peter Pan, with a stronger focus on Wendy's perspective. Ever Anderson played Wendy, while Jude Law brought a subdued menace to Captain Hook. The film dug deeper into themes of growing up and loss.
Peter Pan & Wendy | Official Trailer | Disney+ by Disney
17. Dumbo (2019)
Tim Burton returned for another round with Dumbo, this time changing the 1941 animated tearjerker into a sweeping, CGI-heavy circus drama. The story expanded beyond the original, focusing more on human characters played by Colin Farrell and Michael Keaton. Though the titular elephant was endearing, the film's tone felt uneven.
Dumbo Trailer #1 (2019) | Movieclips Trailers by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
16. Snow White (2025)
Disney's live-action adaptation of Snow White premiered in March 2025, featuring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The film aimed to reimagine the 1937 animated classic for contemporary audiences. However, critics and audiences expressed concerns over deviations from the original storyline and casting decisions.
Disney’s Snow White | Official Trailer | In Theaters March 21 by Disney
15. The Jungle Book (1994)
Before Disney's CGI spectacles, this version took a more human-centric approach. It doesn't feature talking animals—instead, it plays like a jungle adventure flick with Mowgli exploring colonial intrigue. While it strayed far from the charm of the 1967 musical, it still holds a nostalgic spot for 1990s kids.
Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1994) by 1990's Nostalgia
14. Lady And The Tramp (2019)
Released directly on Disney+, this remake leaned into nostalgia with CGI-enhanced rescue dogs and a romantic, jazz-infused New Orleans setting. Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux voiced the titular pups, who still shared that iconic spaghetti kiss. While it didn't reinvent the wheel, it charmed many with its warm, low-stakes storytelling.
Lady and the Tramp Trailer #1 (2019) | Movieclips Trailers by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
13. Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil (2019)
Angelina Jolie returned with even sharper cheekbones and fiercer wings in this darker, more fantastical sequel. This time, Maleficent faces off against Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) as tensions rise between humans and fairies. Though the plot took some wild turns, the visual effects and costume design kept things enchanting.
12. Christopher Robin (2018)
Less of a remake and more of a grown-up epilogue, Christopher Robin reimagined the Hundred Acre Wood as a memory long forgotten. Ewan McGregor played the adult Christopher, who rediscovers his childhood friends—rendered with soft, worn-down CGI textures.
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN Clips & Trailers by Flicks And The City Clips
12. Christopher Robin (2018) (Cont.)
This tender, melancholy film tugged at adult heartstrings more than it entertained kids, and that was kind of the point. Modestly successful with $197.7 million, it found a second life as a comforting, rainy-day favorite.
11. Mulan (2020)
Disney's Mulan took a bold leap away from its 1998 animated source, dropping Mushu and the songs. Instead, it leaned into wuxia-inspired action and a serious tone. Its release was delayed by the pandemic and landed on Disney+ with a premium price.
Mulan 2020 - I'll Make a Man Out of You - Reimagined [4K] by blue hippo films
10. 101 Dalmatians (1996)
Glenn Close sank her teeth into the role of Cruella de Vil with a performance so deliciously over-the-top that it practically redefined the character for a new generation. Rather than talking animals or musical numbers, the film embraced physical comedy.
Cruella Wants A New Coat | (2/15) Movie Scenes | 101 Dalmatians (1996) HD by Cruella De Vil
10. 101 Dalmatians (1996) (Cont.)
High-stakes chases and the expressive reactions of the real Dalmatians gave the movie a grounded but energetic feel. The storyline stuck close to the 1961 animated classic's plot while amping up the fashion and villainy. It grossed over $320 million, thanks to its sleek visual style.
101 Dalmatians (1996) Trailer | Glenn Close | Jeff Daniels by Film Trailer Channel
9. The Little Mermaid (2023)
Can a beloved animated classic be reimagined without losing its magic beneath the waves? The 2023 Little Mermaid set out to answer that, casting Halle Bailey as Ariel in a feature that stirred global conversations long before the opening credits rolled.
The Little Mermaid | Official Trailer by Disney
9. The Little Mermaid (2023) (Cont.)
Directed by Rob Marshall, the film retained the heart of the 1989 original while refreshing key elements, including new lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken. While the CGI-heavy underwater visuals sparked mixed reactions, the movie still pulled in around $570 million globally.
The Little Mermaid (2023) NEW TRAILER | Halle Bailey Disney Movie 4K by SLUURP
8. Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland was more of a reimagined sequel that thrust a grown-up Alice, played by Mia Wasikowska, back into a darker, war-torn Wonderland. With Johnny Depp as the eccentric Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the big-headed Red Queen, the film embraced Burton's signature gothic flair.
Official Trailer: Alice in Wonderland (2010) by nickbtube
8. Alice In Wonderland (2010) (Cont.)
The director created a surreal world layered with CGI-heavy creeping menace. The 2010 remake expanded the original 1951 narrative into a high-fantasy adventure with a prophecy and a heavier emotional arc. Though critics were split on its tone and plot, audiences flocked to theaters, turning it into a global phenomenon.
Official Trailer: Alice in Wonderland (2010) by nickbtube
7. Cruella (2021)
With punk-rock vibes, Cruella reimagined the infamous fur-loving villain as a misunderstood fashion genius. Set in 1970s London, the film stars Emma Stone in a gloriously over-the-top origin story that blends The Devil Wears Prada with heist film energy. Its soundtrack, costume design, and stylish cinematography earned major praise.
6. Aladdin (2019)
Guy Ritchie took the reins of this colorful reimagining of the 1992 hit and mixed it with Bollywood-inspired choreography. Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott led the cast, while Will Smith stepped into the genie's lamp in blue body paint. Despite skepticism, the film became a box office smash.
Aladdin - Official Trailer by Will Smith
5. The Lion King (2019)
Technically a remake but visually closer to a wildlife documentary, The Lion King swapped traditional animation for CGI. It featured voices from Beyonce, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, and James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa. While the visuals were stunning, some thought the ultra-realistic animal faces lacked emotional range.
The Lion King (2019) Official Teaser Trailer | Experience it in IMAX® by IMAX
4. The Jungle Book (2016)
The 2016 version of the story used groundbreaking CGI to create a photorealistic jungle by blending live-action with animation seamlessly. Neel Sethi was the lone human amidst a star-studded voice cast, including Bill Murray and Idris Elba. It stayed faithful to the original's spirit but with darker, more cinematic tones.
3. Beauty And The Beast (2017)
Emma Watson stepped into Belle's iconic yellow gown for this lavish musical remake of the 1991 classic. Staying close to the animated version, the film added a few new songs and backstory elements. It became a massive hit, earning over $1.2 billion worldwide.
Beauty and the Beast Trailer #2 (2017) | Movieclips Trailers by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
2. Maleficent (2014)
Rather than retelling Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent flipped the script and asked, "What if the villain wasn't really the villain?" Angelina Jolie brought fierce elegance to the horned fairy, portraying her as more tragic than evil. The film was a gamble that paid off to gross over $750 million.
Maleficent 2014: Stefan cut maleficent wings to become king! IMAX 4k, 60fps by Gaming Shouts
1. Cinderella (2015)
With much of the animated blueprint, Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella polished the storyline until it sparkled. Lily James brought warmth to the title role, while Cate Blanchett turned the wicked stepmother into a scene-stealing powerhouse. The film avoided the musical format and focused on charm and a lot of pastel blue.
CINDERELLA | UK Trailer - 2015 | Official Disney UK by Disney UK
