Disney’s live-action remakes of its animated classics have been a polarizing endeavor since the trend kicked into high gear with 2010’s Alice in Wonderland. Over the past 15 years, the House of Mouse has churned out over 20 remakes, ranging from billion-dollar blockbusters to straight-to-streaming flops. With the recent record-breaking success of Lilo & Stitch in May 2025, which grossed $610.8 million globally, and the disappointing performance of Snow White, which earned just $205.1 million against a $270 million budget, it’s a fitting time to rank the top 10 best and worst of these reimaginings. This list focuses on direct remakes of animated classics, excluding prequels, sequels, and spin-offs like Cruella or Maleficent, and evaluates them based on critical reception, audience response, cultural impact, and their ability to justify their existence beyond nostalgia.
Top 10 Best Disney Live-Action Remakes
1. The Jungle Book (2016)
Directed by Jon Favreau, The Jungle Book set a new standard for Disney’s live-action remakes with its breathtaking visuals and emotional depth. With a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, critics praised its seamless blend of photorealistic CGI and heartfelt storytelling. Neel Sethi’s Mowgli anchors the film as he navigates the jungle with a star-studded voice cast, including Bill Murray as Baloo and Ben Kingsley as Bagheera. The film improves on the 1967 animated classic by adding richer character motivations and a more immersive world, grossing over $966 million worldwide. It’s a rare remake that feels both nostalgic and innovative.
2. Cinderella (2015)
Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella is a masterclass in balancing reverence for the 1950 original with meaningful updates, earning an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score. Lily James shines as the titular princess, whose kindness and resilience are given more depth, while Cate Blanchett’s wicked stepmother is a standout with her layered motivations. The film’s romantic, visually stunning approach, paired with a grounded narrative, made it a critical and commercial success, grossing $543 million worldwide. It remains the gold standard for Disney’s fairy-tale remakes.
3. Pete’s Dragon (2016)
Often overlooked, Pete’s Dragon is a gem in Disney’s remake catalog, with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score. David Lowery’s reimagining of the 1977 film leans into a quieter, more emotional story, focusing on the bond between Pete (Oakes Fegley) and his dragon, Elliot. The film’s visual overhaul and soulful charm—bolstered by Robert Redford’s warm performance as Mr. Meacham—earned it praise for capturing the magic of the original while feeling fresh. Though it grossed a modest $143 million, its critical acclaim makes it a standout.
4. Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Disney’s latest hit, Lilo & Stitch, has taken the box office by storm, earning $610.8 million globally in just two weeks. With a 69% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film recaptures the adorable charm of the 2002 original while adding a modern sheen. Maia Kealoha’s Lilo and Chris Sanders’ returning voice as Stitch bring heart to the story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and her alien friend. The film’s success with younger audiences and nostalgic fans alike proves Disney can still strike gold with leaner, family-friendly remakes.
5. The Little Mermaid (2023)
Halle Bailey’s star-making turn as Ariel is the highlight of this 2023 remake, which earned a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score. Her powerhouse vocals and emotional depth breathe new life into the underwater tale, though the film struggles with sterile CGI and a bloated 135-minute runtime. Despite mixed reviews, it resonated with audiences, grossing $569 million worldwide and becoming one of Disney+’s most-viewed premieres with 16 million views in its first five days. It ranks among the studio’s more enjoyable reimaginings.
6. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Bill Condon’s 2017 remake of the 1991 classic became Disney’s highest-grossing live-action remake, earning $1.26 billion worldwide with a 71% Rotten Tomatoes score. Emma Watson’s Belle and Dan Stevens’ Beast deliver a visually stunning adaptation, with new songs by Alan Menken adding depth to the story. While some criticized its reliance on the original, the film’s lush production and heartfelt performances make it a fan favorite, proving the enduring appeal of this tale as old as time.
7. Aladdin (2019)
Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin exceeded expectations with a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, despite a 57% critic score. Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott shine as Aladdin and Jasmine, bringing fresh energy to the 1991 classic, while Will Smith’s Genie offers a lively reinterpretation of Robin Williams’ iconic role. The film’s vibrant visuals and updated songs helped it gross $1.05 billion worldwide, making it a crowd-pleaser even if it doesn’t break new ground.
8. Mulan (2020)
Niki Caro’s Mulan takes a bold departure from the 1998 animated film, ditching the songs and Mushu for a more serious, epic tone. With a 71% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film was praised for its stunning visuals and Liu Yifei’s dynamic performance as the titular warrior, though its lack of musicality disappointed some fans. Despite controversies over its production in Xinjiang, it grossed $471 million worldwide and offered a more culturally respectful take on the Chinese legend, earning its place as a solid remake.
9. 101 Dalmatians (1996)
One of Disney’s earliest live-action remakes, 101 Dalmatians is a chaotic but charming romp, grossing $320 million worldwide. Glenn Close’s unhinged performance as Cruella de Vil is the heart of the film, elevating a slapstick-heavy script by John Hughes. While it lacks the depth of the 1961 original, its practical effects and sheer number of puppies (230 real ones!) make it a nostalgic favorite, despite a 41% Rotten Tomatoes score.
10. Lady and the Tramp (2019)
This straight-to-Disney streaming release earned a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score, blending real dogs with CGI to recreate the 1955 classic’s romance. Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux voice the titular canines, whose chemistry shines in the iconic spaghetti scene. While the film lacks the magic of the original, its adorable cast and smart excision of problematic elements, like the racist “Siamese Cat Song,” make it a respectable effort.
Top 10 Worst Disney Live-Action Remakes
1. Pinocchio (2022)
Robert Zemeckis’ Pinocchio is widely regarded as Disney’s worst live-action remake, with a 27% Rotten Tomatoes score. Released straight to Disney+, the film’s unsettling CGI, lifeless storytelling, and Tom Hanks’ misguided performance as Geppetto fail to capture the magic of the 1940 classic. Compared to Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning Pinocchio from the same year, this version feels soulless, with critics calling it a “nightmare to the senses.”
2. The Lion King (2019)
Jon Favreau’s photorealistic CGI remake of the 1994 classic is a technical marvel but a narrative dud, earning a 52% Rotten Tomatoes score. The hyperrealistic animals lack the emotional expressiveness of the original, rendering iconic moments like Mufasa’s death lifeless. Despite grossing $1.66 billion worldwide, critics called it a “soulless rehash,” proving that photorealism can’t replace the heart of hand-drawn animation.
3. The Jungle Book (1994)
Stephen Sommers’ 1994 remake is a forgettable early attempt at a live-action Disney adaptation, with a 31% Rotten Tomatoes score. Stripping the 1967 film’s animal characters of their personalities, the film focuses on bland British colonizers, resulting in a sluggish adventure that fails to capture the spirit of Rudyard Kipling’s stories. It’s a relic of a bygone era, rightfully overshadowed by the 2016 version.
4. Dumbo (2019)
Tim Burton’s Dumbo is a misfire, earning a 46% Rotten Tomatoes score and grossing just $353 million against a $170 million budget. The film’s overstuffed plot and gloomy tone betray the whimsical charm of the 1941 original, with new human characters overshadowing the titular elephant. Despite some striking visuals, it’s a slog that fails to justify its existence, marking one of Burton’s weakest efforts.
5. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
While a commercial success at $1.02 billion worldwide, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland has aged poorly, with a 51% Rotten Tomatoes score. The film’s shallow “girlboss” take on Alice (Mia Wasikowska) and Johnny Depp’s grating Mad Hatter performance feel dated, with its Hot Topic aesthetic and lack of whimsy drawing criticism. It may have kickstarted the remake trend, but it’s far from a classic.
6. Snow White (2025)
Marc Webb’s Snow White is a recent disappointment, grossing just $205.1 million against a $270 million budget with a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite Rachel Zegler’s luminous performance, the film’s unconvincing CGI dwarfs, Gal Gadot’s wooden Evil Queen, and stylistic confusion make it a hard watch. Plagued by controversies, it fails to resonate with modern audiences, marking a low point for Disney’s remakes.
7. Lady and the Tramp (2019)
Also on the best list, Lady and the Tramp lands here due to its forgettable nature. While the dogs are adorable, the film’s lack of innovation and uninspired visuals make it a pale imitation of the 1955 original. Its straight-to-streaming release on Disney+ underscores its lack of ambition, with critics noting it’s “just there to be watched and forgotten.”
8. Mulan (2020)
Despite its strengths, Mulan also appears on the worst list due to its divisive changes. The removal of musical numbers and Mushu alienated fans of the 1998 film, while its attempt at historical accuracy fell flat with Chinese audiences, who criticized its Western perspective. The controversy over filming in Xinjiang further tainted its legacy, despite its visual merits.
9. Aladdin (2019)
While a crowd-pleaser, Aladdin also ranks among the worst for its lack of originality. Critics noted its shot-for-shot approach to the 1991 film, with new additions like Jasmine’s song feeling forced. Its reliance on nostalgia over innovation makes it feel unnecessary, despite its commercial success.
10. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Though a financial hit, Beauty and the Beast lands here for its lack of fresh ideas. Critics called it a “familiar rehash” that adds little to the 1991 original, with some new elements—like the magical book—feeling superfluous. Its overreliance on CGI and lack of emotional depth compared to the animated classic make it a mixed bag.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s live-action remakes are a testament to the power of nostalgia, but their quality varies wildly. The best, like The Jungle Book and Cinderella, prove that thoughtful updates can enhance beloved stories, while the worst, like Pinocchio and The Lion King, highlight the pitfalls of prioritizing spectacle over substance. As Disney moves forward with projects like Moana in 2026, the studio must learn from these successes and failures to ensure its remakes capture the magic that made the originals timeless.
