Disney has turned many of its most beloved animated classics into live-action or photorealized theatrical films in the 21st century, reinventing stories for new audiences while leaning heavily on nostalgia and global box-office potential. Below, each remake is listed next to the animated original with a brief description of both.
1. Alice in Wonderland (Live-Action) — Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Original (1951): A surreal, whimsical fantasy based on Lewis Carroll’s novels; Alice tumbles into a topsy-turvy world full of eccentric characters and nonsensical logic.
Remake (2010): Tim Burton’s visually extravagant update follows an older Alice returning to Wonderland to confront the tyrannical Red Queen, blending live action and CGI in a bold reimagining that leans more on spectacle than the original’s dreamlike tone.
2. Maleficent — Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Original (1959): A classic fairy tale about a princess cursed to sleep until true love’s kiss.
Remake (2014): Told from the antagonist’s perspective, Maleficent deepens the backstory of the “evil” fairy, portraying her as a complex antihero whose betrayal and eventual redemption reshape the source material.
3. Cinderella — Cinderella (1950)
Original (1950): The quintessential rags-to-riches fairy tale of a kind but abused girl uplifted by magic and perseverance.
Remake (2015): A lush live-action retelling that stays faithful to the animated version’s themes but amplifies character depth and production design, highlighting Cinderella’s strength and compassion.
4. The Jungle Book (2016) — The Jungle Book (1967)
Original (1967): Light-hearted musical adventure of Mowgli, an orphaned boy raised by wolves, navigating the dangers and wonders of the jungle.
Remake (2016): Jon Favreau’s hybrid live-action/photoreal CGI film grounds the story with intense visuals and realistic animal characters, while retaining key themes of belonging and survival.
5. Beauty and the Beast — Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Original (1991): A beloved musical about seeing beyond appearances, with iconic songs and memorable characters.
Remake (2017): A faithful story updated for modern audiences, keeping the musical numbers and broad themes intact while fleshing out character relationships and spectacle.
6. Dumbo — Dumbo (1941)
Original (1941): A heartwarming tale of a baby elephant with oversized ears who learns to fly, championing uniqueness.
Remake (2019): Tim Burton expands the emotional core into a broader story about a struggling circus family and the wonder of Dumbo’s gift, blending human drama with fantasy.
7. Aladdin — Aladdin (1992)
Original (1992): A lively, music-filled Arabian Nights adventure with a wise-cracking Genie and romantic hijinks.
Remake (2019): A colorful live-action retelling that balances nostalgia with new visual flourishes, retaining key songs and introducing fresh performances.
8. The Lion King (2019) — The Lion King (1994)
Original (1994): One of Disney’s most emotional coming-of-age sagas, deeply rooted in Shakespearean echoes and breathtaking animation.
Remake (2019): Extended into photoreal CGI, this version emphasizes realism and a star-studded voice cast while keeping the original’s narrative beats.
9. Mulan — Mulan (1998)
Original (1998): A spirited tale of a young woman disguising herself as a soldier to save her father, blending action and heart.
Remake (2020): A grounded, fight-focused reimagining that removes musical elements in favor of martial artistry and cultural detail.
10. Lady and the Tramp — Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Original (1955): A romantic animated story about two dogs from different worlds finding love and adventure.
Remake (2019): A warm live-action/CGI hybrid on Disney+, capturing the same charm and tender moments, with an emphasis on character relationships.
11. Snow White (2025) — Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Original (1937): Disney’s first animated feature — a timeless fairy tale of innocence, jealousy, and true love.
Remake (2025): A musical reinvention with a more empowered Snow White, updated villain stakes, new songs, and modern narrative flourishes, though it has had mixed box-office reception.
12. Lilo & Stitch — Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Original (2002): A heartfelt, quirky story about family (‘ohana’) and friendship involving a girl and her alien “dog.”
Remake (2025): A live-action adaptation that embraces Hawaiian culture and the original’s emotional beats, praised for strong nostalgic resonance.
13. Lilo & Stitch 2 (Sequel to Remake)
Original: There’s no animated Lilo & Stitch sequel that matches this, but the remake sequel leans into expanded storytelling beyond the first remake’s world.
New Film: Confirmed by Disney as a direct sequel building on the live-action universe’s success.
14. Moana — Moana (2016)
Original (2016): A culturally vibrant oceanic journey where a young navigator restores balance with the help of demigod Maui.
Remake (2026): A photoreal and musical live-action aiming to stay faithful to the original’s spirit, with island settings and new performances capturing the adventure and song moments.
15. 101 Dalmatians — One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Original (1961): A fun animated caper about dalmatian parents outwitting a fashion-obsessed villain.
Remake (1996): A playful, broad live-action version with Glenn Close’s iconic performance as Cruella, leaning into comedy and style.
16. 102 Dalmatians — One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Original (1961): Same foundational source, but 102 Dalmatians builds on the Cruella chaos with amplified antics.
Remake (2000): Continues the live-action story with Cruella released from prison and back to her puppy-stealing schemes.
17. Robin Hood (TBD) — Robin Hood (1973)
Original (1973): A spirited animated take on the classic outlaw tale with anthropomorphic animals and catchy tunes.
Remake (TBD): In development as a CGI/live-action musical that reimagines the classic story with modern production values.
18. Bambi (TBD) — Bambi (1942)
Original (1942): A tender and emotional nature story following a young deer’s life and loss.
Remake (TBD): Announced as a photoreal hybrid project, expected to recast the forest’s beauty and heartbreak for new audiences.
19. Hercules (TBD) — Hercules (1997)
Original (1997): A mythological musical adventure with upbeat songs and a hero finding his place.
Remake (TBD): Reportedly in development, with potential to balance mythic spectacle and character depth.
20. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (TBD) — The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Original (1996): A darker, dramatic tale of love, prejudice, and sacrifice in medieval Paris.
Remake (TBD): Announced long ago but stalled; aims to adapt both the animation and Victor Hugo’s deeper themes into a musical adaptation.
21. Tangled (TBD) — Tangled (2010)
Original (2010): A vibrant fairy tale about Rapunzel’s freedom and love.
Remake (TBD): In development but reportedly delayed; would bring the lantern scenes and charismatic characters to live action.
22. Pinocchio Live-Action (Announced) — Pinocchio (1940)
Original (1940): A classic morality tale of a puppet’s quest to become “real,” packed with iconic songs and lessons.
Remake (Announced): Early-stage project with no release date but aimed at catalyzing a live-action retelling.
23. Aladdin Sequel (TBD) — Aladdin (1992)
Original (1992): The breezy, song-filled animated adventure in Agrabah.
Sequel (TBD): Disney is developing a live-action sequel to the 2019 Aladdin, expanding the original world.
24–26. Future or Rumored Projects (Concept Stages)
These are frequently mentioned in industry tracking but not yet solidified with release dates:
Untitled Peter Pan & Wendy — Revisiting the Neverland classic with a new lens.
Untitled Tinker Bell Film — A fairy-centric story spun out of Peter Pan lore.
Chronicles of Prydain Remake — Based on The Black Cauldron’s underlying book series, distinct from the original film.
