While you can never go wrong with the classic animated Disney films, the live-action adaptations are often hit-and-miss. That's why most believe Disney is better off not touching the perfection created with the animated performances, but sometimes a live-action will prove a worthy and faithful endeavor.
The live-action adaptations date back to the 1990s and early 2000s, with notable ones like 101 and 102 Dalmations and the best Peter Pan in live-action. Here, however, we discuss the more modern and newer live-action movies. You may hold these movies to a different scale, but these are their rankings here.
10 Mulan
The live-action adaptation of Mulan wasn't the critical or audience success you could've imagined a highly-anticipated story like it to be. A brave female warrior who defies her family and joins the army, disguised as a man, to fight off the Huns in battle. The action sequences are well-choreographed, the cinematography masterful, and the new witch character Xianniang was a compelling addition.
Unfortunately, a lot of factors contributed to this movie not seeing box office success. Aside from choosing to completely omit the classic songs and musical aspects, the Covid-19 pandemic forced it to be streamed on Disney+. Then there's also the controversy over the filming taking place in China's Xinjiang region, where there are horrible human rights abuses against Uyghurs and Muslims.
9 Alice In Wonderland
Tim Burton is no stranger to creating films with Disney, and his first live-action project was Alice in Wonderland. It's certainly not the best Tim Burton film, but an iconic take on the fantasy world and characters. It also featured actors Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, both frequent collaborators of Burton's who starred together in Sweeney Todd.
The visual aesthetic and production design deliver a perfect dark yet whimsical feel of Wonderland. The opening of Alice following the rabbit down the hole, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Alice's chemistry with Depp's Mad Hatter, and the Red Queen's signature brash "Off with their heads!" statements are all unforgettable parts of the movie.
8 Dumbo
Critically and audience-wise, Tim Burton's live-action adaptation of Dumbo is received worse than Alice in Wonderland but still better than the sequel to Alice. The live-action debut of the flying big-eared elephant comes with an all-star cast of Danny DeVito, Colin Farrell, Eva Green, and Michael Keaton. Burton's vision reimagines the premise with humans and a post-WWI setting.
Dumbo's design in live-action remains every bit adorable, and the flying animations are superb. It's a story with a lot of heart and empathy balanced with the signature cinematography and flair of Tim Burton. Colin Farrell is Holt Farrier, a widowed WWI veteran amputee working in a circus while raising kids. You can always expect impeccable acting with a Tim Burton ensemble, but Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, and Nico Parker (who would play Sarah in the live-action The Last of Us) are standouts.
7 Lady And The Tramp
2019 was a big year of new Disney adaptations, with Aladdin, The Lion King, and Dumbo. One that may have slipped past your radars is a straight-to-Disney+ release of Lady and the Tramp. It's one of the most iconic Disney animated movies for the spaghetti-sharing scene alone. And the cute moment was recreated in the live-action version.
This is a much more faithful adaptation of the original film with lifelike CGI dogs of the titular Lady and Tramp, voiced by Westworld and Thor actress Tessa Thompson and White House Plumbers and The Leftovers star Justin Theroux. Seeing the romantic story and adventures of these characters recreated in live-action is a dog-lover and family movie night treat.
6 Maleficent
2014 saw the story of Sleeping Beauty return to the big screen with Angelina Jolie as the titular wicked fairy Maleficent. The focus wasn't entirely on Princess Aurora but rather from the perspective of Jolie's misunderstood tragic villain Maleficent, whose green flames, costume and horns, raven Diaval, and menacing presence in live-action were well-executed components.
The scene where a newborn Aurora is given the curse by Maleficent is an exciting recreation, while the final battle with King Stefan where Aurora helps Maleficent by freeing her wings is a nice twist to the original. And though the CGI on the dragons is Game of Thrones quality and the Moors inhabitants are wondrous to look at, the three pixie fairies are a bit frightening.
5 Aladdin
When a live-action adaptation of Aladdin was announced, many were divided, especially given the iconic performance of Genie by the late Robin Williams. Will Smith knew he had big shoes to fill, and he ultimately nailed the role by bringing his unique spin to Genie, which ended up being the big highlight of the movie.
It's an overall colorful and vibrant production that really celebrates the original story and music with some spectacular visual effects and set pieces. Director Guy Ritchie is known for gritty crime tales around thieves, translating well into the storytelling about a Disney character who's a thief.
4 Cruella
Of all the Disney live-action films here, Cruella boasts the highest Audience Score of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. While it may not be as critically acclaimed as The Jungle Book or Cinderella and is a prequel adaptation of 101 Dalmatians, Emma Stone exceptionally portrays an ambitious Cruella de Vil aspiring to become a fashion designer.
The story is a much darker take on the origins of the Dalmatian-hating villain, and you immediately see why. An antagonist called the Baroness has Dalmation hounds that chase Cruella and push her mother off a cliff when she's a child. The older Cruella plots revenge amidst a life of crime with friends Jasper and Horace and designs some incredible outfits. The costume designs are among the most spectacular aspects of the film, which also won it an Oscar.
3 Cinderella
Cinderella is simply one of Disney's most timeless tales that's even seen a more realistic version like 2004's A Cinderella Story. An orphaned girl stuck living with her evil stepmother and stepsisters dreaming of attending the ball and finding Prince Charming with the help of a Fairy Godmother is a gorgeous tale seamlessly captured in the 2015 adaptation.
The iconic elements of the glass slipper, the dazzling pumpkin carriage, Cinderella's blue dress to the ball, the musical score, and the suspense of the magical effects wearing off as the clock nears midnight are phenomenal. It was a breakout role for actress Lily James as Cinderella, and the King in the North Richard Madden makes an equally great Prince Charming.
2 Beauty And The Beast
Like Cinderella, 2017's Beauty and the Beast is very faithful to the original animated movie. It's one-to-one with the story beats and musical numbers, and the costuming and casting for the iconic characters are spot-on. Josh Gad was meant for the role of LeFou, Emma Watson powerfully sings away as Belle, and Luke Evans once again proves an excellent villain with Gaston.
From Dan Stevens' Beast character to the supporting anthropomorphic characters Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts, to the animations and visuals, to the ending transformation, the movie feels stunningly beautiful and magical with all the VFX and set design.
1 The Jungle Book
Jon Favreau is really the gift that keeps on giving for Disney. He had an MCU directorial debut with Iron Man and spawned original Star Wars series like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett. And before 2019's The Lion King, he directed a CG/live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, which garnered higher critical acclaim of 94 percent on RT.
This retelling of Mowgli's story receives thrilling new visuals and wonderful CG animal character designs while keeping in beloved songs like 'The Bare Necessities' and 'I Wanna Be Like You.' Bill Murray as Baloo, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Christopher Walken as King Louie, Giancarlo Esposito as Akela, and Idris Elba as antagonist Shere Khan are just some of the talented voice performances here.