Did These Disney Movies Need A Live Action Remake?
We’re living in the age of nostalgia where almost every production company is eager to remake some of their classic films. And though it is exciting, does everything that we hold near and dear to our hearts need to be remade? Pop Culture
Planet writer Makkedah Ramsey takes us through some of Disney’s classic animations that have been reimagined and evaluate how the live-action versions compare to the original.
The Little Mermaid
Original: The original Little Mermaid, released in 1989, was a magical journey into an enchanting world beneath the sea. It hooked its audience with its music and has arguably one of the best Disney villains ever with Ursula. The movie had layers that both adults and kids love and appreciate. Ariel stands out as one of the most incredible Disney princesses. I mean, she's a fish who walks on land and manages to make a human fall in love with her without a voice. That's pretty remarkable if you ask me. The film forever lives in our hearts and homes with songs like "Part of Your World" and "Under the Sea," adding to its timeless appeal.
Remake: The live-action Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey, has to be one of my favorite Disney remakes. The essence of the story remains intact but is beautifully translated into our world — and the singing is spectacular. I will admit, I was thrown off when Prince Eric got his own solo, but that's the beauty of a remake. Not everything has to be the same. I thought the cast did an amazing job of modernizing the film while still honoring what we loved about the original story. I even enjoyed Awkwafina and Daveed Diggs' new song "The Scuttlebutt," which I found to be catchy and charming. The Little Mermaid remake hit the nail right on the head for me.
The Verdict: Tied.
Though I did adore the live-action rendition of The Little Mermaid and the representation it provided, allowing little girls worldwide to envision themselves as princesses, the original animated version still holds a special place in my heart. However, that doesn't diminish the quality of the remake. It was well executed. If I could combine Halle Bailey's voice with the enchantment of animation, I would do so without hesitation. She truly shined as our Little Mermaid and perfectly captured the essence of the role.
Beauty And The Beast
Original: Beauty and the Beast is a classic film that embodies a story about sacrifice, love, and self-reflection. This film brings to life an entire castle, making each of us wish we had our very own singing dishes. The romance between Belle and the Beast is powerful. We witness the transformation of a beastly creature who never thought he could be loved and Belle who refuses to settle for simplicity because she is anything but. The soundtrack alone is a masterpiece, from the iconic opening number "Belle" to the villainous anthem "Gaston" and the tender ballad "Beauty and the Beast." And who could forget "Be Our Guest?” Rarely do we see supporting characters as valuable to the story as Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts. Beauty and the Beast is pure perfection and arguably one of the most flawless Disney princess films ever created.
Remake: The live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast might be the only one that holds a candle to the original. However, this could be attributed to Disney taking fewer risks with this story, making it easier to appreciate. Emma Watson was superb and her portrayal of the character was dazzling. The chemistry between her and the Beast was the true highlight of the film. Surprisingly, this live-action rendition actually enhanced the magic of the original. It didn't come across as tacky. Instead, it was emotionally engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat, despite knowing the ending. While Disney could have taken more risks to offer a story with deeper layers, there was something enjoyable about watching a classic movie while still seeing the essence of the original shine through brightly.
The Verdict: Live-action remake.
The live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast remains one of the standout Disney live-action movies for me. The chemistry between Belle and the Beast was undeniable and witnessing the progression of their relationship drew me in emotionally. I appreciated how the magic was balanced, never feeling overdone, and the characters seamlessly integrated into our world, enhancing the immersion. The voice acting for Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts, as well as the innocent Chip, was excellent, infusing the dialogue with charm, charisma, and humor.
Cinderella
Original: The original Cinderella, released by Disney in 1950, not only saved the company, but also paved the way for the greatness that defines Disney films. From its iconic transformation scene to its timeless themes of kindness and hope, the story of Cinderella continues to delight audiences of all ages. The meticulous attention to detail in the animation showcased the power of Disney Magic, delivering animations that are both emotionally rich and visually stunning. Moreover, Cinderella gifted us with timeless Disney classics that provide comfort in our homes, such as "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo."
Remake: The 2015 live-action adaptation of Cinderella was widely praised by many, with Lily James delivering a captivating portrayal of the iconic character. Her embodiment of Cinderella as light, delicate, and kind resonated well with audiences. The film was undeniably well-crafted, with stunning costumes and intricate details, particularly in bringing the glass slipper to life. However, it was just a performance of the traditional Cinderella narrative without adding any new or innovative elements. Yes, the classic tale is timeless, but giving it new life would have done so much for the film. Though Lily James did a fanatic job of portraying the perfect Cinderella, it lacked the originality and depth needed to stand out among other adaptations of the Cinderella story.
The Verdict: Original.
Though the 1950 Cinderella wasn’t memorable to me, the 2015 adaptation did not offer anything new or expectational either. It felt as though they were trying too hard to replicate the animation, leaving me wanting more from the film itself. I was not impressed by the acting. It felt very disingenuous and there was no passion. The evil stepmother had so much potential, but lacked depth. The 1950 animation isn’t better by a wide margin, but rather offers me something the live action doesn’t: nostalgia. This is one of the few stories where there are much better adaptations that were done outside of Disney. There’s the A Cinderella Story franchise led by actresses like Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, Sofia Carson, and Bailee Madison and, of course, you can’t forget the timeless Cinderella starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. Just because Disney did not get it right doesn’t mean there aren’t other, more diverse options for Cinderella lovers.
Mulan
Original: Mulan, the original movie released in 1998, sparked much conversation, especially as the first Disney princess movie surrounding an independent Asian woman. The film imparts numerous lessons, illustrating that women can serve as saviors amidst the challenges of family responsibility, while also giving us an unconventional love story. This film had epic storytelling and not only was it easy to follow, but it was also a joy to watch. Eddie Murphy as Mushu will forever be an iconic Disney sidekick role. He was hilarious and gave so much personality to the animated dragon.
Remake: The live-action adaptation of Mulan had the potential to be great, but unfortunately missed the mark. Admittedly, the cinematography was stunning, but, without the music, the story lost the passion and emotion that audiences loved about Mulan. The movie fell flat in the creative process and felt rushed, with a lack of depth given to the characters. It seemed to have lost everything that made the original memorable. This time, the live-action movie strayed too far from the essence of the original.
The Verdict: Original.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the original Mulan is the better movie. I think this story could have benefited from a live-action version, especially because there is so much room for epic fight sequences. Dare I say, try again? But if you’re not going to do a musical version, please leave it alone. I just can’t see Mulan without songs like “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” ‘Reflection,” or “Honor to Us All.” I see the intent behind leaving out the musical numbers, but, without them, I cared about Mulan’s story a whole lot less and she just felt one-dimensional.
Aladdin
Original: Aladdin, released in 1992, was a hit starring Robin Williams and was iconic partly because, well, who doesn’t love a magic carpet and princesses? I’ve always argued that Aladdin isn’t really a Disney princess movie because it quite literally is called Aladdin — how much more obvious can that be? But I get it, this story is surrounding the romance of Jasmine and Aladdin and they really show us that coming from two different worlds can actually be a positive if you allow it. You can’t deny the wonder of Agrabah. There’s so much to love about the original film, from the powerful and witty genie to the fantastical musical numbers.
Remake: Now, people had a lot to say when it was revealed that Aladdin would be made into a live-action film. I mean, it would be hard for anyone to recreate the genie after the late Robin Williams had already perfected it. But I’ll be honest, Will Smith did a great job of making the genie his own. He didn’t try to recreate what we already loved, instead, he showed us his version. Say what you want, but, from the colors to the dancing numbers, I think Aladdin’s live-action movie was amazing.
The Verdict: Original.
Is this even a question when we’re talking about the legend Robin Williams? Though I do think that Smith's rendition of the genie was great, Williams' version is pure genius. He’s hilarious and quirky and knowing they allowed him creative freedom in his delivery is a testament to how talented he truly was. The chemistry between Aladdin and Jasmine was also very lackluster in the live-action film. The live-action movie did have beautiful musical numbers and the colors were spectacular, but how can we beat the original? The scene with Aladdin describing Jasmine by itself has more chemistry than anything we saw in the live-action version. For this reason, the animated movie is the better version.
The Lion King
Original: The timeless classic The Lion King roared into cinemas in 1994 and remains a film that will stay in families' homes for generations to come. From the spectacular soundtrack to breathtaking animations, this story is compelling and brings the audience on a true journey of self-discovery. The colors are vibrant and bold, maintaining their allure despite the advancements made since the original release. However, what really helps the story stand out are its complexities. The story allows the audience to decide the depth of their journey. You can appreciate the visuals, voice work, and music, but there's also so much more to uncover. Exploring themes surrounding grief, love, and self-discovery makes The Lion King a rich story for all ages.
Remake: The 2019 version of The Lion King made many enhancements and, though that may seem like a positive thing, some classics are simply better left untouched. With CGI animals, it's difficult to evoke the same emotions as in classic animation, although we can admit, young Simba was undeniably adorable. The voice acting was impressive, although every time Nala spoke, all I could think about was Beyoncé. Overall, this movie would have been better left untouched. It lost the magic and iconic moments. Music numbers like "Be Prepared" weren't as impactful as in the original. Additionally, losing the moment between Rafiki and Simba was a true disappointment, as that scene shares one of the best Disney quotes and emotional moments from an animated film.
The Verdict: Original.
The original Lion King cannot be outdone as it is still one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. The storytelling was so perfectly done. The movie's ability to remain a kids' movie and yet have so much depth was truly seamless. The voice acting added so much charisma and flair. From the opening number to the closing scene, Lion King is a classic animated film like no other.
101 Dalmations
Original: 101 Dalmatians is a quintessential Disney movie that holds a special place in the company's illustration history. It broke new ground with its lack of magic, presenting a new level of realism for Disney, relying solely on its characters and storyline to compel the audience. And compel it did — the animation was stunning, with vibrant colors, intricate details, and characters bursting with personality.
Even if you haven't watched the movie, you surely recognize the iconic Cruella De Vil, who stands tall as one of the most stylish villains in Disney history.
Remake: Cruella, released in 2019, is not exactly the same story as 101 Dalmatians, but it provides us with the backstory of Cruella and how she became, well, cruel. Emma Stone was simply perfect in this role. She portrayed Cruella with wit, narcissism, and fierceness. Disney took a different approach with this remake, which worked in its favor. Did we really need to see 101 Dalmatians again in live-action form? Perhaps not. But did we need to see how Estella become Cruella? Absolutely. From the storytelling to the pacing, this movie was successful. The costumes were absolutely amazing. Eeach outfit made a bold statement and was distinctively different.
The Verdict: Live-action remake.
I'll admit, I'm not the biggest 101 Dalmatians fan. While I can acknowledge its importance to Disney’s history, the only thing I liked about the film was the iconic Cruella De Vil. However, the story itself wasn’t as appealing to me, which is why Emma Stone's portrayal of Cruella was so much more intriguing. Cruella allowed me to care for a character that we are ultimately supposed to hate, revealing the person behind the fur. Two stand outs in this new adaptation were Emma Stone's performance and the soundtrack because it was edgy and seamlessly integrated into the film.
Upcoming Live Actions Remake Films
The live-action remake of Moana was announced on April 3, 2023 by Maui actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, while a live-action musical reimagining of Disney’s Snow White with Rachel Zegler is coming to theaters on March 21, 2025.
