With live-action remakes, Disney’s long history of charming animated hits has been given a new lease on life. With each new version, people have been excited to see how these well-known stories are retold today. Let’s look at some of Disney’s live-action remakes and see how well they were received by looking at their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
1. The Jungle Book (2016)
Directed by Jon Favreau, the new version of The Jungle Book by Disney is beautiful to look at, and the story is fascinating. The film was praised for blending CGI animals into a rich, realistic setting. It scored 94% on Rotten Tomatoes thanks to its strong voice cast and faithful adaptation, making it appealing to new and old viewers.
2. Pete’s Dragon (2016)
Pete’s Dragon reached new heights when it was made into a live-action movie. People liked this story about a boy and his magical Dragon because it made them feel like kids again. The film got an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes because it had charming acting, beautiful visuals, and a touch of nostalgia. This showed how good Disney is at reimagining old stories.
3. Cinderella (2015)
With Cinderella, Disney made a live-action movie with timeless beauty. This charming version of the well-known fairy tale kept the charm of the cartoon version while giving the characters more depth. Both critics and viewers liked the movie, which scored 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, for its charming mix of magic and romance and a strong performance from the main character.
4. Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book (1994)
Before the live-action film made by Disney, there was Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. This new version of the classic story from the 1990s focuses on Mowgli’s trip to find out who he is. Even though it didn’t get as much praise from critics as later versions, those who grew up with it still love it, and it sits at 80% on the Tomatometer.
5. Cruella (2021)
Cruella de Vil, the bad guy from 101 Dalmatians, got her own story in this stylish origin story. Cruella caught people’s attention with a new take on a well-known character and a deep dive into her complicated past. Emma Stone’s charismatic performance as the title character, Cruella, improved the movie.
The film’s punk-rock style and captivating story gave Cruella’s bad feelings more meaning, which helped it achieve a 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Mulan (2020)
The live-action version of Disney’s Mulan was risky, getting rid of some of the singing parts of the original in favor of a more severe and action-oriented tone.
Despite the movie being praised for its incredible visuals and action scenes, it also started conversations about how cultures were shown and how it differed from the cartoon source material. Mulan became one of Disney’s live-action remakes, holding a 72% on the Tomatometer.
7. Christopher Robin (2018)
Christopher Robin went on a heartwarming trip that brought the beloved characters from the Hundred Acre Wood back together with the audience. Christopher Robin was all grown up when he met Pooh and his friends.
They helped him find the joys of life again. This sweet story had a powerful message about the value of imagination and connection, which helped it achieve a rating of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes.
8. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
With a great cast and new special effects, Disney’s remake of Beauty and the Beast brought the classic story to life. It stayed true to the well-known tale while giving famous characters more depth and memorable musical acts. The result was a film that looked great and made people feel things. Both audiences and reviews liked it, and the Rotten Tomatoes rating is 72%.
9. The Little Mermaid (2023)
The live-action version of The Little Mermaid brought Ariel’s story into an underwater world full of magic and music. Many people boycotted the film for having a Black actress without red hair playing Ariel. So, the Rotten Tomatoes score sits lower at 67%.
10. Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
This live-action version of Peter Pan didn’t quite capture the magic of Neverland. It added new twists, and die-hard live-action Disney lovers say it’s not too bad. It has a rating of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes.
11. Lady and the Tramp (2019)
CGI was used to make the famous dog couple come to life in the live-action remake of Lady and the Tramp, which was a charming movie. The movie told a new generation the same lovely story of love and friendship as the original but kept the same feel. Even though it wasn’t as well-known as some other adaptations, it sits at 67% on Rotten Tomatoes.
12. Aladdin (2019)
The lively live-action version of Aladdin took the story to new heights. The movie gave its characters more depth and played up the magic of Agrabah. The classic tale provided new life by the dynamic acting of its cast. However, many didn’t feel Will Smith lived up to Robin Williams’ magic as the genie in the animated version. It has a 57% score on the Tomatometer.
13. Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent gave a new take on the standard Sleeping Beauty story by showing how the famous villain got to be that way. Angelina Jolie’s performance was captivating, and the movie’s world-building was beautiful to look at.
People had different thoughts about how Maleficent strayed from the original story, but the movie still managed to enchant viewers, which led to a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
14. The Lion King (2019)
Disney’s visually breathtaking The Lion King roared back to life with photorealistic animation and an all-star voice cast. Despite staying true to the original story, some reviewers thought it didn’t have as much emotional depth as the animated classic.
Even so, the film’s stunning visuals and iconic music struck a chord with audiences. This helped it land a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and sparked debates about whether reality or emotion is better.
15. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland was a dark and funny trip through a world that made no sense. The movie was in Burton’s usual way, with Johnny Depp as the strange Mad Hatter.
Some people liked the creative pictures, but others didn’t like how the story went. Nevertheless, the film’s box office success and unique aesthetics earned it a Rotten Tomatoes score of 51%.
16. Dumbo (2019)
In Disney’s reimagining of Dumbo, the beloved flying elephant, he soared again. Director Tim Burton brought his distinctive touch to this heartfelt story, adding new layers to the classic tale.
While praised for its poignant moments and stunning visuals, the film faced criticism for deviating from the original’s charm. Dumbo showcased Burton’s creative flair while offering a fresh perspective on the cherished story. Nonetheless, it sits at 46% on the Tomatometer.
17. 101 Dalmatians (1996)
101 Dalmatians marked one of Disney’s earliest live-action adaptations, reimagining the animated classic. Glenn Close’s memorable portrayal of Cruella de Vil left a lasting impact, capturing the villain’s extravagant malevolence.
While not as visually ambitious as later adaptations, the film’s campy charm and iconic performances contributed to its 41% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
18. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil continued to delve into the dark fairy’s world, exploring new conflicts and alliances. While Angelina Jolie’s presence remained captivating, the sequel struggled to recapture the enchantment of the original.
The film’s ambitious world-building and visual spectacle earned mixed reviews, resulting in a Rotten Tomatoes score of 39%, reflecting its strengths and shortcomings.
19. 102 Dalmatians (2000)
The sequel to the live-action 101 Dalmatians, 102 Dalmatians, continued the fun-filled adventure. While the film aimed to recapture the charm of the first installment, it faced challenges in maintaining the same level of appeal.
With a more complex plot and slapstick humor, the sequel garnered a lower Rotten Tomatoes score of 30%, emphasizing the difficulties of sustaining a successful follow-up.
20. Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)
Alice Through the Looking Glass ventured back into Lewis Carroll’s whimsical realm. While it retained visually stunning aesthetics, the film faced challenges in recapturing the novelty of the first installment. Despite the return of key cast members, the sequel’s convoluted narrative and mixed reception led to a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 29%.
21. Pinocchio (2022)
Pinocchio promises a fresh take on the beloved tale of a wooden puppet’s quest to become human. Until they have seen it for themselves, audiences eagerly anticipated it bringing to life the enchanting story of Pinocchio’s transformation and moral lessons, but its Rotten Tomatoes score of 27% reveals it didn’t successfully capture the original’s magic.
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Source: Rotten Tomatoes.