What counts as a Disney live action remake
Disney live action remakes are feature films that reimagine animated classics or previous live action adaptations with new production design, updated visual effects, and contemporary casting. These projects aim to honor the spirit of the original while leveraging modern filmmaking tools and broader representation. This guide focuses on theatrical, Walt Disney Pictures–branded live action adaptations of animated features, sequels, and spin offs that directly expand familiar animated properties.
This evergreen overview explains what has been released, what is currently in development, and how each film fits into Disney’s broader storytelling strategy. Expect verified release windows where available, context about source material, and key cast and creative leadership, updated for long term usefulness.
Key terms at a glance
- Live action remake: a new live action retelling of an animated Disney film or earlier live action version
- Source material: the original animated feature or prior adaptation that provides the core story
- Principal photography: the primary period of filming
- Release date: the first public theatrical or streaming availability
Live action remakes released through 2024
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Tim Burton’s fantasy adventure reimagines Lewis Carroll’s tales through a darker, visually stylized lens. Starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, and Anne Hathaway, the film blends sequel and remake sensibilities by continuing Wonderland rather than retelling the original.
Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass (2016)
A time traveling sequel directed by James Bobin, again featuring Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp, using temporal storytelling to justify another journey through Wonderland.
Maleficent (2014)
Robert Stromberg’s film re-centers the iconic villain, offering a revisionist origin story led by Angelina Jolie and exploring motivations that complicate the original animated antagonist role.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
A larger scale fantasy epic directed by Joachim Rønning, expanding the mythology with new kingdoms, characters, and higher stakes for Maleficent and Aurora.
The Jungle Book (2016)
Jon Favreau’s photorealistic remake blends performance capture with cutting edge CGI to recreate Rudyard Kipling’s jungle, anchored by Neel Sethi as Mowgli and a vocal ensemble led by Bill Murray and Ben Kingsley.
The Lion King (2019)
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Donald Glover, and Chiwetel Ejiofer headline Jon Favreau’s meticulously crafted photorealistic reimagining of the 1994 animated classic.
Cinderella (2015)
Kenneth Branagh’s lavish, effects driven take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s fairy tale features Lily James as Ella, with Cate Blanchett as the iconic stepmother.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Bill Condon’s musical remake stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, translating the Broadway infused romance and iconic songs into a lavish live action production.
Aladdin (2019)
Guy Ritchie’s adventure, with musical supervision by Alan Menken and Lin Manuel Miranda, stars Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott as Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Genie.
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Rob Marshall’s adaptation introduces Halle Bailey as Ariel, alongside Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy, reimagining the underwater kingdom with new songs and expanded backstory.
Upcoming and announced live action remakes
As of 2024, Disney has announced several live action projects that remain in various stages of development or early production. These include further reimaginings of classic titles, some with directors, cast, and release timelines disclosed, while others are still in early creative phases.
Snow White
Marc Webb is set to direct a live action Snow White featuring Gal Gadot as the villainess, with principal photography underway. Focus remains on exploring the Queen’s motivations and expanding the lore of the kingdom.
Pinocchio
Robert Zemeckis is directing a live action Pinocchio featuring Tom Hanks as Geppetto, with a performance capture approach bringing the wooden puppet to life while preserving core themes of honesty and bravery.
Peter Pan & Wendy3>
A live action Peter Pan film is in development with David Lowery set to direct, offering a fresh take on Neverland while addressing evolving cultural sensitivities around the source material.
Fantasia
Details remain fluid around a potential live action Fantasia project, with early conversations focused on how to translate its animated anthology structure into a cohesive live action narrative.
The Little Mermaid release details
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Title | The Little Mermaid | Official announcement |
| Release date | May 26, 2023 (United States) | Studio release calendar |
| Director | Rob Marshall | Disney press release |
| Lead performance | Halle Bailey as Ariel | Casting announcement |
| Musical legacy | Original songs retained, new song added | Disney production notes |
Status clarification: what is and isn’t a remake here
Not every Disney project with live actors is a remake; this guide excludes films that are entirely new stories, reboots without animated source material, or films that merely draw inspiration from a classic. Only projects that explicitly retell an animated feature in live action are included. This distinction helps readers quickly identify which films truly reimagine the animated originals.
How these remakes fit Disney’s broader strategy
Live action remakes allow Disney to revisit cherished stories for new audiences while expanding cinematic universes and leveraging modern visual effects. They often provide deeper backstory, explore villain perspectives, or introduce more diverse casting, aligning with contemporary audience expectations. At the same time, these films must balance nostalgia with creative novelty to satisfy long time fans and attract newer viewers.
Quick comparison at a glance
| Film | Year | Source | Director | Key star |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice in Wonderland | 2010 | Lewis Carroll (public domain) | Tim Burton | Mia Wasikowska |
| Maleficent | 2014 | Sleeping Beauty (1959) | Robert Stromberg | Angelina Jolie |
| The Jungle Book | 2016 | Rudyard Kipling | Jon Favreau | Neel Sethi |
| The Lion King | 2019 | 1994 animated | Jon Favreau | Donald Glover |
| Cinderella | 2015 | Rodgers and Hammerstein | Kenneth Branagh | Lily James |
| Beauty and the Beast | 2017 | 1991 animated | Bill Condon | Emma Watson |
| Aladdin | 2019 | 1992 animated | Guy Ritchie | Will Smith |
| The Little Mermaid | 2023 | 1989 animated | Rob Marshall | Halle Bailey |
What to watch for when new remakes are announced
When Disney announces a new live action remake, pay attention to director vision, casting choices, source material approach, and whether the story expands beyond the original framework. These factors shape how faithful, innovative, or commercially driven each film will be. Understanding this helps contextualize each project within Disney’s broader legacy storytelling efforts.
As more titles move from development to release, this list will be updated to reflect the latest status, cast, and confirmed details, ensuring it remains a reliable reference for years to come.