Ranking the Best Live-Action Disney Remakes

Disney’s Live-Action Remakes: A Fresh Take on Classic Favorites

Disney experimented with live-action versions of its beloved animated classics in the '90s — think 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians — but it wasn’t until 2015’s Cinderella and 2016’s The Jungle Book struck gold that the studio fully committed to the format. Then, when 2017’s Beauty and the Beast remake crossed the billion-dollar mark? That was the final nail in the coffin for any doubts.

Now, with Disney’s newest live-action adaptation — the fan-favorite and merchandise powerhouse Lilo & Stitch — hitting theaters this week, and Snow White following closely behind, we’ve decided to celebrate the best of the breed with our curated list of top live-action Disney remakes.

To some longtime Disney fans, these live-action reimaginings are a non-starter. But no matter your take on the commercial angle or whether you feel they lack the soul of the original animated versions, there’s no denying that some truly stand out. Several of these films were brought to life by directors who clearly respect the source material, infusing the stories with fresh emotion and depth. Which live-action Disney remake is your favorite? Did it make our list? Vote in our poll below and find out.

(And just to be clear — this list is strictly for remakes. No prequels, sequels, or alternate takes on iconic characters like Maleficent, Cruella, or Christopher Robin.)