Disney Live-Action Movies Ranked: From Worst to Best

The Golden Era Remakes

These films captured the magic of the originals while translating them into live-action beautifully.

Cinderella (2015)

IMDb: 6.9/10 RT: 84%

Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella remains the gold standard for how to do a live-action Disney remake. Instead of trying to make the story gritty or adding unnecessary modern twists, Branagh embraces the pure, earnest fairy-tale magic of the 1950 animated film. Lily James is luminous as Ella, and Cate Blanchett delivers a delicious, layered performance as the wicked stepmother. The costume and production designs are breathtaking.

The most sincere and visually cohesive Disney remake. It doesn't try to subvert the magic; it enhances it.

The Jungle Book (2016)

IMDb: 7.4/10 RT: 94%

Jon Favreau proved that CGI animals could carry a film with this visually spectacular adaptation. Neel Sethi is excellent as Mowgli, acting alongside entirely digital environments and creatures. The voice cast is legendary, featuring Bill Murray as Baloo and Idris Elba as a terrifying Shere Khan. Favreau balances the adventure and the classic songs ("Bare Necessities") with incredible skill.

A technical triumph that feels alive, adventurous, and emotionally resonant. A rare remake that rivals the original.

The Billion-Dollar Giants

Huge box office hits that split critics but dominated the global cultural conversation.

Aladdin (2019)

IMDb: 6.9/10 RT: 57%

Guy Ritchie's adaptation faced heavy skepticism before release, but it went on to gross over $1 billion. While the CGI Genie is occasionally jarring, Will Smith brings his signature charm to the role without trying to copy Robin Williams. Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott have great chemistry, and Scott's performance of the new original song "Speechless" is a standout moment of empowerment.

A colorful, high-energy musical that delivers great set pieces and a memorable soundtrack.

The Lion King (2019)

IMDb: 6.8/10 RT: 52%

Jon Favreau returned to the CGI well for what is technically a photorealistic animated movie, though marketed as live-action. While the visual detail is stunning — looking like a high-budget nature documentary — the realism occasionally robs the characters of their emotional expressiveness. However, the voice cast (Donald Glover, Beyoncé, James Earl Jones) and Hans Zimmer's updated score keep it engaging.

One of the highest-grossing films of all time. An incredible technical showcase, even if it lacks the soul of the 1994 masterpiece.

Bold & Divisive Experiments

Films that took major creative departures from the source material, resulting in mixed reactions.

Mulan (2020)

IMDb: 5.7/10 RT: 72%

Niki Caro's Mulan made the bold decision to cut the musical numbers and the dragon Mushu, opting instead for a gritty wuxia-inspired war epic. Yifei Liu is physically impressive in the lead role, and the battle sequences are beautifully shot. However, the film struggles to balance its desire for realistic warfare with supernatural elements like the "chi" energy, leaving some fans of the original disappointed.

An ambitious, action-focused remake that looks gorgeous but loses some of the emotional simplicity of the animation.

Cruella (2021)

IMDb: 7.3/10 RT: 75%

An origin story for the 101 Dalmatians villain that plays like The Devil Wears Prada meets Joker. Emma Stone is fantastic as Estella/Cruella, acting opposite Emma Thompson in a fabulous fashion duel set in 1970s punk-rock London. The soundtrack is killer, the costume design is Oscar-winning, and the film has a chaotic energy that sets it apart from other remakes.

A stylish, highly entertaining spin-off that succeeds because it isn't a direct scene-for-scene remake.