3 Underrated Disney Live-Action Remakes That Prove Their Potential

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Disney’s live-action remakes often get a bad rap, but some are surprisingly well-made and prove they can be really enjoyable. Over the last ten years, Disney has created live-action versions of many of their beloved animated films. While a lot of fans quickly dismiss these remakes, they often have a lot to offer.

Live-action remakes can offer fresh perspectives on beloved stories. Disney’s remakes, whether by tweaking details or expanding on existing ideas, have the potential to captivate viewers. With the recent release of the new Moana trailer, now is a good time to highlight some of Disney’s most overlooked remakes.

Aladdin (2019)

As a huge film buff, I remember when the 2019 ‘Aladdin’ remake was announced, there was a lot of pressure! Robin Williams was the Genie for so many of us, so when Will Smith stepped into that role, a lot of fans – myself included – were pretty hesitant. But honestly, the film turned out to be a really enjoyable update to the original, and it definitely stood on its own as a fun movie.

What makes the new Aladdin so enjoyable isn’t just how well it recreates the classic songs, but also the fresh additions. Will Smith is a fantastic surprise as the Genie, bringing a unique energy to the role. His version of “Friend Like Me” is particularly impressive – he stays true to the original tune while adding his own personal style.

Featuring strong performances from Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as Aladdin and Jasmine, this live-action remake was a pleasant surprise and ranks among Disney’s better films. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the beloved 1990s animated version, it’s a solid remake that holds its own.

Pete’s Dragon (2016)

Most Disney live-action remakes closely follow the plots of their animated originals, but the 2016 version of Pete’s Dragon went in a different direction. Instead of a traditional musical with an animated dragon, it became a fantasy story about a boy and his hidden friend. It feels a lot like a reimagining of E.T., and that actually helps make this often-overlooked film work so well.

I absolutely loved the feel of the new Pete’s Dragon movie – it’s just so charming! You really root for Pete, he’s such a sweet and relatable kid, especially considering everything he’s been through after losing his parents and trying to figure out this new life.

Elliot the Dragon brings a charming and playful quality to this sweet fantasy movie. Though it’s been largely overlooked for the past ten years, it’s still worth watching, and is now available on Disney+.

The Jungle Book (2016)

Many consider 2016’s The Jungle Book to be the best of Disney’s live-action remakes. It’s a stunning update to the beloved 1960s animated film, and some even believe it surpasses the original – a view supported by its high rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

This new version of The Jungle Book succeeds because it builds on the story of the original film. The 1967 movie was quite short and featured a lot of songs, which didn’t leave much room for developing the characters fully.

This new version is thirty minutes longer than the original, giving the filmmakers time to develop the characters more fully. Notably, Shere Khan is portrayed as a significantly more intimidating villain.

Fans of the original will be happy to hear this film keeps most of the beloved, upbeat musical numbers. Overall, it’s a really enjoyable movie and stands out as one of Disney’s best live-action remakes.

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2026-03-26 18:48