DISNEY LIVE-ACTION ADAPTATIONS

Lilo Pelekai, an imaginative and sometimes misunderstood young Hawaiian girl, lives with her older sister Nani and has a penchant for the unusual – from snapping photos of sunburnt tourists to embracing all things spooky. This Elvis-loving free spirit finds her world turned upside down when she adopts Stitch, an alien fugitive, from a local pet shelter, transforming him into the galaxy's most endearing "dog." In the upcoming live-action remake, 8-year-old Hawaiian native Maia Kealoha brings Lilo's vibrant personality to life.

Stitch, also known as Experiment 626, is a mischievous alien creation with a gift for creating chaos and a surprising capacity for love. This blue, koala-like creature was originally designed as an unstoppable force of destruction but finds his true calling as Lilo's loyal, if somewhat troublesome, pet "dog." In the upcoming live-action remake, Stitch's lovable antics will be brought to life through cutting-edge CGI, with his iconic voice once again provided by Chris Sanders, the character's original creator and voice actor.

Nani Pelekai is the resilient and devoted older sister of Lilo, serving as both sibling and legal guardian. At just eighteen years old, Nani finds herself navigating the challenges of raising her sister while trying to maintain a stable home life on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. Balancing work, responsibility, and the occasional alien chaos, Nani embodies the true meaning of 'ohana, often putting her own dreams on hold to ensure Lilo's well-being. In the upcoming live-action remake, Nani will be brought to life by Sydney Agudong.

Pleakley, an eccentric alien from the planet Plorgonar, is an Earth 'expert' and unlikely ally in the chaotic world of Lilo and Stitch. Initially sent to assist in capturing the fugitive Experiment 626 (Stitch), this one-eyed, three-legged extraterrestrial finds himself charmed by Earth's peculiar customs and vibrant culture. Pleakley's penchant for cross-dressing and his endearing naivety about human ways often lead to comical misunderstandings, but his heart is always in the right place. In the upcoming live-action remake, Pleakley's quirky mannerisms and distinctive voice are set to be brought to life by Billy Magnussen.

David Kawena is the laid-back, good-natured love interest of Nani. An surfer with a heart as big as the waves he rides, David brings a calming presence to the often chaotic lives of the Pelekai sisters. Despite Nani's initial reluctance to pursue a relationship due to her responsibilities, David's unwavering support and patience make him an invaluable friend to both Nani and Lilo. In the upcoming live-action remake, David's charming personality and surfer cool are being brought to life by Kaipo Dudoit.

Jumba Jookiba, a self-proclaimed Evil Genius, is a brilliant but misguided alien scientist from the planet Kweltikwan. Creator of the infamous Experiment 626 (Stitch) and other genetic experiments, Jumba's mad science lands him in hot water with the Galactic Federation. Initially sent to Earth to capture his rogue creation, this four-eyed extraterrestrial finds himself reluctantly drawn into Lilo's unconventional family. In the upcoming live-action remake, Jumba's larger-than-life presence and distinctive voice are set to be brought to life by Zach Galifianakis.

Disney's1996 live-action adaptation of 101 Dalmatians brings the beloved 1961, animated classic to life with real actors and animals. Set in modern-day London, the film follows Roger and Anita, who fall in love thanks to their Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita. When Perdita gives birth to 15 puppies, Anita's villainous boss Cruella de Vil, brilliantly portrayed by Glenn Close, becomes obsessed with acquiring them for a fur coat. The movie updates elements to fit the 1990s setting while staying true to the original story's themes of family love and protection.

The 2010 live-action adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton, reimagines Lewis Carroll's classic tale with a dark fantasy twist. The film follows 19-year-old Alice Kingsleigh, played by Mia Wasikowska, who returns to the magical world of Wonderland to confront the tyrannical Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). Featuring Johnny Depp as the eccentric Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the benevolent White Queen, this visually stunning adventure combines live-action performances with CGI animation.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice offers a loose adaptation of the iconic The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment from the 1940 animated classic Fantasia. Directed by Jon Turteltaub and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the movie expands the original concept into a full-length modern fantasy adventure. Set in New York City, the film stars Jay Baruchel as Dave Stutler, a physics student who becomes the unlikely apprentice to Nicolas Cage's master sorcerer, Balthazar Blake.

In a bold reimagining of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, Disney's 2014 live-action film Maleficent turns the spotlight on its infamous villain. Directed by Robert Stromberg and starring Angelina Jolie in the titular role, this dark fantasy delves into the untold story of one of Disney's most iconic antagonists. The movie paints Maleficent as a complex, multifaceted character, exploring her transformation from a betrayed fairy to a vengeful sorceress.

Enchanting audiences with its magical transformation, Kenneth Branagh's 2015 live-action Cinderella breaths new life into the beloved 1950 animated fairy tale. Lily James shines as the kind-hearted Ella, opposite Cate Blanchett's deliciously wicked stepmother. This visually stunning adaptation weaves together sumptuous costumes, dazzling set designs, and cutting-edge CGI to create a world where "have courage and be kind" becomes more than just a motto.

From page to screen, Disney's 2016 The Jungle Book leaps into live-action with breathtaking realism. Director Jon Favreau masterfully blends cutting-edge CGI with a lone human actor, newcomer Neel Sethi as Mowgli. This fresh take on Rudyard Kipling's classic tales sees the man-cub navigate a photo-realistic jungle, brought to life by stellar voice performances from Bill Murray (Baloo), Ben Kingsley (Bagheera), and Idris Elba (Shere Khan).

Disney's enchanting 2017 remake of Beauty and the Beast brings the timeless tale to life with breathtaking realism and star power. Director Bill Condon's lavish adaptation features Emma Watson as the bookish Belle and Dan Stevens as the cursed Beast, supported by a stellar cast bringing the enchanted objects to life. While staying true to the beloved 1991 classic and iconic Alan Menken score, the live-action version adds depth to characters' backstories and introduces new songs.

Disney's Christopher Robin (2018) reimagines A.A. Milne's beloved characters in a poignant live-action adventure. Directed by Marc Forster, this heartwarming tale follows a grown-up Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) as he rediscovers the magic of his childhood. When Winnie the Pooh unexpectedly re-enters his life, Christopher must balance his adult responsibilities with the whimsical world of the Hundred Acre Wood.

This visually stunning adaptation of Dumbo, directed by Tim Burton, stars Colin Farrell as a war veteran turned circus performer, alongside Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, and Eva Green. At its heart, the film tells the story of a young elephant with oversized ears who learns to fly, capturing the imagination of audiences and challenging the notion of what's possible.

In Guy Ritchie's 2019 live-action remake of Aladdin, Mena Massoud charms as the street-smart Aladdin, alongside Naomi Scott's spirited Princess Jasmine and Will Smith's charismatic Genie. Set in the magical city of Agrabah, the film blends stunning visual effects with beloved musical numbers and fresh additions to the soundtrack. Ritchie's direction infuses the familiar tale with modern energy, expanding character depths and adding contemporary twists.

Director Jon Favreau transforms the savanna into a photorealistic wonderland with his adaptation of the 1994 The Lion King, where Donald Glover's Simba and Beyoncé's Nala strut their stuff alongside a star-studded voice cast. This digital safari follows our favorite lion prince from adorable cub to majestic king, serving up all the drama, laughs, and earworms of the original animated classic.

Disney's 2019 Lady and the Tramp reimagines the classic tale with a charming mix of live-action dogs and CGI magic. Director Charlie Bean brings turn-of-the-century America to life as Tessa Thompson's Lady and Justin Theroux's Tramp embark on a heartwarming adventure. This Disney+ exclusive features real rescue dogs, memorable music, and all the romance of the original, proving that puppy love never goes out of style

Director Niki Caro brings ancient China to life in the 2020 live-action adaptation of Mulan, as Liu Yifei's character disguises herself as a man to join the Imperial Army. This $200 million epic swaps musical numbers for sweeping battle scenes and serves up a hefty dose of girl power. While the film's release was as dramatic as its plot—thanks to the pandemic—it still managed to kick up $69.9 million at the global box office despite mixed critiques from Western and Eastern audiences.

Disney's 2022 live-action adaptation of Pinocchio, directed by Robert Zemeckis, offers a modern take on the beloved 1940 animated classic. With a longer runtime, the remake emphasizes emotional relationships and expands on Geppetto's character, played by Tom Hanks. New characters are introduced, and some dated elements from the original are removed or altered to align with contemporary values.

Disney's 2023 live-action adaptation Peter Pan & Wendy directed by David Lowery, follows the same core story of the Darling children's adventure to Neverland with Peter Pan. However, the new film adopts a more serious and slightly darker tone and removes the original animated feature's musical elements. The remake expands on character relationships, particularly between Peter Pan and Wendy, and Peter Pan and Captain Hook, adding depth to the narrative and characters.

Disney's 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, directed by Rob Marshall, reimagines the 1989 animated classic while staying true to its core story. Halle Bailey stars as Ariel, alongside Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Alan Menken returned to score the adaptation, collaborating with Lin-Manuel Miranda on some catchy new songs. The film combines stunning visual effects with the timeless tale of a mermaid's journey between two worlds.

Disney's 2025 live-action adaptation of Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, offers a modernized take on the 1937 animated classic. The film expands the original story, giving Snow White more agency and leadership aspirations, while introducing new characters and magical elements. Critical reception has been mixed to negative with praise for Zegler's performance and some visual effects, but criticism for some casting choices and failing to fully capture the original's charm.

The best adaptation hopes to capture the magic that the original had. To me, Cinderella (2015) is one of the best Disney adaptations. The costuming is stunning and has a distinct style that adds to the fairytale whimsy, with the best re-imagining of a Disney Princess dress to date. The casting and the acting is superb; Lily James is warm and kind as Cinderella which is juxtaposed by Cate Blanchett as the cruel and wicked Stepmother. The updates do not detract from the overall story but instead add more in terms of depth (like the confrontation between Cinderella and the Stepmother where there is a moment we see the Stepmother as a more dimensional character) and enhance elements that were already present but not explored as much (like the romance between Cinderella and Kit). There have been many that have come close to my top spot (Maleficent, The Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book, and Aladdin) however, the charm and the love that was put into Cinderella really shines through.

— Jasmine, Senior Marketing Coordinator

Out of all the live-action Disney movies, Aladdin is hands-down my favorite—it truly feels like the most magical one of them all. From the moment the music starts and Agrabah comes to life, I was swept away just like I was as a kid watching the animated version. But what made this remake soar above the rest for me was Will Smith’s incredible take on the Genie. I’ll be honest—I was nervous about anyone stepping into Robin Williams’ iconic role. But somehow, Will Smith pulled it off perfectly. He didn’t try to copy Robin—he honored him. You could feel the love and respect in every moment, while still making the Genie his own with that signature Will Smith charm and humor.

Watching Smith bring his own flair, mixing in music, heart, and a modern twist, made the character feel fresh while still staying true to the magic we all remember. It felt like Disney gave us something new, without losing what we loved. That’s why Aladdin means so much to me—it’s more than just a remake, it’s a beautiful blend of nostalgia and new adventure, and it truly reminded me why I fell in love with Disney in the first place.

— Autumn, Event Operations Coordinator

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland was the sequel to the original I never knew I needed. First of all, as a kid, I was always looking to fall down my own rabbit hole and experience an adventure, so there is already a whole lot of nostalgia and love for the original story. With this adaptation, I loved the idea of an older Alice facing a darker, twisted version of Wonderland where she has to step up and become the hero who saves her new friends. The aesthetics of the film are just stunning, blending Burton's gothic style with Wonderland's whimsy. Plus, Avril Lavigne wrote a banger of a hit single for this.

Alice in Wonderland is also probably my most rewatched adaptation because of its potential for continuation. I read many a fanfiction for this fandom until Alice Through the Looking Glass finally came out. While the sequel didn't go in exactly the direction I wanted, I still really enjoyed both films for expanding on the idea of Wonderland and the magic of hidden worlds that could be just a rabbit hole away.

— Shelby, Marketing Coodinator