The highly anticipated Snow White is set to hit theaters in 2025, adding to Walt Disney Studios’ expanding collection of live-action adaptations centered around beloved Disney Princesses. Since its inception in the late 1930s, Disney has excelled in transforming timeless fairy tales and classic stories into animated masterpieces, many of which are revered as cinematic landmarks. While the studio continues to produce original animated films, recent years have seen a significant pivot towards reimagining classic animations in live-action format. Noteworthy live-action adaptations in this trend include The Jungle Book (2016) and Dumbo (2019).
The reception to Disney’s live-action remakes has varied among critics and audiences; however, several have achieved considerable box office success. Many of these reboots aim to resonate with contemporary audiences, featuring modernized takes on their favorite female characters from the Disney Princess franchise. Films like Maleficent (2014) and Aladdin (2019) introduce live portrayals of characters such as Aurora and Jasmine. There have been multiple adaptations starring Disney Princesses over the years, each yielding a mix of critical and commercial outcomes.
5 Mulan (2020)
Directed by Niki Caro
Mulan is one of Disney’s most polarizing live-action adaptations, a project that struggled through development for a decade. Featuring Yifei Liu in the titular role, this adaptation narrates the journey of Hua Mulan, a courageous young woman from Imperial China who disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s place in the army. As she rises to become a formidable warrior, she ultimately faces the villainous Böri Khan. This film draws from both the animated classic from 1998 and the Chinese folklore “The Ballad of Mulan.”
The film’s production was marred by controversy, including Disney’s decision to shoot near Chinese internment camps, the redesign of Mulan’s love interest, Li Shang, and the choice of a non-Asian director. Director Niki Caro defended her position, suggesting that Disney’s culture necessitated a director who could navigate diverse storytelling contexts (via The Hollywood Reporter).
Upon release, responses were mixed; the film was lauded for its stunning visual effects, Liu’s performance, and energetic action sequences. Criticism arose regarding its historical inaccuracies, screenplay quality, and the absence of well-known songs from the original animated film. Despite delivering a resonant theme of female empowerment, many fans felt the 2020 adaptation paled in comparison to its animated predecessor.
4 Snow White (2025)
Directed by Marc Webb
The upcoming live-action adaptation of Snow White is a reimagining of Disney’s inaugural full-length animated feature, released over 80 years ago. This rendition, inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, follows Snow White—a princess forced to escape her castle to evade her stepmother, the Evil Queen, who wishes to eliminate her. As she ventures into the forest, Snow White teams up with seven dwarfs and a band of thieves to reclaim her kingdom.
Similar to Mulan, the production of Snow White encountered its share of challenges, notably around the casting of Rachel Zegler and the portrayal of the seven dwarfs. Reviews have been mixed, criticizing the CGI and deviations from the animated classic; however, Zegler’s performance has garnered widespread acclaim, with many identifying it as a highlight, akin to her previous roles in West Side Story and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The film also showcases a strong musical score featuring both classic and original compositions that enhance its impact as a commendable live-action adaptation.
3 The Little Mermaid (2023)
Directed by Rob Marshall
Released in 2023, the live-action version of The Little Mermaid seamlessly intertwines elements of the animated original with contemporary updates. Directed by Rob Marshall, this take follows Ariel (portrayed by Halle Bailey), a curious mermaid yearning to explore the human world, despite her father King Triton’s (Javier Bardem) disapproval. After saving a human prince during a storm, Ariel strikes a deal with the sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), sacrificing her voice for the chance to walk on land.
This adaptation enriches the original narrative by developing Ariel and Eric’s love story, crafting a new background for Eric, and explicating the discord between humans and merfolk. Alan Menken, the composer behind the original film, returns to collaborate with Lin-Manuel Miranda to create a powerful soundtrack that features both revived and fresh offerings.
Bailey’s interpretation of Ariel successfully transcends the initial backlash regarding her casting, delivering a compelling portrayal that refreshes the character for modern audiences. This adept representation has positioned The Little Mermaid as one of Disney’s finest live-action films in recent years.
2 Cinderella (2015)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Disney’s 1950 animated Cinderella is regarded as a favorite of Walt Disney himself, which led to high expectations for the 2015 live-action reinterpretation overseen by Kenneth Branagh. The story follows Ella (Lily James), who, after her father’s death, is relegated to a life of servitude under her stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett). With the aid of her fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), Ella seizes the chance to attend a royal ball, altering her destiny forever.
Branagh’s adaptation stands as a worthy homage to the animated classic, successfully amplifying the original story’s themes. The film’s acclaim can be attributed largely to Lily James’ emotionally resonant performance as Cinderella, marking it as one of her career highlights. While it does forgo the catchy tunes of the original, the film boasts a talented ensemble cast, exquisite costuming, and a rich narrative embodying friendship, romance, and self-discovery that solidify it as a stellar live-action rendition of Charles Perrault’s cherished fairy tale.
1 Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Directed by Bill Condon
Regarded as one of the premier entries in Walt Disney’s animated canon, the 1991 Beauty and the Beast captivated audiences with its engaging narrative, memorable supporting characters, and enchanting soundtrack. Garnering two Oscars in 1992 for Best Original Song and Best Original Soundtrack, it was among the few animated films to earn a nomination for Best Picture. The long-anticipated live-action adaptation was released in 2017, featuring Belle (Emma Watson), who takes her father’s place in the Beast’s (Dan Stevens) palace, leading to an evolving romance.
Bill Condon’s live-action version features an impressive cast, including Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Emma Thompson, and Josh Gad, who provide fresh interpretations of the original characters. The addition of new musical numbers like “How Does A Moment Last Forever?”and “Evermore”enrich the story, revitalizing the cherished fairy tale. Critics praised Emma Watson’s portrayal of Belle for enhancing the character’s independence, solidifying this version as the definitive live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter