Disney, What’s Up With the Live-Action Remakes?

Disney, we need to talk. Perhaps it’s time to consider leaning into what made the higher-ranked live-action remakes a success.  

Disney, we need to talk. These live-action remakes are…interesting. I grew up watching the classics like The Lion King, Mulan, Cinderella, Hercules, and eventually, binge-watching Disney Channel. Nobody could sing the songs in Hannah Montana or Let it Shine better than me. I’m on your side.

So walk with me, okay?

Disney live-action remakes ranked

To fully understand the issue, we will be using a ranking system: Excellent, Decent, and Cut the Cameras.

Excellent

• The Little Mermaid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There is a trend where adaptations of existing art end up being bastardized or, at best, turn out satisfactory. But somehow, the Little Mermaid beat the allegations.

Thanks to the production and talented cast, the movie was a success. And let’s be honest—my girl Halle Bailey carried that movie on her back. The acting? The vocals? The beauty? Tens across the board. 

• Maleficent ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disney ate with this remake. It’s the creativity for me. Maleficent took the story of Sleeping Beauty and gave it a fresh take. What made this retelling stand out was, again, the acting, rich visuals, and the immersive storytelling.

It takes a good pen to humanise a villain so well that the audience starts to root for them. The only other notable time I have seen this done is in The Originals.  

• Mufasa: The Lion King ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the prequel we didn’t know we needed. It’s common knowledge that Scar killed his brother, but we all assumed jealousy was the reason. Spoiler: It wasn’t.

Again, this adaptation works because of the realistic CGI and sound voice acting. Nines across the board because the songs were not as catchy as the original Lion King. Sorry.

• Mulan ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I came in expecting to sing along to “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” and left disappointed, until I wasn’t. The new approach to Mulan draws from the original ballad with impressive cultural attention to detail. The cinematic quality and storytelling are top tier. Unfortunately, I’m giving it four stars because some parts were a bit scary. 

Decent

• Aladdin ⭐⭐⭐

This was everything a viewer would expect from Aladdin: a beautiful princess, a charming love interest, a flying carpet, and an evil royal member.

The production was on point, and the actors did their thing, but I wasn’t left with a ‘wow’ moment. Maybe it’s because the storyline is well-known. The story also lacked suspense. 

• The Lion King ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Lion King also suffers the fate of familiarity. The CGI was deeply realistic, and the actors did their best, but there was no plot twist to keep the viewers in awe. The remake has three stars, and the fourth? That’s for Queen B. She carried the music. 

Cut the Cameras

• Snow White ⭐⭐

How do I put this politely? Something was fundamentally off with the 2025 version. The visual direction was solid, most of the actors put in their best, but the overall delivery was slightly underwhelming. As such, Snow White gets two stars: one for the wonderful production, and one for Rachel Zegler. 

The Verdict

Disney is the GOAT. No argument. But, perhaps it’s time to consider leaning into what made the higher-ranked live-action remakes a success: innovative approach, exceptional casting, and stunning cinematography. This is a plea.

P.S. My nephew loves Moana, and if the live action doesn’t meet expectations, there won’t be peace.