All 18 of Disney's remakes of its animated classics, ranked

Kirsten AcunaJun 2, 2021, 20:54 IST

"Cinderella," "The Lion King," and "Aladdin" are some of Disney's remakes.Disney

Disney continues remaking its beloved classics for new generations and it won't stop anytime soon.
Insider ranked Disney's remakes from worst to best, according to critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
2010's "Alice Through the Looking Glass" has the worst reviews. 2016's "The Jungle Book" is beloved.

18. "Alice Through the Looking Glass" was visually stunning, but the story, which centered around the Mad Hatter, was underwhelming.

Johnny Depp returned as the Mad Hatter in "Alice Through the Looking Glass." Disney

Synopsis: "Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to help the Mad Hatter."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%

Synopsis: Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to help the Mad Hatter.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%

17. In 2000's "102 Dalmatians," Cruella de Vil tries to steal even more Dalmatian puppies than before.

Glenn Close returned as Cruella de Vill in Disney's "102 Dalmatians," which may have been a bit too violent for kids. Disney

Synopsis: "Cruella de Vil gets out of prison and goes after the puppies once more."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 31%

Synopsis: Cruella de Vil gets out of prison and goes after the puppies once more.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 31%

16. 1996's "101 Dalmatians" gave us an enjoyable performance from Glenn Close, but not much else that made the remake stand out.

"101 Dalmatians" was based on Dodie Smith's novel, "The Hundred and One Dalmatians." Disney

Synopsis: "An evil high-fashion designer plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 41%

Synopsis: An evil high-fashion designer plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 41%

15. Angelina Jolie reprised her role as the iconic Disney villain in "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil."

Though Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer stunned, not everyone was a fan of the sequel. Disney

Synopsis: "Maleficent and her goddaughter Aurora begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 39%

You can read our review of "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" here.

Synopsis: Maleficent and her goddaughter Aurora begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 39%

You can read our review of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil here.

14. 2019's "Dumbo" was charming, but the addition of extra characters made the film lose its focus a bit on the main star.

Tim Burton reunited with Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito for the live-action "Dumbo." Disney

Synopsis: "A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%

Synopsis: A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%

13. Tim Burton brought us to a magical world in 2010's "Alice in Wonderland" that received mix reviews.

Mia Wasikowska played Alice in "Alice in Wonderland." Disney

Synopsis: "Nineteen-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: To end the Red Queen's reign of terror."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

Synopsis: Nineteen-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: To end the Red Queen's reign of terror.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

12. Disney used photo-real technology to bring "The Lion King" to life. Not everyone was a fan of the realistic look.

The Jon Favreau-directed "The Lion King" premiered on July 19, 2019. Disney

Synopsis: "After the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%

Synopsis: After the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%

11. Disney gave a twist to its 1959 animated movie, "Sleeping Beauty," by making the princess' villain the main character in 2014's "Maleficent."

Angelina Jolie played the titular role in Disney's "Maleficent." Disney

Synopsis: "A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%

Synopsis: A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%

10. Will Smith starred as the Genie in the live-action remake of "Aladdin," which fans and critics applauded for giving Jasmine a larger role.

Mena Massoud and Will Smith played Aladdin and Genie, respectively, in 2019's "Aladdin." Disney

Synopsis: "A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

Synopsis: A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

9. The "Lady and the Tramp" remake debuted on Disney Plus at launch in November 2019 with some smart changes.

Justin Theroux and Tessa Thompson voice the main characters in Disney's remake of "Lady and the Tramp." Disney

Synopsis: "CGI and live-action re-imagining of the 1955 Disney classic."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%

Synopsis: CGI and live-action re-imagining of the 1955 Disney classic.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%

8. In 2017, Disney released "Beauty and the Beast," which gave a fresh perspective and new songs to the classic.

The star-studded cast included Emma Watson, Luke Evans, and Emma Thompson. Disney

Synopsis: "A selfish prince is cursed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he learns to fall in love with a beautiful young woman he keeps prisoner."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

Synopsis: A selfish prince is cursed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he learns to fall in love with a beautiful young woman he keeps prisoner.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

[TIE] 6. 2018's "Christopher Robin" gave us an adorable friendship between Ewan McGregor and the silly old bear.

"Christopher Robin" was nominated for an Academy Award for best achievement in visual effects. Disney

Synopsis: "A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie the Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

Synopsis: A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie the Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

[TIE] 6. Disney's long-delayed "Mulan" remake premiered only on Disney Plus during the pandemic.

Liu Yifei played Mulan. Disney

Synopsis: "A young Chinese maiden disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

You can read our review of "Mulan" here.

Synopsis: A young Chinese maiden disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

You can read our review of Mulan here.

5. 2021's "Cruella" gives Disney's Queen of Mean from "101 Dalmatians" an origin story in this prequel spin-off.

Emma Stone is Cruella. Disney

Synopsis: "A live-action prequel feature film following a young Cruella de Vil."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%

You can read our review of "Cruella" here.

Synopsis: A live-action prequel feature film following a young Cruella de Vil.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%

You can read our review of Cruella here.

4. Disney's first live-action remake, 1994's "The Jungle Book," is one of its best-reviewed.

"The Jungle Book" starred Jason Scott Lee as Mowgli and Lena Heady as Kitty, Mowgli's love interest. Disney

Synopsis: "Rudyard Kipling's classic tale of Mowgli, the orphaned jungle boy raised by wolves, and how he becomes king of the jungle."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

Synopsis: Rudyard Kipling's classic tale of Mowgli, the orphaned jungle boy raised by wolves, and how he becomes king of the jungle.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

3. The success and popularity of 2015's "Cinderella" helped kick off even more live-action Disney remakes.

Lily James starred with Cate Blanchett, Helen Bonham Carter, and Richard Madden in "Cinderella." Disney

Synopsis: "When her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her scheming stepsisters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

Synopsis: When her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her scheming stepsisters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

2. Critics and fans alike agreed that "Pete's Dragon" was a sweet update to the 1977 movie.

"Pete's Dragon" premiered in 2016. Disney

Synopsis: "The adventures of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Synopsis: The adventures of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

1. Critics and audiences alike were enchanted by director Jon Favreau's take on "The Jungle Book."

"The Jungle Book" won an Academy Award for best achievement in visual effects. It also grossed nearly $1 billion at the box office worldwide. Disney

Synopsis: "After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan forces him to flee the jungle, a man-cub named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of panther Bagheera and free-spirited bear Baloo."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

Angélica Acevedo contributed to a previous version of this story.

Synopsis: After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan forces him to flee the jungle, a man-cub named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of panther Bagheera and free-spirited bear Baloo.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

Angélica Acevedo contributed to a previous version of this story.

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All 18 of Disney's remakes of its animated classics, ranked

18. "Alice Through the Looking Glass" was visually stunning, but the story, which centered around the Mad Hatter, was underwhelming.

17. In 2000's "102 Dalmatians," Cruella de Vil tries to steal even more Dalmatian puppies than before.

16. 1996's "101 Dalmatians" gave us an enjoyable performance from Glenn Close, but not much else that made the remake stand out.

15. Angelina Jolie reprised her role as the iconic Disney villain in "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil."

14. 2019's "Dumbo" was charming, but the addition of extra characters made the film lose its focus a bit on the main star.

13. Tim Burton brought us to a magical world in 2010's "Alice in Wonderland" that received mix reviews.

12. Disney used photo-real technology to bring "The Lion King" to life. Not everyone was a fan of the realistic look.

11. Disney gave a twist to its 1959 animated movie, "Sleeping Beauty," by making the princess' villain the main character in 2014's "Maleficent."

10. Will Smith starred as the Genie in the live-action remake of "Aladdin," which fans and critics applauded for giving Jasmine a larger role.

9. The "Lady and the Tramp" remake debuted on Disney Plus at launch in November 2019 with some smart changes.

8. In 2017, Disney released "Beauty and the Beast," which gave a fresh perspective and new songs to the classic.

[TIE] 6. 2018's "Christopher Robin" gave us an adorable friendship between Ewan McGregor and the silly old bear.

[TIE] 6. Disney's long-delayed "Mulan" remake premiered only on Disney Plus during the pandemic.

5. 2021's "Cruella" gives Disney's Queen of Mean from "101 Dalmatians" an origin story in this prequel spin-off.

4. Disney's first live-action remake, 1994's "The Jungle Book," is one of its best-reviewed.

3. The success and popularity of 2015's "Cinderella" helped kick off even more live-action Disney remakes.

2. Critics and fans alike agreed that "Pete's Dragon" was a sweet update to the 1977 movie.

1. Critics and audiences alike were enchanted by director Jon Favreau's take on "The Jungle Book."