Disney has quite a few live-action remakes in the works, but those movies might be the final chance to fix a Rotten Tomatoes problem surrounding releases since 2016. Live-action remakes of beloved Disney classics have been a focus for the studio since the ’90s. While 1996’s 101 Dalmatians is often considered Disney’s first major foray into live-action remakes, the first official came two years prior. In 1994, Disney released Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, which was, of course, a remake of 1967’s The Jungle Book. Interestingly, an even newer version of The Jungle Book has proven how much Disney has struggled with live-action remakes.
Through 2023, Disney has released 21 live-action remakes, including spinoffs and sequels from those established universes. Following 102 Dalmatians, the studio took a decade-long break with this initiative before releasing 2010’s Alice in Wonderland. Then, starting in 2014 with Maleficent, based on Sleeping Beauty’s infamous villain, Disney began releasing at least one live-action remake or sequel a year. In 2019, however, Disney released five movies that fall into that category, which could be a factor in the problems plaguing the quality of Disney live-action remakes dating back to 2016.
Disney Hasn’t Had A Critically Acclaimed Live-Action Remake Since 2016
Of all 21 live-action remakes and the movies within those universes, 2016’s The Jungle Book holds the highest score on Rotten Tomatoes with 94%. That same year, Disney released a modernized Pete’s Dragon, which jumped to the second spot at 88%. Since then, Disney hasn’t had a critically acclaimed live-action remake from 13 out of their last 15 releases. In fact, nothing in that span has garnered a score of over 75%, the rating Cruella received in 2021. While 75% certainly isn’t bad by any means, it’s middling at best compared to Disney expectations and historic quality linked to their original classics that served as the basis of these live-action reimaginations.
To make matters worse, six of the live-action films since 2016 have been “Rotten,” reiterating the question of why Disney keeps making live-action remake movies. Alice in the Looking Glass still holds the lowest score out of all live-action remakes, coming in at 29%. The other five releases that are “Rotten” since 2016 include Pinocchio (28%), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (39%), Dumbo (46%), The Lion King (52%), and Aladdin (57%). Here’s a breakdown of releases through 2016 and their scores via Rotten Tomatoes:
Movie | Release Year | Score |
|---|---|---|
The Jungle Book | 2016 | 94% |
Alice Through the Looking Glass | 2016 | 29% |
Pete’s Dragon | 2016 | 88% |
Beauty and the Beast | 2017 | 71% |
Christopher Robin | 2018 | 72% |
Dumbo | 2019 | 46% |
Aladdin | 2019 | 57% |
The Lion King | 2019 | 52% |
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | 2019 | 39% |
Lady and the Tramp | 2019 | 67% |
Mulan | 2020 | 72% |
Cruella | 2021 | 75% |
Pinocchio | 2022 | 28% |
Peter Pan & Wendy | 2023 | 64% |
The Little Mermaid | 2023 | 67% |
If Disney’s Next Live-Action Remakes Aren’t Critical Hits, It’s Unlikely Any Will Be
Despite the underwhelming critical receptions of live-action remakes, Disney hasn’t shifted much focus. There are at least 10 projects in the works for the studio, with one slated for 2024 and two in 2025 if all goes accordingly. That said, if this upcoming batch of Disney live-action remakes in development aren’t hits with critics, it’s very unlikely any of the studios’ future movies in this category will be.
The next two major Disney live-action or photorealistic projects specifically involve figures with a ton of critical clout. First, there’s Barry Jenkins at the helm of Mufasa, the prequel to 2019’s The Lion King, and then there’s Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the screenplay for 2025’s Snow White live-action adaptation. If that acclaimed duo can’t help guide a Disney movie into a critical hit, it’s unlikely any other future releases will meet increasingly high expectations.
