Top 10 Disney Animated Movies That Deserve a Live Action Adaptation
Some of these animated worlds need to be made just a little bit more real. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 animated Disney movies that deserve a live-action adaptation. For this list, we'll be looking at the Disney films that would make a great live-action incarnation.
Special thanks to our users Lionel Gilmore or submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 10 Disney Animated Films That Deserve a Live Action Movie
Some of these animated worlds need to be made just a little bit more real. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 animated Disney movies that deserve a live-action adaptation. For this list, we’ll be looking at the Disney films that would make a great live-action incarnation. To be clear, we’re not talking about films that have previously been given the live-action treatment by other companies, but rather we’re ranking those animated classics that Disney should bring to life themselves – literally. We’re including those that are in the early stages of planning, but are excluding those that are already well into production and have set release dates such as “The Jungle Book” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
#10: “Night on Bald Mountain” from “Fantasia” (1940)
Top 10 Worst Movies by Saturday Night Live Stars
We start things off with this notable, if scary, segment from Disney’s experimental animated classic. “Night on Bald Mountain” centers on a giant dark demon that summons all wicked creatures for a wild party, simply enjoying all things evil and creating chaos. Thanks to the segment’s enduring popularity, writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless from “Dracula Untold” are said to be writing a script for an upcoming live-action adaptation. Disney attempted adapting another section of “Fantasia” with 2010’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” But with a character like Chernabog the demon as the star, it’d take one gutsy filmmaking team to transform this terrifying giant into a real-life monster.
#9: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)
Top 10 Snow Movies
Now we get to the one that got the ball rolling for Disney. As the first full length animated picture, “Snow White” still carries great weight in both film circles and in Disney lore. Taking the public domain fairy-tale about a princess and an evil stepmother – as if there were any other kind – and adding seven copyright-protected dwarfs proved to be pure movie magic. Though we’ve seen Snow White jump to the big screen in live-action before, we’re looking for something a little closer to what Uncle Walt had in mind. With a grim plot, mystical setting, and fun, comedic characters, a live action “Snow White” could be a hit for all ages – and a marketing phenomenon!
#8: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
Top 10 Most Shocking Changes in Disney Live-Action Remakes
Victor Hugo’s original novel can be seen as social commentary on the historically turbulent relationship between the ruling French classes and the Gypsies. Disney’s 1996 movie, meanwhile, is a story of love, soul-searching, racism, and musical numbers. The tale of the titular hunchback Quasimodo, even in cartoon form, is loaded with conflict, violence, and lust. So how about we ditch the songs and crank up the adult themes? Already regarded as one of Disney’s darkest films, this is one story that has the potential to be a modern live action hit.
#7: “Frozen” (2013) Considered by critics to Disney’s best post-Renaissance-era film, “Frozen” is something that we simply can’t… let go. Sisters Anna and Elsa have grown apart due to magical – Disney! – circumstances but when trouble ensues, it’s up to Anna to find Elsa and bring back summer – DISNEY! People around the world are already singing “Let It Go” ad nauseam, no matter how many times you ask them not to. But even people with their fingers in their ears are able to pick up on the film’s fun and sense of adventure, not to mention the camaraderie of its female leads. It’s only a matter of time before a pack of Hollywood cuties and a CG Olaf take to the big screen!
#6: “The Sword in the Stone” (1963) One of Disney’s underrated gems, this movie focuses on young Arthur, his adventures with Merlin the wizard and how destiny unfolds on his path to the throne. So how perfect a fit is it that the rumor mill has cast Bryan Cogman of “Game of Thrones” fame to write the script for the live-action remake? The stunning landscapes and goofy characters like Archimedes are just two elements that help make this flick stand out. Exactly how Disney will turn this old classic into live-action does make us wonder, but as sure as the inevitable branded lunchboxes and toothbrushes, we’ll check out another adaptation of the Arthurian legend.
#5: “The Black Cauldron” (1985) In this fantasy adventure based on Welsh mythology and Lloyd Alexander’s “The Chronicles of Prydain,” (pri-dane) we follow Taran and his friends as they set off to destroy the titular black cauldron before it falls into the hands of the Horned King. Recouping just less than half its budget at the time of release, it’s an understatement to say “The Black Cauldron” didn’t do well in theaters. However, due to its dark tone and cult appeal among millennials, a live-action do over could be a smash in a post “Lord of the Rings” trilogy world.
#4: “The Little Mermaid” (1989) In the movie that ushered in the glorious decade known as the Disney Renaissance, we follow Ariel, a mermaid who longs for life on land rather than in the ocean, after she falls in love. In fact, Universal Pictures announced that they were working on a live-action remake of this story, with Chloë Grace Moretz in the title role. But since they likely won’t bring that same magic Disney, full of snarfblatts and dinglehoppers, we’ve decided to include it here. When it’s re-vamped for live action, a new batch of kids will fall in love with the story, moms with the romance, and dads could enjoy bikini-clad mer-babes without feeling weird about it. Meanwhile, retaining Rene Auberjonois as Chef Louis would please sci-fi nerds everywhere. Admit it, it’ll be awesome to dive under the sea once again.
#3: “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001) While it may not be a musical in typical Disney tradition, “Atlantis” sure gives us one heck of a good time. Linguist Milo Thatch, voiced by Michael J. Fox, tags along with a group of explorers in order to find the lost city of Atlantis. Although the adventure flick received mainly mixed reviews upon release, a live-action remake has potential. In fact, everything from plot to character development could make this into a hopeful and worth-seeing live-action Disney film whenever – and if ever – that happens. Maybe original co-writer Joss Whedon could be tempted to take the reigns?
#2: “Mulan” (1998) To all “Mulan” fans out there, rejoice! Announced in early 2015 was a planned live-action remake of this Disney blockbuster. Still centering on the titular young heroine and how she donned a disguise in order to go to war to save her father and country, this could be epic in the proper sense of the word. If filmmakers choose to stay close to the story’s Chinese origins, add in some gorgeous scenery, nail the casting, and add a sprinkle of the Disney magic we’ve come to expect, we can only imagine how awesome this will be. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - “Treasure Planet” (2002) - “Lilo & Stitch” (2002) - “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
#1: “Aladdin” (1992) How great would it be if this classic were turned into a live-action film? As it happens, Disney is planning to create a live-action prequel of sorts, set to focus on one of the film’s beloved characters; The Genie. If that goes well, it could even inspire another remake, which might focus on the story featured within the 1992 movie itself. The plot focuses on the titular street rat that sets out to impress Princess Jasmine with the help of a comical Genie, which – coupled with the exotic Arabian setting –could be a fun adventure we’d love to relive in live-action. Do you agree with our list? Which Disney film do you think should have a live-action remake? For more exhilarating Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
0
0
report