Over the past decade, Disney Live-Action remakes have re-imagined many original classics, such as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and even The Lion King. Not every remake has been successful or resonated with audiences, but nonetheless, Disney continues to remake its movies, with the latest being 2025’s Snow White.
Each live-action remake has a lesson for children, regardless of whether the movie resonated with my child (or audiences, for that matter).
Writer's note: I didn't include 102 Dalmation since it was technically a sequel to a remake. The same goes for 2024's Mufasa live-action movie.
Read on to find out where each of the 18 Disney live-action remakes rank per my child and what lessons they teach! The rankings will start with my child’s least favorite to most favorite.
Dumbo (2019)
Synopsis: When a baby elephant with oversized ears is born at a struggling circus, the discovery that he can fly brings newfound fame. But as the circus changes under new ownership, Dumbo and his caretakers uncover dark secrets behind the spotlight.
Coming in last is the remake of Dumbo, which left a lot to be desired. My child found the animation particularly disheartening and lost in the story due to its gloomy outlook. While getting caught up in the sadness of the storyline, my child failed to find true meaning of the story. While a valiant lesson to teach a point out, the sadness of the content did not resonate with my child.
What Dumbo Teaches Children: Even if you think you find yourself alone, there are always friends in your corner.
Pinocchio (2022)
Synopsis: A wooden puppet brought to life by a wish embarks on a journey to become a real boy. Along the way, he faces temptation, danger, and deception as he tries to stay true to his conscience and return home to his creator, Geppetto.
Pinocchio was another dud with my child, as they did not enjoy the storyline or understand the need to rehash the particularly stressful scene of the whale swallowing the main character. Again, the animation did not set well with my child and the lesson was lost, which seems quite funny considering the lesson is right in front of your nose…see what I did there?
What Pinocchio Teaches Children: The lesson of this live-action remake is the same as the original in that you should not lie lest other people find out. Lies do not help you obtain what you want but rather provide an obstacle to get through.
Snow White (2025)
Synopsis: A young princess with skin as white as snow flees from her wicked stepmother and finds refuge with seven dwarves in the forest. As the queen’s jealousy grows, Snow White must confront her fate with the help of those who care for her.
The newest kid on the block is the live-action remake of Snow White, which was initially released in 1937. While my child enjoys princess movies, this remake was not as beloved as others. The original version of Snow White is not my child’s favorite Disney movie, so the remake was not a huge hit either. The songs were enjoyable, as were some of the seven dwarves, but overall, this remake did not capture their attention for the whole viewing.
What Snow White Teaches Children: There are multiple lessons to be learned for children (and adults alike) in this movie, but the strongest one is that jealousy does not provide one with any good tidings, while goodness and kindness can get you farther in life.
Christopher Robin (2018)
Synopsis: Now an adult overwhelmed by work and responsibility, Christopher Robin unexpectedly reunites with his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh. Together, they embark on a journey that reconnects Christopher with his family and the joy he left behind.
Winnie-the-Pooh is a beloved character in my household, but I found it hard to explain why Christopher Robin got his own movie and what the point of it was. Again, my child found this movie a bit too sad and did not have enough happy moments to keep them engaged and entertained. In this live-action remake, my child commented on how the animated stuffed animals looked similar to theirs, which warmed my heart.
What Christopher Robin Teaches Children: In Christopher Robin, the lesson that one can take away is that it’s okay always to be a little childlike at heart as it keeps us youthful and humble.
Mulan (2020)
Synopsis: To save her ailing father from battle, a young woman disguises herself as a man and joins the Imperial army. As she rises through the ranks, Mulan uncovers a threat to the emperor and must find a way to protect China while keeping her secret.
My child’s biggest complaint about this live-action remake was that it did not include Mushu. Their favorite character from the original animated Mulan was Mushu, who was completely left out of the remake. That sealed the deal for why this remake is so low on the list.
What Mulan Teaches Children: Mulan’s live-action remake teaches many things. Strength comes from within, and honesty will always get you further than deceit. A warrior does not always have to wield a weapon to win, and perhaps the most obvious is that girls can be just as fearless as boys.
Lady And The Tramp (2019)
Synopsis: A pampered cocker spaniel named Lady is thrust into the outside world and forms an unlikely bond with Tramp, a street-smart mutt. As they navigate city streets together, their connection grows despite the odds.
This live-action remake did not stray far from the original 1955 version, and for that reason, my child didn’t mind it. The storyline was very run-of-the-mill, but they did enjoy the CGI and how all of the dogs were “so cute!”
What Lady and the Tramp Teaches Children: As a parent, I do like the lesson of Lady and the Tramp, which is that no matter where someone comes from or what they look like, they can be the most loyal person in your life.
Pete’s Dragon (2016)
Synopsis: After a tragic car accident leaves him orphaned, a young boy named Pete is found living in the woods with a mysterious dragon. When his forest home is threatened, Pete must decide where he truly belongs — with his dragon or among humans.
Perhaps a forgotten one on this list, Pete’s Dragon was another CGI marvel my child loved. The dragon’s life-like features really immersed them in the story, even though the original version was definitely not in their top-favorite Disney movies. Pete’s Dragon came out when Disney was still getting its feet wet in live-action remakes, and for that reason, it is a solid option.
What Pete’s Dragon Teaches Children: The lesson here, although with an undertone of sadness like other remakes on this list, is to always find the magic in life and embrace it, no matter where it may come from!
Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
Synopsis: Wendy Darling, hesitant about growing up, is whisked away to Neverland with her brothers by the ageless Peter Pan. Together, they face off against Captain Hook and explore the wonders and dangers of a world where no one grows old.
Another forgotten live-action remake, Peter Pan & Wendy, went straight to Disney+ without a theatrical release. In one of the more recent live-action remakes my child has watched, they enjoyed the realistic visuals of the movie, especially of a character they know so well. The film itself is not groundbreaking, and my child didn’t seem to think it should be ranked beyond the middle ground, but overall, it was enjoyable.
What Peter Pan & Wendy Teaches Children: Like the original Peter Pan, it is okay to still find child-like magic and love in your life, even when you grow up.
The Lion King (2019)
Synopsis: After the death of his father, young lion Simba flees the Pride Lands and grows up in exile. When his past catches up with him, he must confront his fears, reclaim his place as king, and bring balance back to the savanna.
For the sake of these rankings, The Lion King is considered a live-action remake even though every character is CGI created. Although beautifully designed, my child did not have the same emotional connection to the characters as they did in the original cartoon. That’s not to say that the scene where Mufasa dies and the hyena-trio didn’t have the same effect on them, but it wasn’t enough to keep them interested for the movie’s length.
What The Lion King Teaches Children: Simba’s realization of his true potential and his standing up to his uncle Scar to take his rightful place on Pride Rock still portray a solid lesson of fighting for what is right, even if it means losing some friends along the way.
Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Synopsis: Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole into a strange world filled with peculiar creatures. Reuniting with old friends like the Mad Hatter, she learns of her destiny to defeat the Red Queen and restore peace to Underland.
This live-action remake of one of my child’s least favorite Disney movies seemed to rank higher on this list than I would’ve imagined, solely based on how much my child does not like the original version. Although sometimes a bit eerie (or even spooky), my child found the visuals fun and inviting, especially when very colorful. The Mad Hatter was by far my child’s favorite character, and made the film for them.
What Alice in Wonderland Teaches Children: Although this is not a personal favorite live-action remake of mine, it does have one of my favorite lessons: using your imagination never fails to make a situation better (or at least different). Fostering the use of imagination, especially for my neurodivergent child who has difficulty engaging in imaginative play, is very important to me, and this movie highlights exactly that.
Cruella (2021)
Synopsis: Set in 1970s London, aspiring fashion designer Estella finds herself drawn into a feud with a legendary couture icon. As her alter ego, “Cruella,” begins to take over, Estella embraces a rebellious path to make her mark in the fashion world.
With the live-action origin story of the villain from 101 Dalmations (which we will explore soon), packed a nice visual punch to keep my child engaged, but as a parent, I was not always fond of the dark tone it exhibited. Nonetheless, my child really seemed to enjoy the performance of specifically Emma Stone as Cruella, even though some scenes were a bit on the edge for a family movie.
What Cruella Teaches Children: Although a bit evasive, this movie strongly teaches the lessons of embracing one’s identity and perseverance in completing one’s goals, even if the roundabout ways to achieve these goals are not always morally correct.
Maleficent (2014)
Synopsis: Told from the perspective of the infamous fairy, Maleficent explores her betrayal and transformation into a vengeful protector. When she curses the newborn princess Aurora, unexpected feelings challenge the darkness she has embraced.
This movie is about as equal in ranking as Cruella, with this being a focused storyline of the villain from Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent. Disclaimer: My child got very upset at one specific scene during this film in which Maleficent has her wings stripped, which prompted some discussion about why different people are not always treated with respect and kindness. Since Sleeping Beauty is not one of my child’s top favorites of original Disney movies, Maleficent was a nice companion to the film, minus a couple of specific parts.
What Maleficent Teaches Children: The lesson of this movie is a bit hidden and had to be explained to my child, which is that good people can be turned down a dark path if they cannot find forgiveness in situations.
101 Dalmatians (1996)
Synopsis: When fashion-obsessed villain Cruella de Vil sets her sights on a litter of Dalmatian puppies, two resourceful dogs set off on a mission to save them. Along the way, they rally the help of animals across London in a daring rescue effort.
The first live-action remake that Disney explored was 101 Dalmatians, which was also still one of their highest-grossing movies for a long time. My child really enjoyed this version, both the performances and the puppies. They had difficulty understanding why the dogs themselves did not speak, as the other live-action remakes he had seen had animals speaking. Still, once they got past that (most likely CGI-related) hangup, this became a big hit in our household.
What 101 Dalmatians Teaches Children: As a parent, I enjoy the lesson that 101 Dalmatians teaches children that family is one of the most important things you have and to stand up for what is right, even if it isn’t the easiest thing to do!
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Synopsis: A curious mermaid named Ariel trades her voice to a sea witch in exchange for legs and a chance to live on land. As she navigates human life and falls for a prince, Ariel races against time to stay above water and outwit Ursula.
As my favorite Disney movie as a child, my child was very familiar with the original version of The Little Mermaid. Overall, my child really seemed to enjoy this film! It was their first film to be seen in theaters, and the experience was well received. The characters seemed to resonate with my child, and surprisingly, the fresh take on Ursula was one of their favorites.
What The Little Mermaid Teaches Children: The lesson of the live-action remake remained the same as the original: following your dreams can present challenges, but in the end, the sacrifices can be worth it (even if it is marrying a prince).
Cinderella (2015)
Synopsis: After losing her parents, Ella endures life under her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. When she crosses paths with a charming prince at a royal ball, magic and kindness help change her fate in a single night.
Usually seen as a fan favorite, my child agreed. The original Cinderella was not in the usual rotation of movies, but this live-action remake hit all the points. My child enjoyed the animation, Lily James’s direction of Cinderella, and even the supporting characters. It really was a good family film to partake in, which made the viewing experience even better for my child, and I was immersed in it.
What Cinderella Teaches Children: This movie is a solid showcase of how selfishness does not produce the results that you want, and kindness can go a long way in relationships.
The Jungle Book (2016)
Synopsis: Raised by wolves in the jungle, Mowgli must leave the only home he’s ever known when a fierce tiger threatens his safety. Along his journey, he encounters a bear, a panther, and other creatures who help him find his path.
The Jungle Book is starting off strong for my child’s Top three live-action remakes. The animal animation in The Jungle Book doesn’t surpass the animation in The Lion King, and my child definitely noticed, but the fact that this live-action remake included real humans and not just CGI animals was a bonus for my child. They really enjoyed the characters that were beloved in the original The Jungle Book and found that the storyline was enhanced through a live-action remake.
What The Jungle Book Teaches Children: As a mother of a neurodivergent child, I found this movie’s lesson very important: the cherishing of community and friendships in whatever form they may take. The Jungle Book live-action does an exceptional job of showcasing how human connections can be made and how one can belong in a different type of community.
Aladdin (2019)
Synopsis: A street-smart thief stumbles upon a magical lamp that holds a powerful genie. Using his wishes to win the heart of Princess Jasmine, Aladdin gets caught in a power struggle for the throne of Agrabah against the sorcerer Jafar.
The live-action Aladdin is a solid second-place contender in these movie rankings. Due to its popularity with my child in the original format, the live-action version only builds on that love. My child thoroughly enjoyed all of the characters, with their only indifference being Will Smith’s character of Genie, but not enough indifference to move it down on the list. The production value of this live-action film is shown on screen and translated to our living room, where my child sang the songs for days to come. It is on repeat, and I don’t see that ending any time soon.
What Aladdin Teaches Children: Aladdin is another Disney movie that seems to repeat the lesson that just because someone is different doesn’t mean that they don’t have value. Still, in this live-action version, it becomes more apparent as it is real human actors versus cartoon characters.
Beauty And The Beast (2016)
Synopsis: When her father is imprisoned in a cursed castle, Belle takes his place and becomes the guest of a reclusive Beast. As she explores the enchanted castle, she begins to see the humanity behind the Beast’s monstrous appearance.
Finally, rounding out the rankings of all the live-action Disney remakes is my child’s absolute favorite: Beauty and the Beast. There are many positives about this movie that my child enjoyed, including the performance by Emma Watson as Belle and the supporting cast of the characters in the castle. At first, the animation of The Beast did give a little startle to my child, but after the initial shock wore off, they were immersed in the story. They couldn’t get enough of every time Belle sang, her outfits, and the infamous Gaston song. This is also my favorite live-action remake, so it’s always a great afternoon when we watch this movie together.
What Beauty and the Beast Teaches Children: I believe that the lesson of Beauty and the Beast is so important for children of any age. True beauty comes from within rather than what is portrayed on the outside. Judging someone based on only their outward appearance and abilities is wrong, and you could be missing the best parts of someone.
