Disney's New Wave of Live-Action Remakes: What Worked and What Didn't

Ranking the Latest Disney Live-Action Remakes: What Slaps and What Flops

Disney is still deep in its remake era—and Gen Z is watching closely. We grew up with the animated classics, so when our childhood favorites get the live-action treatment, it’s personal.

But are these modern reboots delivering the nostalgia and magic we crave? Or just expensive, overproduced replays?

Let’s break down Disney’s latest live-action remakes, one by one, with real Gen Z vibes, honesty, and yes—a little bit of sass.

1. The Little Mermaid (2023)

Rating: 8.5/10 – A beautiful splash of nostalgia and heart

Why it works: Halle Bailey owns this movie. Her voice? Literal chills. She brings Ariel’s curiosity and emotional depth to life in a way that makes the whole thing feel fresh, not forced.

The underwater visuals are hit or miss—sometimes stunning, sometimes giving “PS2 cutscene.” But the emotion? Real. The chemistry with Prince Eric is surprisingly sweet, and Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula? Deliciously dramatic.

Best moment: “Part of Your World” feels like it belongs on a Grammy stage.

What could’ve been better: Flounder and Sebastian's design. Yikes.

2. Cruella (2021)

Rating: 8/10 – Fashion, chaos, and surprisingly fierce energy

Why it works: This isn’t a shot-for-shot remake—it’s a full reimagining. And it SLAPS. Emma Stone turns Cruella into a punk rock antihero with issues, flair, and ambition.

The vibe is very Devil Wears Prada meets Harley Quinn. The costumes deserve their own Oscars. And the soundtrack? Gen Z certified banger after banger.

Best moment: The dress reveal at the garbage truck. Camp perfection.

What could’ve been better: It tries a little too hard to make Cruella likable. She is, after all, a literal puppy villain in the OG.

3. Aladdin (2019)

Rating: 7.5/10 – A colorful hit with strong leads and musical glow-ups

Why it works: Naomi Scott’s Jasmine = QUEEN. “Speechless” is a whole mood and gave her way more agency than the original ever did.

Mena Massoud is charming as Aladdin, and Will Smith’s Genie brings his own fun twist without copying Robin Williams. It’s visually rich and the dance sequences are low-key iconic.

Best moment: “Prince Ali” is a visual spectacle and somehow more fun live-action.

What could’ve been better: Some of the CGI and pacing felt off, and Jafar just wasn’t giving villain vibes.

4. The Lion King (2019)

Rating: 6.5/10 – Technically impressive, emotionally... not so much

Why it works: Visually? A flex. The hyper-realistic CGI is wild. Beyoncé and Donald Glover lend major star power, and the soundtrack has its moments (Spirit is underrated).

But: The animals have no expressions. Like, none. It’s like watching National Geographic with background vocals. Emotional scenes don’t hit as hard when Simba looks like he just stubbed a paw, not watched his dad die.

Best moment: “Circle of Life” still gives chills.

What could’ve been better: Literally any facial emotion. Just one.

5. Pinocchio (2022)

Rating: 5/10 – Gorgeous intentions, awkward execution

Why it works: Tom Hanks as Geppetto tries his best, and the film aims for an old-school charm.

But: The story’s uneven, the tone is all over the place, and some of the CGI (looking at you, Honest John) feels off-putting. The emotional beats feel rushed, and Pinocchio himself? Kinda hard to connect with.

Best moment: The reimagined Monstro scene is wild and intense.

What could’ve been better: The heart. It’s buried beneath too much digital noise.

6. Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

Rating: 4.5/10 – Pretty but painfully forgettable

Why it works: Visually, it’s dreamy. The casting of a diverse Lost Boys crew and the update to Wendy’s arc are welcome changes.

But: It feels like it’s trying to say something profound without ever actually landing the point. The energy is flat, Hook’s backstory is meh, and the pacing drags hard.

Best moment: Jude Law’s Hook does bring some depth, but it's not enough to carry the ship.

What could’ve been better: A reason to exist, honestly. It’s a solid nap movie.

Which Ones Are Worth Watching?

If you’re new to the live-action game:

• Must-Watch: The Little Mermaid (2023), Cruella (2021), Aladdin (2019)
• For the Vibes Only: The Lion King (2019), Pinocchio (2022)
• Maybe Skip It: Peter Pan & Wendy (unless you need something soft to snooze to)

Disney’s clearly not stopping with the remakes, but if they want to keep Gen Z engaged, the magic needs more soul—and less uncanny valley energy.

Keep streaming the nostalgia and calling out the flops with Woke Waves Magazine—your Gen Z guide to what’s worth the rewatch.
#DisneyLiveAction #LittleMermaid2023 #Cruella #GenZReviews #DisneyRemakeRankings

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