Disney Live Actions: discover the main ones and the ones that are coming soon

The Disney universe was part of most of our childhoods and now they are releasing live-action versions of our favorite animated films, so how about finding out more about the main ones and the ones that are coming up?

It's no secret that Disney has a special place in people's hearts, whether for its incredible films or its theme parks, which are still among the most visited attractions in the world. 

In 2022, more than 17 million people visited the Magic Kingdom, making it the most visited place in the world that year.

Disney animations have always been extremely successful films, being a reference throughout the world and managing to collect huge box office sales. 

Disney's first animation was released in 1937 and is almost 90 years old now and since then the studio has not stopped, but is just releasing animations enough?

Thinking about the audience that grew up watching Disney and the younger audience that doesn't know many of the studio's older stories, Disney started releasing live-action versions of its animations. 

And if you think that live actions have just started, you are wrong, as Disney's first live action film has been out for over 2 decades.

In today's text we will talk a little more about what live actions are and which films have already been released and all those that are already confirmed to be the next releases. Let's go?

What are live actions?

For those who don't know what live actions are or have seen news about them but don't understand the concept, we will tell you everything you need to know.

Live actions are nothing less than a film that is based on some type of animation, but instead of using animation, they are played by real actors and actresses, bringing that animation to life.

This happens not only with animated films, but can also happen with video games, anime and animated series.

In a live action film, it is also possible to mix the use of real artists with animations, especially since many of the animations use characters that do not exist in real life.

Some examples: in “Beauty and the Beast” we have talking furniture, in “The Little Mermaid” we have talking aquatic animals and in “Resident Evil” we have zombies. So, it is often necessary to use CGI to create these characters that are given voices by real actors and actresses, just like in the animation.

What are the live actions released by Disney?

And now that you know what a live action is, we will tell you which are the main live actions that have already been released by Disney in chronological order and the best thing is that they are all available to watch on Disney Plus.

101 Dalmatians, 1996 

Based on the successful animation, one of Disney's first live actions was the story of the 101 most beloved puppies in Brazil and which features one of Disney's most iconic villains: Cruella De Vill. 

Alice in Wonderland, 2010

Here we see Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts come to life when Alice decides to go through a door that takes her to a world full of different creatures and a queen who wants her head at all costs.

Maleficent, 2014

In the film, we follow one of Disney's greatest villains as she devises a plan to find Princess Aurora and make her prick her finger on the spindle, which will make her sleep for 100 years. However, we see a different side of the villain.

Cinderella, 2015

Considered one of Disney's best, the princess who becomes an orphan is forced to live with her stepmother and her two sisters who are as bad as their mother, but everything changes when Ella goes to the royal ball and meets the prince who follows her throughout the kingdom with her glass slipper.

Beauty and the Beast, 2017

The film tells the story of a prince who was cursed by a witch for not having a kind heart and turns into a beast and his entire castle is cursed along with it.

He then kidnaps a lord who invaded his castle by mistake and his daughter Belle asks to take his place. Imprisoned in the castle, she begins to realize that behind the beast lies a good heart.

Aladdin, 2019

Here we meet a young man who lives his life stealing from others and finds a magic lamp and the genie inside it grants him 3 wishes and he asks for help to win over the girl he is in love with, but he still doesn't know that she is a princess and is already engaged.

The Little Mermaid, 2023

The latest major release, “The Little Mermaid” tells the story of Ariel, a young princess who is a mermaid in love with the human world and this passion only increases when she meets Prince Eric, but her father is very strict and does not allow her to go to the surface.

In this way, she makes a deal with the sea witch and gains legs for 3 days and has that time to get a true love's kiss from the prince or she will become a servant of the witch.

Other live actions

In addition to those mentioned above, Disney also released sequels to “101 Dalmatians”, “Maleficent”, “Alice in Wonderland” and the live actions of “The Jungle Book”, “Lady and the Tramp”, “Dumbo”, “Winnie the Pooh”, “Mulan”, “The Lion King” and “Cruella”.

What are Disney's next live-action shows?

In addition to all those already released, Disney already has some live actions announced.

Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs

Scheduled for release in March 2024, the film will tell the story of Snow White and the 7 dwarfs, but in a more modern and revamped version, reducing stereotypes but maintaining the essence of the animation.

Mufasa

The film will tell the story of “Mufasa”, Simba's father who died in the original film “The Lion King” and is scheduled for release in July 2024.

Moana

Set to be released in 2025, here we have Princess Moana, a brave young woman who sets out on a mission to save her people and meets the powerful demigod Maui.

Hercules

Here we meet the demigod Hercules who was kidnapped by Hades and forced to live in the human world, but as a teenager he has to prove himself enough to live in the world of the Gods. The film does not yet have a release date.

Did you like the content we prepared today? Then take the opportunity to read it too Literary adaptations for 2024: discover the best ones

Ivan September 22, 2023