See How Disney Has Transformed Their Animated Classics Into Live-Action Blockbusters

Beauty and the Beast is the latest iconic film to receive an updated treatment starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens

By McKenna Aiello Jul 14, 2017 9:30 PMTags

It's a tale (almost) as old as time. When it comes to Disney, reinventing its animated classics with a live-action twist is its go-to way of attracting modern audiences.

Take Beauty and the Beast for example. Thanks to Emma Watson's picture-perfect portrayal of Princess Belle (plus Dan Stevens and every other A-list actor's voice lent to the enchanted objects inside Beast's castle), the 2017 update earned a whopping $1.2 billion worldwide at the box office. 

Money talks, right? All those dollar bills, paired with the nostalgia factor that comes with seeing childhood heroes in a brand new light makes reaching back into the Disney vault a no-brainer. The Lion KingAladdin and 101 Dalmatians are all in various stages of a live-action production with A-listers like Seth RogenWill Smith and Emma Stone rumored to play a part, respectively. 

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Animated Disney vs. Live-Action Disney

But in addition to Beauty and the Beast, plenty of other animated Disney favorites have been reimagined with major star quality.

So with the D23 Expo well underway in Anaheim, Calif., what better way to take a trip down memory lane than to see how iconic characters like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and Prince Charming transformed in the real world?! Enjoy!

Christopher Robin

Ewan McGregor plays the grown-up Christopher Robin in Disney's newest addition to the Winnie the Pooh franchise.

Christopher Robin

Everyone can agree that Winnie-the-Pooh was a childhood favorite. The classic character was voiced by Jim Cummings, who also voices Tigger in the same film and has voiced Winnie-the-Pooh numerous times before.  

Christopher Robin

The innocent and friendly Tigger brings back our fondest childhood memories in the new Disney movie. The character is voiced by Disney animation veteran Jim Cummings.

Christopher Robin

The insightfully gloomy Eeyore was voiced by the Everybody Loves Raymond alum Brad Garrett.

Christopher Robin

The most treasured (and timid) of sidekicks, Piglet, was voiced by the British actor Nick Mohammed

Christopher Robin

Roo's mom, Kanga, came to life through the voice of British actress Sophie Okonedo.  

Christopher Robin

Pooh's youngest pal, Roo, makes the cutest of appearances in the recently released flick. He was voiced by British child actress Sara Sheen.

Christopher Robin

Our favorite wise Owl was voiced by Toby Jones in director Marc Forster's film.

Christopher Robin

Peter Capaldi voiced the adorable Rabbit for Disney's live-action adaptation.

Beauty and the Beast

Emma Watson and Dan Stevens' onscreen chemistry as Princess Belle and Beast made the 2017 revival of the Disney classic an instant hit.

Beauty and the Beast

Luke Evans played the perfect villain is the arrogant Gaston in the updated remake. 

Beauty and the Beast

Oh, LeFou! Josh Gad's comedic chops stole the show this time around.

Beauty and the Beast

Kevin Kline took on the role of Belle's over-protective father who stumbles upon Beast's castle, which leads to his daughter and Beast's fateful meeting. 

Beauty and the Beast

The Beast's faithful butler turns into an enchanted clock voiced by Ian McKellen after a curse is placed on Beast's castle.

Beauty and the Beast

Child actor Nathan Mack brought Chip Potts to life with his charming and curious nature.

Beauty and the Beast

Considered the "Casanova of all candelabras," Lumière was voiced by Ewan McGregor

Beauty and the Beast

Emma Thompson played the ever-so-lovely Mrs. Potts in the live-action blockbuster.

Beauty and the Beast

Madame Garderobe, otherwise known as "Wardrobe," came back to life thanks to Audra McDonald

Into the Woods

The 2014 musical fantasy based on the Broadway musical of the same name starred Anna Kendrick as Cinderella. 

Into the Woods

Chris Pine played Cinderella's much more ruggedly handsome prince. 

Into the Woods

What would a Cinderella remake be without Christine Baranski's wickedly awesome portrayal of the Evil Stepmother?

Into the Woods

Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your long hair! Mackenzie Mauzy took on the quintessential Disney role.

The Jungle Book

More than 20 years after Mowgli stole Disney lovers' hearts, young actor Neel Sethi landed the breakout role of a lifetime in the 2016 version. 

The Jungle Book

Hollywood legend Billy Murray voiced dancing and singing bear named Baloo.

The Jungle Book

Mowgli found a friend in a serpent named Kaa, voiced by Scarlett Johansson

The Jungle Book

Idris Elba brought the film's antagonist Bengal tiger, Shere Khan, to life.

Peter Pan

Jeremy Sumpter starred as the boy who wouldn't grow up in 2003's live-action version of the fantasy.

Cinderella

Lily James had some big glass slippers to fill as the titular character in the 2015 live-action remake of the iconic Disney film.

Cinderella

Who can be beautifully wicked better than Cate Blanchett? The Oscar-winning actress brought the Evil Stepmother to life in the 2015 version.

Cinderella

For her second role in a live-action Disney remake, Helena Bonham Carter turned the original Fairy Godmother into a more glamorous version.

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Which Disney animated film do you want to see reinvented with live actors for the big screen?

Let us know in the comments!