9 New Disney Live Action Remakes on the Way

Disney’s live-action remakes have been the source of much contention for fans and general moviegoers over the years. While Disney had experimented with live-action remakes of their animated films in the 1990s, the trend really took off in the 2010s following Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, which made over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Since then, the company has remade many of its animated classics, including Beauty and the Beast, The Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan, and more recently, Snow White and Lilo & Stitch.

These movies can be a brilliant way to reintroduce beloved classics to a new generation, using advanced technology and real actors to breathe fresh life into timeless stories. They also provide opportunities to expand on themes, add depth to characters, and offer new perspectives while still honoring the original magic. However, many argue that these remakes often feel more like cash grabs than genuine artistic endeavors, relying too heavily on old IPs and existing characters rather than investing in original storytelling or taking creative risks.

Generally, critical reception for the remakes tends to be less positive than for the originals. However, many of these live-action movies have absolutely dominated at the box office, with the likes of Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and (potentially) Lilo & Stitch all raking in over $1 billion each. Regardless of where you stand on these remakes, it seems Disney has no plans of slowing down. Here we’re looking at every planned live-action remake Disney has in the pipeline.

‘Moana’

July 10, 2026

If some thought a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, coming just 25 years after the original, was a little soon, the news that Moana will be remade only 10 years after its release may have ruffled even more feathers. The announcement was made by Dwayne Johnson via social media, who will be reprising his role of Maui in the movie. It was later announced that the film will be directed by Thomas Kail, making his narrative feature directorial debut after helming the live film recording of the Broadway production of Hamilton.

Music Will Play a Central Role in the Movie

While not yet confirmed, it’s safe to assume that, as with the original, music will play a central role in the film — especially considering Dwayne Johnson’s comments: “There is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion, and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.”

‘Hercules’

2027

Back in 2020, it was announced that a live-action remake of Hercules was in the works. The original Hercules, released during Disney’s renaissance period, is known for its humor, heart, and fantastic soundtrack, which includes the Oscar-nominated “Go the Distance” alongside a number of upbeat, Motown-inspired gospel numbers sung by the Muses. Fans of the original will be glad to hear that the remake, too, will be a musical, presumably keeping some of this beloved music.

Although it’s not entirely clear what direction the movie will take following a number of mixed reports and creative struggles. It was reported by producer Joe Russo that it would be a modern musical inspired by TikTok and focusing on Hades. However, following a backlash from Disney purists, it has since been stated by a Disney insider that it will, in fact, be a “faithful adaptation.”

The Project Is in Good Hands

Joe and Anthony Russo will be producing the movie, and Guy Ritchie has signed on to direct. All have previously worked with Disney — the Russo brothers directed multiple Marvel movies, including Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame, while Ritchie directed the box office smash live-action Aladdin remake.

‘Bambi’

TBA

Most of us by now have seen the hilarious SNL parody of a Bambi live-action remake, which frames it as a violent action-revenge flick starring Dwayne Johnson. While a live-action Bambi remake has, in fact, been confirmed, fans will be happy (or disappointed?) to learn that it will not be a high-octane, explosive action adaptation. Instead, it will be a photorealistic computer-animated film that fleshes out the original story, blurring the lines between animated and live-action, like the 2016 Jungle Book.

Bambi Is in Early Development

Still in early development, a few rumors had been flying around regarding who would be taking up directing duties, but these seem to have been put to bed, with the only solid information being that Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Lindsey Beer will be penning the screenplay.

‘Lilo & Stitch 2’

TBA

With the sheer volume of Disney remakes hitting the market and signs of “live-action remake” fatigue setting in, it’s fair to say that the Lilo & Stitch remake had its fair share of doubters, especially considering its proximity to the original’s release date. If box office numbers are anything to go by, though, it certainly shut down those naysayers, grossing a whopping $1.03 billion.

A Sequel Was Inevitable

Following the enormous success of the original remake, a sequel was inevitable. While a direct-to-video sequel of the original animated movie was released in 2005, it’s unknown at the moment whether this will be used as inspiration for the live-action sequel or if it will be an entirely new story. We do know, though, that the voice of Stitch, Chris Sanders, will be returning and is also set to act as a screenwriter.

‘Tangled’

On Hold

On December 11, 2024, it was reported that a live-action remake of Tangled was in development, with Kristin Burr and Lucy Kitada producing and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson writing the script. It was also announced that The Greatest Showman director, Michael Gracey, was in negotiations to helm the project. Unfortunately for fans of the lush-locked, follicly fortunate princess, it was later announced that production on the film had been halted indefinitely.

The Future Is Up in the Air

Following the critically and commercially underwhelming release of Snow White, the project was put on hold. However, industry insiders predict that the success of Lilo & Stitch will reinvigorate the project — here’s hoping.

‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’

On Hold

Disney’s original adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Gothic novel of the same name was a critically acclaimed animated masterpiece released during their renaissance era. It fearlessly tackles dark, complex themes like prejudice, social injustice, and moral courage, all while delivering unforgettable music, stunning animation, and deeply human characters. The material would perfectly lend itself to a live-action remake, and that’s exactly what fans thought they were getting when the live-action musical was announced in 2019.

The Content and Themes Are Considered Controversial

While the project has not officially been shut down for good, it’s looking less and less likely it will ever come to fruition. When asked about the future of the movie, Disney composer Alan Menken admitted that he had “no idea,” going on to say: “It’s a tough one, because the Hunchback movie, Hunchback story involves a lot of real, real issues that are important issues and should be explored to be discussed. And there has to be an agreement about how we deal with those issues. You know, do we do a Hunchback without ‘Hellfire?’ I don’t think so … So it sits in this limbo right now.”

‘Cruella 2’

TBA

Not a remake as such, instead it will be the sequel to Cruella, which was a live-action prequel to the classic Disney animated movie 101 Dalmatians. Combining dazzling fashion, a bold antihero performance, and plenty of punk rock attitude, Cruella is an origin story for Cruella de Vil, looking at her rise through the London fashion industry in the 1970s and the events leading up to her becoming the notorious villain we all know and despise.

Emma Stone Will Return as the Fearsome Cruella

Not much is known about the sequel except that it has entered development with Craig Gillespie (best known for Fright Night and I, Tonya) directing. It has also been confirmed, as expected, that Emma Stone will be returning as the stylish yet sadistic Cruella.

‘Robin Hood’

TBA

Disney has confirmed that their upcoming live-action remake of Robin Hood will be a CGI/live-action hybrid featuring anthropomorphic animals, similar to the approach used in The Lion King (2019) — except it will incorporate live-action elements alongside CGI characters. The film will be released exclusively on Disney+ and is set to be a musical like the original 1973 animated classic.

Robin Hood Will Be an Entirely New Experience

Directed by Carlos López Estrada, known for Raya and the Last Dragon, and written by Kari Granlund, who worked on the Lady and the Tramp remake, the film aims to bring the beloved characters of Sherwood Forest to life in a way we’ve never seen before, setting it apart from the countless Robin Hood live-action movies already in existence.

‘The Black Cauldron’

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The Black Cauldron was released in 1985 and at the time was considered a commercial and critical flop. Far darker than Disney’s usual fare, the dark fantasy follows a boy named Taran on a quest to prevent the evil Horned King from obtaining a powerful and dangerous artifact. From the menacing presence of this horrific Horned King, with his skeletal features and deep, haunting voice, to the dark and foreboding atmosphere that permeates the entire film, it creates an intense sense of dread.

Little Is Known About the Status of the Project

It has since developed somewhat of a cult following, who no doubt will be overjoyed to see a live-action version of this dark fantasy based on Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain novels.

While it has never been officially confirmed that a live-action remake is in the works or even being considered, the fact that in 2016 Disney reacquired the film rights (which had lapsed) for The Chronicles of Prydain certainly suggests it is (or was) the plan. Unfortunately, that is about as much as we know about the project at this stage.