In recent years, more animatedDisneyfilms have received live-action theatrical remakes, buta few untouched beloved classics might work better as live-action TV shows. Theresponse from critics and audiences to Disney’s live-action remakesvaries, but with the right filmmaking and creative team behind live-action projects, fan-favorite films getting such a transformation is exciting. So far, many of the remakes don’t stray too far from the original plot of their animated inspirations. However, with the TV format, the story of films likeThe Black CauldronandThe Great Mouse Detectivecan be expanded upon across a limited or multiple-season series.
Live-action TV series also benefit certain movies over others when it comes to films with big casts, such asMeet the RobinsonsorEncanto— stretching out a story over multiple episodes allows for more attention toward breakout supporting characters. Additionally,the vast setting of these films can be transformed into breathtaking live-action sets, making audiences feel truly immersed in the nostalgic fictional worlds. Until plans for live-action series based on these films take shape, it’s fun to imagine the continuing of the celebrated Disney stories in the form of a well-crafted TV show.
10The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Standalone Cases Are Presented For Basil Each Episode
Witha protagonist that draws many similarities to Sherlock Holmes,The Great Mouse Detectivehas the ideal premise for a live-action TV series. Though the animals would be CGI, seeing the characters brought to life this way would be an interesting way to reunite with Basil and Dawson after the film’s ending.
20 Best Disney Movies Of All Time
Leading the entertainment industry with skillful animation and storytelling, Disney has produced several great films in their 100 years.
The Great Mouse Detectivesees the titular rodent, Basil, team up with a fellow mouse to save her father from the evil Professor Ratigan.The Great Mouse Detectiveis based on author Eve Titus’ children’s book seriesBasil of Baker Street. Pulling inspiration from Titus' stories, a live-action series based on the animated film has several narrative options.
The Great Mouse Detective
Cast
The Great Mouse Detective is an animated adventure film directed by Ron Clements and Burny Mattinson. Released in 1986, the film follows the ingenious mouse detective Basil of Baker Street, who is on a mission to thwart the schemes of the villainous Ratigan. Set in Victorian London, the story includes iconic supporting characters such as Basil’s companion Dr. Dawson and the kidnapped toy maker Hiram Flaversham’s daughter Olivia.
One of which is that if the series leaned more toward the adventure genre, it would see various cases resolved in each episode. However, leaning into the mystery elements of the original film, the show would depict Basil and Dawson taking on cases that are divided up and explored throughout a 10-episode season.
9Encanto (2021)
More Time Can Be Given To The Stories Of Supporting Madrigals
Released for a limited run at the end of 2021,Encantofound worldwide success when it became available to stream on Disney+. The film is centered around the Madrigals, who are a family gifted with magical abilities.Encantoprimarily revolves around Mirabel, the only family member without a gift, and her mission to save her family.
There are numerous ways a TV series surrounding the lively family can be put together. Almost every option ensures more time is dedicated to the family members who played supporting roles in the film.
A potential live-action series gives the creative team behind the film the chance to expand on what critics and audiences appreciated aboutEncanto. There are numerous ways a TV series surrounding the lively family can be put together. Almost every option ensures more time is dedicated to the family members who played supporting roles in the film.
Encanto
Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charming (and enchanted) place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel (voice of Stephanie Beatriz). But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might be her exceptional family’s last hope. Mirabel will seek out her missing cousin, Bruno, to discover the truth that Abuela has buried away for all of their lives.
Investing the necessary amount of money and putting together the most effective creative team would ensure the special effects are able to capture the same awe when translatingthe Madrigals' magical giftsto the screen. Additionally, as well executed as the voice acting was inEncanto,a live-action series can better capture the emotional ups and downs of the Madrigalsthat resonated deeply with audiences in the first place.
8Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
An Action-Packed Adventure Built For TV Screens
Disney expected great results withAtlantis: The Lost Empire, but mixed critical reviews and a lower-than-expected performance at the box office led to theme park attractions and an animated series based on the movie, titledTeam Atlantis, being canceled. Instead, a few of the planned episodes were made into a direct-to-video film,Atlantis: Milo’s Return.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
The 2D-animated Disney movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire follows a linguist who leads an expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis and unlock its secrets. The 2001 sci-fi movie features an ensemble cast composed of Michael J. Fox as Milo Thatch and Cree Summer as Atlantian Princess Kida, as well as James Garner, Don Novello, Phil Morris, Jacqueline Obradors, Claudia Christian, Florence Stanley, Leonard Nimoy, David Ogden Stiers, John Mahoney, Jim Varney, and Corey Burton in supporting roles.
The sci-fi adventure film has gone on to earn a cult following. Therefore, it has both a fanbase and an inspired premise to make for a compelling live-action series. Aside from the possible character-driven stories to be told in a live-action TV show,the imaginative settings inAtlantis: The Lost Empirewould be brought to life with stunning visuals. In the series, Milo and the crew can explore a variety of mysterious locations that are made up of detailed, crafted sets and high-quality CGI.
7The Incredibles (2004)
The Superhero Family Benefits From The Popular Genre
The popularity of superhero stories in films and TV shows has risen drastically over the years, and a live-action series based onThe Incrediblescould benefit from such a trend. The 2004 film follows the Parrs, a family of superheroes who attempt to live an ordinary life after the government bans the use of their powers in public.
The Incrediblesgarnered acclaim from critics and audiences, winning an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and has remained a beloved film since. The film features one ofthe best superhero families, and though their adventures continued in the 2018 sequel, there are still endless possibilities surrounding the Parrs and their proximity to crime-solving.
The Incredibles
The Incredibles follows the retired superhero Bob Parr, now an insurance adjuster living in suburbia with his family. When a mysterious assignment surfaces, he is called back into action alongside his family, leading them to confront hidden dangers.
With the right costuming and special effects, the inspired action scenes could be just as exciting in an episodic format. Additionally, the longer format of a TV series allows for a greater balance of action and weightier scenes that highlight the struggle the Parrs face with navigating day-to-day life while being a superhero.
6Meet The Robinsons (2007)
A Live-Action Series Could Fulfill The Duties Of The Canceled Sequel
Often seen by its fans asone of Disney’s more underrated films,Meet the Robinsonsisan animated sci-fi film loosely based onA Day with Wilbur Robinsonby William Joyce. The Disney film incorporates methods of time travel to tell a moving story about two young boys who are connected but living within two different moments in time.
Adirect-to-video Disney sequelwas planned, but it eventually got scrapped, so any of the Robinsons' follow-up adventures never came to be. Despite the entertaining titular family and its heartfelt story,Meet the Robinsons' animation isn’t the best from Disney. The animation style isn’t exactly egregious, but a live-action version of the characters would be considered an upgrade.
Meet the Robinsons
Meet The Robinsons follows Lewis, a young inventor determined to find his birth mother. His journey takes a turn when a mysterious boy named Wilbur Robinson whisks him away to the future. Together, they face adventures and challenges that ultimately lead Lewis to uncover the significance of family and his place in the world. This animated film explores themes of innovation, belonging, and the importance of moving forward.
LikeEncanto, there are several supporting family members who surround Lewis and Wilbur, warranting more time spent learning about them in the form of TV episodes. Additionally, the futuristic buildings and the highly advanced world could be depicted on screen in an incredible way with a mix of built sets and CGI.
5Treasure Planet (2002)
A TV Series Could Make Up For The Film’s Financial Loss
Despite being one of the most expensive traditionally animated movies of all time,Treasure Planetdidn’t do too wellat the box office but has earned praise from audiences and critics, especially in recent years.
LikeAtlantis: The Lost Empire,Treasure Planethas a cult following and a unique premise, which justifies the possible creation of a live-action seriesbased on the original movie.Treasure Planetis an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’sTreasure Islandnovel and follows Jim Hawkins and a crew on a quest to retrieve hidden treasure.
Treasure Planet
Treasure Planet is a 2002 animated adventure and Fantasy film from Walt Disney studios. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the story follows a young boy named Jim Hawkins as he attempts to find a fabled treasure and mend ways with his father who abandoned him.
Though the live-action reimagining of the film’s space setting might be something worth seeing on the big screen, a TV show would still be a worthwhile way to reintroduce the film’s characters and fictional world.Treasure Planetis most notable for its vibrant coloring and fusing of different animation mediums. Both elements could be wonderfully translated into a TV show with the right team involved.
4The Princess And The Frog (2009)
Hints Of Magic Can Be Added To A Character-Driven Story
Though a release date has yet to be announced, aspin-off series toThe Princess and the Frog, titledTiana, can be expected soon. For years,rumors of a live-action remake of the animated film have been circulating, though there’s little to substantiate such conversations. Still, many of the rumors have been spread as a result of fans' desire and anticipation for the story of Tiana to be told in a live-action format. Therefore, a live-action series would likely be received well.
The Princess and the Frog
Based on the classic fairytale, The Princess and the Frog follow Tiana, a hardworking New Orleans waitress in the 1920s who has big dreams of opening her own restaurant. When she becomes involved in a curse set upon a foreign prince by a witch doctor, however, Tiana must figure out a way to help the prince break the curse before time runs out. The film features the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, and John Goodman.
Taking place after the events ofThe Princess and the Frog, a live-action series would be an ideal way to explore more of New Orleans, Maldonia, and their respective inhabitants. In-depth details surrounding the plot ofTianahaven’t been released, but it’s likely to have a similar premise, reuniting with Tiana and Naveen and containing a more character-driven narrative.
3The Black Cauldron (1985)
Horror And Adventure Would Come Together In A Thrilling Series
Being the first Disney animated film to receive a PG rating, the dark fantasy filmThe Black Cauldronis one worthy of being made into a live-action TV show. Not only would the series give the Disney classic a chance to become a hit with audiences who are better prepared for its darker themes, but it also offers the opportunity forDisney to explore the horror genre. Though it makes sense as to whyDisney doesn’t lean too far into spooky territory, it’s the only way for any remake or spin-off to work.
The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron is an animated fantasy film from Walt Disney Studios, directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich. Released in 1985, it follows the young hero Taran and his quest to prevent the evil Horned King from obtaining a powerful magical relic known as the Black Cauldron. Featuring the voices of Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, and John Hurt, the film combines elements of adventure, mystery, and dark fantasy.
LikeThe Great Mouse Detective,The Black Cauldronis loosely based on a book series, so a live-action show with the same characters can find more narrative inspiration in the series' remaining entries.A TV show based onThe Black Cauldronwould provide more adventures for the main characters, and the show could incorporate similarly eerie settings and chilling villains to tie together its horror elements.
2Strange World (2022)
The Box Office Bomb Can Find A New Audience
Though it had received positive feedback from critics,Strange Worldstill performed poorly at the box office and has largely been ignored. However, at the center of the film is an important and thrilling adventure taken through a mysterious land, which would be a story worth exploring in a TV show.
The story inStrange Worldisn’t entirely original, but its simplicity provides a strong foundation for more adventurous tales to bounce off of.
The story inStrange Worldisn’t entirely original, but its simplicity provides a strong foundation for more adventurous tales to bounce off of. Additionally,the world-building inStrange Worldis pulled off well. Inspiration for the character’s discoveries and the color scheme throughout the film have been noted as being pulp magazines and films likeKing KongandFantastic Voyage.
Strange World
Strange World is a new film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and director Don Hall that follows the exploits of a three-generations-deep family of adventurers known as the Clade family. The family is in search of a mysterious creature little is known about, but to traverse the treacherous and uncharted land, the family will have to put aside their generational differences and work together to survive ravenous creatures, devious traps, and most of all, each other.
For a live-action series, such pieces of work are still crucial inspirations to pull from, and the adventures seen in each episode can be inspired by classic adventure films, providing audiences with an appreciated balance of nostalgia and originality.
1The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
The TV Medium Has Already Been Tested For The Characters
An animated series starring the characters fromThe Emperor’s New Groovewas released a few years after the film premiered. The series centers on Kuzco and features similar comedic energy and breaking of the fourth wall segments seen in the original film. These beloved elements would shine in the form of a live-action TV show.
Every Upcoming Animated Disney Movie
From the whimsical Strange World to the Toy Story prequel Lightyear, Disney and Pixar have some exciting animated movies coming in the near future.
SeveralTV shows have cleverly addressed the audienceand have earned a positive response for doing so. Anothercelebrated aspect of the original animated film is its emphasis on comedy.The Emperor’s New Groovehas incredible quotes, and many stem from the entertaining banter between the emperor-turned-llama Kuzco (David Spade) and kindhearted villager Pacha (John Goodman).
The Emperor’s New Groove
The Emperor’s New Groove is an animated comedy film released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Mark Dindal, it follows the story of Emperor Kuzco, who is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor Yzma. Journeying with a humble villager named Pacha, Kuzco must reclaim his throne while navigating humorous and unexpected challenges. The film features voice work by David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, and Patrick Warburton.
It wouldn’t be an easy task to replace Spade and Goodman’s performances, butthe right casting choices would help with the introduction of the film’s characters to a new generationof kids. The lavish Incan empire acting as an eye-catching background for all the new shenanigans would tie everything together.
