Every Upcoming Live-Action Disney Remake In Development

There are more than a dozen upcoming Disney live-action movies in different stages of development. That’s hardly surprising given how much success the recent reimaginings of their classic animated movies have seen. It seems Disney will continue to explore its beloved IP and offer up original live-action interpretations for many years to come – as well as the spin-offs and television series that may come with that. Starting with 2016’s live-action The Jungle Book, Disney has been steadily reworking their back catalog of animated features into new, CGI-laden live-action offerings.

In 2017, Beauty and the Beast grossed over $1.2 billion at the global box office, while The Jungle Book was met with very favorable reviews upon its release in 2016 and pulled in an impressive $966 million worldwide. Aladdin earned $1 billion after mass skepticism. Cinderella, Maleficent, and Pete’s Dragon have also seen success, and while initially the thought of Disney remaking nearly their entire back catalog was worrying, most fans are now looking forward to seeing their favorite characters again. This is just as well, since Disney currently has several live-action remakes in the works.

Lilo & Stitch 2

Releasing May 26, 2028

Disney is wasting no time making a second Lilo & Stitch movie in live-action. Following the first remake’s strong box office performance, Disney officially announced a sequel on June 26, 2025 – appropriately enough, “626 Day,” the annual celebration of Stitch. The follow-up, currently titled Lilo & Stitch 2, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 26, 2028.

One of the most exciting developments is the return of franchise co-creator Chris Sanders. Best known as the original voice of Stitch, Sanders will not only reprise his creative involvement as a writer but will also direct the sequel, marking his biggest role in the series since the 2002 animated classic. Producer Jonathan Eirich is also returning. While plot details remain under wraps, Disney clearly sees plenty more adventures ahead for Experiment 626 and his Hawaiian ohana.

Tangled

Confirmed

Disney’s animated movies have definitely entered a era of solid, highly-successful content following the slump of the 2000s, and this new era of CGI success was inarguably kickstarted by 2010’s Tangled. An adaptation of the classic Rapunzel fairytale, Tangled was a huge hit thanks to the incredible performances of the cast (especially Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy), and the many solid musical numbers like “Mother Knows Best” and “At Last I See The Light”. A fan-favorite ever since its release, in late 2024 it was confirmed that Tangled would be getting a live-action remake.

Details on the live-action Tangled are so far scarce, but the announcement alone was enough to generate interest. Michael Gracey (of The Greatest Showman fame) was announced to be in talks to helm the live-action Tangled, but this is all that’s so far known about the upcoming Disney remake. However, it is a clear signal that Disney’s strategy for live-action remakes has indeed changed. While initially envisioned to breathe new life into classic titles, the fact that Tangled is next to receive the live-action treatment following Moana and Lilo & Stitch indicates that the House of Mouse is now looking to their modern releases for non-animated remakes.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame

In Early Development

Another film from the 1990s Disney Renaissance, albeit not the most popular, set for a live-action remake is The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The film is executive produced by Josh Gad who may star as Quasimodo and sing; this new Hunchback is reportedly still a musical. David Henry Hwang was announced to be writing the screenplay. The film could be the cause for some competition as Idris Elba is reportedly starring in and directing a version of the original story for Netflix (which also released Andy Serkis’ competing Mowgli).

However, there is some concern that The Hunchback of Notre Dame’s live-action remake might never happen. Disney composer Alan Menken said in a 2023 interview that there are “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.” He said the movie is in limbo right now.

The Aristocats

Confirmed

Director

Ahmir Thompson

Writers

Will Gluck, Keith Bunin

Live-action/animated hybrids are a popular choice for Disney remakes right now. The idea is that real sets and real human actors are used to film the movie, but that animal characters are created with animation and visual effects instead of using live animals in the role. That’s the plan for Aristocats, the live-action remake of the 1970 musical.

The original musical focused on the adventures of a family of cats, and that’s going to be coming to the big screen courtesy of Questlove. Not only will Questlove make his feature film directing debut with the movie, but he’ll also be overseeing the music. Will Gluck (Easy A, Peter Rabbit) and Keith Bunin (Onward) are penning the script.

Hercules

Confirmed

In April 2020, it was announced that Disney’s live-action version of Hercules was in the works. Loosely based on the Gods and heroes of Greek mythology, Hercules was released to positive reviews and a healthy box office in 1997. Only a short way into pre-production, details have remained understandably scarce. Those included whether it would remain a musical and whether it would faithfully adhere to the original to merely spin the characters in a new direction.

What was made clear, however, was that Avengers: Endgame directors Anthony and Joe Russo would serve as producers. Meanwhile, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings scribe, Dave Callaham, signed on to write the screenplay, and Guy Ritchie is set to direct. Ritchie previously directed Disney’s Aladdin remake. Joe Russo said it has been said to be taking inspiration from the social media app Tik-Tok.

“As the storyteller, you have to be aware of changing habits… I think Matilda was a great example of a movie that, because of TikTok, it became a bit of a sensation with an under-30 audience.”

Cruella 2

Confirmed

Following the critical acclaim of Cruella, especially in terms of Emma Stone’s iconic portrayal, a sequel was rapidly greenlit. Cruella 2 will likely be a further exploration of Cruella De Vil’s rise en-route to her 101 Dalmatians villainy. As Cruella told its own story using a Disney movie and character as inspiration — rather than being a shot-for-shot remake of 101 Dalmatians — the same will likely be true of Cruella 2.

Emma Stone will no doubt return along with other previous cast members, including Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Kayvan Novak, Paul Walter Hauser, and Joel Fry. Equally, Tony McNamara and Craig Gillespie were also confirmed, returning from the first movie to write and direct Cruella 2, respectively.

Tink

Rumored

In 2010, Elizabeth Banks was announced to star as Tinkerbell for Disney, but the project didn’t move forward. Tink was then announced again in 2015. The production is expected to expand on the life of Peter Pan’s fairy sidekick Tinkerbell, just as the animated series of Tinkerbell movies has. Reese Witherspoon was initially attached to star in and produce the movie. While her production company is still attached to the movie, it’s not clear if Witherspoon is still planning on starring in the live-action Disney movie.

That’s especially up in the air since Yara Shahidi took on the role of Tinkerbell for Peter Pan & Wendy, the live-action Disney remake of Peter Pan. It’s possible that Disney could decide to center a Tink spin-off on Shahidi’s version of the character instead. That would keep the characterization consistent for Disney in live-action, just as the animated movies have been based on Disney’s Tinkerbell design from their 1953 movie.

The Sword In The Stone

Development Delayed

The Sword In The Stone is another live-action remake set to also debut on the Disney+ streaming service. Based on the classic Arthurian legend (and the 1963 animated adaptation), The Sword In The Stone was due to start filming in Ireland in September 2018, but was delayed. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo was attached as the movie’s director, working from a script by Game of Thrones‘ Bryan Cogman. There’s been little word since, except to say that it’s still on Disney’s live-action slate of remakes.

Jungle Book 2

Rumored

It’s no surprise that Disney wants a follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2016 live-action Jungle Book in the works. Given the massive amount of work involved with the CGI process, this one could take a while to reach screens. Regardless of the fact it could be a long wait, Disney has remained adamant that Jungle Book 2 is on the way. The movie will delve further into Rudyard Kipling’s work, and also use some discarded ideas from the 1967 animated version of Jungle Book. Top Gun: Maverick writer Justin Marks is penning the script.

Bambi

In Early Development

Not to be confused with Saturday Night Live‘s parody featuring The Rock, a live-action Bambi remake was announced by Disney in January 2020. Following the adventures of a semi-orphaned white-tailed deer and her woodland friends, Bambi was originally released in 1942. Following in the footsteps of The Jungle Book, the Bambi remake will be a photorealistic computer-animated take that will blur the lines between animated and live-action. Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Lindsey Beer will pen the screenplay. A director, however, has yet to be announced.