Walt Disney Company has been producing the best animated and live-action movies for the past decade, and there is no stopping them from creating more. With lots of fans supporting the art of animation and the ever-evolving Disney storylines, there is no wonder that it is one of the most successful genres in the history of cinema.
With blockbuster Disney films, the company would need a huge sum of money for production purposes. From costumes, set design, animation, and location, making live-action movies entails a rigorous financial plan. Here is the list of our favorite Disney live-action movies ranked by their budget:
Maleficent (2014) – $180 Million
One of Disney’s most successful live-action movies, Maleficent stars Angelina Jolie in the titular role of the Mistress of Evil. The story is loosely based on the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty where she cursed Princess Aurora to fall into deep slumber upon reaching the age of 16. The film was a box office success, and it became one of the highest-grossing movies of 2014!
Aladdin (2018) – $183 Million
The remake of Aladdin introduced a lot of things that were not originally in the animated film. It included a new original song from Princess Jasmine and a new background story for Genie. The colorful costumes and spectacular set design already tell how costly the film production was. Although it received mixed reviews regarding the casting of actors, the movie was a total box-office success.
Alice In Wonderland (2010) – $200 Million
Alice in Wonderland led the rise of Disney live-action remakes back in 2010, following a slightly different story from the classic animated movie. It stars an ensemble cast including Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, and Helena Bonham Carter. It was a massive victory for Disney and it was the first one to explore the trend of live-action movies!
Mulan (2020) – $200 Million
Mulan is the latest adaptation to have a live-action remake. It has an early 2020 release but Disney pushed it back several times due to the pandemic. Ultimately, it was released on Disney+ following a fresh take on the story. The movie only grossed $70 million against the aforementioned budget, which is absolutely a huge letdown. The closing of movie theaters during the height of Covid-19 is the biggest factor for this loss.
Beauty And The Beast (2017) – $254 Million
Beauty and the Beast is the second most expensive Disney live-action production. It stars Emma Watson as Belle, the famous bookworm trapped in a castle and fell in love with an ugly beast. With a whopping budget like that, it is considered one of the most expensive films ever made. Its success brought home over $1.2 billion at the global box office. On top of that, it also received an Academy Awards nomination for Best Production and Costume Design!
The Lion King (2016) – $260 Million
The Lion King is the most expensive Disney production ever. It features state-of-the-art cinematography that brings animated animals into National Geographic-level imagery. Aside from the costly budget, it also features an all-star cast such as James Earl Jones, Beyoncé, and Donald Glover. In return, the movie grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide.
