CBR
10 ‘Rotten’ Disney Live-Action Movies That Are Good
By Florencia Aberastury
Sept. 2, 2024
Disney is one of the most popular and prolific production companies. While many might only associate Disney with their animated movies, Disney has also released several popular and beloved live-action movies. Movies like Enchanted, Freaky Friday and Cruella have earned the critic’s love and approval just as much as the public’s. However, other Disney live-action movies haven’t had the same luck.
Many Disney live-action movies are beloved by audiences and have even become cult classics, but critics weren’t so positive about them. Iconic movies like Hocus Pocus and The Princess Diaries received bad reviews from critics, even though many Disney fans love these movies. Even live-action remakes of beloved Disney animated movies have had the same luck, including the live-action remakes of films like Aladdin and The Lion King. However, some Disney live-action movies are good, even if they have received bad reviews from critics.
10. Tron: Legacy Is a Decent Entry to the Franchise
Rotten Tomato Score: 51%
Audience Score: 63%
Disney’s 1982 science fiction movie Tron was a groundbreaking story about a video game developer who finds himself transported inside a computer mainframe system. And while Tron: Legacy wasn’t as original or as groundbreaking as its predecessor, it was still a solid entry and a decent sequel to the original film.
Tron: Legacy includes several references and callbacks to the original Tron movie. Jeff Bridges returns as Kevin Flynn, the video game developer who once again is transported inside the computer’s mainframe. Only this time, he can’t come back to the real world. Critics felt Tron: Legacy lacked character development in favor of more visually dazzling scenes. However, Tron: Legacy still delivers entertaining action sequences and enough world-building to continue the franchise. Tron: Ares, a stand-alone sequel, is set to be released in 2025.
9. Heavyweights Is an Underrated Disney Comedy
Rotten Tomato Score: 50%
Audience Score: 77%
Heavyweights is one of the funniest Disney movies, and for good reason. The film’s outrageous story and characters are the perfect combination for a story that shouldn’t work but does. Heavyweights features a talented cast that have since become comedy legends, including Ben Stiller, Kenan Thompson, and Paul Feig.
The humor of Heavyweights was not well received upon the film’s release. However, the comedy movie, co-written by Judd Apatow, quickly earned a loyal cult following that still quotes the movie almost thirty years after its original debut. Heavyweights might be controversial on paper, but upon watching, viewers will be drawn in by the hilarious performances and surprisingly uplifting themes.
11-year-old Gerry Garner lives in Long Island, New York, and is overweight. His parents decide to send him to Camp Hope, a camp for overweight boys. When they file for bankruptcy, the camp has to be sold. It is bought by a wacko named Tony Perkis. In the eyes of the campers, he has made Camp Hope a living hell. As Gerry and counselor Pat Finley lead the efforts to overthrow him, the campers prepare for the Apache Relay against arch rival Camp MVP.
8. The Dark Elements In Return to Oz Turned It Into a Cult Classic
Rotten Tomato Score: 58%
Audience Score: 71%
Return to Oz is a big departure from the beloved classic The Wizard of Oz. The unofficial sequel introduces a dark twist by sending Dorothy to a sanatorium as her aunt and uncle are concerned about her obsession with Oz. And even though it’s much darker than the first film based on the Oz novels, it is these very dark elements that made Return to Oz a popular cult classic.
Return to Oz is, however, much more faithful to the source material than The Wizard of Oz. This is also one of the reasons why audiences loved the film, even if critics disliked this more realistic approach to the Oz novels. Return to Oz might not be the magical story that The Wizard of Oz is, but it’s still not worthy of its “rotten” score.
It follows Dorothy as she returns to the magical land of Oz, only to find it in ruins and her friends turned to stone. Joined by new companions, she battles the evil Nome King and the wicked Princess Mombi to restore peace and save her beloved Oz.
7. National Treasure Is Filled With Adventure and Comedy for All Ages
Rotten Tomato Score: 46%
Audience Score: 76%
Many critics believed that the historical inconsistencies in National Treasure meant the film deserved a “rotten” score. Yet audiences proved that’s not what’s important about the film and enjoyed the action and adventure National Treasure delivers. National Treasure might require audiences to suspend disbelief in order to be entertaining, and that’s not a bad thing.
The plot of National Treasure might be far-fetched and convoluted, but the humor and action sequences more than make up for it. National Treasure is a fun ride from start to finish, making it a Disney live-action movie that is worth watching. National Treasure remains popular decades after the film’s first release, earning the Nicolas Cage-led movie two sequels: the film National Treasure: Book of Secrets and the TV series National Treasure: Edge of History.
6. The New Haunted Mansion Is a Hilarious Ghost Story
Rotten Tomato Score: 37%
Audience Score: 84%
Haunted Mansion is the second movie inspired by Disney’s theme park attraction, and features a star-studded ensemble cast that includes hilarious comedy actors and talented stars like Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito and Jamie Lee Curtis. Still, Haunted Mansion received harsh reviews from critics, who believed the film wasn’t as funny or as scary as it should’ve been.
Haunted Mansion was also a box-office bomb. However, the 2023 movie might be one of the most underrated Disney live-action movies. Haunted Mansion is a hilarious movie with surprising emotional moments that could easily become a Halloween classic. LaKeith Stanfield’s subtle performance might bring in some of the biggest laughs and tears in the film, making Haunted Mansion a film worth checking out.
5. The Live-Action Remake of Aladdin Is Entertaining and Fun
Rotten Tomato Score: 57%
Audience Score: 94%
Aladdin is one of the most popular and beloved Disney animated movies. Yet when the live-action remake of the movie was announced, many Aladdin fans were skeptical. But many fans were pleasantly surprised when Aladdin was released, and the live-action film still held the same heart and humor as the original. While no one could ever live up to the legend that was Robin Williams, many agree that Will Smith did a great job as the hilarious Genie in Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin.
Aladdin received some harsh reviews from critics, who criticized the direction and CGI. However, audiences agree that the live-action remake of Aladdin is a fun, entertaining film with amazing musical numbers, hilarious jokes, and a talented cast. The live-action versions of the animated characters from Aladdin exceeded expectations, with many fans agreeing that Mena Massoud did a terrific job as the titular Aladdin. Even though Aladdin had its issues, this Disney live-action remake is worth watching and definitely doesn’t deserve its rotten score.
4. The Mighty Ducks Is a Feel-Good Underdog Story
Rotten Tomato Score: 23%
Audience Score: 65%
The Mighty Ducks doesn’t bring anything new to the table, yet that doesn’t mean the film is bad. The Mighty Ducks is a great underdog story with a lovable young cast, including a young Joshua Jackson in one of his first-ever film roles. The story might be predictable, but sometimes that’s not entirely bad.
Audiences watching The Mighty Ducks know they are going to win in the end, but that doesn’t make it any less emotional when they do. The cast has incredible chemistry, the child actors are hilarious and lovable, and Emilio Estevez does a great job portraying the arrogant lawyer with a heart of gold. Critics were not as positive about The Mighty Ducks, but even with its flaws, this Disney live-action movie doesn’t deserve its rotten score.
3. Maleficent Shines Thanks to Its Talented Star
Rotten Tomato Score: 54%
Audience Score: 70%
Maleficent might be one of the most well-known Disney villains, and the live-action adaptation stars Angelina Jolie in the titular role. While Maleficent suffers from a few bumps along the way, the talented performance by Jolie makes Maleficent a film worth watching.
Critics were negative about the script and direction of the movie but still agreed that the talented performances in the movie make up for the few deficiencies in storytelling. Maleficent is still an entertaining backstory of one of the most popular Disney villains, and the film’s popularity earned it a sequel titled Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
2. The Princess Diaries Earned the Love of an Entire Generation
Rotten Tomato Score: 49%
Audience Score: 68%
The Princess Diaries is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Meg Cabot. And while many critics didn’t like the film, The Princess Diaries quickly became one of the most iconic Disney movies. The Princess Diaries catapulted Anne Hathaway to stardom and even brought back Julie Andrews from her semi-retirement. The Princess Diaries was so popular that Disney released a sequel film: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Most critics noted The Princess Diaries was too predictable and mostly for young girls. However, critics heavily underestimated the charm and chemistry between Hathaway and Julie Andrews, as well as the public’s love for a classic, feel-good movie. The Princess Diaries isn’t groundbreaking, but there’s nothing wrong with that. The film is a light-hearted family comedy with a talented and charming cast. The Princess Diaries defied expectations, and it’s a testament to the film’s popularity that fans of the film series are still asking for a third installment of The Princess Diaries decades after the first film was released.
- Hocus Pocus Became a Halloween Must-Watch
Rotten Tomato Score: 40%
Audience Score: 72%
Many might be shocked to find out that Hocus Pocus was not well received by critics when it was first released. However, the iconic film about the Sanderson sisters has since become one of the most beloved Halloween movies. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy have amazing comedic chemistry, and their hilarious performances have become legendary.
Hocus Pocus received criticism for its apparent lack of direction and plot progression. And while it was at first a box-office bomb, Hocus Pocus quickly found a loyal following after airing on television. Hocus Pocus is now a must-watch Halloween film, with at least one trio of fans dressing up as the Sanderson sisters every Halloween. Hocus Pocus remains popular even thirty years after its release, and Disney released Hocus Pocus 2 in 2022, with a third installment currently in development.
