u/MacGrath1994

Thank God! 🙌

The movie is “Filmed For IMAX” and given the popularity of THE ODYSSEY, this movie is unlikely to premiere in IMAX at the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto.

So, which IMAX theatre should I see it in? The theatre in Oakville that I’ve been to a couple of times or the IMAX theatre that has been around for two-and-a-half years in Toronto which I haven’t been to yet? What would be the more immersive IMAX experience?

I know most of you hate live-action remakes of Disney classics. I understand. Though, some people like me, enjoy them and many I prefer over the original film because the original film ended up ruined by direct-to-video sequels and changes to the Disney logo opening and closing the movie. Like why would they replace the classic blue Walt Disney Pictures logo that was shown with these movies when they came out with a modern logo that just says Disney? And if a movie was so successful critically and commercially, why weren’t their follow-ups made for theatres with quality animation and the same A-list voice cast?

Anyway, with the live-action MOANA premiering in theatres just under a decade after the original and with it being highly unlikely to be great like the two animated films, I thought now would be the time to discuss some of the animated Disney flicks that have yet to be given the realistic treatment. I will discuss the ten movies that should have live-action remakes, why they should have them, and for some of these films… I would mention which character I would play if I were the actor I dreamed of being. Mind you that I was born in 1994. So, some of these “who I would play” bits wouldn’t match with my current age if I were playing a live-action character. Now, let’s get started in order of original animated films’ release dates.

THE ARISTOCATS (1970)

I'm a cat man and when it comes to talking animal movies, most of them have dogs in the lead rather than cats. I know there was going to be a live-action remake and Questlove was going to direct it before it got cancelled for some reason, but I think it's time for it to have another chance so that we can see talking cats and especially some talking kittens in live-action on an adventure in beautiful Paris. I don't know who should play and voice who, but if he were alive, I think Chadwick Boseman would've been a great Thomas O'Malley because his final film role as Levee Green in MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM (2020) is so full of jazz. He had the voice and the rhythm, but was taken far too soon. Regardless of cast, please make this movie eventually, Disney.

THE BLACK CAULDRON (1985)

Disney's first PG-rated animated film may have received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, but cult following aside, this film has potential. Not just for a live-action reimagining, but also a freakin' franchise. Why? Because there are five books in THE CHRONICLES OF PRYDAIN series and it could be like Disney's LORD OF THE RINGS franchise. That plan was announced in 2016, but a decade later and still nothing. That's too bad because back then, I imagined myself as Taran and one of my biggest crushes Evanna Lynch as Princess Eilonwy. If you don't know who Evanna is, she played Luna Lovegood in the last four HARRY POTTER movies. She would've been perfect. So, given my age and her age as of writing, maybe it's for the best that this didn't happen. Still would've been cool to experience all five books become five movies in IMAX.

What character would I play? - As I mentioned above, if I were still in my early 20s, I'd be
Taran.

THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE (1986)

One of Disney’s more underrated movies and one of the few that’s not tampered with by DTV sequels and logo changes, this super-short movie might be difficult to make in live-action with the talking hindlimb-walking mice and other animals, but if they could pull it off, it could work and them some. Story wise, it could expand on the character development and the lore surrounding the small animals in 1897 London. We could find out how and why Basil became the arrogant detective we know and love, why Professor Ratigan became evil and always manage to escape justice, and add more to the mystery. The original is 74 minutes long, so imagine the possibilities if it were at least 30 minutes longer.

What character would I play? - Professor Ratigan. He was voiced by the late and legendary Vincent Price and he was the most memorable character when I first revisited the movie in 2016. If I were involved in any way, I definitely wouldn’t mind going all Vincent Price as this evil sadistic rat.

OLIVER & COMPANY (1988)

I love this movie. Another underrated gem with a 74-minute runtime. It’s inspired by the iconic Charles Dickens novel OLIVER TWIST… but with an orange kitten, dogs, and 1988 New York. The opening scene with the kittens in the box and where Oliver is all alone in said box in the rain always made me sad. I know it polarized many, but a live-action remake could be a huge opportunity for improvement. The story would be extended and the musical numbers could be done better with the right talent. I love the fan casting for the potential live-action remake by ZM26 on Deviant Art with my favorite casting choices being Anthony Ramos as Dodger the Jack Russell Terrier and the leader of Fagin’s dogs, Michael Peña as Tito the chihuahua, Adele as Georgette the vain and spoiled poodle, and both Laurence Fishburne and J.K. Simmons as Roscoe and DeSoto the vicious Doberman Pinschers owned by Sykes the loan shark. Speaking of the cast and characters, I would give Fagin more development and a better outcome in the end with say, a well-paying job and maybe a love interest. We could even introduce Jenny’s parents in the film and have them appear in the birthday scene. The one important thing that the remake needs is to keep it set in the 1980s. I don’t know what could happen if God forbid the remake takes place in the present day.

What character would I play? - I’d be Fagin because I’m around the right age and while he is a thief, he’s a well-meaning character to root for and he loves animals like me.

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)

Oh, come on. This is a dream project for me. I know many don’t want this one, but just think of how beautiful and extraordinary it’ll look when it becomes a reality. I would write the screenplay, play Jack Skellington, and hope Tim Burton directs it. I would also make it grainy like the original, make it PG-13, and have it open and close with the blue Walt Disney Pictures logo. Consider that the studio’s apology for making the original a Touchstone Pictures film before 2006. The live-action project would extend the story while also giving it that nostalgic 90s look. There’s also the song “Poor Jack” to consider revising because I didn’t like that song. The lyrics weren’t so good and it needed a better ending. I know it’s all wishful thinking, but a guy and a Tim Burton fanatic can dream, can’t he? Heck, I would even write the screenplay right now just for kicks like a hobby and show it to family and friends who love the property. I have a lot of ideas on this one.

What character would I play? - Like I said, one of my dream roles is be Jack Skellington. Of course, I would need a lot of singing lessons and I would love to sound like Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and The All-American Rejects. CONTROVERSIAL TAKE: I thought the Fall Out Boy version of “What’s This?” and The All-American Rejects version of “Jack’s Lament” to be superior than in the movie. I’m just saying!

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1996)

This is one of those Disney movies I would’ve loved if it had no direct-to-video sequel just like THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, THE LION KING, MULAN, TARZAN, THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE, and LILO & STITCH. God help me! Regardless, the animated Disney take on Victor Hugo’s novel is one of the studio’s darkest that somehow got away with a G rating by MPA. Ironically enough, the Canadian Home Video rating system rated it PG for Frightening Scenes and Violence when it was released on Blu-Ray in 2013 with that awful sequel combined to it. One has to wonder if this were remade into live-action, would Disney itself crank up the adult themes. Whether they do or not, they should at least keep the musical numbers, but maybe get rid of the talking gargoyles. I mean, some have said remake this movie without the gargoyles. As long as they don’t whitewash the Romani characters, we’re on our way.

HERCULES (1997)

Another animated Disney movie watched on VHS when we millennials were little, I rewatched this fun take on Greek mythology in 9th grade English class and thought of it as a good time. Learning about the Greek myths back then and rediscovering this film made me the fan of mythology that I am today. Plus, it had no direct-to-video sequel. ZERO TO HERO doesn’t count. Not just because I never seen it, but it’s also four episodes of the prequel television series as a “movie”. The real DTV sequel was cancelled in 2006, thanks to John Lasseter a.k.a. The Pixar Pervert. Still, the 2014 Blu-Ray and DVD release did replace the blue Walt Disney Pictures logo with that awful Disney logo and the only way I can rewatch the animated movie with the classic logo these days is in my Apple TV library. I love this movie, but this is so infuriating! Now, in 2020 during the pandemic, it was announced that a live-action remake is happening with Joe and Anthony Russo producing. In 2022, the director was confirmed to be none other than Guy Ritchie and yet here we are in 2026 with still nothing. The remake is supposed to pay homage to the original with a more modern spin on it and it would also be a modern musical inspired by TikTok, which I don’t know what to make of that because we still want the classic songs we grew up, right? Regardless if the whole “modern” thing still happens or not, we should still eventually have a live-action remake that better do the animated movie justice, especially with my man Hades.

What character would I play? - I would love to play Hades. I can imagine how much fun that would be. Then again, I already said that Disney needs to do him justice and if James Woods is no longer alive by then and if I can’t do it, then Hades should be played by none other than Willem Dafoe.

ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE (2001)

As I mentioned with THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, if this had no direct-to-video sequel that I watched as a kid, then the original would’ve held up. Regardless, considering that this is another Disney box office bomb with a cult following, the studio should consider updating it for live-action. Think of how gorgeous and badass it would look and the monsters. I would get rid of Mole and Cookie because I found those characters annoying and out of place in an otherwise epic tale. One could also make Kida a less-sexualized character because she practically wears a bikini for most of her screen time. They made live-action Jasmine wear more modest clothing, so why not live-action Kida? Granted, we all were horny seven-year-old boys once. I was that around that age when the original came out. Jokes aside, the perfect casting for this potential project would be Andrew Garfield as Milo Thatch and Stephen Lang as Commander Rourke. The rest, I’m not so sure. What would make me very happy if this were to be made is if Disney opened and closed it with that cool Walt Disney Pictures logo from the original and if the end credits had a beautiful song like “Where the Dream Takes You” by Mýa.

TREASURE PLANET (2002)

This is another animated sci-fi Disney movie that flopped yet became a cult classic years later. The major differences between this and ATLANTIS is that this movie received more positive reviews, had an IMAX release that went under the radar, had no sexualized female characters, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Well, all that and mainly the fact that ATLANTIS told an original story whereas this is an adaptation of the classic novel TREASURE ISLAND, but in space. I love this movie and I find it bittersweet that hardly anyone saw it when it came out because Disney cancelled the planned direct-to-video sequel that would’ve cast Willem Dafoe as the villain after the film’s poor performance. But what got me into thinking this would be a great live-action remake isn’t just because of how awesome the original animated movie was, but basically what got me into writing all of this down and sharing my thoughts online was last November when the teaser trailer for the live-action MOANA premiered online and a YouTuber that I follow known as VETZ reacted to it and he made a strong point. He said quote “it would be much more interesting if Disney took some of their movies that maybe underperformed at the box office and never really found their audience and you remake those and kind of repackage them to see if now they can find their audience”. This was one of the two Disney movies VETZ used as background images when he said that. So, if anyone from the studio discovers this as live-action MOANA underperforms on it’s own, take notes. Like others mentioned above, this could be a live-action remake that succeeds compared to the original.

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (2021)

I know this movie came out in 2021 and it’s younger than the original MOANA, but hear me out. We were still living in the age of COVID-19 back then and Disney released two original animated films that year. This and ENCANTO. I love both movies, but ENCANTO is obviously the more popular. This movie also earned positive reviews and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars where it lost to, you guessed it, ENCANTO. But given the circumstances back in March 2021 when Disney released the film simultaneously in theatres and on Disney+ with Priemer Access where you spend another $30+ to watch the movie at home, it’s easy to see how this has fallen under the radar over the years. A poster of the film was the first of two images used by VETZ next to TREASURE PLANET when he made his point. Not only did VETZ make me remember this gorgeously animated gem and the hellish trip to see it in theatres, DON’T ASK, but it also got me into thinking. Why not take the animated Disney movies that no one remembers or never saw and remake them into live-action so that when the live-action remake comes out, people will be like “Oh cool. This looks interesting. Maybe I should watch or reevaluate the animated film and then go see the new movie.” This particular story is not even a decade old and it’s best to wait a couple more years, but think of how mind-blowing Kumandra would look in live-action and how Disney could improve on the story while also adding more Southeast Asian representation. The possibilities are endless.

So, what do you think? What animated Disney movie would you like to see in live-action? Let me know in the comments!

Seen in RealD 3D on June 19, 2026.

I’m going to be real here. Pixar’s flagship franchise should’ve ended with TOY STORY 3. Yes, there was an 11-year gap between 2 and 3, but it still wrapped up the story nicely with Andy giving his toys to Bonnie that there didn’t need to a TOY STORY 4, 5, and so on yet we have received three short films called TOY STORY TOONS, a Halloween special called TOY STORY OF TERROR, and a two-days-after-Christmas special called TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT. Yet we got a TS4 anyway and it was great. Should stop there, right? Nope! There’s money to be made. In all seriousness, while the original trilogy is classic and timeless, the newer stories whether they are in short form or a new sequel are like fun side quests for a new generation of kids while also bringing in that nostalgia for those grew up with the first three films. Funnily enough, this is actually the first PG-rated TOY STORY whereas the first four films were rated G. If they were made today, I highly doubt that G rating would stick. Remember the incinerator scene in TS3? How is that G-rated material?

This new chapter tells a timely tale on toys dealing with screens and it couldn’t be more relevant today. The story’s message on kids using tech is frighteningly important nowadays with phones, tablets, and social media being used by today’s young generations everywhere. The whole gang is back, but pretty much like TS4, not everyone gets their time to shine. We do have Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, and the always silent Bullseye all trying to help Bonnie make friends and deal with Greta Lee as the Lilypad while meeting other fun new characters and an army of high-tech Buzz Lightyear units in demo mode.

The problem is that the characters we grew up with like Rex, Slinky Dog, Hamm, the Potato Heads, Bo Peep, Duke Caboom, Dolly, Trixie, Mr. Pricklepants, Forky, and Karen Beverly are all sidelined and say very few lines. Others like Buttercup, Giggle McDimples, Ducky & Bunny, and the green alien dudes all have silent cameos. Like what is the point of having them all appear if they are not doing much or saying anything at all? Heck, I’m now wondering what happened to Chuckles because he didn’t even appear in TS4. I understand the need to make room for new characters, but still. Speaking of which, the main new character Lilypad may be a big problem for the toys, but she is not the villain here. I really like how they didn't totally demonize technology and that she was just as complex in her motivations as Christina Hendricks’ character Gabby Gabby were in TS4. The legendary Conan O’Brien steals the show as the potty-training toy known as Smarty Pants with the always lovable Craig Robinson as Atlas the hippo GPS toy and Shelby Rabara as Snappy the excitable toy camera. We also get cameos from the likes of Alan Cumming as an evil version of Bullseye in an imagination sequence, Ernie Hudson taking over from the late Carl Weathers as a Combat Carl action figure, Bad Bunny as a pizza with sunglasses, Matty Matheson as Dr. Nutcase the daredevil peanut toy who fears tech, and Tyla as an inflatabible flamingo only in the North America version. Also, if you’re wondering how the Potato Heads are talking even though Don Rickles and Estelle Harris are no longer with us, they are now voiced by Jeff Bergman and Anna Vocino while Pricklepants is now voiced by John Hopkins instead of Timothy Dalton.

There are just way too many characters here. It’s no wonder the first three movies are better. That and because there’s no true villain in this story, the stakes are pretty low compared to TOY STORY 2 and 3. Those movies had Kelsey Grammar as The Prospector and the late Ned Beatty as Lotso the Adolf Hitler-like teddy bear.

I also had problems when me and a friend saw the movie in 3D at our nearest theatre. The 3D was dark and not so immersive, the sound system was pretty quiet, and the little kids in there wouldn’t shut up. I couldn’t hear some things and with everyone leaving and talking during the credits, I couldn’t hear the mid-credits scene and the quick rap sequence at the end of the credits. Also, when the closing logos were playing, the kids were still running around and one boy even touched the screen. God help me. Honestly, it’s like we should’ve went to one of those Cineplex VIP screenings for people 19 and up in one of the bigger cities in Ontario, Canada.

Regardless, while it’s likely my least favorite TOY STORY, it’s still a great movie. It still has the comedy, the charm, and the heart. Considering that this is also Jessie’s story, it was a thrill to see her take the spotlight this time and bring her emotional baggage from TS2 to a satisfying close. When she delivered that line about a toy's purpose to a kid, she might as well have been talking about human beings. Taylor Swift’s end credits song was alright, but she’s no Sarah MacLachlan. And yes, we still have Randy Newman delivering the goods with another wonderful score, especially the male choir he used for the tech-enhanced Buzz Lightyears. It’ll probably make you forget about Chris Evans’ okay LIGHTYEAR movie from 2022 and in the ever-complicated world of adulthood, these movies will never not lift my spirits. It’s just nowhere near TOY STORY 3, which is not only my favorite Pixar movie, but it’s also currently the last animated film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

This may be Andrew Stanton’s final movie as a director, but he will always be at Pixar for as long as he can to tell amazing stories and I can’t wait for the inevitable TOY STORY 6 to possibly wrap up Bonnie’s trilogy. Between this and HOPPERS, it’s been a good comeback year for Pixar. Now let’s hope their next movie GATTO will be even better or maybe I’m just being prejudiced because it’s about cats in Venice and Italy is one of my favorite countries in the world. We’ll see!

~ 8 out of 10 ~
* rating subject to change

Here’s my ranking:

1. TOY STORY 3
2. TOY STORY 2
3. TOY STORY
4. TOY STORY 4
5. TOY STORY 5

Pretty spooky, right?

This is the machine at the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto that takes a picture of your face and alien-ify your eyes. I had to make a face that would’ve been suitable for a poster of the movie like that of Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor.

Pretty spooky, right?

This is the machine that takes a picture of your face and alien-ify your eyes. I had to make a face that would’ve been suitable for a poster of the movie like that of Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor.