The Case of the Disney Re-make
You know what they say, “If it ain’t broke, remake it!” At least, that’s how we think the saying goes. From Fuller House to Kim Possible, remakes are the biggest thing around. Studios have learned that just because nostalgia is priceless, it doesn’t mean they can’t make serious cash from it.
So, we decided it was time to talk about this phenomenon. In this episode, we discuss the Disney (mostly) live-action remakes.
Movies Mentioned Today:
101 Dalmations (1996)
Directed by Stephen Herek
Stars Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Hugh Laurie, and Mark Williams
Fashion Designer Cruella DeVil plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to create the perfect fur coat but from there chaos ensues.
Budget $75,000,000 (estimated)
USA opening $45,073,479
USA Gross $136,189,294
Cumulative Worldwide Gross $320,689,294
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Directed by Tim Burton
Stars Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, and Anne Hathaway
Alice is older in this version as a 19 year old who is proposed to in front of friends and family. When she runs from the situation she follows a rabbit down a rabbit hole into the curious world of Wonderland.
Budget $200,000,000 (estimated)
USA opening $116,101,023
USA Gross $334,191,110
Worldwide Gross $1,025,467,110
Maleficent (2014)
Directed by Robert Stromberg
Stars Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning
Maleficent is an innocent fairy turned vengeful due to a betrayal. This treachery leads her to put a curse on young Aurora. As the child grows Maleficent finds that she may be the key to peace in the kingdom.
This film takes after the famous book and Broadway musical “Wicked” by showing the evil character as the protagonist
Budget $180,000,000 (estimated)
USA opening $69,431,298
USA Gross $241,410,378
Worldwide Gross $758,539,785
Cinderella (2015)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Stars Lily James, Cate Blanchett, and Richard Madden
Lily James was not a well known actress and this was her first starring role in a movie
You should know the plot of this by now!
Budget $95,000,000 (estimated)
USA opening $67,877,361
USA Gross $201,151,353
Cumulative Worldwide Gross $543,514,353
The Jungle Book (2016)
Directed by Jon Favreau
Stars Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, and Ben Kingsley
Bagheera (a panther) and Baloo (a bear) accompany a man-cub named Mowgli through the Jungle after a threat from the tiger Shere Khan.
Budget $175,000,000 (estimated)
USA opening $103,261,464
USA Gross $364,001,123
Cumulative Worldwide Gross $966,550,600
Pete’s Dragon (2016)
Directed by David Lowery
Stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, and Oakes Fegley
Pete, an orphan of 6 years found in the forest, tells his new caretaker Grace about his friend Elliot the dragon.
Budget $65,000,000 (estimated)
USA opening $21,514,095
USA Gross $76,233,151
Cumulative Worldwide Gross $143,695,338
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Directed by Bill Condon
Stars Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, and many more
A self-centered Prince is cursed and must find someone to love him before time runs out. Belle, an odd townswoman who loves books, may be his only chance at breaking the spell.
Budget $160,000,000 (estimated)
USA opening $174,750,616
USA Gross $504,014,165
Cumulative Worldwide Gross $1,263,521,126
Upcoming Disney Re-makes Mentioned:
Lion King (July 2019)
Aladdin (May 2019)
Dumbo (March 2019)
Mulan (2020)
Lilo and Stitch (TBA)
Prince Charming (TBA)
Lady and the Tramp (TBA)
*We mention a movie called Magic Kingdom which is still in development and has been for several years. The general plot is to be about attractions at the theme park coming to life and interacting with each other.