What counts as a live-action Disney princess movie
This guide treats a live-action Disney princess movie as a theatrical film produced by Walt Disney Pictures that is either a live-action retelling of an animated princess feature or a live-action spinoff centered on a character who is widely recognized as a Disney princess. It excludes short films, direct-to-video titles, TV originals, and theme-park content unless a theatrical feature was also released. So far, the catalog includes a mix of costume fairy tales, mythic adaptations, and fantasy action titles, with several projects announced but not yet released. The list below reflects theatrical releases and confirmed upcoming projects as of the latest available studio information.
Live-action Disney princess movies in release order
The following table includes every live-action theatrical feature that centers on a Disney princess or is a live-action remake of an animated princess film released by Walt Disney Pictures. Projects in development that lack a confirmed theatrical release or wide distribution are noted separately.
| Title (Princess) | Release Year | Production/Status Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maleficent (Aurora — supporting origin) | 2014 | Live-action origin/reimagining; principal photography wrapped early production cycle |
| Cinderella (Cinderella) | 2015 | Costume fantasy retelling directed by Kenneth Branagh; wide theatrical release |
| The Lion King (Nala — supporting; not a princess lead) | 2019 | Photorealistic remake; Nala appears but film is not a princess-centric feature |
| Aladdin (Jasmine) | 2019 | Live-action adaptation of the animated musical; wide theatrical release |
| Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Aurora — supporting) | 2019 | Sequel continuation of the Maleficent universe; mixed commercial reception |
| The Little Mermaid (Ariel) | 2023 | Ryan Coogler-directed live-action adaptation; extensive pre-production and global release |
| Snow White (Snow White) | 2025 | Rueben Fleischer-directed; post-production underway; wide theatrical rollout planned |
| Moana (Moana — feature film not yet released) | TBD | Live-action adaptation in active development; casting and production timeline not yet confirmed |
| Lilo & Stitch (Stitch cameo; Lilo is not a princess) | TBD | Live-action/CG hybrid in early development; princess status not applicable per current reporting |
Key clarifications on princess status
- Supporting characters such as Nala in The Lion King appear in live-action adaptations but do not make those films princess-centric features.
- Maleficent centers on a villain origin and includes a supporting Aurora, so it is listed by broader franchise association rather than a princess-led narrative.
- Lilo & Stitch is a live-action adaptation in development, but Lilo is not categorized as a Disney princess in studio materials as of the latest announcements.
Upcoming and announced live-action princess films
Several projects have been announced but remain in various stages of development. Dates and creative leads are subject to change. The most prominent title with confirmed wide-release intent is Moana, which has entered active development following the success of recent Disney live-action adaptations.
Box office and reception patterns (context only)
Live-action adaptations of Disney animated classics have achieved a mix of strong box office returns and varied critical reception. Costume-fantasy titles such as Cinderella and Aladdin demonstrated solid global box office performance, while origin stories like Maleficent showed that prequels and villain perspectives can also draw large audiences. Production budgets and marketing spends vary widely, influencing commercial outcomes more than princess status alone.
Definitional boundaries and what this list excludes
This list excludes short films, limited series, theme-park exclusives, and streaming originals that were never intended for theatrical release. It also omits films where a princess is referenced in marketing but where the narrative does not center on her; for example, The Lion King is a remake of an animated feature with a broad ensemble, not a princess-led production. By focusing on theatrically released films with princess-led or princess-origin storytelling, the catalog remains a durable reference for how these titles fit into the broader Disney live-action strategy.
How these fit into the broader Disney remakes catalog
Live-action princess movies sit within Disney’s larger live-action remake initiative, which also includes non-princess titles such as The Jungle Book, Dumbo, and Christopher Robin. The princess subset is characterized by fairy-tale origins, costumed design, and broad family appeal. Studios often approach these projects with heightened production design and global marketing, reflecting their long-term value as evergreen IP rather than transient news cycles.
Why this evergreen overview matters
For creators, marketers, and analysts, a clearly organized reference to live-action Disney princess movies helps separate confirmed releases from speculation and clarifies which stories are princess-led versus tangentially related. This evergreen overview is designed to remain useful across product cycles, audience generations, and shifting development timelines, emphasizing verified release histories and defined criteria over rumor or promotional language.