When we think of Disney, we generally think of the company that is well-known for making animated classics.
However, the Walt Disney Company is also known for making live-action movies. These include movies that are 100% live-action and hybrids, which combine animated and live-action elements.
These are some of the classic live-action Disney movies that are worth adding to your watch list. It includes fully live-action movies, as well as hybrid (both animated and live-action) ones.
The Story of Robin Hood (1952)
"The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men," or simply "The Story of Robin Hood," was released on June 26, 1952 in the United States. It is based on the legend of Robin Hood, the legendary heroic outlaw.
This was Walt Disney's second live-action movie, after "Treasure Island," which was released in 1950.
In this movie, the noble King Richard the Lionheart leaves England to go on a crusade to the Holy Land. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Prince John, conspires to usurp the throne in King Richard's absence. Robin Fitzooth, also known as Robin Hood, teams up like-minded outlaws to rise up against the taxes in Nottingham.
Richard Todd, Joan Rice and Hubert Gregg starred as Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Prince John, respectively.
Another Robin Hood movie, this time with anthropomorphic animals, was released in 1973.
Watch the original trailer here.
Song of the South (1946)
"Song of the South" is a musical that combines live-action elements with animation. It was released on Nov. 20, 1946 in the United States.
The movie is about a kind storyteller named Uncle Remus who tells stories about trickster Br'er Rabbit, who outwits Br'er Fox and slow-witted Br'er Bear.
Bobby Driscoll, James Baskett, Glenn Leedy and Luana Patten starred as Johnny, Uncle Remus, Toby and Ginny Favers, respectively. Johnny Lee and Baskett provided the voices Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox respectively, with Baskett providing the voice of Br'er Rabbit in the "Laughing Place" segment.
The iconic song from the movie, "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah," received an Academy Award for "Best Song" in 1947. You can give the song a listen by clicking here.
In addition, the movie inspired the Disney theme park attraction Splash Mountain, which eventually closed in 2023.
Watch the original trailer here.
Mighty Joe Young (1998)
"Mighty Joe Young" is a remake of the 1949 RKO Radio Pictures movie of the same name. It was released on Dec. 25, 1998 in the United States.
This movie is about a legendary 15-foot gorilla named Joe, who was cared for by Jill Young after losing his mother to a ruthless poacher. Gregg O'Hara, who works at a wildlife refuge in Los Angeles, convinces Jill that Joe will be safer from poachers if both of them relocate to the United States. Meanwhile, the poacher seeks vengeance on Joe.
Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton starred as Jill Young and Gregg O'Hara respectively.
Watch the original trailer here.
Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
"Escape to Witch Mountain" is based on Alexander Key's novel of the same name. It was released on March 21, 1975 in the United States.
In this movie, two orphan children, Tia and Tony Malone, possess mysterious and extraordinary powers and try their best to control them. However, a greedy millionaire named Aristotle Bolt, intends to use exploit the orphans' powers for personal gains. With the help of a widower, Tony and Tia escape while trying to piece together their unworldly origins.
Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann starred as orphan siblings Tia and Tony Malone respectively. Ray Milland starred as Aristotle Bolt, the main antagonist of the movie.
Watch the original trailer here.
Never Cry Wolf (1983)
"Never Cry Wolf" is an adaptation of Farley Mowat's autobiography, which was written in 1963. It was released on Jan. 27, 1984 in the United States.
The movie revolves around a researcher named Tyler Powell, who was sent by the Canadian government to study the caribou population in the Arctic wilderness, whose decline is thought to be caused by wolves. Eventually, Tyler learns about the beneficial nature of the wolves.
Charles Martin Smith starred as Canadian biologist Tyler Powell, with Brian Dennehy and Zachary Ittimangaq as Rosie Little and Ootek respectively.
Watch the original trailer here.
Tron (1982)
"Tron," often stylized in all-capital letters, was released on July 9, 1982 in the United States.
In this movie, computer programmer and arcade owner Kevin Flynn gets sucked into the virtual world where he faces off against a malevolent software, the Master Control Program. There, he is forced to participate in the gladiatorial games, so he enlists the help of security program Tron to help him return to the real world.
Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan and David Warner starred as Kevin Flynn, Alan Bradley, Lora Baines and Ed Dillinger, respectively.
"Tron" was one of the first major movies to incorporate computer-generated imagery (CGI). In other words, it was lauded for pioneering some cinematic visual effects in its work.
A sequel, "Tron: Legacy," was released in 2010, 28 years after the release of the original movie.
Watch the original trailer here.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
"Bedknobs and Broomsticks" is another musical movie that incorporates animation and live-action elements. It was released on Dec. 13, 1971 in the United States.
This movie is about an apprentice witch named Miss Eglantine Price who reluctantly takes in the three Rawlins children amid the 1940 London Blitz. Together, they embark on a journey to find a magic spell that could be useful in defense of Britain during World War II.
Angela Lansbury starred as the apprentice witch Miss Eglantine Price, while David Tomlinson starred as her former teacher, Professor Emelius Browne. Ian Weighill, Cindy O'Callaghan and Roy Snart starred as the Rawlins children.
Watch the original trailer here.
Pete's Dragon (1977)
"Pete's Dragon" is another musical film based on a short story by S.S. Field and Seton I. Miller. This movie is live-action, with only the titular dragon being animated. It was released on Nov. 3, 1977 in the United States.
The movie is about a young orphan named Pete, who flees from his abusive foster family and arrives at Passamaquoddy, located in 20th-century Maine. He befriends a friendly dragon named Elliot, who can turn himself invisible and is only visible to Pete.
Sean Marshall, Mickey Rooney and Helen Reddy starred as Pete the young orphan, Lampie the lighthouse keeper and Nora, Lampie's daughter, respectively. Charlie Callas provided the voice of Elliot the dragon.
This movie was remade in 2016 without the musical parts and was also distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.
Watch the original trailer here.
Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
"Swiss Family Robinson" is based on the 1812 novel by Johann David Wyss. It was released on Dec. 21, 1960 in the United States.
John Mills and Dorothy McGuire starred as Father and Mother Robinson respectively. James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran starred as Fritz, Ernst and Francis Robinson.
In this adventure movie, the Robinson family decides to relocate to the New Guinea to flee the Napoleonic Wars. En route, the family gets shipwrecked on an uninhabited island following a large rainstorm. As a result, they must learn to survive and work as a team, such as building an impressive treehouse. Over time, questions of whether to return to civilization looms.
Watch the original trailer here.
Old Yeller (1957)
"Old Yeller" is an adaptation of the 1956 novel by Fred Gipson. It was released on Dec. 25, 1957 in the United States.
Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran starred as Katie, Jim, Travis and Arliss Coates.
The movie revolves around a boy named Travis Coates and a Mastador named Old Yeller. Travis is helping his mother and younger brother, Arliss, run their Texas homestead while their father, Jim, is away on a cattle drive in Kansas. After Old Yeller saves Arliss from a bear, Travis eventually decides to adopt the dog.
Watch the original trailer here.
Treasure Island (1950)
"Treasure Island" is based on the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was released on July 19, 1950 in the United States.
It was Disney's first fully live-action movie. Bobby Driscoll and Robert Newton starred as Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver respectively.
In this movie, Jim Hawkins comes across the map to a coveted treasure of the infamous Captain Flint. Jim recruits Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney to locate the treasure. Unfortunately, Long John Silver also has eyes on the treasure and is determined to acquire it at all costs.
Two more Disney adaptations of the "Treasure Island" novel were later released, including "Muppet Treasure Island" and "Treasure Planet."
Watch the original trailer here.
Mary Poppins (1964)
"Mary Poppins" is the third movie on this list that combines live-action and animated elements. It was released on Aug. 27, 1964 in the United States.
Julie Andrews (in her feature film debut) and Dick Van Dyke starred as the titular character Mary Poppins and the jack-of-all-trades, Bert. David Tomlinson and Glynis Johns starred as Mr. and Mrs. Banks, while Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber were the Banks children, Jane and Michael.
In this movie, Mr. Banks is looking for a nanny for his two mischievous children and comes across Mary Poppins, a magical nanny. She not only bring joy to the children's lives, but also brings change as well. It is set in London in 1910.
The movie is widely recognized for its catchy songs, especially "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Chim Chim Cher-ee."
Watch the original trailer here.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Finally, the last movie on this list is "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." It is an adaptation of Jules Verne's 1890 novel (the number is spelled out in the novel) and was released on Dec. 23, 1954 in the United States.
Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas and Peter Lorre starred as Ned Land the sailor, Captain Nemo, Professor Pierre Aronnax and Conseil respectively.
A ship is sent to investigate a series of mysterious sinkings that have been occurring. Along the way, it encounters a state-of-the art submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.
The battle with the giant squid in considered to be one of the most memorable scenes in a Disney film.
Watch the original trailer here.
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