Top Live-Action Disney Movies
Disney has been entertaining audiences since its inception way back in the 1920s. Now with well over one hundred years in the industry, the acclaimed entertainment giant has released some of the most popular and beloved animated films of all time. But Disney also has another big umbrella in the production arena—the company has also created many cherished live action movies too. Whether classic, modern or in between, below are some of the ten greatest live action Disney movies to date.
Mary Poppins (1964)
No list of the best live-action Disney movies is complete without Mary Poppins. The classic 1964 film adaptation of P.L. Travers’ beloved novel of the same name tells the story of a magical nanny named Mary Poppins who comes to the rescue of the Banks family in London. Directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, Mary Poppins was the recipient of five Oscars and two Golden Globe Awards. To this day it remains one of the best live action Disney movies ever made.
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a classic Disney comedy from 1969. The film stars Kurt Russell as small-town college student Dexter Reilly who’s accidentally exposed to an electro magnetic pulse via a computer. The pulse instantly grants him super advanced intelligence, allowing him to outwit his college rivals, local criminals, corrupt authorities and even a powerful, foreign computer-virus intent on taking over the world.
The Love Bug (1968)
The Love Bug, released in 1968 and directed by Robert Stevenson, tells the story of a magical Volkswagen Beetle called Herbie. Herbie is purchased for a local race car driver but the resourceful little car ends up inspiring hope and eventually saving the driver’s career. Herman’s Herbies, the remake of The Love Bug, is proof of the enduring popularity of the classic story, making it an ideal contender for a spot on the list of greatest live action Disney movies.
Herbie Rides Again (1973)
The sequel to The Love Bug, Herbie Rides Again was released in 1973 and follows the enduring exploits of the magical car. In this movie, our hero attempts to stop a runaway train, keeping it from crashing and wreaking havoc in San Francisco. Hard to believe Herbie is a Volkswagen Beetle, right? The same can be said for this inspiring, wild and woolly live-action Disney movie.
Freaky Friday (1977)
Freaky Friday, a cult classic in its own right, originally came to life as a novel by Mary Rodgers in 1972. The film adaptation from 1977 tells the witty and imaginative story of a mother-daughter duo, played by Barbara Harris and a 15-year-old Jodie Foster, who randomly switch bodies and traverse the minds of each other without knowing how to switch back.
The Parent Trap (1961)
Another timeless classic, The Parent Trap of 1961 was directed by David Swift and featured Hayley Mills as twins who, having been separated since birth, discover one another and team up to reunite their divorced parents, played by Maureen O’Hara and Brian Keith. The movie also spawned a remake in 1998 with Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson and Lindsay Lohan, and both versions of The Parent Trap—classic and modern—enjoy enduring popularity.
The Gnome-Mobile (1967)
The Gnome-Mobile from 1967 tells the story of the Dwavres, wealthy industrialists who are in hot pursuit of a colony of gnomes provided their tracks in the Redwood Forest. Walt Disney’s magic is all over this funny, entertaining story which came to life with the help of Edward G Robinson, Walter Brennan and a young Kevin Corcoran.
Pete’s Dragon (1977)
Pete’s Dragon is another eccentric Disney movie from 1977. The story follows Pete and his pet dragon, Elliot, as they attempt to evade an elderly couple hell bent on hunting down the elusive dragon and exacting revenge for the destruction of their apple crop. Directed by Don Schloemer and starring Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy and Mickey Rooney, Pete’s Dragon remains one of the best live action Disney movies of all time.
The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)
The Absent-Minded Professor stars Fred MacMurray as a mad scientist-like professor who develops a perpetual motion machine. When Dr. Curtnick, MacMurray’s character, discovers that the power of his device is real and can actually produce unlimited amounts of energy, it leads to a battle for his invention and the subsequent re-uniting of his estranged family.
The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)
The Apple Dumpling Gang from 1975 stars Bill Bixby and Don Knotts as a pair of bungling outlaws who adopt a trio of orphans desperately in need of a family. The team is eventually led on a chase by a vindictive army major, adding an extra comedic twist to an already funny film. Directed by Norman Tokar and written by John Bl Racca, The Apple Dumpling Gang proves to be just as popular today as it was during the mid-1970s.
Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
Escape to Witch Mountain stars Eddie Albert, Ray Milland and Donald Pleasence in the story of two orphaned children who are capable of performing extraordinary feats—including telepathy and levitation—desperately in search of their missing past and parents. Written by Alexander Key and directed by John Hough, Escape to Witch Mountain remains a timeless classic from the mid-70s, helping to solidify its place as one of the best live action Disney movies ever released.
Disney’s live-action movies have been delighting audiences since the company’s early years. Whether romantic comedies, light-hearted comedies, family adventures or daring science-fiction thrillers, Disney has made some of the most entertaining and beloved film adaptations available today. From Mary Poppins and The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes to Escape to Witch Mountain, the movies above are some of the greatest Disney movies out there. No matter how young or old you are, these live action Disney movies offer plenty of entertainment and inspiration that continues to stand the test of time.
