Box Office Top 10: The Highest-Grossing Disney Remakes and Re-Imaginings

Image Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Ever since the 2010 release of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Disney has made bank with shiny new versions of some of their animated classics. With one of those remakes, Niki Caro’s Mulan, serving as Disney’s first theatrical release after the Covid-shutdown, Boxoffice Pro looks back at the ten most successful examples of the mini-genre.

Note: this list is ordered by domestic revenue earned during a film’s original theatrical run and does not take into account admissions, re-releases, or figures adjusted for inflation. 

* This list also only includes Disney films remaking or re-imagining Disney archival content. This excludes 2013’s Oz the Great and Powerful, a Disney re-imagining of a film that was not a Disney property originally, 1939’s The Wizard of Oz.


#1: The Lion King

“Oh, I just can’t wait to be king!”

Disney’s CGI reimagining of The Lion King had a royal reception at the box office in 2019, earning $543.6M domestically and $1.11B overseas for a $1.66B global total, or seventh all time. Among 2019 releases, it was the second-biggest both domestically and globally.

1994’s original The Lion King earned $312.9M domestically and $450.6M overseas, for a $763.5M global total during its original run. Among 1994 releases, it was the second-biggest domestically and biggest globally.

#2: Beauty and the Beast

“Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme…”

2017’s version of Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, had a beautiful box office run with $504.0M domestic and $759.5M overseas, for a $1.26B global total or 17th all time. Among 2017 releases, it was the second-biggest both domestically and globally.

1991’s original made $145.9M domestic and $186.0M overseas, for a $331.9M global total. Among 1991 releases, it was the third-biggest both domestically and globally.

#3: The Jungle Book

“The simple bare necessities… forget about your worry and your strife…”

2016’s The Jungle Book was an open book with $364.0M and $602.5M overseas, for a $966.6M global total, or number 51 all time. Among 2016 releases, it was the fifth-biggest both domestically and globally.

While box office statistics are somewhat less reliable from back then, 1967’s original earned $73.7M domestic and $64.0M overseas, for a $137.7M global total. 

#4: Aladdin

“It’s crystal clear that now I’m in a whole new world with you.”

2019’s version of Aladdin, starring newcomer Mena Massoud as the title character, rubbed a magic lamp to $355.5M domestic and $695.1M overseas, for a $1.05B global total, or 37th all time. Among 2019 releases, it was the eighth-biggest domestically and ninth-biggest globally.

1992’s original version, with Robin Williams voicing Genie, earned $217.4M and $286.7M overseas, for a $504.0M global total. Among 1992 releases, it was the biggest both domestically and globally. 

#5:Alice in Wonderland

“I’m late! I’m late!”

2010’s Alice in Wonderland, starring Mia Wasikowska as the title character alongside Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway, earned a mad-hatted $334.2M domestically and $691.3M overseas, for a $1.03B global total, or number 43 all time. Among 2010 releases, it was the second-biggest both domestically and globally.

While box office statistics from 1951, when Disney’s original Alice in Wonderland first came out, are somewhat less reliable, available figures pin its domestic earnings at approximately $2.4M. It was considered a commercial disappointment at the time but gained a following over the years, starting only a few years after its release when it became one of the first films shown on television. 

#6: Maleficent

2014’s take on Sleeping Beauty, focusing on the antagonist’s perspective, was wide awake with $241.4M domestic and $517.0M overseas, for a $758.4M global total. Among 2014 releases, it was the eighth-biggest domestically and fourth-biggest globally.

While box office statistics are somewhat less reliable from back then, 1959’s original earned $36.5M domestic, or about $491M today.

#7: Cinderella

“A dream is a wish your heart makes…”

2015’s version found the glass slipper fit with $201.2M domestic and $341.2M overseas for a $542.4M global total. Among 2015 releases, it was the ninth-biggest domestically and 12th-biggest globally.

While box office statistics are somewhat less reliable from back then, 1950’s original made about $10M, equivalent to around $235M today.

#8: 101 Dalmatians

A predecessor of the 20th century wave of Disney remakes, 1996’s version of 101 Dalmatians—starring Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil—was a doggone hit with $136.2M domestic and $184.5M overseas for a $320.7M global total. Among 1996 releases, it was the sixth-biggest both domestically and globally.

While box office statistics are somewhat less reliable from back then, 1961’s original earned about $14M domestic.

The upcoming live action Cruella, starring Emma Stone, is scheduled for a May 28, 2021 release.

#9: Dumbo

“When I see an elephant fly…”

2019’s version of the soaring circus animal flew to $114.8M domestic and $238.5M overseas, for a $353.3M global total. Among 2019 releases, it was the 23rd-biggest domestically and 26th-biggest globally.

While box office statistics are somewhat less reliable from back then, 1941’s original made about $1.3M. While that number might seem small, the film was intentionally produced as one of Disney’s least expensive and turned a profit.

#10: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

2019’s sequel to the aforementioned Maleficent returned Angelina Jolie to the title role. While not quite as big a hit as its predecessor, it still earned $113.9M domestic and $377.8M overseas, for $491.7M globally. Among 2019 releases, it was the 24th-biggest domestically and 15th-biggest globally.

Image Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

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