All 13 Disney live-action remakes ranked worst to best

12. Pete’s Dragon

The live-action remake of Disney’s 1977 animated classic, Pete’s Dragon, brings a refreshing and emotional twist to the timeless story of a boy and his dragon. The film follows the journey of a young orphan boy named Pete, who is rescued and raised by a dragon named Elliot in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. When a logging company threatens their home, Pete must decide between staying with his dragon family or rejoining human society.

One of the highlights of the film is the stunning visual effects that bring Elliot to life. Unlike the cartoonish, green dragon from the original movie which was animated and added against the live-action characters similar to what we see in other Disney classics such as Mary Poppins, this version of Elliot is a realistic blend of furry, playful, and loyal.

Oakes Fegley, who plays Pete, does an amazing job of bringing to life the character who has grown up isolated from human society giving a heart-wrenching and endearing performance across the film. His chemistry with Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Grace, the park ranger who takes him in, is also a standout and key to the film’s success as their dynamic is one of the most important to the film.

Pete’s Dragon’s touching story, impressive visual effects and outstanding performances make it a must-see movie for anyone who loves magical tales of friendship and belonging, and it’s a major improvement on the original film which inspired it.