In recent years, Disney has been making remakes of their classic animated films with varying degrees of quality. Most of the films they have been remaking were masterpieces that are remembered fondly by people to this day. While this guarantees a built in audience, it also runs the risk of "ruining a classic" if they get it wrong. The movies they should be remaking are the films that were relative failures, but still held some potential in the characters, world, or the ideas they were attempting to convey. These are just a few examples of the films that Disney should be remaking.
Pocahontas
"Pocahontas" was a moderately successful Disney film with some really good songs. In hindsight, however, many aspects of the film have aged poorly. The film covers the relationship between the early colonists and the Native Americans in this overly "wishy washy" way that attempts to make a "both sides" argument where, historically, one side is mostly guilty; also the film needed a better villain. If the film was remade today, it could act as a showcase for Indigenous actors, but also take a more critical look at colonialism and the racist ideology that made it popular; though I doubt Disney would be brave enough to present the latter.
The Black Cauldron
"The Black Cauldron" was Disney's attempt at making a fantasy epic in the vein as J.R.R. Tolkien. The film was strangely slow and was so aesthetically dark and grim that it alienated Disney's core audience, which led to the film bombing at the box office. Today, however, audiences love dark fantasy such as "Game of Thrones" and "The Witcher". While a remake of "The Black Cauldron" may not go as far as those, it could still sell itself as a grand fantasy epic. They could also use this opportunity to improve the characters and story. Disney could make a film the could fill the Tolkien sized hole left in the hearts of audiences after the Peter Jackson films ended.
The Fox and the Hound
While "The Fox and the Hound" isn't really a critical or commercial failure, it is a film that's often forgotten whenever people discuss Disney's animated films. In many respects I feel the film is underrated. It's the story of a fox and a hound dog who become childhood friends, despite their owners and nature itself telling them otherwise. As they grow up the others teach them that they were born mortal enemies and their friendship begins to slowly deteriorate under their respective social pressures. However, their bond proves too strong and they're incapable of doing what everyone expects them to do. With a longer run time and a stronger focus on the social structure that leads to their declining friendship, this could be a real classic.
Treasure Planet
"Treasure Planet" was a film released in the early 2000s to mixed reviews and was one of the largest box office bombs in the studio's history. A fate the feels undeserved in my opinion. The film has some issues, some of the material given to the comedic characters doesn't always land and the film drags a bit in the second act, but I still think the film is good overall. The animation is breathtaking, the world is beautifully rendered and presents a unique blend of sci-fi and "quasi steampunk", and the the two main characters are complex people. The film was very ambitious and sadly missed the mark, but a remake with certain story and dialog improvements could be a massive hit.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
"Atlantis: The Lost Empire" is a film the suffered a similar fate to that of "Treasure Planet". It was an ambitious attempt to make an action adventure film in the vein of "Indiana Jones". The film received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office due to the film's lack of character depth and questionable leaps in logic at certain points in the plot. However, I actually love this film despite its flaws. Its a beautiful and entertaining adventure film with characters (while flat at times) have unique and enjoyable personalities. This is the film that has the most to gain with a live action remake. If you iron out those few flaws I mentioned and Disney could have a massive blockbuster on its hands.
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