Live-action movies of animated originals are either a hit or miss. There’s a lot that goes into making alive-action work with audiences and one of the key factors is the movie’s costuming. It brings to life the dazzling looks seen in its animated story, which be difficult to get just right. It also begs the question of whether or to the real-life versions will blow the animated costumes out of the water.
Not many fans can forget the fashion-forward look that Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close) displayed in 101 Dalmatians. Fans aren’t surprised that there’s a lot to live up to as many live-action flicks are adapted from popular Disney movies. In some cases, the live-action topped it in terms of the wardrobe.
10 Obelix (Asterix At The Olympic Games)
Not many may know about the French fantasy comedy from 2008 titled, Asterix at the Olympic Games. The movie used title characters from the Astérix comic series from 1959 that was also turned into an animated movie in 1967. While the movie didn’t get much praise from critics, audiences couldn’t help but chuckle at the live-action portrayal of Obelix (Gérard Depardieu).
Obelix is meant to look like he has an enormously large gut covered by only a high waited pair of blue and white striped pants. For an added touch, Obelix wore his red hair in braided pigtails. The live-action got the pants and cartoonish proportions correct except Obelix was much thinner in the upper torso.
9 Grinch (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)
Jim Carrey’s version of the Grinch has gotten praise ever since its debut in 2000. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is deemed a great live-action version of the original animated Dr. Seuss TV movie from 1966. The 1966 version had a much more cartoon feel in its drawings similar to what’s seen in the original children’s book.
Audiences never imagined being blown away by the costuming done by Rita Ryack. Bringing to life a hairy green character with yellow teeth and mischievous eyes isn’t easy. Carrey wore a full suit adorned with all the markers for the Grinch from the long hairy fingers and hair to his many smile lines.
8 The Mad Hatter (Alice In Wonderland)
Alice in Wonderland is all about fantasy, colors, and a whimsical setting. The costuming for the live-action had to accurately portray this on screen. Based on the 1951 Disney original, Colleen Atwood took the character’s looks on screen to new heights. It’s hard to pick a favorite from Alice’s (Mia Wasikowska) red dress to the Red Queen’s (Helen Bonham Carter) outrageous hair and gown.
Fans can’t forget Jonny Depp’s Mad Hatter ensemble. His look was a bit cooky, daring, and whimsical. It was a complete contrast to the animated version that stuck to more one-dimensional green tones and fabrics. The 2010 movie really made use of the Mad Hatter’s name with his bright orange hair, colorful makeup, and patterned clothes.
7 Maleficent (2014)
The once evil villain from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty got a new storyline in Maleficent from 2014. The original character is known for her black cloak with purple details and long-horned headpiece. The live-action version gave Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) a much more dark, gritty, and alluring look.
Anna B. Sheppard gave Maleficent a couple of different costume changes as her story evolved in the movie. Maleficent goes from having a more earth tone and flowy look to being completely cloaked in darkness. What really set the character’s costume apart was the use of texture from leather to dark furs.
6 Mulan (2020)
Fans were in high anticipation for the live-action version of one of Disney’s favorite female heroines, Mulan. The live-action film made some changes to the overall storyline and put more detail into the characters costuming to portray Asian culture. Bina Daigler brought to life some of Mulan’s more famous looks while also creating new costumes for the movie’s new characters.
One look that impressed fans was Mulan’s (Liu Yifei) traditional attire when she meets the matchmaker. The live-action version stayed to the animated version’s color palette while adding more detail in its threading and embroidery. Mulan’s costume really popped with color on the screen.
5 Robot Geisha (Ghost In The Shell)
There was a lot of turmoil with the release of the 2017 science fiction action movie, Ghost in the Shell starring Scarlett Johansson. It was created into alive action from the popular 1995 anime cyberpunk movie, which was also based on its original manga series.
Johansson’s character costume isn’t the big star as the real show stopper was the robotic geisha created by Richard Taylor. The costuming was impeccable and detailed as they created hard Geisha masks that had all the mechanisms to function. The look gave fans an eerie and empty sensation.
4 Jasmine (Aladdin)
When Disney released the live-action version of Aladdin, fans were floored by the movie’s use of bright colors, embellishments, and details. The Jasmine that fans knew from the animated version is plain in comparison to the Jasmine played by actor Naomi Scott. Jasmine is known for her aqua green two-piece ensemble and her simple silk headpiece.
Costume designer Michael Wilkinson took it even further using designs and commons aspect that would be seen in Arabic culture. Wilkinson explains that he heavily researched Middle-Eastern culture to give Jasmine’s privileged life more backstory with the use of strong colors, details, and patterns.
3 Cinderella (1997)
The 1997 live-action adaptation of Disney’s Cinderella has gained more popularity as of late. In reality, the movie was more heavily inspired by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1957 televised musical. It’s the first Cinderella movie to have an actress of color, Brandy, in the main role.
Beyond the star-studded cast, fans couldn’t help but admire the famous blue gown seen in the movie. Created by Ellen Mirojnick, Cinderella’s gown got some slight tweaks that made it come alive on screen. This version still had the same periwinkle blue color but no puffy sleeves.
2 Cinderella (2015)
Cinderella got another reboot but geared more towards Disney’s original animated version. In 2015, Lily James took up the role of Cinderella. The live-action take stayed true to Cinderella losing her father and becoming a servant to her wicked stepmother and stepsisters.
An important feature was how Cinderella’s blue ball gown would look on screen. The movie and Sandy Powell did not disappoint. Cinderella’s gown was a deeper and more dazzling blue color than the animated version. It was also bigger in poof and more glitzy. No wonder Prince Charming (Richard Madden) was starstruck.
1 Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)
Cruella De Vil is inarguably the most fashionable Disney villain. Her black and white hair and devilish smile gave kid audiences chills. Fans also can’t forget her obsession with dalmatians and fur. The 1996 movie, 101 Dalmatians, was based on the story and character from Disney’s 1961 animated movie of the same name.
Cruella wore more than a handful of jaw-dropping black and white ensembles designed by Anthony Powell along with one red ensemble that took the cake. Fans often remember Cruella’s black sequined dress with black and white feather trim, but none top her fire-red gown. The dress had a skirt attachment and impeccable beading that contrasted her iconic hair.
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