"The Little Mermaid": 8 Disney Princesses Animated Vs. Live Action Vs. Broadway

Jimmy Henton

The trailer for the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid will be released in 2023, starring Halle Baile, which was released this month. And we simply can't wait to see this movie. In our memory, we all remember how the animated Ariel brought us their memorable stories. And now, we are excited when hearing the incredibly talented Halle singing “Part of Your World” in the teaser. And it really touched to our hearts with the reactions of young Black girls seeing themselves represented on screen as Halle portrays the first Black Ariel.
So, before the highly anticipated remake officially premiered, here’s a look back at how each Disney princess has been played in their animated movie, the live-action remake, and on Broadway. You will love to see them in different versions and certainly, you will be stunned wherever they were performed.
Unfortunately, all of the Disney princess Movies haven’t been adapted for the big stage or a live-action movies yet. So not every version has Broadway or live-action. Keep scrolling down and enjoy!

#1 The first, of course, is The Little Mermaid. Here is the 1989 animated film with Ariel, voiced by Jodi Benson:

Source: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution


Here's Princess Ariel, portrayed by Halle Bailey in the live-action adaptation that premieres May 2023:

Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures


Here's Sierra Boggess - who played Ariel in The Little Mermaid on Broadway - performing a scene from the musical at the 62nd Annual Tony Awards in 2008:

Source: REUTERS / Gary Hershorn / Alamy


#2 Here is the 1991 animated film, Beauty and the Beast, with Princess Belle, voiced by Paige O'Hara:

Source: Walt Disney Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection


Here's Belle, portrayed by Emma Watson, in the 2017 live-action adaptation:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


Here is Sarah Litzsinger as Belle in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast in 2002:

Source: Lawrence Lucier / Getty Images


#3 Here's Princess Jasmine, voiced by Linda Larkin, in the 1992 animated movie, Aladdin:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


Here is Naomi Scott as Jasmine in the 2019 live-action adaptation:

Source: Walt Disney Co.


Here is Courtney Reed as Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway in 2014:

Source: Walter Mcbride / WireImage / Getty Images


#4 Here is Cinderella, voiced by Ilene Woods, in the 1950 animated movie, Cinderella:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


Here is Cinderella, portrayed by Lily James, in the 2015 live-action adaptation:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


And we can't forget the classic 1997 Rodgers and Hammerstein Cinderella movie, starring Brandy as Cinderella:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


Here is Laura Osnes as Cinderella backstage at Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway in 2013:

Source: Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic / Getty Images


#5 Here's Elsa, voiced by Idina Menzel, in the 2013 animated movie, Frozen:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


Frozen currently doesn't have a live-action movie remake — but here's Georgina Haig as Elsa in Season 4 of the TV series, Once Upon a Time, for a Frozen-inspired crossover:

Source: ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection


Here is Caissie Levy as Elsa in the Broadway musical, Frozen, in 2018:

Source: Bruce Glikas / WireImage / Getty Images


#6 Here is Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, in the 2009 animated movie, The Princess and the Frog:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


While we currently don’t have Tiana on Broadway or in a live-action movie remake, here’s Mekia Cox as Tiana (or “Sabine”) in Season 7 of Once Upon a Time:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection


#7 Here is Mulan, voiced by Ming-Na Wen, in the 1998 animated film:

Source: Walt Disney Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection


Here is Yifei Liu as Mulan in the 2020 live-action adaptation:

Source: Jack Rowand / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images


#8. Finally, here is Princess Aurora, voiced by Mary Costa, in the 1959 animated film, Sleeping Beauty:

Source: Buena Vista Distribution


Here's Elle Fanning as Aurora in Maleficent, the 2014 live-action retelling of Sleeping Beauty:

Source: Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection