Will Smith’s Fantasy Remake Is a Streaming Hit Whereas Sequel Stays in Limbo

Disney’s live-action remakes are at all times a chance. A few of these movies land with critics and audiences alike, however many fail to seize the magic of the unique and fade into obscurity. These days, they’re being met with extra controversies round gender and ethnic illustration, too. Nevertheless, a current live-action adaptation that was met with blended evaluations on the time of its launch appears to be discovering a second life on streaming years after its theatrical run. The spike is particularly attention-grabbing provided that the seven-year-old Will Smith-starrer has not been within the information cycle not too long ago, which suggests viewers are rediscovering it organically.

The movie, helmed by Man Ritchie, was launched in Could 2019 with a manufacturing finances of $183 million. The difference was a field workplace success and crossed $1 billion worldwide to develop into the ninth-highest-grossing movie of the yr. As of now, it ranks because the eighth-most-expensive and third-highest-grossing Disney live-action remake. The movie holds a 57% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, in opposition to a 94% viewers score, which completely mirrors its divided reception. Although streaming numbers are beginning to inform a special story now.

Ritchie’s Aladdin entered Disney+’s Prime 10 record within the U.S. on February 18 and is at present sitting at #10. Not simply that, the live-action remake additionally hit #9 on Disney+ in Hungary on each February 14 and February 16. It stays to be seen whether or not that is the start of a sustained climb or only a momentary spike. For now, although, the Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott musical fantasy is formally again on the viewers’s radar.

The Tragic Destiny of the ‘Aladdin’ Stay Motion Sequel

In 2020, Ritchie introduced {that a} sequel to his live-action adaptation of Disney’s Aladdin was formally within the workswith writers John Gatins and Andrea Berloff hooked up. Sadly, although, the follow-up acquired little to no updates after that. In October 2025, an X fan account for Scott shared screenshots of a dialog wherein the star debunked viral rumors that filming on the sequel would start the next yr and referred to as the experiences “fully faux.”

Massoud has additionally taken to social media previously to specific his disappointment over Aladdin being unlikely to obtain a follow-up regardless of crossing the billion-dollar mark. In the meantime, Ritchie moved on to a different Disney mission and was tapped to direct the live-action remake of Hercules in 2022 alongside producers Joe and Anthony Russo. Nevertheless, the movie has been in manufacturing limbo since then, and Ritchie is reportedly not hooked up to it.

No matter all that, Disney’s live-action remake pipeline is just not slowing down. The studio is gearing up for the discharge of Moana on July 10, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his function as Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga’aia entering into the titular function.

The live-action adaptation of Aladdin is out there to stream on Disney+. Keep tuned to Collider for extra updates.