30 Disney Movies Based on Books: When we think of Disney movies, most of us imagine magical fairy tales, catchy songs, and colorful characters that feel like they’ve always existed in our imagination. But here’s the twist—many of these beloved films were not original Disney creations. Instead, they were adapted from books, novels, short stories, or centuries-old folk tales. Some of the stories are darker, others more serious, and many are surprisingly different from the movies we grew up with.

In this post, let’s explore 30 Disney movies that you probably didn’t know were based on books, along with how the original stories compare to the versions we see on screen.

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1. Bambi (1942)

Disney’s gentle deer tale comes from Felix Salten’s 1923 novel Bambi, A Life in the Woods. Unlike the soft, colorful animation, the book dives into the harsh realities of survival in the forest. It focuses on danger, loss, and the brutal cycle of life in nature. The death of Bambi’s mother in the movie may have been shocking, but in the book, these themes are even more emotional and serious.

2. Lady and the Tramp (1955)

This dog-love classic was inspired by Ward Greene’s short story Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog. The original tale is much smaller in scope, focusing on a street-smart pup. Disney transformed it into a full romance between Lady, a refined house dog, and Tramp, the charming stray. The spaghetti dinner scene, one of Disney’s most famous, is purely Disney’s creation—not found in Greene’s story at all.

3. Aladdin (1992)

The adventurous story of Aladdin comes from the Middle Eastern folk tales collected in One Thousand and One Nights. But Disney changed it drastically. In the old story, Aladdin isn’t even Middle Eastern—he’s from China! Disney re-set the tale in Agrabah, added Princess Jasmine, and gave the Genie his larger-than-life personality. It’s one of Disney’s biggest transformations of source material.

4. Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass inspired this whimsical ride through talking flowers, tea parties, and a grinning cat. Carroll’s books were playful yet strange, filled with clever wordplay and nonsensical logic. Disney blended both books into one film, keeping the colorful weirdness while toning down some of Carroll’s darker, confusing ideas.

5. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel Notre-Dame de Paris (translated as The Hunchback of Notre Dame) is heavy with tragedy, injustice, and religious critique. Disney’s version still carried serious themes but softened the ending and gave Quasimodo a more hopeful future. The film’s songs and humor make it more family-friendly, but the novel is far more somber and political.

6. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

Jules Verne’s sci-fi novel was one of the first great underwater adventures, and Disney’s live-action adaptation brought Captain Nemo and the Nautilus submarine to life with groundbreaking effects. The original book is deeply technical, with long descriptions of sea life and machinery, while Disney leaned into the action and spectacle of Nemo’s mysterious world.

7. Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

Johann David Wyss’s novel told the story of a shipwrecked family who learns to survive on a deserted island. Disney’s version added even more action—monkeys, tigers, pirates, and adventurous treehouses. The book focused more on morals and education, while Disney turned it into a grand survival adventure full of fun and excitement.

8. The Parent Trap (1961 & 1998)

This family favorite is based on Erich Kästner’s German novel Lottie and Lisa. In the book, twins separated at birth meet at summer camp and hatch a plan to reunite their divorced parents. Disney kept the heart of the story but added humor, charm, and in the 1998 version, Lindsay Lohan’s unforgettable double performance.

9. Cinderella (1950)

Disney’s Cinderella is based on Charles Perrault’s 1697 fairy tale. Perrault introduced the pumpkin carriage, the fairy godmother, and the glass slipper—details that Disney made central. Earlier versions of Cinderella from the Brothers Grimm were much darker, including violent punishments for the stepsisters. Disney’s version focused on kindness, magic, and happily ever after.

10. Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Charles Perrault’s La Belle au bois dormant and the Grimm Brothers’ Little Briar Rose inspired Aurora’s story. In older versions, the princess often slept for a hundred years and sometimes faced much darker fates. Disney reshaped the tale into a bright, musical fairy tale with one of the most iconic villains ever created—Maleficent.

11. The Little Mermaid (1989)

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid is hauntingly tragic. In the book, the mermaid sacrifices her voice and endures pain for love, but she never marries the prince. Instead, she dissolves into sea foam. Disney completely changed the ending, giving Ariel a joyful romance and a happy life on land.

12. Treasure Island (1950)

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island gave the world pirates, treasure maps, and “X marks the spot.” Disney’s film adaptation helped cement pirate culture in cinema. The novel is more violent and gritty, but Disney’s take was adventurous and suitable for all ages.

13. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

This two-part film adapts The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The movie pairs the lighthearted tale of Mr. Toad with the spooky story of Ichabod Crane, showing Disney’s early talent for mixing comedy and horror.

14. Artemis Fowl (2020)

Eoin Colfer’s fantasy novels about a child genius and criminal mastermind were hugely popular. Disney adapted the first book into a movie, though it was criticized for cutting many key details. Fans of the books often find the film lacking, but it still introduced Artemis’s world to a wider audience.

15. Flora & Ulysses (2021)

Based on Kate DiCamillo’s book Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, this heartwarming Disney+ film follows a girl who befriends a superhero squirrel. The novel won awards for its humor and heart, and Disney leaned into its quirky charm, making it a fun modern family movie.

16. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

Katherine Paterson’s beloved novel about childhood friendship and imagination is both magical and heartbreaking. Disney’s adaptation stayed very close to the book, capturing the wonder of the kids’ make-believe kingdom while not shying away from the story’s tragic twist.

17. White Fang (1991)

Adapted from Jack London’s adventure novel, Disney’s White Fang shows the deep bond between humans and animals in the Alaskan wilderness. The original book was tougher and more violent, but Disney focused on the loyalty and friendship between the wolfdog and his human companion.

18. A Little Princess (1995)

Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel about Sara Crewe, a girl who clings to imagination while facing hardship, has inspired many adaptations. Disney’s version leaned on the magical tone of Burnett’s storytelling, turning it into a touching family drama full of hope.

19. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

C. S. Lewis’s fantasy classic was brought to screen by Disney and Walden Media. From the snowy world of Narnia to Aslan’s sacrifice, the film closely followed the novel while enhancing it with stunning visuals and epic battles.

20. Mary Poppins (1964) and Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Both films are based on P. L. Travers’s Mary Poppins series. In the books, Mary is more mysterious and less cheerful than Disney’s magical nanny. Still, both films brought her character to life with unforgettable songs and charm.

21. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

The original tale of La Belle et la Bête was written in the 18th century. Disney turned it into a sweeping romance with a strong heroine, a misunderstood Beast, and songs that became instant classics. The written story had more emphasis on moral lessons, while Disney made it a tale as old as time.

22. The Jungle Book (1967)

Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book was a collection of short stories about Mowgli and his animal friends. Kipling’s tales were serious, even dark, about survival and identity. Disney added Baloo’s fun-loving personality, catchy songs, and a playful tone that made it a family favorite.

23. Peter Pan (1953)

J. M. Barrie’s story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up began as a stage play before becoming a novel. The original Peter was mischievous, sometimes even cruel, while Disney softened him into a playful, adventurous spirit. Neverland in Disney’s version became the dream escape every child wished for.

24. Tarzan (1999)

Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Tarzan of the Apes told the story of a boy raised by apes in the jungle. Disney’s version highlighted Tarzan’s struggle with identity and love, and gave it an unforgettable soundtrack by Phil Collins. The darker themes of Burroughs’s novel were simplified into a family-friendly adventure.

25. Pollyanna (1960)

Eleanor H. Porter’s novel introduced the “glad game,” a way of finding positivity in every situation. Disney’s film adaptation made Pollyanna’s optimism shine through, inspiring audiences with her outlook on life, even when facing tragedy.

26. Holes (2003)

Louis Sachar’s Holes is a rare case where the author also wrote the screenplay, meaning Disney’s adaptation is almost identical to the novel. The film perfectly captures the layered story of mystery, friendship, and redemption.

27. Freaky Friday (1976, 2003, 2018)

Mary Rodgers’s book about a mother and daughter switching bodies has been adapted multiple times by Disney. Each film adds its own spin, but the core message about empathy and understanding comes straight from the novel.

28. Frozen (2013)

Though many people don’t realize it, Frozen was loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. The original tale centered on good versus evil, but Disney reshaped it into a story of sisterhood, courage, and letting go of fear.

29. Tangled (2010)

Disney’s Tangled is a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel. In the Grimms’ tale, Rapunzel’s story is much darker, including betrayal and tragedy. Disney kept the tower and the long hair but turned it into a lighthearted adventure with humor, romance, and self-discovery.

30. Moana (2016)

Moana may not come from a single book, but it was inspired by Polynesian myths and legends that were passed down for centuries and later recorded. Disney worked with cultural experts to shape Moana’s story, making it both respectful and inspiring while giving audiences a modern Disney heroine.

Also Read: 15 Best Family-Friendly Disney Movies for Weekend Nights

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FAQ

Q1: Are all Disney movies based on books?
No, many Disney films are original stories or inspired by myths and folklore. However, a surprising number do come from books, novels, and fairy tales.

Q2: Are the original stories darker than the Disney versions?
In most cases, yes. Fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm were often tragic or frightening, while Disney adaptations softened them for family audiences.

Q3: Which Disney movie stayed most faithful to its book?
Films like Holes and Bridge to Terabithia stick closely to their novels, while classics like The Little Mermaid or The Hunchback of Notre Dame are very different from their source material.

Q4: Why does Disney change the stories?
Disney often adapts stories to make them suitable for younger audiences, add songs, humor, and happy endings, and fit into their family-friendly brand.

Q5: What is the oldest book Disney adapted?
Stories like Aladdin, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty go back centuries, with written versions by Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, and others.