6 Best Live-Action Adaptations Of Animated Properties

Netflix's new, live-action take on Avatar: The Last Airbender has arrived to stream. The eight episode series is the second attempt at adapting the beloved animated series, and while it has received mixed reviews from fans of the original, everyone agrees that it is a much better attempt than the disastrous 2010 film by M. Night Shyamalan.

Adapting characters or worlds that began in animation to a live-action format can be a tricky business, and sometimes, like the aforementioned film, become a disaster. But, if enough effort is taken to capture the spirit of the original story and characters, these adaptations can work. Here's a few of the best live action adaptations of animated content.

1. The Flintstones (1994)

Before computer created visual effects were commonplace, films were limited to what could be created with practical effects. While this put achieving some cartoon worlds out of reach, it didn't stop the 1994 adaptation of Hanna-Barbera's classic cartoon The Flintstones.

Passing through the hands of a few studios before landing with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, the film stars John Goodman as Fred Flintstone and Rick Moranis as his best friend Barney Rubble. Fred is delighted to receive a promotion, not realising he has become the patsy in money-hungry Cliff Vanderclave's plot to swindle a large sum of money from Fred's employer, Mr. Slate. When Cliff's ruse is revealed, the Flintstones and Rubbles must work together to save Fred from a prison sentence.

While critics were harsh on the film's story, the visuals, sets, and costume designs were praised for capturing The Flintstones world. In light of many recent animation-to-live action disasters, many retrospective reviews are kinder to the film, deeming it one of the better cartoon adaptations. A prequel, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, was released in 2000, albeit with an almost entirely new cast.

2. Detective Pikachu (2019)

While rumours of a live-action Pokemon film began swirling during the height of Pokemania in the late 90s/early 2000s, none actually came to fruition until 2019, with the release of Detective Pikachu. Inspired by the 2016 video game of the same name, the film follows Tim Goodman as he arrives in Ryme City, a utopia of human-Pokemon harmony, to see to the affairs of his assumed deceased estranged Father, Detective Harry Goodman. Harry's police partner, a Pikachu whom only Tim can understand, is convinced that Harry is alive. He drags Tim into a search for the truth, during which they uncover and must thwart a plot to destroy the peace in Ryme City.

While Pokemon began as a video game franchise, the live-action character models for the Pokemon in Detective Pikachu, how they move, how their attacks work, are more clearly inspired by the now iconic anime. The visual effects work on Pikachu received particular praise. Aside from this, Detective Pikachu was praised for it's focus on being a good standalone film, rather than just a potential franchise starter, and is often considered one of the greatest video game adaptations of all time. A sequel is believed to be in development.

3. Casper (1995)

Beginning as the star of a series of theatrical animated shorts, Casper the Friendly Ghost expanded into a comic strip, a few animated series including Hanna-Barbera's Casper and The Angels, and eventually, in 1995, a live-action film.

While heiress Carrigan Crittenden is initially disappointed to inherit the rundown Whipstaff Manor, her enthusiasm grows when she learns there may be treasure hidden inside. One problem.. the Manor is haunted by four spectres: Casper the Friendly Ghost, and his three less affable Uncles, the Ghostly Trio. After numerous failed attempts to oust the ghosts and clear her way to the treasure, Carrigan hires James Harvey, a paranormal Therapist who claims to help spirits resolve their unfinished business and crossover. Casper befriends and falls for Harvey's daughter, Kat, and the two discover the Lazarus, an invention of Casper's Father intended to restore the dead. While trying to activate the machine, they must fend off Carrigan's increasingly hostile attempts to obtain Whipstaff's treasure.

Casper was the first film to incorporate a fully CGI lead character alongside live actors, and the then cutting edge visuals still hold up surprisingly well today, nearly thirty years after it's release. It is a notably darker take on the source material, being the first Casper related project to adress his death, yet still captures the sweet spirit of the character.

The film spawned a TV spin-off, The Spooktacular Adventures of Casper, and two direct-to-video films including prequel Casper: A Spirited Beginning, and a sequel, Casper Meets Wendy, which introduced a young Hilary Duff as Wendy, the Good little Witch.

4. Scooby-Doo (2002)

While a live-action adaptation of the iconic cartoon character Scooby-Doo entered development during the 90s, thanks to a few cast changes and disagreements on the direction the project should take (the film was initially intended as a parody/satire aimed at a more adult audience, before shifting back towards family-friendly), the film did not eventuate until 2002. Scooby-Doo, also known as Scooby-Doo: The Movie, follows the estranged members of the Mystery Inc gang after they are each tricked into visiting horror-themed resort Spooky Island, in the hope that they will reunite to solve the mystery behind a curse befalling a growing number of tourists.

While the film received mostly negative reviews from critics, most acknowleged that it would likely be enjoyed by fans of the original cartoon, which to most, would be a sign of a successful adaptation. The film has since developed a cult following, and a sequel, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, was released in 2004. Writer James Gunn, who went on to write and direct Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, has claimed that an R-rated cut of Scooby-Doo exists, but does not believe it will ever see the light of day.

5. One Piece (2023-Present)

One Piece, like the manga/anime from which it is adapted, follows Captain Monkey D. Luffy and his rather ragtag crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they set sail towards the Grand Line in search of the One Piece, a legendary treasure that will grant it's finder the status of King of the Pirates. The first season covers the early part of the Manga, including the formation of the Straw Hat Crew and their early battles against other Pirates in their quest to the Grand Line.

Live-action adaptations of anime/manga have historically been hit and miss, with a heavy leaning toward the 'miss' side of the scale. So, when it was announced that Netflix was planning a live action series of One Piece, fans were understandably nervous. However, the series was a hit with both critics and fans, who praised the visuals, performances, and loyalty to the source material. How Netflix's One Piece succeeded where other anime adaptations have failed is possibly in heeding the advice of One Piece creator, Eiichiro Oda. Oda acted as a creative consultant on the new series, providing approval on scripts and casting.

A second season is in development.

6. Ahsoka (2023-Present)

Soon after Ahsoka Tano's first live-action appearance in season two of The Mandalorian, a spin-off, Ahsoka, was announced. Debuting in 2023, the show's eight episode first season featured Ahsoka and her Padawan, Mandalorian former rebel Sabine Wren, on a quest to a new galaxy to prevent the return of Imperial loyalist Grand Admiral Thrawn, and hopefully find their long missing friend, Ezra Bridger.

While some might argue that Ahsoka doesn't belong on this list, given that it is a spin-off of the live-action The Mandalorian, that argument fails to take into account that while a Mandalorian spin-off, Ahsoka is really a sequel to the animated Star Wars: Rebels. The series success or failure almost entirely relied on how successfully it could adapt characters who had only ever been seen in animation, such as Sabine, Ezra, and Thrawn, into live action. Many agreed that the live action casting for these characters was spot on. The series also adapted parts of Ahsoka's early history in Star Wars: The Clone Wars in the form of flashbacks.

Once again, success seems to be in following the vision of the creator. Dave Filoni, the leading creative force on both Clone Wars and Rebels, also took the reins on Ahsoka.

Time will tell how well Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender will ultimately stack up against other live action adaptations.