Top 15 Worst Live-Action Movies Based on Cartoons

Some animated classics made the jump to live action with big stars, bigger budgets, and the hope of launching new franchises. The results were a mixed bag, and a handful became case studies in how hard it is to translate stylized cartoons into real-world settings without losing what made them click on TV.

This list rounds up live-action features that drew from well known cartoons and came out the other side with troubled productions, lukewarm box office runs, or major departures from their source material. Each entry notes what the movie adapted, who made it, and what changed on the way from panels and cels to cameras and sets.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

This adaptation of the Nickelodeon series ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ compresses the entire first season into a single feature. M. Night Shyamalan directed with Noah Ringer as Aang, Dev Patel as Zuko, Nicola Peltz as Katara, and Jackson Rathbone as Sokka. The release arrived in midsummer with a post production 3D conversion and heavy use of computer generated elemental effects.

The film alters character names and pronunciations and omits the word Avatar from its title to avoid confusion with ‘Avatar’. It sets up the larger conflict with the Fire Nation while reshaping or abbreviating several story arcs, with the intent of building a trilogy that did not materialize.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

Based on the long running ‘Dragon Ball’ franchise, this modern day take places a high school aged Goku in an American setting. James Wong directed with Justin Chatwin, Emmy Rossum, and Chow Yun fat leading the cast, and the story follows a race to stop Piccolo using a streamlined quest for the Dragon Balls.

The production combines wire work, stylized martial arts, and digital effects to recreate signature techniques in a contemporary environment. It diverges from the original tone and character designs, introduces new supporting roles, and released worldwide in spring under the 20th Century Fox banner.

‘Inspector Gadget’ (1999)

Disney brought the ‘Inspector Gadget’ cartoon to life with Matthew Broderick as the cyborg police officer and Rupert Everett as Claw. David Kellogg directed with animatronic props from creature effects teams and early era digital enhancements providing the hero’s gadgets and the villain’s lair.

The story functions as an origin that explains the accident, the creation of the mechanical upgrades, and the rivalry with Claw. It features a family friendly caper structure, a pop soundtrack tie in, and an end credits stinger that set up a sequel that later arrived as ‘Inspector Gadget 2’ on home video.

‘Mr. Magoo’ (1997)

This take on the UPA cartoon stars Leslie Nielsen as the near sighted millionaire who stumbles into a jewel heist plot. Stanley Tong directed with support from Kelly Lynch, Ernie Hudson, and Malcolm McDowell, and the film uses slapstick set pieces built around practical stunts.

The release carried a studio disclaimer addressing concerns from advocacy groups about the portrayal of poor eyesight. It follows a globe trotting chase for a stolen gem, uses broad physical comedy over dialogue, and leans on miniature work and wire gags to stage the larger sequences.

‘The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle’ (2000)

The film blends animation and live action to revive the Jay Ward cartoon with June Foray and Keith Scott voicing the title duo. Des McAnuff directed with Rene Russo, Jason Alexander, and Robert De Niro as live action versions of the series villains, and the plot brings the animated characters into the real world.

Cameos and meta jokes echo the original show’s narrator driven humor while newscast interludes and celebrity walk ons update the format. The production mixes traditional voice recording with on set interaction for timing, and releases included tie in promotions that highlighted the hybrid style.

‘Garfield’ (2004)

This family comedy integrates a computer generated Garfield with live action actors Breckin Meyer and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Bill Murray provides the voice of the lasagna loving cat, and the story centers on Garfield’s turf being disrupted when Odie becomes a breakout star.

The film uses motion control rigs and eye line tools so performers could interact with a digital lead. It introduces new human characters, relocates the action to a contemporary American suburb, and closes with a rescue sequence that uses green screen composites to keep the cat fully animated.

‘Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties’ (2006)

The sequel moves the action to England where Garfield is mistaken for a royal lookalike named Prince. Bill Murray returns to voice the title character with Breckin Meyer and Jennifer Love Hewitt reprising their roles, and the plot plays on identity swap comedy inside a countryside estate.

Production expands the number of digital animals and uses location photography alongside stage builds for the manor interiors. It brings back recurring gags from the first film, adds a new antagonist tied to the estate, and continues the hybrid approach that pairs real environments with animated leads.

‘Yogi Bear’ (2010)

Hanna Barbera’s ‘Yogi Bear’ arrives as a 3D live action feature with Dan Aykroyd voicing Yogi and Justin Timberlake voicing Boo Boo. Anna Faris and Tom Cavanagh lead the human cast, and the story revolves around a scheme that threatens Jellystone Park with redevelopment.

The film employs stereoscopic photography and advanced fur simulation to integrate the bears into forest locations. It keeps the central picnic basket routine, adds a mayoral subplot to provide a ticking clock, and closes with a showcase of the characters’ gadget filled attempts to save the park.

‘Underdog’ (2007)

Based on the Total TeleVision cartoon, this family film gives a beagle super strength and the ability to talk after a lab accident. Jason Lee voices Underdog with Jim Belushi, Peter Dinklage, and Patrick Warburton in key roles, and the setting is a stylized Capitol City.

The screenplay uses a superhero origin structure with training montages, a public debut, and a showdown with Simon Barsinister. It includes nods to the cartoon theme, outfits the dog with a cape and emblem, and relies on a mix of animal wrangling, CGI muzzle animation, and wire assisted stunts.

‘Jem and the Holograms’ (2015)

This Universal release reimagines the ‘Jem’ cartoon as a contemporary coming of age music drama. Jon M Chu directed with Aubrey Peeples as Jerrica, Stefanie Scott, Aurora Perrineau, Hayley Kiyoko, and Juliette Lewis, and the plot tracks an overnight rise from viral fame to a major label push.

The movie swaps the original’s Saturday morning tone for a social media driven origin and introduces a scavenger hunt subplot involving Synergy. It opened in limited release, saw a quick theatrical turnaround, and later found most of its audience through streaming and home media.

‘Masters of the Universe’ (1987)

Cannon Films adapted ‘He Man and the Masters of the Universe’ with Dolph Lundgren as He Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. Gary Goddard directed and the story follows a cosmic key that sends the characters from Eternia to a small American town where they battle for control of the device.

Budget pressures moved much of the action to Earth settings and concentrated the finale on a throne room set built for an extended duel. The production uses elaborate costumes and makeup for the villains, introduces new human allies, and hints at a sequel during the end credits that did not arrive.

‘Dudley Do-Right’ (1999)

The Jay Ward character returns with Brendan Fraser as the earnest Mountie facing off against Alfred Molina’s Snidely Whiplash. Hugh Wilson directed and the story involves a land grab that turns a Canadian town into a sudden tourist boom, with Sarah Jessica Parker as the love interest.

Filming took place in North American locations that doubled for the cartoon’s frontier backdrops. The movie uses broad set pieces like log runs and horse gags, keeps the narrator device in select scenes, and updates the villain’s scheme to center on modern media attention.

‘Fat Albert’ (2004)

This live action feature brings the ‘Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’ characters out of their animated world into modern Philadelphia. Kenan Thompson stars with Kyla Pratt and Omari Grandberry, and the plot follows the group as they help a teenager navigate school and friendships.

The production blends fish out of water comedy with heartfelt beats about belonging while preserving costume colors and catchphrases from the cartoon. The movie frames its finale around a community event, features a cameo by Bill Cosby at the time of release, and closes with a musical performance.

‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked’ (2011)

The third entry in the modern series sends ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ and the Chipettes onto a deserted island after a mishap on a cruise. Jason Lee returns as Dave with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.

The film leans on pop song covers, island survival gags, and new supporting characters who complicate the rescue. It continues the live action and CGI blend with motion capture assistance for dance numbers and uses tropical locations alongside stage built beaches for controlled stunts.

‘The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas’ (2000)

This prequel to ‘The Flintstones’ recasts the leads with Mark Addy, Stephen Baldwin, Kristen Johnston, and Jane Krakowski. Brian Levant directed and the story shows how Fred meets Wilma and how the couples first cross paths with a flashy casino owner in Rock Vegas.

Production features full scale Stone Age sets, practical creature effects for appliances, and a larger emphasis on showy musical numbers. It follows a romantic comedy structure with mix ups and reconciliations and connects back to the earlier movie through returning creative team members and familiar props.

Share which live-action cartoon adaptation you think missed the mark most in the comments.