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As 2025 unfolds, audiences are anticipating the releases of two live-action adaptations from Disney: Snow White and Lilo & Stitch. This marks a significant point in time, as it has been 15 years since Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland initiated the trend of reimagining Disney classics, a phenomenon that has consistently captured box office attention despite mixed reactions from viewers and critics alike. Over the past decade, films from Disney’s earlier catalog, such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Pinocchio, along with titles from the Renaissance era like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid, have been reinterpreted in live-action with varying degrees of success. However, at the onset of this remake trend, ABC produced a series that redefined many beloved Disney characters in ways that outshone most of the high-budget adaptations. That series is, of course, Once Upon a Time.
First airing in October 2011, Once Upon a Time ran for seven seasons, concluding in May 2018. It debuted shortly after the billion-dollar success of Beauty and the Beast and before Aladdin took theaters by storm. Despite the ongoing trend of film remakes since then, many viewers believe that Once Upon a Time remains an outstanding example of creative storytelling in this genre. How did a weekly series manage to thrive and captivate audiences, potentially overshadowing blockbuster films with budgets topping $200 million? The answer lies in the innovative freedom provided by television, allowing Once Upon a Time to explore risks that feature films typically avoid, crafting unique interpretations of well-known Disney characters that resonated deeply with fans.
Basic Breakdown of ‘Once Upon a Time’
In its core premise, Once Upon a Time follows Emma Swan (portrayed by Jennifer Morrison), a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is confronted by her son, Henry Mills (Jared Gilmore), who she had placed for adoption. He tells Emma about the town of Storybrooke, Maine, where various fairy tale characters are trapped due to a magical curse that only Emma can break. The town’s ruler is Regina Mills (Lana Parrilla), aka the Evil Queen from Snow White, who also happens to be Henry’s adoptive mother. In a twist, Emma’s own parents, Snow White and Prince Charming (played by Ginnifer Goodwin and Joshua Dallas), are reimagined as Mary Margaret and David Nolan, suffering from the consequences of the curse that separates them.
Initially skeptical of her son’s tale, Emma progressively transforms into a believer and ultimately breaks the town’s curse, restoring the fairy tale characters’ memories. Although these characters are typically seen in fairy tales, the show’s connection to the Disney legacy enables it to draw from audience familiarity with the animated versions of these stories.
‘Once Upon a Time’ Was Not Afraid to Subvert Audience Expectations
Critics often point to Disney’s live-action remakes for their tendency to closely mimic the narratives and aesthetics of the original animated classics, sometimes even recreating iconic scenes. Earlier adaptations often focused on reinterpreting beloved stories, while later successful films such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King attracted audiences with the promise of nostalgia dressed in more realistic visuals.
In contrast, Once Upon a Time reconfigures expectations by venturing beyond mere remakes. It takes the known narratives and evolves them in unexpected ways. The show presents not only deeper explorations of Snow White and Prince Charming’s relationship—including their initial discord—but also grants a redemption arc to the Evil Queen. As the series unfolds, Captain Hook transitions from villain to hero, while Peter Pan’s darker dimensions are explored, differing from previous portrayals.
Additionally, characters like Maleficent and Ursula acquire nuanced backstories, and even heroes like King Arthur and Genie from Aladdin are depicted with villainous traits. A character like Mulan is reimagined in a more inclusive manner, while Pinocchio’s story continues with a heart-wrenching narrative about growing up.
‘Once Upon a Time’ Tapped Into the Growing Success of the MCU
Another captivating aspect of Once Upon a Time is its early embrace of a shared universe—a concept that gained momentum thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which began with Iron Man. The show premiered not long after Captain America: The First Avenger and just before The Avengers, tapping into the excitement surrounding interconnected narratives. By merging beloved characters into a single narrative space, Once Upon a Time created a weekly television event akin to the thrill of witnessing an Avengers-style ensemble.
Even though the characters were not the direct Disney versions, their representations elicited a similar joy to that experienced while playing Kingdom Hearts, appealing to fans who enjoyed discovering interconnections among the broad Disney lore. This approach enabled a rich tapestry of storytelling that united characters and narratives in innovative ways.
‘Once Upon a Time’ Was Character Centric
When comparing Once Upon a Time to Disney’s live-action adaptations, a significant divergence emerges relating to character development. Limited by smaller budgets, Once Upon a Time could not compete with the grand visual spectacles of its cinematic counterparts; yet, this constraint was offset by its rich character exploration. The series dedicated time to deepening character arcs, offering detailed histories that the feature films could not fully capture due to their condensed storytelling.
Over the span of seven seasons, viewers were introduced to profound character backstories, including those of Snow White, Pinocchio, and Captain Hook. Season 1 specifically provided engaging origins for characters like Jiminy Cricket and The Mad Hatter (played by a young Sebastian Stan), often surpassing the depth of their Disney counterparts.
This extended format allowed viewers to forge meaningful attachments to these interpretations of iconic characters. Even without the superstar allure of the live-action films, portrayals like Lana Parrilla’s Regina/The Evil Queen or Colin O’Donoghue’s Captain Hook resonated deeply with fans, showcasing a fresh take on these timeless figures. Once Upon a Time may not have been flawless, but its willingness to take creative risks yielded an intriguing narrative that has allowed it to retain a dedicated fanbase even years after its conclusion. For those looking to explore how Once Upon a Time breathes new life into the Disney canon, the series is available for streaming on Disney+. Meanwhile, the latest Disney live-action endeavor, Snow White, is currently available in theaters.
Source
movieweb.com