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How Well Do You Know the Different Versions of Beauty and the Beast?

Few stories capture the imagination quite like Beauty and the Beast.

This beloved fairy tale, with its enchanting narrative of love, transformation, and redemption, has found its way into numerous adaptations throughout the centuries. However, no version has become as iconic as Disney’s 1991 animated feature and its 2017 live-action remake. Both films breathe life into the timeless tale, yet each brings something unique to the table. If you’re a fan of this “tale as old as time,” you’ve probably noticed some key differences, and perhaps some fascinating similarities, between the two versions.

Keep reading to test your knowledge of the two different versions.

The Original

The original animated Beauty and the Beast (1991) was a landmark achievement for Disney. It became the first animated feature ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, winning accolades for its vibrant animation, unforgettable musical score, and emotionally resonant characters.

Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, with music by the legendary Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, this film became a defining moment in Disney’s Renaissance era. The blend of traditional hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery (CGI), particularly in the memorable ballroom scene, set new standards for the genre. Its characters, like Belle, the Beast, and the comically villainous Gaston, quickly became cultural icons.

The Live-Action Remake

Fast forward to 2017, when Disney brought Beauty and the Beast to life again—this time, with a star-studded live-action remake directed by Bill Condon.

The film sought to recreate the magic of its animated predecessor while adding depth and modern sensibilities. Fans of the original were curious: Would the live-action version hold up to the animated classic? What would change, and what would stay the same? And how would the live-action film handle the story’s fantastical elements—talking candlesticks, singing clocks, and that legendary ballroom?

From a visual standpoint, the live-action version had the advantage of modern CGI to make the enchanted objects and the Beast feel more lifelike. Yet, many viewers felt that the hand-drawn charm of the 1991 film was irreplaceable.

The animation allowed for whimsical, exaggerated expressions and movements, making characters like Lumière and Cogsworth delightful to watch in their exaggerated, cartoony forms. In contrast, the live-action version aimed for more realism, giving the enchanted objects more detailed, sophisticated designs. Whether you prefer the painterly elegance of the animated film or the textured realism of the live-action remake might depend on how you like your fantasy: more stylized or more grounded.

The Quiz

So, get ready to put your Beauty and the Beast knowledge to the test!

Animated vs. Live-Action Beauty and the Beast Quiz

1 / 10

In which version does Gaston shoot the Beast multiple times with a pistol, as opposed to stabbing him?

2 / 10

Which version includes a scene where the Beast receives a magical book that allows him and Belle to travel anywhere?

3 / 10

In which version do Belle and the Beast bond over reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?

4 / 10

Which of these songs is in the live-action version but not the animated?

5 / 10

In which version does the Beast save Belle from a pack of wolves during her first escape from the castle?

6 / 10

Which version has a sequence where the villagers attempt to take Maurice to an asylum, accusing him of madness?

7 / 10

Which character was not in the animated version but was introduced in the live action?

8 / 10

Which version of the film does not include a scene where Belle uses the magic mirror to show the Beast to the townspeople?

9 / 10

What year was the animated Beauty and the Beast released?

10 / 10

In which version does Belle invent a washing machine to free up time to read?

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