Film Directors That Have Worked On Animation and Live Action Films

Known for directing animated classics like (The Incredibles, 2004), (The Iron Giant, 1999), (Ratatouille, 2007), and (Incredibles 2, 2018). He also directed the live action films of (Tomorrowland, 2015) to moderate success, and (Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, 2011) which is his biggest success in the live action format.

This guy is known for directing one of the greatest if not the greatest animated film of all time with Disney’s 1994 mega-hit (The Lion King) w/ Roger Allers. He also directed another animated film with DreamWorks Animation (Mr. Peabody & Sherman, 2014) 20 years after The Lion King but wasn’t anywhere near as successful but was a decent movie nonetheless. On the live action side of things he brought us a little mouse voiced by the legendary Michael J. Fox with (Stuart Little, 1999), and (Stuart Little 2, 2002). His most recent outing with animation is (Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, 2022). Other live action films include: (The Forbidden Kingdom, 2008), (The Haunted Mansion, 2003), and (Flypaper, 2011).

Wes is definitely more known for live action with films like (The Darjeeling Limited, 2007), (Moonrise Kingdom, 2012), (The Grand Budapest Hotel, 2014), and (The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001). He also directed 2 stop-motion animated films both of which are among some of his best work with (Fantastic Mr. Fox, 2009, and (Isle of Dogs, 2018).

A funky director with a funky style that definitely makes Burton stand out among others for better or for worse. While his films are mixed for audiences he has no doubt made some classics including (Beetlejuice, 1988), (Edward Scissorhands, 1990), or (Ed Wood, 1994). He produced one of the best stop-motion animated films ever with (The Nightmare Before Christmas, 1993), but also directed his own couple of animated films with stop-motion in (Corpse Bride, 2005), and (Frankenweenie, 2012).

His entire career has been spent working for two of the most prestigious animation studios between Disney and DreamWorks Animation. He’s worked on countless modern animated classics as a result. However, his first gig as a director came with Disney in (Lilo & Stitch, 2002) w/ Dean DeBlois. Followed that up with DreamWorks’ smash hit (How to Train Your Dragon, 2010) also with DeBlois. It wasn’t until 2020 when he finally dipped his toe into live action with Disney’s (Call of the Wild, 2020). While the film was a box office disappointment, and the odd choice of making the dog CGI instead of a real one, it showed the potential Sanders has as a live action director as he actually did pretty good.

Everybody should know who Zemeckis is, if you don’t you surely know his films. Making greats such as (Back to the Future, 1987), Forrest Gump, 1994), (Cast Away, 1999), and (The Walk, 2015). He also made what might have actually sparked the Disney Renaissance and the eventual success of The Little Mermaid, he made an animation/live action hybrid film known as (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?!?, 1988) which was produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.