Few Disney remakes have sparked as much conversation as the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast. It grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. From Emma Watson’s singing to the film’s bold LGBTQ moment, here’s a breakdown of what made this adaptation a phenomenon.

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Worldwide box office: $1.264 billion ·
Budget: $254 million ·
Rotten Tomatoes score: 71% ·
Release date: March 17, 2017 ·
Runtime: 129 minutes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether the LGBTQ moment was a deliberate statement or a subtle inclusion remains debated
  • Which version is “better” is subjective, though the 2017 film adds new depth
  • Whether it became the fastest PG-rated film to reach $1 billion is uncertain (source not confirmed)
  • Whether the new songs are as memorable as the originals is debated
  • Whether the film’s CGI is distracting is subjective
  • Whether the 129-minute runtime feels bloated is subjective
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Disney continues live-action remakes (e.g., The Little Mermaid, Snow White)
  • Streaming on Disney+ and available for digital purchase

The key specifications give a quick reference.

Key facts at a glance
Attribute Detail
Release date March 17, 2017
Director Bill Condon
Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad
Budget $254 million
Box office $1.264 billion
Runtime 129 minutes
Rotten Tomatoes score 71% (critics), 82% (audience)

Was Beauty and the Beast a hit or flop?

Did Beauty and the Beast 2017 do well?

According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), the film grossed approximately $504.5 million in the United States and Canada and about $759.5 million internationally, for a worldwide total of around $1.263 billion to $1.266 billion. IMDb (film database) lists the worldwide gross as $1,266,115,964. The Guardian (UK news outlet) reported the opening weekend in the UK as £18.4 million and called it a major box-office smash. It was a clear commercial success.

What was the box office performance of Beauty and the Beast 2017?

In its opening weekend, the film earned $174.8 million domestically, making it the fifth highest-grossing three-day debut in history at the time and the top-grossing opening for a PG-rated film, per The Guardian (UK news outlet). It held the number-one spot for several weeks.

How did it compare to other 2017 films?

It was the highest-grossing film globally in 2017, beating Star Wars: The Last Jedi and The Fate of the Furious. Its $1.264 billion haul placed it among the top 15 highest-grossing films of all time at release.

The upshot

Disney’s $254 million investment paid off handsomely, but the film’s success also set a high bar for future live-action remakes, which have since seen diminishing returns.

Bottom line: The 2017 Beauty and the Beast was a massive box-office hit, grossing over $1.2 billion and becoming the year’s top-grossing film. For Disney, it proved that live-action remakes of beloved classics could be blockbusters.

Did Emma Watson do her singing in Beauty and the Beast?

How old was Emma Watson when filming Beauty and the Beast?

According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), Emma Watson was born on April 15, 1990. Filming for Beauty and the Beast began in May 2015 and wrapped in August 2015, making her 25 during most of the production. She performed her own vocals, including the lead songs “Belle,” “Something There,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Who else sang in the film?

The cast largely performed their own numbers. Luke Evans (Gaston) sang “Gaston” and “The Mob Song.” Josh Gad (LeFou) joined in ensemble pieces. Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson, and Audra McDonald also contributed vocals for the enchanted objects.

Bottom line: Emma Watson indeed sang her own parts, taking vocal lessons to prepare. Her performance was praised for its charm, though some critics noted a lack of operatic power compared to the animated version.

Is there any LGBTQ in Beauty and the Beast?

What is the gay character in Beauty and the Beast?

Director Bill Condon described a scene as “an exclusively gay moment” before release, per The Guardian (UK news outlet). Variety (entertainment trade publication) reported that Condon called it “a delightful, distinctly gay moment in a Disney film.” The scene involves LeFou (Josh Gad) briefly dancing with a man during the final ballroom sequence, lasting only a couple of seconds, according to Business Insider (business news site).

Why was the LGBTQ moment controversial?

Some viewers praised the moment as a step toward representation, while others criticized it as too brief and tokenistic. People (celebrity news magazine) reported that Josh Gad later said the remake “didn’t go far enough” with LeFou’s storyline. The film was censored to remove the moment in several countries, including Russia and Malaysia.

Why this matters

The brief moment sparked global conversations about representation, but also showed the limits of corporate inclusivity. For Disney, it was a careful first step that satisfied neither side fully.

Bottom line: The 2017 Beauty and the Beast includes a fleeting same-sex dance moment for LeFou, making it Disney’s first openly gay character. The inclusion was controversial for both its brevity and its intentionality.

Which version of Beauty and the Beast is better?

Five key differences between the 1991 animated classic and the 2017 live-action remake:

Attribute 1991 animated version 2017 live-action version
Release date November 13, 1991 March 17, 2017
Director Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise Bill Condon
Main cast Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jerry Orbach Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans
Runtime 84 minutes 129 minutes
Box office (worldwide) $424 million $1.264 billion
Rotten Tomatoes score 93% 71%
New songs Original score (Ashman/Menken) 3 new songs written by Alan Menken and Tim Rice
LGBTQ content None Brief same-sex dance moment
Expanded backstory Limited Explores Belle’s mother, Beast’s past

What are the differences between the 2017 live-action and the 1991 animated version?

The 2017 version adds three new songs (“Days in the Sun,” “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” “Evermore”), expands the backstory of Belle’s mother and the Beast’s childhood, and introduces new characters (Agathe, Cadenza, Garderobe, Plumette). The live-action film also has a longer runtime and a more realistic visual style.

Which one is more faithful to the original story?

Both versions are faithful to the Disney adaptation of the 1740 French fairy tale, but the 2017 film adds more context and character depth. The 1991 version is considered a classic for its animation and music, while the 2017 film offers a broader ensemble and modern touches.

Bottom line: The 1991 animated film is a tighter, critically acclaimed classic. The 2017 version provides more depth and inclusivity, but trades some of the magic for spectacle. For purists, the original still wins; for newcomers, the remake offers a fresh entry point.

Why did Belle not marry Gaston?

What are the reasons Belle rejected Gaston?

In the 2017 film, as in the original, Belle finds Gaston arrogant, shallow, and narcissistic. She values intelligence and kindness, which Gaston openly disdains. The film portrays Gaston as a charismatic but toxic male figure who cannot accept rejection.

How does the 2017 film portray Gaston?

According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), Luke Evans plays Gaston as a war hero turned bully, with more aggressive and manipulative traits than the 1991 version. The film emphasizes his jealousy and entitlement, leading to his eventual downfall.

Bottom line: Belle rejects Gaston because he represents everything she despises: superficiality, cruelty, and a lack of curiosity. The 2017 film deepens his villainy, making her choice even more compelling.

Confirmed facts

  • Box office numbers: $1.264 billion worldwide (Wikipedia)
  • Cast includes Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad (Wikipedia)
  • Emma Watson performed her own singing (IMDb)
  • Includes a brief LGBTQ moment with LeFou (USA Today)
  • Rotten Tomatoes score: 71% critics, 82% audience (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Whether the LGBTQ moment was a deliberate statement or a subtle inclusion remains debated
  • Which version is definitively better is subjective
  • Whether it became the fastest PG-rated film to reach $1 billion is uncertain
  • Whether the new songs are as memorable as the originals is debated
  • Whether the film’s CGI is distracting is subjective
  • Whether the 129-minute runtime feels bloated is subjective

“It’s a delightful, distinctly gay moment in a Disney film.”

— Bill Condon, director, as reported by Variety (entertainment trade publication)

“I think it didn’t go far enough. We could have pushed it further.”

— Josh Gad (LeFou), as reported by People (celebrity news magazine)

For Disney, the 2017 Beauty and the Beast proved that live-action remakes could be both critically and commercially viable, but the debate over its LGBTQ representation left a lasting mark on how the studio approaches inclusivity. For fans, the choice between the 1991 and 2017 versions is clear: the animated classic remains the gold standard, while the remake offers a more expansive, if slightly less magical, take.

Additional sources

disney.fandom.com, businessinsider.com, saturation.io, theguardian.com, boxofficewatch.com, theguardian.com, independent.co.uk, variety.com

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Frequently asked questions

What were some criticisms of the 2017 film Beauty and the Beast?

Critics noted that the CGI was sometimes distracting, the runtime felt bloated, and the new songs were less memorable than the originals. Some felt the LGBTQ moment was too brief to be meaningful.

Was Emma Watson’s singing good?

Yes, her singing was generally well-received. She trained with a vocal coach and performed all her own songs. Critics praised her sweet tone, though some noted a lack of power compared to the original.

Who was the Beast actor?

Dan Stevens played the Beast, providing both voice and motion-capture performance. He also sang the new song “Evermore.”

Where can I watch Beauty and the Beast 2017?

The film is available for streaming on Disney+, as well as digital purchase/rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. DVD and Blu-ray versions are also widely available.

What songs are in the 2017 version?

All songs from the 1991 film are included, plus three new ones: “Days in the Sun,” “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” and “Evermore.”

Who played Gaston?

Luke Evans played Gaston. He also sang the character’s songs and brought a more menacing edge to the role.