Tangled's Enduring Popularity: Why The 2010 Disney Classic Resonates In 2026

The 2010 Disney musical Tangled has proven to be a favorite in the streaming world, despite being 16 years old. Tangled notably had a resurgence in popularity on Disney+ earlier this month. Currently, the movie is trending at the #5 spot on Disney+'s worldwide streaming charts, according to FlixPatrol.

Tangled follows a young princess named Rapunzel who dreams of leaving her protected tower to see the floating sky lanterns, which ironically release every year on her birthday. What follows is a lost case of identity, kidnapping, love, and magic. The admiration for the original has spiraled into a future live-action Tangled movie, which could be the driving force behind the resurgence in interest for the original movie.

Tangled Is As Popular As Ever In 2026

Despite being 16 years old, Tangled is just as popular now as it was back then. One of the biggest reasons why it continues to be popular is that it hit that sweet spot between nostalgia and modernity.

It’s one of those animated movies that is perfect for all ages. The animation and music are great combinations for a younger audience, but some of the jokes and overall plot hit the nail on the head for older audiences, primarily millennials.

With former 2000s pop star and award-winning actress Mandy Moore as the lead voice and vocals for Rapunzel, millennials form a large portion of the movie’s fan base. The nostalgia of her voice, joined with a modern Disney tale, adds to its popularity.

Although it's a fictional tale about a princess with long blonde hair who's trapped in a tower, the movie is incredibly relatable. Rapunzel is anxious and sheltered, but her optimism shines through.

With a little push and some perseverance, Rapunzel chases after her dream of a new life outside her tower. Although times were hard and the journey to a new life was intimidating, she grew independent and found beauty in the journey. All of these things create a great message for a younger audience.

Disney's Live-Action Tangled Remake Is Moving Forward

A long list of vintage or older animated Disney movies is being adapted into live-action films for a modern audience. As time goes on, animation gets better and storytelling progresses, creating a greater chance to make a new version of a beloved movie. Tangled is no exception.

In 2024, it was announced that Tangled was the next movie to get a live-action spin. In 2025, however, the movie's production was paused after the record-low box-office numbers for the live-action version of Snow White. The remake had such poor reviews that Disney needed to re-examine Tangled's vision before proceeding.

The Tangled remake has since cast its Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, with Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim taking on the roles. Croft is known for her roles in the Netflix movie, True Spirit, while Manheim is known for the Disney franchise Zombies and his role as Wally in School Spirits. Kathryn Hahn is also being eyed for the role of Mother Gothel for the live-action adaptation.

Will Disney's New Tangled Live Up To The Original Movie?

Now that Disney's live-action remake of Tangled is moving forward, it's interesting to note if it will live up to the original's hype. Michael Gracey of The Greatest Showman fame is directing the remake, with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson writing the script.

Because the journey to being greenlit wasn't a smooth one, it's safe to wonder if it's going to be as good as the animated version. If the team of talented writers and actors wants the live-action to be as good as the original, they're going to need to focus on upbeat musical numbers and familiarity with the original.

Scenes should mirror the animated movie, with a touch of fantasy and whimsy. Because Disney fans adore the original so much, staying true to what made it so iconic is important. It also wouldn't hurt if Mandy Moore made a cameo. At this stage, there is no release date in mind for Tangled.