live-action

American  

[lahyv-ak-shuhn] / ˈlaɪvˈæk ʃən /

adjective

1. of or relating to movies, videos, and the like, that feature real performers, as distinguished from animation.

   A new live-action version of the classic animated film will be released later this year.

2. Informal. live.

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Other Word Forms

• live action noun

Etymology

Origin of live-action

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

It will also see the comeback of Rick Moranis, who was one of the biggest box office stars of the 1980s and 90s but hasn't appeared in a live-action film for three decades.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

She brings a sort of Disney princess innocence and pluck to Anna, which makes sense considering she played Ariel in the live-action “The Little Mermaid.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

By emulating epics like Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the live-action “House of David” opens its story to a much broader audience than most Christian content.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

The movie, which is still in early development, will feature the fanged monsters in a "live-action and CGI hybrid", Pop Mart said.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

When not sleeping or studying, Thetans were fond of video games, constructing and solving elaborate puzzles, playing, inventing, and reimagining board games, and pretending to kill one another as part of live-action Mafia games.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater