In the past century, Disney made lots of famous movies that everyone loves like Frozen, Snow White, Lion King, and the rest. But, some of the most underrated Disney movies didn’t get as much attention as the popular ones.
These movies sometimes don’t do well because they’re not shown in many theaters, advertised much, or are not as popular as other big movies.
But even though they face these problems, these underrated Disney films have special qualities and artistic value that deserve attention and praise.
Let’s take a look at the most underrated Disney movies, and why you should add them to your watchlist.
12. The Great Mouse Detective
The Great Mouse Detective is like a mouse version of Sherlock Holmes, and it’s just as exciting as you’d imagine. Basil and Ratigan, the main characters, have big egos and always try to outsmart each other, making for a great hero-versus-villain story. The movie also stands out for using CGI to animate the gears inside Big Ben, which was pretty new for Disney films at the time.
Release Date: July 2, 1986
Directors: Burny Mattinson, John Musker, David Michener, Ron Clements
11. Robin Hood
The movie Robin Hood is special because animals like Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and the Sheriff of Nottingham act like people. It’s a fun twist on the story of the famous outlaw. The movie is full of charm, exciting fights, and catchy songs that people of all ages love. It tells the story in a simple and easy-to-understand way, with characters that are straightforward but stay true to their roles. The best part is at the end, where it starts slow and sneaky but turns into a wild and exciting race to escape.
Release Date: 8 November 1973
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
10. Bolt
Bolt tells the story of a dog named Bolt who stars in a TV show alongside his owner, Penny. He thinks he’s really a superhero because he’s been raised to believe so. When Penny gets kidnapped in the show, Bolt escapes to find her and ends up in New York City. The movie is simple but marked a change in how Disney made films back then. Nowadays, it’s still enjoyable because it has relatable characters and a modest plot. John Travolta does a great job as Bolt, showing both his serious side on a mission and his curious nature in exploring new things. You should check it out. It’s a fun story about finding yourself.
Release Date: November 21, 2008
Director: Chris Williams, Byron Howard
9. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the most underrated Disney movies. It tells a deeper and more complicated version of the story of Quasimodo, the bell ringer of Notre Dame. This movie explores themes like fitting in, unfair treatment, and love.
Release Date: 21 June 1996
Directors: Kirk Wise, Gary Trousdale
8. Oliver and Company
Oliver and Company is a cool movie that tells the story of Oliver Twist but with a fun twist. All the characters are animals who talk and live in New York City. The movie has catchy songs, a nice story about friendship, and a city vibe that makes it special. It’s one of my favorites too!
Release Date: 18 November 1988
Director: George Scribner
7. The Emperor’s New Groove
This underrated Disney movie tells the funny story of an emperor who becomes a llama by accident. It’s full of humor, has cool characters, and teaches about how friendships can change unexpectedly. Plus, it talks about being humble and growing as a person. Even though some people really like it, it doesn’t get as much love as it deserves.
Release Date: December 15, 2000
Director: Mark Dindal
6. Meet the Robinsons
Meet the Robinsons might seem like another story where a lonely orphan finds happiness, like Cinderella. But it’s actually one of Disney’s most unique movies. It’s a wild adventure involving time travel with an evil bowler hat, singing frogs, and a surprising twist at the end. It’s quirky, but it’s also clever, funny, and touching. The main message, “keep moving forward,” is something Walt Disney believed in, and it’s really meaningful. Also, the main character, Lewis, is easy to like, and all the other characters too. You might even end up feeling sympathy for the bad guy with the bowler hat by the end.
Release Date: 30 March 2007
Director: Stephen Anderson
5. The Princess and the Frog
This movie is set in the fun city of New Orleans, giving a fresh twist to classic Disney stories. The Princess and the Frog tells the tale of Tiana, who goes from being a waitress to a princess, making it a modern favorite. The movie has catchy songs, and characters you won’t forget, and celebrates culture and chasing dreams.
Release Date: December 8, 2009
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
Also Read: Top 13 Grossing-Anime Movies of All Time!
4. Winnie the Pooh
The story is about Winnie the Pooh who wakes up one day and realizes he’s run out of honey. Then, Eeyore the Donkey discovers he’s lost his tail. So, Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood set out to find a new tail for Eeyore. But things get even more complicated when their human friend, Christopher Robin, goes missing. Owl thinks he’s been taken by a monster called the Backson. Interesting storyline right? The backgrounds in the movie look just like the illustrations in the original Winnie the Pooh book. Even the characters move really smoothly and show a lot of feelings, which is rare in Disney movies from the 2000s. The story is nice, easy to follow, and enjoyable.
Release Date: April 13, 2011
Director: Don Hall, Stephen J. Anderson
3. Treasure Planet
This is a special movie made by two great Disney directors, John Musker, and Ron Clements. It has a big group of fans who love how it retells the classic Treasure Island story. The main character, Jim, has a great story arc, starting as a kid who grows up fast and then becomes a lost teen needing support and belief. The movie mixes emotional parts with cool sci-fi stuff and amazing animation combining 2D and 3D.
Release Date: November 6, 2002
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
2. The Rescuers Down Under
The movie The Rescuers Down Under is about a bunch of mice who travel to the Australian Outback to rescue a boy and a special golden eagle from a bad guy. It comes after “The Rescuers” and has amazing pictures of Australia, thrilling scenes, and characters you’ll really like. It’s one of those rare cases where the second movie is even better than the first.
Release Date: 16 November 1990
Director: Mike Gabriel, Hendel Butoy
1. Atlantis: The Lost Empire
In Atlantis: The Lost Empire, you will go on a cool underwater adventure with a young language expert and some explorers. They’re on a mission to find the lost city of Atlantis. This is one of the most underrated Disney movies, but it’s really fun. You’ll explore new places, meet interesting characters, and see a mix of science fiction and magic.
Release Date: June 2, 2001
Director: Kirk Wise, Gary Trousdale
It’s rather unfortunate that these underrated Disney movies did not get the right attention and publicity.
However, this does not diminish their amazing storylines and great characters.
You can always download them whenever you’re less busy, and need something to spice up your day.
