Walt Disney Animation has produced 60 films over the years, beginning with their first full-length feature in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and continuing with recent hits like Encanto. As the studio grew, the number of movies produced in a year doubled overnight. With this influx of movies produced, it’s understandable that not every movie can be a record-breaking box office hit. In fact, taking a look at the entire film list for Disney, it’s not surprising to have missed some films.
Updated: January 2023: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Olivia Martello.
The ever-lovable princess films, such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid are among the most popular on the list. While they are visually compelling movies with a storybook ending, they are missing edge-of-your-seat action or even simply a different storyline. Live-action movies have also started remaking some Disney classics, but those too are missing some hidden gems of the Disney universe. Not every movie can take the crown as the best Disney animated film, but here are 11 that are severely underrated and definitely worth watching next.
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11 Treasure Planet (2002)
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Treasure Planet is the most underrated movie on this list. Full of colorful animation, Treasure Planet follows young Jim Hawkins on his quest to find the elusive Treasure Planet. Backed with an all-star cast of Joseph Gordon Levitt as Jim Hawkins, Emma Thompson as the daring Captain Amelia, Martin Short as the forgetful robot B.E.N, and David Hyde Pierce as the clumsy Doctor Doppler, Treasure Planet mixed action, comedy, and adventure together to make a perfect movie. Similar to most Disney movies, Treasure Planet is loosely based on the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. This film was truly innovative for its time as it introduced a process called Virtual Scenarios where a 360º environment was generated for the animated character to interact. With this process, the film took 10 years to complete. Despite having flopped in theaters, Treasure Planet was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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10 The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Buena Vista Distribution
The Great Mouse Detective is a unique take on Sherlock Holmes, as young mouse Olivia seeks Basil, the famous mouse detective, so he can investigate her father’s kidnapping. The kidnapping was done by Ratigan, Basil’s nemesis, who took Olivia’s father so that he can create a robotic replica of the queen mouse, and use it to rule the other mice. The plot is silly, but it has great characters with great voice performances, including Vincent Price as Ratigan. It’s fun to see classic Holmes elements on a small scale, featuring mice instead of people. Released when Disney was at a low point in the 1980s, its success was a huge turning point for the company, and though it’s never met huge popularity, it’s definitely worth a watch.
9 The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Considered one of the best King Arthur adaptations by ScreenRant, The Sword in the Stone is Disney’s take on the classic myth. Led by the eccentric wizard, Merlin, young Arthur is tutored in various subjects that Merlin knows will help Arthur when he eventually becomes King. Through Merlin’s magic, the two transform into fish, squirrels, and birds, before Arthur triumphantly pulls the sword from the stone and is crowned King. The colorful visuals are excellent, and embrace the magic, like Merlin’s dishes putting themselves away. It may not be as deep as some Disney movies, but it’s classic, silly fun with great designs, and a memorable character in Merlin.
8 The Black Cauldron (1985)
Known as the movie that almost killed Disney animation back in the ’80s, The Black Cauldron is just a movie made in the wrong generation. The Black Cauldron follows Taran and his group of misfits who are on a quest to find the mystical black cauldron. Using a pig as his guide, Taran and his friends face dark magic to save the land. The Black Cauldron was a scary movie and is said to have come directly from Walt Disney’s dark days, bringing an end to the large budget production ways for Disney Studios. With a new team and location for the studio, Disney pushed for faster results and cheaper production for their future movies—a move that has since proven worthwhile. Had The Black Cauldron been produced today, its dark nature and frightening scenes would be more accepted by parents and children who are now accustomed to darker scenes in movies.
7 Brother Bear (2003)
People turning into animals is a common theme in Disney movies, but Brother Bear does it a little differently. In the movie, Alaskan boy Kenai kills a mother bear that he blames for his brother’s death. The Great Spirits then turn Kenai into a bear, where he bonds with Koda, the bear cub left behind after the mother’s death. The colorful animation is impressive and jaw-dropping, bringing the Alaska wilderness to life in stunning ways. This tale of appreciating nature and growing up is concluded with its different and mature ending, where Kenai chooses to stay a bear to take care of Koda after his own mistake. It’s a deep and wondrous journey of humanity and nature.
6 Meet the Robinsons (2007)
One of the few science fiction-based Disney films, Meet the Robinsons takes on topics of adoption, depression, and time travel in a lighthearted way. We know Disney is not afraid to kill off one or two of the main character’s parents, but in this film, the Disney team allowed viewers to see the character go through the hardships of adoption. Meet the Robinsons follows 12-year-old amateur inventor Lewis, a guy with a robotic bowler hat, and a kid named Wilbur who is from the future. Lewis and Wilbur team up together to spoil the Bowler hat guy’s scheme and save the future. Meet the Robinsons is a witty movie that is both funny and thought-provoking. The dry sense of humor character of Goob helps make the movie better too—who else doesn’t want to leave their bed most days!
5 A Goofy Movie (1995)
Starring a classic Disney character, A Goofy Movie makes for a surprisingly touching father-son movie. After his son Max gets in trouble at school, Goody decides to take him on a road trip, so they can bond before Max grows up. Max resists his father’s attempt because he wants to ask out his crush and live his own life. It’s a typical conflict, but one that’s treated with humor and surprising emotion that adds so much to each character. It’s funny and colorful, but also serious and ahead of its time for its realistic treatment of a family relationship.
4 A Bug’s Life (1998)
A Bug’s Life follows a creative ant named Flik, who invents new devices to help his colony ward off the grasshoppers. After yet another failure, the colony is angry, and Flik leaves in search of ants to help the colony. Unknown to him, the bugs he believes are strong warriors are really just circus performers, who fill the movie with delight. Similar to the way Finding Nemo would submerge the audience underwater, A Bug’s Life takes the viewer into the ant colony, letting them live in the tiny, colorful world. Its animation may look dated by current standards, but it’s still a fun journey into a small world of community and friendship.
3 Hercules (1997)
Hercules is on this list because it was one of the least well-known from the era of memorable princess movies. Hercules merges song and acting in this animated feature, along with memorable characters and an introduction to basic Greek Mythology (with obvious deviations in Zeus). Backed with comedic one-liners from Danny DeVito and James Woods, Hercules is by far one of the funniest Disney movies to date. The film is loosely based on Hercules’ journey from his kidnapping from Mount Olympus to finding his godhood restored and becoming a hero. This light-hearted film is both fun to watch and sing along to. Entertainment Weekly shared that it is also planned to join the wave of live-action remakes, with the Russo brothers set to direct.
2 The Rescuers (1977)
The Rescuers follows two unlikely protagonists on an even unlikelier mission: two mice named Bernard and Bianca, who work with a mouse organization that rescues kidnapped people. Their mission is to rescue a young girl named Penny, who was kidnapped by the villainous Medusa to obtain a diamond for her. Medusa is one of the scariest Disney villains, and makes the movie dark and intense. Bernard, voiced by Bob Newhart, and Bianca, voiced by Eva Gabor, are two delightful leads. Bernard’s shy and fearful nature is a perfect contrast to Bianca’s sense of fancy and adventure. They’re adorable and heroic on their rescue journey, and proved so popular that a sequel was made in 1990 – the first ever animated Disney sequel.
1 Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Thanks to rumors of a possible Andrew Garfield live-action version, Atlantis: The Lost Empire reentered the topic of underrated Disney movies. Loosely based on the lost city of Atlantis, the film follows an unlikely crew joined together to discover the riches of the lost city. Following the nerdy historian, Milo, the team discovers Atlantis and bands together to save it from some bad guys hidden in the group. Atlantis: The Lost Empire is full of action, adventure, history, and a comedic group worthy of being remembered as one of Disney’s best movies. While a remake is not in the works, the animated movie, as well as all the others on this list, can be enjoyed on Disney+.
