Top 20 Most Underrated Disney Movies

Top 20 Underrated Disney Movies

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Underrated Disney Movies.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the studio’s most notable animated features that we think deserve more love.

Is your favorite Disney film an underrated gem? Let us know in those comments.

#20: “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)

Based on the book by T. H. White, “The Sword in the Stone” was a quirky and creative addition to the Disney canon. Released in 1963, its animation is colorful and stylized, while the satirical humor will appeal to adults as well as kids. The story arguably rambles along in places, but the brilliant set pieces more than make up for it. From the scene with the squirrels to the magnificent wizards’ duel, we get one classic moment after another. Plus, Arthur is an endearing hero and the comic cast of side characters deserve to be remembered - especially Disney’s most underrated villainess, the mad Madam Mim.

#19: “The Black Cauldron” (1985)

Arguably Disney’s darkest animated movie, “The Black Cauldron” bombed at the box-office and was panned by certain critics. Over a decade after its cinema debut, it was finally released on video, traumatizing a whole new generation of kids. Naturally, the film has since become a cult favorite. Taking cues from a series of novels that draw from Welsh mythology, it follows a young boy and his prophetic pig, who are captured by the evil Horned King. Atmospheric and disturbing, this is a different Disney than we’re used to. However, there’s still a spirited Princess and a cute comic sidekick. Gurgi is the loveable light in the darkness, but it’s the truly terrifying villain that really sticks in our memory.

#18: “Oliver & Company” (1988)

This overlooked eighties flick is a reimagining of Charles Dickens’ famous work, “Oliver Twist.” The story is transplanted to New York, with a cute cat for a hero and a canine Artful Dodger voiced by Billy Joel. It works surprisingly well. Granted, it may not be the best movie Disney ever made, but it’s a whole lot of fun. The opening sequence pulls at our heartstrings, but overall, “Oliver & Company” is an energetic, feel-good tale with charm and heart. The soundtrack is just the cherry on the cake, featuring contributions in front of or behind the mic from folks like Joel, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, and renowned Disney lyricist, Howard Ashman.

#17: “The Fox and the Hound” (1981)

Disney’s human-focused movies tend to get the most attention, with their crowd-pleasing musical numbers and fairytale romances. However, putting animals at the heart of the narrative often allows the studio to go to deeper and darker places. “The Fox and the Hound” is a coming-of-age story that tackles loss, growing pains and friendship across social divides. It’s beautifully animated and sensitively told, while featuring a stellar voice cast, including Mickey Rooney as Tod. From the thrilling opening sequence to the final fight scene, this movie packs an emotional punch. And nothing beats the heart-wrenching moment when Widow Tweed leaves Tod in the woods. With its bittersweet tone and complex characters, this film deserves to be classed as one of the greats.

#16: “Tarzan” (1999)

Coming at the tail end of the Disney Renaissance, this epic jungle adventure doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The original Tarzan stories are plagued by colonial attitudes and dated gender roles, but the Disney writers seemingly worked hard to leave all that behind. Jane is funny, intelligent and brave, while Tarzan is a gentle and sensitive hero. The movie also explores his loving relationship with his adoptive mother and the difficult father-son dynamic with Alpha male Kerchak. Meanwhile, the opening scenes are some of Disney’s saddest, but there are also plenty of laughs to be had. Add in the starry voice cast and Phil Collins’ iconic soundtrack, and you get a gorgeous work.

#15: “Wreck-It Ralph” (2012)

This 2012 comedy was a hit in every regard. However, when Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and the gang arrived on the scene a year later, poor Ralph was soon left far behind. Still, we love the reluctant bad-guy just the way he is. Ralph’s story takes us behind the scenes of the gaming world, where the arcade characters mix and mingle after their games power down. Ralph wrecks things for his day job, but he wants to be the hero of his own story. It’s a fun, original concept with cross-generational appeal. For the kids, there’s an action-packed plot and colorful characters. For the adults, the nostalgia is real, thanks to non-stop cameos and references from our favorite classic games.

#14: “Raya and the Last Dragon” (2021)

Partly due to a worldwide pandemic, Raya arrived on the Disney Princess scene with comparatively little fanfare. She doesn’t even have a trademark song to sing. However, what she does have are some serious skills, kick-ass action sequences and a lot of personality. Plus, who doesn’t love a movie with a dragon - especially one that’s voiced by Awkwafina? The plot is fast-paced and different, and the animation is incredible. When you consider that the majority of this film was made amid COVID-19, with the teams working from home for large stretches, it’s nothing short of mind-blowing.

#13: “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)

Despite enjoying moderate success at the time of its release, “The Great Mouse Detective” is now a largely forgotten Disney gem. But it needn’t be. After all, everyone loves Sherlock Holmes, and the eccentric Basil is just as entertaining. Plus, the dark streets of Victorian London make for an atmospheric setting, where danger lurks around every corner. The movie’s villains are also some of Disney’s creepiest. Fidget, the one-legged bat, is the stuff of nightmares. And who could forget Ratigan, the world’s greatest criminal mind? There are also catchy songs and an action-packed third-act, which thrillingly culminates in the Big Ben clocktower.

#12: “The Princess and the Frog” (2009)

Like Raya, Tiana is an official Disney Princesses who deserves more love. Yes, she spends most of her own movie as a slimy green amphibian. But if you can get over that minor irritation, “The Princess and the Frog” is a lot of fun. One of the last full-length Disney features to be traditionally animated, it’s a twist on the original fairytale, transposed to Jazz Age New Orleans. Randy Newman’s toe-tapping songs lift the energy and the fabulous voice cast make their characters come alive. Tiana is a smart, determined heroine and her hate-to-love romance with Prince Naveen has all the snap and playfulness you’d find in a classic rom-com.

#11: “Hercules” (1997)

Disney’s take on Ancient Greek mythology might not be one for the purists, but there’s a lot to like in this epic animated comedy. With its angular animation style and references to celebrity culture, “Hercules” has a decidedly modern flavor. The characters feel modern too. Our hero is as sweet and innocent as any Disney princess, yet he falls for the cynical Meg, who has been burned by past heartbreak. Danny DeVito, for his part, makes us laugh as Herc’s trainer, while James Woods delivers a scene-stealing performance as the fast-talking, flame-haired Hades. However, the real stars of the show are Alan Menken and David Zippel’s songs. A quintet of Muses serve as musical narrators, and every single number is fresh while feeling classic.

#10: “Robin Hood” (1973)

Walt Disney died in 1966, which ultimately signaled the end of the studio’s “silver age.” It would not return to its former glory until “The Little Mermaid” made a splash in 1989. However, the Disney movies of the seventies have a style and charm all their own, and they deserve to be celebrated. “The Aristocats” brought us the unforgettable Thomas O’Malley and a catchy tune or two. But even more underrated is 1973’s “Robin Hood.” The classic tale is retold by the “folks of the animal kingdom,” who are lovably brought to life by an unbeatable voice cast. The result is a feel-good fantasy adventure bursting with humor and heart. Plus, Robin himself is a total legend, and there are some super entertaining songs.

#9: “The Rescuers Down Under” (1990)

Disney animated sequels aren’t necessarily known for their excellence, but the second “Rescuers” movie bucks the trend. Released thirteen years after the original, it suffered at the box-office thanks to competition from “Home Alone.” However, with its stunning vistas and spectacular score, this epic Outback adventure deserves a place in the sun. The attention-grabbing opening titles get the movie off to an exciting start, and our new character, Cody, makes a great first impression. His efforts to rescue the golden eagle, Marahute, mark him as a worthy hero while the poacher, McLeach, proves to be one of Disney’s nastiest villains. Meanwhile, Bernard is trying to find the right moment to propose to Miss Bianca amid the chaos — and it’s adorable.

#8: “The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)

At the turn of the millennium, Disney was transitioning into a new phase. Traditional fairy-tales were out, comedies and coming-of-age stories were in. It wasn’t the studio’s most successful era, but it still produced some gems. One of our favorites is “The Emperor’s New Groove.” This riotous buddy-movie follows the spoiled Emperor Kuzco, who becomes a llama due to his double-crossing former advisor’s scheming (though her actual plan was more nefarious). Cue the slapstick, some snappy dialogue and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The movie’s characters feel original, and the voice actors give it all they’ve got. Kuzco and John Goodman’s Pacha have a great rapport, but the magic really happens when Kronk and Yzma are on screen.

#7: “A Goofy Movie” (1995)

Goofy was originally created as a comic character, but at some point in the nineties someone decided he needed a bit more depth. In the animated series,“Goof Troop”, the dog became a single dad. In “The Goofy Movie”, young Max Goof has reached the terrible teen years. Many early critics hated the movie, but it’s now considered a cult classic. Was it an odd choice to make Goofy’s first feature a bittersweet drama about an initially fraught father-son relationship? Maybe on the surface, but the film has struck a chord with many viewers. There are some good gags, a sweet teenage romance, and likable songs. However, it’s the moving depiction of Goofy and Max’s relationship that really makes it worth your while.

#6: “Lilo & Stitch” (2002)

Stitch may have become one of Disney’s most marketing-friendly creations, but the movie that spawned him is still criminally underrated. The story blends sci-fi thrills with a real-world setting and poignant family drama. Indeed, characters are complex, flawed and loveable. It’s impossible not to root for the eccentric but kind-hearted Lilo and her long-suffering sister Nani. Then, there’s the setting. Primarily taking place in Hawaii, the film’s gorgeous island backdrops are brought to life thanks to watercolors. On top of that, there’s an off-beat humor that’ll appeal to all ages, and the soundtrack mixes original songs with a good helping of Elvis Presley. We promise it makes sense.

#5: “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001)

By 2001, we knew Disney could do sweeping musical movies. They had even shown they could nail comedy. With “Atlantis”, the studio proved they could handle fully-fledged animated action-adventure. Think “Indiana Jones”, “The Mummy” or even Dreamworks’ “The Road to El Dorado.” With animation characterized by the unique comic-book aesthetic of production designer Mike Mignola and a plot based on the stories of Jules Verne, “Atlantis” is special. Although responses were mixed, the movie has since gained a loyal following - and with good reason. It’s experimental, visually appealing, more mature than many animated Disney flicks, and just a good time. We love Milo and the gang, and Kida in particular is a total icon.

#4: “Meet the Robinsons” (2007)

You could argue that “Meet the Robinsons” is another Cinderella-style story about a lonely orphan made good - and technically, you’d be right. But here’s the thing: this madcap time-travel adventure is also one of the most original movies Disney has ever made. Featuring an evil bowler hat, singing frogs and a shocking final twist, it’s weird, no doubt about that. It’s also smart, funny and surprisingly emotional. Indeed, the central message of the story is based on Walt Disney’s own philosophy - “keep moving forward,” and it’s powerful stuff. Plus, the orphaned Lewis is a likable hero and the side characters all make an impression. By the end, you may even have a soft spot for the sinister “bowler hat guy.”

#3: “Brother Bear” (2003)

Released just months after Pixar’s “Finding Nemo”, “Brother Bear” was dismissed by some as dull and unoriginal. However, when judged on its own merit, there’s much to praise. Set in Alaska, the story follows Kenai, who is turned into a bear following a series of tragic events. In his new form, he meets Koda, a cub he reluctantly takes under his wing. Canadians Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas lend strong comedic support as the bantering moose brothers, while Mark Mancina and Phil Collins take charge of the soundtrack. However, at the heart of the tale is the bond between Kenai and Koda. Their relationship provides us with many funny moments, as well as the movie’s most heartbreaking scene.

#2: “Treasure Planet” (2002)

Like “Oliver & Company”, “Treasure Planet” took inspiration from a classic novel and turned the story on its head. This time, instead of Dickens and animals, we get Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale in space. Young Jim Hawkins’ journey to the eponymous planet is a fast-paced adventure full of twists and turns. It’s also one of Disney’s most expensive flops to date. Still, if you know the book, you’ll enjoy the familiar characters and clever adaptation of the text. If you don’t, it’s still a good tale, told well. The voice cast are clearly having a whale of a time, the score is uplifting, and the animation and world design are ambitious and often spectacular. What more could you ask for?

#1: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” hit our screens in the mid-nineties, right at the heart of the Disney Renaissance. It has gorgeous animation, a talented voice cast and some of Alan Menken’s most breathtaking music. Quasimodo is a wonderful hero and Judge Frollo is a truly poisonous villain. So why isn’t “Hunchback” regularly numbered with the greats of the era, such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King”? Maybe because it’s pretty dark for a Disney film. Incorporating themes of religious and racial intolerance, murder, lust and psychological mistreatment, the movie doesn’t pull any punches. Based on the book by Victor Hugo, it’s an ambitious choice of adaptation, but it’s executed with style and flair. It’s time it got the appreciation it deserves.