Top 10 Most Underappreciated Animated Movies

We can never really know what dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals were like, but we’d like to think they resembled the characters in “The Land Before Time”. Don’t get us wrong, Littlefoot and his friends face pain, uncertainty, and immense danger on their way to the Great Valley. Their friendship is tested, and nearly doesn’t survive. Thankfully, their bond turns out to be stronger than any outside influence, and they all find exactly what they’re looking for. As you’ve probably gathered, the film tackles relatively heavy subject matters. Yet it does so in an uplifting manner, with charm and love guiding the story throughout. Given all that, it should definitely occupy a bigger spot in our cultural lexicon than it currently does.

Timing can make or break a cinematic release. Sometimes, amazing projects are overshadowed by the competition. Look no further than “Megamind” to see what we mean. The story, about a villain who finds his inner hero, is comical yet inspiring. Plus, the voice cast is beyond impressive. We’re talking Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, and Brad Pitt, among others. Between the talent and touching plot, it should’ve been the next sensation. But 2010 was a big year for animation. Society was busy getting reacquainted with Rapunzel in “Tangled”, watching Andy grow up in “Toy Story 3”, and obsessing over minions in “Despicable Me”. As a result, “Megamind” fell through the cracks. Luckily, it’s never too late to make things right.

Who knew that ants could be so fun? “A Bug’s Life” effectively turned the widely disliked creatures into endearing heroes. After all, it’s impossible not to root for Flik as he fights to save his home. But for some reason, it’s not a movie you hear about regularly. Yet the story teaches viewers to stand tall, even in the face of intimidation. It’s a pretty important lesson, to say the least. In other words, the 1998 film is a quintessential Pixar project. We’d go so far as to say it should get the same praise as some of the studio’s more popular releases, like “The Incredibles” and “Inside Out”!

Chances are that while scrolling across various social media apps, you’ve come across a classic gif or two from “The Road to El Dorado”. So trust us when we say that the entire movie is full of unforgettable moments. It features Tulio and Miguel, two con men who pretend to be Gods only to realize there’s much more to life than wealth. It’s a recipe for satisfying laughs. Unmatched humor aside, the pace, music, and character development are also phenomenal. And don’t even get us started on the main characters’ legendary bromance! Sadly, neither they - nor the residents of El Dorado - have ever really gotten their due.

You might’ve expected “Spirit” to feature talking horses - but that’s not the case. While we get to hear the titular stallion’s inner thoughts thanks to Matt Damon’s narration, the animals communicate non-verbally. That’s right, only the humans speak. On the surface, that sounds like an odd concept. After all, movies often rely on dialogue to get their message across. But “Spirit” thrives without it. The silence and unique style feel organic and grounded in nature, saying more than words ever could. As such, the story effectively drives home the point that living beings should be free. If more people knew about this movie - and gave it a chance - it’d undoubtedly be considered a must-watch by now.

This animated work has two very important things in common with itself. For one thing, it’s been largely forgotten. Just as Atlantis was lost, this movie drowned under the weight of other Disney productions over the years. Shockingly, it only has a 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes! But like the city, it’s also a true gem worth rediscovering. Watching Milo Thatch defy expectations to save the hidden civilization - while also finding his place among it - is thrilling. And we’d be remiss not to mention Michael J. Fox’s stellar voice acting performance. Plus, the plot is captivating from start to finish, and the aesthetics are distinctly satisfying. What more could you ask for?!

This isn’t your typical Disney movie, and Kuzco’s anything but a traditional protagonist. He’s self-absorbed, entitled, and oblivious to the plight of the people in his kingdom. But that’s the point. He gets a serious reality check, courtesy of the iconic villain Yzma and her amazingly clueless minion Kronk. With the help of a humble villager named Pacha, Kuzco realizes what it means to lead, though he never sacrifices his signature sass! The dynamics between the characters, jokes, and tone of the movie never fail to make us belly laugh. Sadly, it didn’t perform as well as you’d expect at the box office. It’s gained more fans in the years since its release, but it’s still only receiving a fraction of the attention it deserves!

It’s often said that one choice can impact our future in profound ways. “Meet the Robinsons” perfectly illustrates this “butterfly effect”. It’s the tale of a young orphaned inventor, named Lewis, who’s begun to lose faith in himself. When he’s transported to the future by a kid named Wilbur Robinson, everything changes. He bonds with the boy’s family, and eventually learns that they’re his own. But only if he can make things right in the present. Family and science-fiction come together beautifully in this film, and the result is a heartwarming piece that doesn’t get applauded nearly enough. Not only is the story compelling, but the message is incredibly powerful. The Robinsons teach us that no matter how hard things seem, it’s always worth persevering.

“Anastasia” technically belongs to Disney now, but it's always been overshadowed by the studio’s classic movies. The titular character herself will probably never be considered a true Disney Princess, but that’s okay. If you ask us, she’s special enough to exist in a class of her own. Indeed, watching Anya reconnect with her grandmother after discovering that she’s actually the long-lost Romanov never fails to make us cry. By uncovering her past, she’s able to embrace a future full of possibilities. Plus, themes of family, love, and identity are treated with immense care. Did we mention there’s also a plethora of stunning songs? This timeless tale has often been overlooked, but that doesn’t negate the fact that it’s a magnificent work of art.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“The Last Unicorn” (1982)
This Film Is as Magical as Its Name Suggests

“Brother Bear” (2003)
A Tale That’ll Surely Touch Your Heart

“Chicken Little” (2005)
The Titular Character Is an Overlooked Icon

“The Swan Princess” (1994)
Odette’s Story Simply Never Gets Old

“The Iron Giant” (1999)
The Most Unexpected Bonds Are Also the Most Special

DreamWorks outdid itself here. This film, which follows Moses, is a take on the Book of Exodus. Translating such a story onto the screen in animated form isn’t the most conventional concept, but the result speaks for itself. The mystical tale, about a people searching for freedom, is riveting. As if that wasn’t enough on its own, it’s also breathtaking from a visual standpoint, and has amazing music. Almost anybody who’s seen the movie agrees that it’s a masterpiece. It was even adapted into a stage musical. Still, “The Prince of Egypt” hasn’t remained part of the conversation in the same way as other motion pictures of its time. That’s quite a shame, because it has all the makings of a true classic.