Top 10 Underrated Animated Musicals

Lin-Manuel Miranda fans are missing out if they haven’t yet experienced this feel-good film. The titular Vivo is a Cuban kinkajou – or honey-bear – with a passion for music. Together with a girl named Gabi, he sets out on an epic quest to give his late singing partner’s old friend the love tune crafted for her. That old friend just so happens to be played by Gloria Estefan, by the way! Miranda wrote the songs, and voices the main character to great effect. The numbers are absolutely infectious and feel up-to-date, while the energy is high and the characters are lovable throughout. It’s a sweet little story with a lot of heart and it needs way more recognition!

The House of Mouse practically has the monopoly on most fairy tales. They currently have the rights to this film too. Still, in 1994, directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman gave us a then-non-Disney heroine to love with the tiny Thumbelina. Critics weren’t kind but for many nineties kids, Thumbelina’s adventures represent a core memory. The title character is voiced by Jodi Benson, who also played Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” The songs, for their part, were composed by Barry Manilow. “Let Me Be Your Wings” is a beautiful romantic duet and though “Marry the Mole” won a Razzie, it’s definitely memorable. Fun, quirky and often dark, “Thumbelina” is underappreciated yet magical.

Animated jukebox musicals were having a moment in the 2010s, with “Sing” and “Trolls” both bursting onto our screens to great success in 2016. However, about a year earlier, “Strange Magic” was released to relatively little fanfare. Yet the Lucasfilm production has a high-profile voice cast including Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, and Evan Rachel Wood. The premise is a lot of fun too: a take on “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” it was pitched as “a ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story where the Beast doesn’t change.” Plus, the songs are an eclectic mix of classic rock and modern pop bangers, selected by George Lucas. It’s weird, but it works.

When it comes to traditionally animated DreamWorks musicals, most of us can agree that “The Prince of Egypt” is a masterpiece. Meanwhile, “The Road to El Dorado” is often overlooked. Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Kline star as two Spanish con-artists, who stumble upon the famed titular golden city. The movie may have its issues, but it has become a bit of a cult-classic, and it’s not hard to see why. After all, with a score by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, and songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, you can’t go too far wrong. Not to mention the plot has a satisfying blend of comedy and adventure, the animation is appealing, and it’s all just a lot of fun.

It might not be considered a classic, but we love a movie with a message, and “FernGully” didn’t come to play. Its ominous warnings about the evils of pollution and the destruction of the rainforests aren’t subtle, but they are effective. On a lighter note, this independent animated film is also chock full of fairies, magic, romance, and some really great tunes. There’s also an awesome voice cast. Christian Slater and Samantha Mathis are notably joined by the late Robin Williams, who brings his usual star power as Batty the fruit bat. We also could never forget Tim Curry’s charismatic villain, Hexxus, who really steals the show.

Don Bluth has made his mark on the animation industry with works like “Anastasia” and “The Land Before Time.” But we should also remember Fievel Mousekewitz, the hero of this underrated musical. “An American Tail” was a box office success, bagged two Grammys for “Somewhere Out There,” and spawned multiple sequels, including the enjoyable “Fievel Goes West” (though Bluth wasn’t a part of those). However, the 1986 flick received mixed reviews, with some suggesting it was too “downbeat” for kids. If you ask us though, it has everything you want from a children’s film - memorable songs, engaging characters and plenty of adventure. It’s emotional too, tackling big themes including immigration and corruption. Plus, Fievel himself is simply adorable.

It may look like a standard jukebox musical, but “Happy Feet” deserves to stand out from the crowd. The comedy is full of peril, going to some dark places. It’s also an all-singing-and-dancing extravaganza featuring numbers from across the musical spectrum. You’ll hear familiar tunes from Elvis, Prince, Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, and more. The story itself is worthwhile, too, following Mumble, a penguin without a heartsong, who’s shunned by his peers until he proves himself through dance. And that’s saying nothing of the environmental message. But the pièce de résistance might just be the “Boogie Wonderland” scene, featuring a huge crowd of penguins, animated to move like real tap dancers. The end product is truly special.

This Arthurian fantasy adventure has faced its share of criticism. But there’s also a lot it does right. For one thing, the songs are pitch perfect. You might have heard Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion’s “The Prayer” without ever realizing it originated here. And it’s not the only memorable tune on the soundtrack. With a Celtic-inspired score and the vocal talents of folks like Dion and Andrea Corr, the music is actually really beautiful. The plot is fun too – it centers on Kayley, an aspiring knight of Camelot, and Garrett, a solitary man who is visually impaired, and who secretly shares her ambition. The leads have chemistry, the side characters add great value, and Gary Oldman makes an entertaining villain. What more could you want?

“Swan Lake” gets the animated princess treatment in “The Swan Princess” – a magical romance from New Line Cinema. Despite some plot holes and a love interest some might find uninspiring, it’s a really enjoyable watch. The songs are catchy and clever, with the opening number “This is My Idea” setting the story up perfectly. After a fairytale-style beginning, Prince Derek blows his chance with the heroine, Odette. We stan a princess who knows her worth, although love does conquer all by the end. The rest of the movie is a fun adventure full of quirky side characters – including a French frog voiced by John Cleese. The fantastic tracks continue throughout too, with bops like “Princesses on Parade” and the romantic duet, “Far Longer Than Forever.”

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

The Musical “Barbie” Movies (2004-)
These Were Better Than Their Animation Would Suggest

“Cats Don't Dance” (1997)
A Feel-Good Feline Fable That’s Unfortunately Been All but Forgotten

“Corpse Bride” (2005)
One of Tim Burton’s Best, If Most Overlooked

“The Pebble and the Penguin” (1995)
This Obscure Don Bluth/Gary Goldman Pick Has a Controversial History, but Is Worth a Watch

“All Dogs Go to Heaven” (1989)
Dogs, Demons, & Some Good Songs, Too

Disney sequels aren’t known for their excellence, although “The Little Mermaid II” has its moments. However, “Simba’s Pride” is really worthwhile. While its predecessor is loosely inspired by “Hamlet,” this one borrows its premise from “Romeo and Juliet” instead. Simba’s daughter and Scar’s would-be-heir are our star-crossed lovers, torn apart by prejudice and suspicion. Honestly, the animation might not be up to scratch, but the songs are great. The opening number “He Lives in You” is taken from “The Lion King” Broadway show. And the film hits its musical peak with “One of Us”, a dramatic chorus number that we think is up there with Disney’s best. You won’t be bored watching this one.

Which underrated animated movie do you think has the best songs? Share your favorites in the comments!