Top 20 Underrated Animated Disney Films

In this western three cows, Maggie, Mrs. Calloway and Grace set out on an adventure to save their farm. This movie doesn’t have the highest critical acclaim but that doesn't mean it doesn’t have its positives. For one thing, it clocks in with a runtime of 76 minutes but more importantly it’s a light, fun look at the Old West but from the viewpoints of cows. Not everything needs to be a masterful epic. Plus, it has the wonderful Judi Dench. Sometimes being able to watch something that’s entertaining is the right call.

As an unlikely pair, Lilo and Stitch form a very close bond as the film is a good illustration of the power of family even if there’s no blood relation. Lilo is an orphan who’s raised by her older sister, Nani. Their relationship is an important element of the film as, at least for the time, focusing on the dynamic between sisters wasn’t commonly seen. The film was well received when it was first released as it was found to be charming and funny. Plus, if you’re an Elvis fan you’ve a number of his songs you enjoy throughout.

Although not well received when initially released, but it's since become something of a cult classic. The film focuses on the relationship between Goofy and his son Max, who fears that he will become just like his dad. The two go on a road trip, as Goofy wants to bond with his son but Max is trying to get to Los Angeles for a Powerline concert to impress his love interest, Roxanne. What stands out in this movie is the portrayal of generational differences between Goofy and Max and how they’re able to reconcile. Oh, and it has a killer soundtrack.

Ralph is a villain of the fictional game “Fix-It Felix, Jr.”, but knows, deep down, he’s a hero. He sets out on a mission to prove his worth to all the other video game characters. Speaking of video games, part of what makes this movie so fun is the tons of cameos from many classic video game characters. It’s a really solid story with excellent visuals that has a nice balance of an old school feel with a heartwarming story. It touches on themes of identity and Ralph showing that he’s not just a villain.

While “DuckTales” is a popular and well known TV show, did you know there was a movie based on the original series? Scrooge McDuck, along with Huey, Dewey and Louie, go after the lost treasure of Collie Baba leading them on a wacky adventure. Critics noted the high quality of the animation, the cleverness of the script and its appeal for the whole family. For a while the movie was difficult to find because of its limited release on physical media but now it’s available on Disney+ and is definitely worth checking out.

This movie had a troubled production and the finished product is nothing like the original idea. Luckily for us, it all worked out in the end as this is a really funny and standout movie. The story centers around Emperor Kuzco, who’s been accidentally transformed into a llama by the usurper, Yzma. While it didn’t perform amazingly at the boxoffice when first released, that hasn’t stopped people from adoring this film in the years since. Fans, in particular, have praised the voice work of Eartha Kitt, David Spade and Patrick Warburton.

A young fox meets a young hound, and the two become best friends. The dynamics of their relationship change as they grow up and the hound, Copper, has been raised to assist his owner on fox hunts. Tod, the fox, is shocked by the development as he thought their friendship would last forever. Raising questions about prejudice, the movie features emotionally powerful scenes where you might have to wipe a tear or two from your eye. It’s a turning point for Disney as a number of animators would leave during production, ushering a new generation of talent at the company.

Not as popular as “Frozen” and “Tangled” but without “Bolt”, we may not have gotten those films as it’s been credited with sparking a new wave at Disney Animation. The titular dog works as an actor on a popular television series with his owner, Penny. After a cliffhanger episode where Penny is captured, Bolt believes he sets out to rescue, believing he has superpowers. Critics noted that everything about the movie is a considerable step up from Disney’s recent offerings in the animation space.

The good news is that this movie has a run time of 63 minutes, so it doesn’t require a huge time commitment. It’s also traditionally animated, which makes it stand out in a world of CG animation. Pooh and the other residents of Hundred Acre Wood believe that Christopher Robin has been captured by a creature known as the Backson and they set out to rescue him. Full of charm, whimsy and a touch of nostalgia “Winnie the Pooh” received a positive reception from critics, but it didn’t connect with audiences as well.

One of Disney’s most complex and epic animated features, this movie deals with a number of dark and mature themes. Don’t let that scare you away from enjoying it. It has fantastic musical numbers and strong characters. Quasimodo, the bell ringer of Notre Dame, seeks acceptance from society as he’s been sheltered in the cathedral for most of his life due to his appearance. He forms a kinship with Esmeralda, who, similarly, faces persecution due to her being Romani. They hope to see a positive change in attitudes from their peers unlike Judge Frollo who’d rather have those he deems undesirable eliminated.

The fifth highest grossing movie of 2000 and that year’s most financially successful animated feature; upon release, “Dinosaur” was praised for its pioneering visuals of a prehistoric setting. However, in other aspects, the film fared indifferently with critics. Its writing failed to ‘wow’ as much as the aesthetics. Despite that, “Dinosaur” should surely be better remembered! This post-meteor imagining of Earth was an animation game-changer; the CGI/real world blend breathed new life into the genre, and the opening scene still ranks as one of Disney’s best!

A film noted for being the last feature approved by Walt Disney himself before the animator’s death in 1966, “The Aristocats” is more than just a pleasing play on words! With Eva Gabor taking the leading role as Duchess, the film follows a family of upper class felines as they seek to evade Edgar, the greedy butler. Set in Paris, there’s a certain je ne sais quoi about this film and its characters. Consistently overshadowed by “101 Dalmatians” as Disney’s ‘domesticated classic’, these cats deserve their cream, and we’re gonna give it to them!

A spiritual saunter through rural USA, “Brother Bear” was originally conceived as a North American version of “The Lion King”. A tough act to follow, the film also struggled to stand out against “Finding Nemo”, the Pixar effort released in the same year! A heartwarming tale in its own right, however, “Brother Bear” brightens up the Disney formula like few other films. Kenai’s story is a life lesson for all little kids (and some big kids too!), while Koda is just cuter than cute!

A modern take on various traditional tales, “The Princess and the Frog” was on the receiving end of three Oscar nominations… However, it’s another example of an excellent movie denied the limelight by Pixar, who released “Up” in 2009 as well! Nevertheless, critics rank “The Princess and the Frog” as a turning point in Disney’s history, as it ushered in a so-called ‘Neo-Renaissance’, at the start of the 2010s! It saw the studio return to traditional animation, and kick-started a string of high-profile, highly acclaimed animated movies! Not to mention it was the flick that introduced Disney’s first African-American Princess, and boy did she make an impact!

A story that zaps all over the space/time continuum, our next movie is snappy, surreal and a timely break from typically Disney storytelling strategies! It’s the first Disney film released following a Disney/Pixar merger which placed John Lasseter as chief creative officer, and his eye for comedic detail is clear throughout! “Meet the Robinsons” is a potentially tragic orphan story turned into an inspiring, uplifting tale… Its cast of original characters well and truly shook up the Disney status quo!

The original ideas for “Treasure Planet” were actually pitched alongside those for “The Little Mermaid” – the movie credited by most as beginning Disney’s late-‘80s revival! However, “Treasure Planet” was put on hold for over ten years, and when it was released, it received an undeservedly modest response… A futuristic rethink of Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless pirate legend, it features Jim as the rebel hero well worth rooting for, a gaggle of memorable side-characters, and Silver as the bad guy with a big heart! Shiver me timbers(!), it should be a classic!

Another animation centered on an ambitious voyage to a legendary place, “Atlantis” has become a cult favorite among Disney fans. The story of Milo Thatch and his deciphering of the Shepherd’s Journal and journey to Atlantis is an action-adventure tale the likes of which live-action cinema had been aching to accomplish for years. However, “Atlantis” was the first foray into science-fiction that Disney ever made! A movie perhaps best remembered for the comic book style of Mike Mignola, it was deliciously fresh, and fantastically dynamic!

The second film to feature within Disney’s late-‘80s-early-‘90s Renaissance, “The Rescuers Down Under” is continually ranked under the other films of that period… “The Little Mermaid” smashed expectations, while titles like “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” only further established the newly rejuvenated brand. But this movie, much like the original “Rescuers”, failed to fill theaters in quite the same way. Some parts, though, have always been held in the highest regard – particularly the flight scene. A kid clinging to an eagle flying through Australian skies… It’s animated awesomeness!

We continue with the rodent-y theme for our runner-up, and a Sherlock Holmes adaptation unlike any other! Released in 1986, “The Great Mouse Detective” saw Victorian England awash with talking rats and mice. The film was more important to Disney than its reputation would suggest, though… It came at a time when faith in the brand was waning, but after relative success, it encouraged producers and management to back future projects, setting the stage for the massively successful movies that followed! It’s more than ‘elementary’; it’s ‘excellent’!

When it was released in 1985, “The Black Cauldron” proved to be a box office bomb! The film suffered a box-office loss, and severely split the critics, with most dubbing it as too dark, too spooky, and too slow… Over time, however, “The Black Cauldron” has finally built up a fan base! Dungeons, dragons, swords and woodland battles have made quite the comeback in 21st century pop culture… And this movie has it all! It’s set in the dark ages, and was released during Disney’s own dark period… But today, the Horned King takes the limelight!