The 24 Most Underrated Disney Movies of All Time

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underrated disney movies

The Walt Disney Company has produced and released several different animated classics, live-action films, and other movies perfect for all ages. However, with so many Disney movies, it can be easy to forget about some of them. We all easily remember the popular films such as Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin, but what about the other classic films?

There’s A Goofy Movies, The Aristocats, The Jungle Book, Hercules, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and so many others that I consider highly underrated. I put together a list of some of Disney’s most underrated and easily forgotten about films that I feel as though deserve more recognition.

Here’s a list of 24 commonly overlooked Disney movies, in no particular order.

The Aristocats 

disney animated classics
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney film reads:

When a retired opera singer leaves her inheritance to her cat, Duchess (Eva Gabor), and three kittens, the woman’s butler drugs the cats and abandons them in the countryside in order to inherit the fortune himself. Lost in unfamiliar territory, Duchess and the kittens meet Thomas O’Malley (Phil Harris), an alley cat willing to help them return to their home in Paris. They meet several kooky characters along the way, including two English geese and an alley cat jazz band.
The Aristocats is currently streaming on Disney+.

Brother Bear

Brother Bear
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney movie reads:

Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix) is a young Indian brave with a particular distaste for bears. When his brother Sitka (D.B. Sweeney) is killed by one, Kenai in turn kills the bear, only to be magically transformed into one himself. To make matters worse, his other brother Denahi (Jason Raize) vows to kill the bear Kenai has become. Kenai’s only hope is a magical mountain where he believes he can be changed back to a human, and he enlists a real bear cub, Koda, to get him there.

Brother Bear is currently streaming on Disney+.

Treasure Planet

Treasure Planet
Credit: Disney

The official description of this underrated Disney film reads:

The legendary “loot of a thousand worlds” inspires an intergalactic treasure hunt when 15-year-old Jim Hawkins stumbles upon a map to the greatest pirate trove in the universe in Walt Disney Pictures’ thrilling animated space adventure, “Treasure Planet.” Based on one of the greatest adventure stories ever told – Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” – this film follows Jim’s fantastic journey across a parallel universe as a cabin boy aboard a glittering space galleon.

Treasure Planet is currently streaming on Disney+.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney film reads:

An animated Disney adventure follows disfigured Quasimodo (Tom Hulce), the bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, who bides his time locked away in a tower. With only gargoyles to keep him company, Quasimodo longs to be with other people, leading to his chance encounter with the enchanting Gypsy Esmeralda (Demi Moore). When the beautiful young woman catches the attention of Quasimodo’s guardian, sinister Frollo (Tony Jay), Quasimodo must help to keep her out of his clutches.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame and its sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Drame 2, are both currently streaming on Disney+.

Emperor’s New Groove

emperors new groove
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney film reads:

Arrogant young Emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor — the devious diva Yzma. Stranded in the jungle, Kuzco’s only chance to get back home and reclaim the high life rests with a good-hearted peasant named Pacha. Together, they must return Kuzco to the throne before Yzma tracks them down and finishes him off.

Emperor’s New Groove is currently streaming on Disney+.

A Goofy Movie

a goofy movie max and goofy
Credit: Disney

The official description of this underrated Disney movie reads:

Though Goofy always means well, his amiable cluelessness and klutzy pratfalls regularly embarrass his awkward adolescent son, Max. When Max’s lighthearted prank on his high-school principal finally gets his longtime crush, Roxanne, to notice him, he asks her on a date. Max’s trouble at school convinces Goofy that he and the boy need to bond over a cross-country fishing trip like the one he took with his dad when he was Max’s age, which throws a kink in his son’s plans to impress Roxanne.
A Goofy Movie is currently streaming on Disney+.

The Great Mouse Detective

great mouse detective
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney movie reads:

Basil embarks on the greatest case of his career when London’s master toymaker is kidnapped. He ends up pitting his wits against his old adversary, Professor Ratigan, who wants to become `supreme ruler of all mousedom’.

The Great Mouse Detective is currently streaming on Disney+.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney film reads:

Down-on-his-luck private eye Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) gets hired by cartoon producer R.K. Maroon (Alan Tilvern) to investigate an adultery scandal involving Jessica Rabbit (Kathleen Turner), the sultry wife of Maroon’s biggest star, Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer). But when Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye), Jessica’s alleged paramour and the owner of Toontown, is found murdered, the villainous Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) vows to catch and destroy Roger.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is currently streaming on Disney+.

The Brave Little Toaster

brave little toaster
Credit: Disney

The official description of this movie reads:

In this animated film, five sentient household appliances — Toaster, Blanky, Radio, Lampy and a vacuum cleaner named Kirby — living in an abandoned cabin have grown lonely. Longing to reunite with their owner, a young man named Rob, the appliances set off on a harrowing trek through the wilderness, surviving as best they can despite limited sources of electricity. Worse yet, when they arrive in the big city they discover they may no longer be useful because of new, modern appliances.
The Brave Little Toaster is currently streaming on Disney+.

The Jungle Book

jungle book 1967
Credit: Disney

The official description of this underrated Disney film reads:

In this classic Walt Disney animation based on Rudyard Kipling’s book, Mowgli, an abandoned child raised by wolves, has his peaceful existence threatened by the return of the man-eating tiger Shere Khan (George Sanders). Facing certain death, Mowgli must overcome his reluctance to leave his wolf family and return to the “man village.” But he is not alone on his quest: Aided by Bagheera the panther, and later by the carefree bear Balloo (Phil Harris), he braves the jungle’s many perils.

The Jungle Book is currently streaming on Disney+.

James and the Giant Peach

james and the giant peach
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

Featuring stop-motion animation and live action, this inventive adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s tale follows the adventures of James (Paul Terry), an orphaned young British boy. Forced to live with his cruel aunts (Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes), James finds a way out of his bleak existence when he discovers an enormous enchanted peach. After rolling into the sea inside the buoyant fruit, James, accompanied by a crew of friendly talking insects, sets sail for New York City.
James and the Giant Peach is currently streaming on Disney+.

A Bug’s Life

A Bug's Life
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney film reads:

Flik (Dave Foley) is an inventive ant who’s always messing things up for his colony. His latest mishap was destroying the food stores that were supposed to be used to pay off grasshopper Hopper (Kevin Spacey). Now the strong-arming insect is demanding that the ants gather double the food — or face annihilation. To avert disaster, Flik goes on a journey to recruit fighters to defend the colony. When he meets a band of high-flying circus insects, he thinks he’s found his salvation.
A Bug’s Life is currently streaming on Disney+.

Tarzan

Tarzan 1
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

In this Disney animated tale, the orphaned Tarzan (Tony Goldwyn) grows up in the remote African wilderness, raised by the gentle gorilla Kala (Glenn Close). When a British expedition enters the jungle, Tarzan encounters the beautiful Jane (Minnie Driver) and recognizes that, like her, he’s human. Falling in love with Jane, Tarzan is torn between embracing civilization and staying with his gorilla family, which becomes threatened by the ruthless hunter Clayton (Brian Blessed).

Tarzan is currently streaming on Disney+.

Robin Hood

robin hood
Credit: Disney

The official description of this Disney movie reads:

An amiable rooster called Alan-a-Dale (Roger Miller) tells stories and sings songs of the heroic Robin Hood (Brian Bedford) and his trusty sidekick, Little John (Phil Harris), in this animated animal-themed adaptation of the legendary story. When evil Prince John (Peter Ustinov) deputizes the Sheriff of Nottingham (Pat Buttram) to collect unreasonable taxes from the animals of Sherwood Forest, Robin, Little John and the other merry men wage a lighthearted battle against their evil foes.

Robin Hood is currently streaming on Disney+.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

atlantis
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

An inexperienced young adventurer becomes the key to unraveling an ancient mystery when he joins up with a group of daredevil explorers to find the legendary lost empire of Atlantis. A naive-but-determined museum cartographer Milo Thatch (Michael J. Fox), dreams of completing the quest begun by his late grandfather, a famous explorer. When a journal surfaces, an eccentric billionaire funds an expedition and the action shifts to high gear.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is currently streaming on Disney+.

The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

Hardworking and ambitious, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) dreams of one day opening the finest restaurant in New Orleans. Her dream takes a slight detour when she meets Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), who has been turned into an amphibian by evil Dr. Facilier. Mistaking her for a princess and hoping to break the spell, Naveen plants a kiss on poor Tiana — thereby turning her into a frog as well. The pair hop along on an adventure through the bayous to seek the help of a powerful voodoo priestess.

The Princess and the Frog is currently streaming on Disney+.

Meet the Robinsons

meet the robinsons
Credit: Disney

The official description of this underrated Disney film reads:

Boy genius Lewis gives up hope of retrieving his latest invention, which was stolen by Bowler Hat Guy, then a young time-traveler named Wilbur Robinson arrives on the scene to whisk Lewis away in his time machine. The boys spend a day in the future with Wilbur’s eccentric family and uncover an amazing secret at the same time.

Meet the Robinsons is currently streaming on Disney+.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

This is the Disney animated tale of the romance between a young American Indian woman named Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) and Capt. John Smith (Mel Gibson), who journeyed to the New World with other settlers to begin fresh lives. Her powerful father, Chief Powhatan, disapproves of their relationship and wants her to marry a native warrior. Meanwhile, Smith’s fellow Englishmen hope to rob the Native Americans of their gold. Can Pocahontas’ love for Smith save the day?

Pocahontas is currently streaming on Disney+.

Mulan

mulan mushu header mulan in animal crossing
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

Fearful that her ailing father will be drafted into the Chinese military, Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) takes his spot — though, as a girl living under a patriarchal regime, she is technically unqualified to serve. She cleverly impersonates a man and goes off to train with fellow recruits. Accompanied by her dragon, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), she uses her smarts to help ward off a Hun invasion, falling in love with a dashing captain along the way.

Mulan, as well as the sequel, Mulan II, and the new live-action Mulan, are all currently streaming on Disney+.

The Lion King 1 1/2

lion king 1 1/2
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

This retelling of “The Lion King” is conveyed from the perspective of meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and warthog Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) and shows how the pair became friends. When Timon leaves his colony because he doesn’t fit in, he meets the lonely Pumbaa. Together Timon and Pumbaa search for a new home, having adventures along the way and eventually meeting up with lion prince Simba (Matthew Broderick), who is in exile from his home and must challenge the evil Scar for the title of Lion King.
The Lion King 1 1/2 is currently streaming on Disney+.

Oliver and Company

oliver and company
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

In this animated update of the classic “Oliver Twist” tale, Oliver (Joey Lawrence) is an orphaned kitten taken in by a gang of thieving dogs, led by cavalier canine Dodger (Billy Joel) and owned by down-and-out pickpocket Fagin (Dom DeLuise). While pulling a job in the streets of New York City, Oliver winds up being adopted by a rich girl, Jenny (Natalie Gregory), and landing on easy street. But through a series of events, a loan shark threatens the peaceful new arrangement.

Oliver and Company is currently streaming on Disney+.

The Rescuers Down Under

rescuers down under
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

Cody (Adam Ryen), a boy living in the Australian outback, frees a rare golden eagle from a trap. When an evil poacher (George C. Scott) kidnaps Cody to catch the eagle, a group of local animals contacts the Rescue Aid Society in New York City, who assign their top mice, Bernard (Bob Newhart) and Bianca (Eva Gabor), to the case. To save Cody and the eagle, the agents fly to Australia on a clumsy albatross (John Candy) and enlist the help of an adventurous kangaroo rat (Tristan Rogers).

The Rescuers Down Under is currently streaming on Disney+.

Hercules

Hercules
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

Disney tackles Greek mythology in this animated feature. Hercules (Tate Donovan), a son of gods, was snatched as a baby by Hades (James Woods) and forced to live among mortals as a half-man, half-god. Now a teenager, Hercules needs to perform a rite of passage on Earth to prove himself worthy of living with the gods on Mount Olympus. With his plucky satyr sidekick, Philoctetes (Danny DeVito), along for the ride, Hercules must learn how to use his strength to defeat a series of evil creatures.

Hercules is currently streaming on Disney+.

Big Hero 6

big hero 6
Credit: Disney

The official description reads:

Robotics prodigy Hiro (Ryan Potter) lives in the city of San Fransokyo. Next to his older brother, Tadashi, Hiro’s closest companion is Baymax (Scott Adsit), a robot whose sole purpose is to take care of people. When a devastating turn of events throws Hiro into the middle of a dangerous plot, he transforms Baymax and his other friends, Go Go Tamago (Jamie Chung), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.), Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez) and Fred (T.J. Miller) into a band of high-tech heroes.

Big Hero 6 is currently streaming on Disney+.

disney plus
Credit: Disney

How You Can Watch Underrated Disney Movies

As we previously mentioned, all 24 of these Disney movies are currently streaming on Disney+. If you are not yet signed up for Disney’s streaming service, you can get started here.

These films can also be found on Amazon Video for an additional cost (the cost of these films may vary).

What is your favorite underrated Disney movie? Let us know in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: The opinions reflected in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Inside the Magic overall.

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