Menu

Most Underrated Disney Movies

Most Underrated Disney movies
All Images Credit Disney

In its 100 years of existence, Disney has produced hundreds of movies, and so many of them have become a core part of our childhood. Films like Cinderella, Bambi, The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Encanto, Frozen, and so many more. Disney is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to memorable movies. As with every film studio, not all Disney movies are a hit, and not all of them create some of our core memories. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not good.

The Little Mermaid

Credit: Disney

Here are some seriously underrated Disney movies.

Meet the Robinsons

In today’s world, we are taught that success is everything. However, it is through failure that we learn. Inventor Thomas Edison is famous for saying, “I never once failed at making a light bulb. I just found out 99 ways not to make one.” That is exactly the message that the Disney film Meet the Robinsons sends viewers. Young Lewis is a boy who wants to change the world with his inventions. However, whenever his invention doesn’t function as he meant it to, he feels like he is a failure and wants to give up. Then he travels to the future and meets the Robinson family, and he learns that failure should not be condemned; it should be celebrated.

Meet the Robinsons

Credit: Disney

The Great Mouse Detective

Since I was a young kid, I’ve always loved a good mystery. I started out with the classic Nancy Drew novels, and then developed a love for writers like Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I loved seeing if I could solve the mystery before the conclusion of the book (of course, most of the time, I couldn’t). So, it’s no surprise that The Great Mouse Detective is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies. However, it is a very underrated film by Disney standards.

The Great Mouse Detective

Credit: Disney

Basil of Baker Street isn’t always likable, but he always does what is right. Professor Ratigan is one of the most underrated Disney villains, and Fidget is a great sidekick. This Disney film does get a little scary, but that’s not unusual for a Disney movie. If you haven’t seen The Great Mouse Detective, then you need to add it to your list.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Disney’s 1996 film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, took the classic Victor Hugo novel and gave it a Disney twist. There were incredible songs — including what may be one of Disney’s best, “Out There” — a love story, and, of course, a dark villain. Perhaps one of Disney’s darkest villains — Judge Claude Frollo. I mean, how creepy is it when he sings “Hellfire”?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Credit: Disney

This film is incredibly dark, but also one that has the comedic relief of three talking gargoyles. Also, Clopin is a great narrator, and the way he sings “Bells of Notre Dame” is unmatched. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a seriously underappreciated movie, so definitely add it to your watch list if you haven’t seen it!

The Emperor’s New Groove

Emperor Kuzco may be one of the most unlikable characters to ever be the focus of a Disney movie. He is loud, rude, self-centered, and a terrible ruler. However, Yzma has a plan for him and hilariously turns him into a llama. Kuzco must team up with local resident Pacha, who helps him learn that money and power aren’t everything.

The Emperor's New Groove

Credit: Disney

Everything about this animated movie is great. The humor is perfect for adults and kids. Yzma is a villain, but you like her anyway. Kronk is an incredible sidekick who also loves to cook spinach puffs and speak Squirrel.  The Emperor’s New Groove never really got the praise and attention it deserved. However, you’ll sometimes see merch themed around the movie, so the love is definitely there!

Tarzan

I’ll be honest, I really like Tarzan, but it isn’t at the top of my list of favorite Disney movies. The biggest reason this 1999 animated movie is on the list is because of Phil Collins. Phil Collins didn’t have to go that hard for Tarzan, but he went that hard for Tarzan. There isn’t one song in this movie that is not fantastic. Not one song that you don’t want to sing along to.

Tarzan

Credit: Disney

Tarzan and Jane were great, but my favorite characters are Professor Archimedes Q. Porter — Jane’s father — and Tantor –Tarzan’s extra-cautious elephant friend. The story is one we’ve heard before, but Disney did it in a really nice way. Plus, who didn’t cry as they listened to “You’ll Be In My Heart”?

The Rescuers

The Rescuers is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies. The film tells the story of two little mice — Bernard and Miss Bianca — who must head to the bayou to rescue a young girl named Penny. While the movie doesn’t have the music and flare of some other classic Disney animated movies, it tells a great story. Bob Newhard and Eva Gabor were perfect as Bernard and Bianca. Plus, Madame Medusa is an incredible Disney villain with her two alligator sidekicks, Brutus and Nero.

The Rescuers

Credit: Disney

The Three Musketeers

What do Keifer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Chris O’Donnell, and Oliver Platt have in common? Well, if you were a Disney fan in the early 90s, then you know that they were the legendary Three (technically four) Musketeers. That’s right. In 1993, Disney released a live-action retelling of the famous tale. Sutherland portrayed Athos, Platt played Porthos, and Sheen was Aramis. A young O’Donnell played D’Artagnan, who was willing to do whatever it takes to become a Musketeer.

The Three Musketeers

Credit: Disney

This film had a lot of drama, and great fight scenes, but also flawlessly delivered one-liners. Add in Tim Curry as Cardinal Richelieu and you have a must-see on your hands. Oh, and make sure you watch the credits because the finale song is perfection. In quintessential 90s fashion, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, and Sting teamed up on the song, which is still fantastic today.

Well, there you have it. Some of Disney’s most underrated movies. What Disney movies do you think don’t get the respect they deserve?

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s and may not reflect the sentiments of Disney Fanatic as a whole.

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.