It would be hard to find anyone alive who hasn’t heard of (and most likely loved) Disney movies. It’s a giant of the film industry, and with Disney+ now dominating the streaming market, it’s really easy to see Disney movies that have been lost to time and obscurity. Therefore, my humble offering for this week is a list of Disney movies that I (personally) feel are underrated.
–Atlantis: The Lost Empire: One of my all-time favorites, this is one of Disney’s first ventures into the sci-fi genre. It follows Milo Thatch, a linguist who joins an expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis. An action-adventure movie without songs and with several badass action sequences, this movie has stunning visuals, intriguing characters and an all-star voice cast. It’s definitely worth the watch in my book.
–Brother Bear: I watched this one a lot in my childhood, and it honestly holds up. It’s the story of Kenai, a man who gets transformed into a bear and has to travel across Alaska to get changed back. The whole soundtrack was written by Phil Collins (do with that what you will), but the scenery of the movie is absolutely gorgeous, and the message isn’t too shabby either. It’s a good movie if you’re looking for atmosphere.
–Robin Hood: This is a family favorite and the Disney movie I have definitely watched the most; it’s just the classic story of Robin Hood, but with cute little animals as the main players. It’s got some really sweet moments and some very ear-wormy songs, and it just has an overall nostalgic feel that makes it a great feel-good movie.
–Black Cauldron: One of Disney’s most easily-forgotten movies, it follows Taran, a farmhand who goes on an epic adventure to stop the evil Horned King from raising an army of the dead. It’s hailed as one of Disney’s darker works, and it has elements that are reminiscent of both the Lord of the Rings trilogy and a D&D campaign. It’s certainly an interesting one to watch.
–Treasure Planet: This is a dear friend of mine’s favorite animated movie, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the classic story of Treasure Island, but set in space and absolutely dripping with sci-fi atmosphere and technology. It has a masterful blend of 3D and 2D animation that sets it apart from other similar films. It’s a visual masterpiece with a wonderful story, so definitely check it out if you can!
–The Rescuers: Another one of Disney’s easily-forgotten classics, the rescuers is the story of two mice named Bernard and Miss Bianca who go on a perilous journey to help save a little girl named Penny. It’s steeped in the old Disney vibes, and the story isn’t too shabby either. It’s a nice easy classic to watch if you’re looking for something nostalgic.
–Oliver and Company: Disney has a thing for rewriting old classics. A reimagining of Oliver and Company, this follows a kitten named Oliver who is taken in by a gang of street dogs. It’s full of songs by Billy Joel and is unapologetically 80’s. It’s a fun romp through animated New York City and almost guarantees a fun time.
Happy Watching!