All everyone seems to be talking about is Disney+. And I have to admit, I was one of the naysayers. I feel somewhat uncomfortable every time I realize just how many properties in popular media Disney owns. I was staunchly against paying them even more money since I just bought an Annual Pass, and I was perfectly content to look at GIFs of Baby Yoda on Tumblr.
Then my best friend got Disney+ and I realized just how much content I loved I could get for less than Netflix. Now, I may or may not be preparing to get a subscription. Let’s ignore the capitalist hellscape we live in for a minute and take a moment to appreciate some of my underrated favorites you can find on Disney+. At least you’ll get your capitalist hellscape money’s worth.
- “Newsies” / “Newsies” (1992)
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If you haven’t seen this classic musical about the newsboys’ strike of 1899, you haven’t truly lived. The movie is pure ’90s fluff starring an adorable, 18-year-old Christian Bale trying his hardest to keep up with professional dancers. The musical was filmed with the original Broadway cast in 2017, and it has a very adorable Jeremy Jordan actually keeping up with professional dancers. You should definitely watch the movie first if you want both, but if you’re only going with one, pick the musical.
- “Three Caballeros”
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You need to check this out if you like Fantasia, the boat ride in EPCOT’s Mexico pavilion or just Donald Duck. This is a fun, trippy musical anthology centering around Mexico and the presents Donald gets from the other two Caballeros. There’s also a TV series from 2017!
- “10 Things I Hate About You”
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Who knew Disney owned this raunchy ’90s version of Taming of the Shrew? This is one of my go-to movies when I want to laugh (and swoon over young Heath Ledger). It’s also the only adaptation of this Shakespeare story that doesn’t feature extreme misogyny…yikes, Shakes. Good thing Patrick Verona drank his Respect Women juice.
- “The Rocketeer”
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Although Disney Jr. just rebooted this as a TV show, no one talks about it enough! Superhero? Check. Hunky actor? Check. Steampunk aesthetic? Check. Jennifer Connelly from Labyrinth? Yep. Punching Nazis? HELL YES. Need I say more?
- “Kim Possible: So the Drama”
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Of course, we all remember the show, but what about the movie? Kim gets a white suit, Ron gets a baby blue tux, Happy Meal toys invade, Shego is the main villain and, of course, there’s a high school dance. Check this out after you’re finished binging the show. And speaking of high school dances…
- “PROM”
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Ha! Bet you thought I was going to talk about High School Musical. Everyone knows that the HSMCU (High School Musical Cinematic Universe) is the best movie franchise of all time. PROM is like the less successful, slightly cringe-y cousin of HSM. But the soundtrack is amazing (seriously, it started my obsession with indie music) and Thomas McDonell is serving “Beck from Victorious” realness.
Note: Apparently this won’t be available until April of 2020. Just in time for prom season!
- “Princess of Thieves”
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Remember when the most recent Robin Hood adaptation was released, and no one paid attention to it? I like to think it was because we were all watching this instead. A spiritual sequel to the better-known Prince of Thieves, watching Keira Knightley kick the Sheriff’s butt moved my little sister to be her for Halloween at the tender age of seven. She eventually just had to tell people she was “Robin Hood’s daughter,” instead of the actual character. Now everyone, go watch this so little girls in the future can be recognized as the mighty Gwyn!
- “Meet the Robinsons”
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This one needs no explanation. When will Disney remake Tomorrowland in the image of the Robinsons? When will I be able to listen to “Little Wonders” without crying? (The answer is never.)
- “Once Upon a Mattress”
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Though the production design and camerawork are at times indecipherable, the music in this comedic retelling of The Princess and the Pea is delightful and catchy. Plus, Matthew Morrison of Glee fame and Zooey Deschanel make an appearance as the secondary love story, and Carol Burnett plays the glitteringly evil mother. (If you don’t know who she is, watch 1982’s Annie. Hannigan, anyone?)
- “The Great Mouse Detective”
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Have you ever wondered what Sherlock Holmes would be like if they were all mice and Sherlock and Moriarty used to date? Look no further! This movie also features the greatest Disney villain song after “Gaston,” the also-eponymous “Ratigan.” For extra fun, take a drink every time someone rolls an “r.”
So, stop taking more time to look for something to watch than it would take to actually watch a movie (we all do it) and check out one of these hidden gems. Some of them are actually genius, many of them are cringe-y fun but all of them will make your day a little bit brighter. Happy Holidays!