The Most Underrated Disney Movie, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the movie you think is the most underrated!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:58

In the glittering world of Disney movies, where classics capture the hearts of generations, there exist hidden gems that often slip under the radar. While blockbuster hits gather widespread acclaim, these lesser-known tales await their moment in the spotlight, deserving of more recognition and love. Here, your opinions bring overlooked Disney narratives to light. By casting your vote, you contribute to a community-driven ranking that not only celebrates these underappreciated masterpieces but also guides new audiences towards experiencing their magic and charm.

What Is the Most Underrated Disney Movie?

1

84
votes
The Emperor's New Groove

Mark Dindal

This movie is often overlooked but has a unique, quirky sense of humor and great voice acting.
The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 animated Disney film that tells the story of a selfish Incan emperor named Kuzco who is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor, Yzma. The film follows Kuzco's journey as he teams up with a kind-hearted peasant named Pacha to regain his human form and reclaim his throne.

Release Date: December 15, 2000

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Runtime: 1h 18m

Director: Mark Dindal

Screenplay: David Reynolds
2

34
votes
The Rescuers

A classic adventure story about two mice on a mission to rescue a kidnapped girl. The animation is beautiful and the characters are endearing.
The Rescuers is a Disney animated film released in 1977. It follows the story of two brave mice, Miss Bianca and Bernard, who work as agents for the international Rescue Aid Society. They embark on a mission to rescue a young orphan girl named Penny, who has been kidnapped by the evil Madame Medusa. This heartwarming adventure takes place in the beautiful and diverse landscapes of the Louisiana bayou.

Release Date: June 22, 1977

Running Time: 78 minutes

Language: English

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family

Music by: Artie Butler
3

11
votes
The Great Mouse Detective

Walt Disney Pictures

Another mouse-centric adventure, this movie has a dark, suspenseful tone and memorable characters.
The Great Mouse Detective is a 1986 Disney animated film that combines elements of mystery, adventure, and comedy. It takes place in a fictional version of London, inhabited by anthropomorphic mice and rats. The story follows Basil of Baker Street, a brilliant detective mouse who sets out to solve the case of a kidnapped toymaker and stop the evil rat Professor Ratigan.

Release Date: July 2, 1986

Running Time: 74 minutes

Directors: Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, David Michener, John Musker

Screenplay: Peter Young, Vance Gerry, Steve Hulett, Ron Clements, John Musker, Burny Mattinson, David Michener

Music Composer: Henry Mancini
4

24
votes
Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Walt Disney Feature Animation

This underrated gem has a unique, steampunk-inspired aesthetic and a thrilling adventure story.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 animated science fiction film by Walt Disney Feature Animation. The movie centers around an eccentric linguist named Milo Thatch as he joins a diverse team of explorers on a mission to locate the lost city of Atlantis. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, this action-packed adventure combines elements of mythology, steampunk aesthetics, and thrilling underwater exploration.

Release Date: June 15, 2001

Running Time: 96 minutes

Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Writers: Tab Murphy, Joss Whedon

Music: James Newton Howard
5

11
votes
Treasure Planet

A sci-fi retelling of the classic Treasure Island story, this movie has stunning visuals and a great cast of characters.
Treasure Planet is an animated Disney film that was released in 2002. It is a science fiction adaptation of the classic novel, Treasure Island, blending together elements of adventure, space exploration, and coming-of-age story. The film takes place in a futuristic world where spaceships sail through the universe instead of ships sailing on the high seas. It follows the journey of Jim Hawkins, a young boy with a thirst for adventure, who embarks on an interstellar quest to find the legendary Treasure Planet, a mythical location filled with untold riches.

Release Date: November 27, 2002

Running Time: 95 minutes

Animation Style: 2D traditional animation blended with computer-generated imagery (CGI)

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Coming-of-age

Target Audience: Family-friendly - suitable for all ages
6

5
votes
Oliver & Company

Walt Disney Feature Animation

A modern retelling of the classic Oliver Twist story, this movie has a great soundtrack and memorable characters.
Oliver & Company is a heartwarming animated musical comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1988. The movie is loosely inspired by Charles Dickens' classic novel Oliver Twist and tells the story of Oliver, an adorable orphaned kitten who joins a gang of street-smart dogs in New York City. Together, they embark on a series of exciting adventures and learn about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of finding a place to belong.

Release Date: November 18, 1988

Directed By: George Scribner

Screenplay By: Jim Cox, Timothy J. Disney, James Mangold

Music By: J.A.C. Redford (score) and Barry Mann, Howard Ashman (songs)

Running Time: 74 minutes
7

13
votes
A Goofy Movie

This movie has a surprisingly poignant story about the relationship between a father and son, as well as some catchy songs.
A Goofy Movie is a 1995 animated musical comedy film that follows the misadventures of Goofy and his son, Max, as they embark on a cross-country road trip. The movie explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery, as Max tries to navigate his teenage years and assert his independence while dealing with his father's entertaining but sometimes embarrassing antics.

Release Date: April 7, 1995

Running Time: 78 minutes

Production Company: Walt Disney Television Animation

Music by: Carter Burwell and Don Davis

Language: English
8

11
votes
Walt Disney Productions · Public domain

The Black Cauldron

This dark, fantasy adventure movie was ahead of its time and has a cult following. It has a unique, eerie tone and memorable characters.
The Black Cauldron is a 1985 animated fantasy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Productions. The movie is based on the first two books in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series. Set in the mythical land of Prydain, the story follows a young pig keeper named Taran, who embarks on a quest to prevent the evil Horned King from obtaining the Black Cauldron, a powerful artifact capable of raising an undead army.

Release Date: July 24, 1985

Running Time: 80 minutes

Box Office: $21.3 million

Animation Studio: Walt Disney Feature Animation

Music Composed by: Elmer Bernstein
9

8
votes
Rundvald · Public domain

Brother Bear

This movie has a beautiful setting and a heartwarming story about friendship and redemption. It also features great voice acting and music.
Brother Bear is an animated film released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2003. The movie tells the heartwarming story of a young Inuit boy named Kenai who, after tragically losing his brother, embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery and learns valuable lessons about empathy and brotherhood. Along the way, Kenai is magically transformed into a bear and forms an unlikely friendship with a talkative bear cub named Koda. Together, they navigate through the picturesque landscapes of the Pacific Northwest to overcome challenges and unravel the mysteries of their intertwined destinies.

Release Date: November 1, 2003

Genre: Animated, Adventure, Family

Running Time: 85 minutes

Music by: Phil Collins

Box Office: $250 million
10

8
votes
Dinosaur

This movie is often forgotten but has some of the most impressive animation of its time, seamlessly blending CGI dinosaurs with real-life backgrounds. It also has a unique, survival-adventure story.
Dinosaur is an exciting and thrilling dark ride located in the DinoLand U.S.A. area of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. It takes guests on a time-travel adventure to the late Cretaceous period, where they dodge meteors and encounter lifelike animatronic dinosaurs.

Type: Dark ride

Duration: Approximately 3 minutes

Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller

Vehicle Type: Time rover

Capacity: Up to 4 guests per vehicle

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Ranking factors for underrated movie

Critical reception

Consider how well the movie was received by critics, both when it was released and in retrospect. Was it praised for its storytelling, animation, or music?
Box office performance

How did the movie perform at the box office? Did it recoup its budget, or was it considered a box office flop?
Cultural impact

Look at the movie's impact on popular culture. Did it inspire merchandise, theme park attractions, or spin-off media?
Fan response

Consider the movie's fanbase. Does it have a dedicated following of fans who appreciate the movie's themes, characters, or music?
Timelessness

How well does the movie hold up over time? Is it still entertaining and enjoyable to watch today, or does it feel dated?
Legacy

What has the movie's impact been on Disney and animation as a whole? Does it have an enduring legacy that has influenced filmmakers and audiences alike?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most underrated Disney movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1387 views
206 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most underrated disney movie

When we think of Disney movies, classics like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin often come to mind. However, there are many Disney movies that are just as deserving of recognition and praise, yet often go unnoticed. These underrated Disney movies may not have received the same level of attention as their more popular counterparts, but they still have a special place in the hearts of many Disney fans. From lesser-known animated gems like The Great Mouse Detective and The Rescuers, to live-action favorites like The Parent Trap and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, there are plenty of underrated Disney movies to discover and enjoy. So, what is the most underrated Disney movie? Let's take a closer look at some of the contenders and find out!