Disney films have delighted fans for generations with their fantastical stories and beloved characters. Many of these films are iconic pieces of cinema that are the epitome of what the Disney brand is about. However, many other Disney films are still pushed to the wayside.
These oft-forgotten films are by no means lesser than more well-known movies. Most of them are just as good – if not better – than the stories that get more attention. Though these films may have been overlooked and forgotten for many reasons, they are some fans should rediscover to enjoy Disney at its finest.
10 The Great Mouse Detective
The Great Mouse Detective came out just before the Disney Renaissance. Therefore, it is often overlooked for the gem that it is. Basil of Baker Street acts as the brilliant and maniacal detective who solves crimes with the help of a rather bumbling sidekick physician. Together, Basil and Dr. Dawson work to help a little girl find her father, who the evil Rattigan has taken.
Though this film has some dated elements, the premise, and the villain's song are some of the most compelling. “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” is especially noteworthy as one of Disney’s best villain songs. Plus, the final fight provides excellent tension and thrills before the happy conclusion. Disney fans looking for adventure and mystery should rewatch or check out this Disney classic.
9 James and the Giant Peach
James and the Giant Peach is a part live-action, part claymation film featuring a colorful retelling of Roald Dahl’s beloved book. Though the overall aesthetic tends toward the darker side, it is a magical and harrowing tale of a boy looking for his family and finding one in his companions.
When James makes a wish and eats a magic-infested peach, the peach grows so enormous that James and his newly anthropomorphized friends use it as a vehicle. They escape James's terrible aunts and travel across the ocean to New York City. They face many trials, but through teamwork and quick thinking, the group eventually makes it to New York and becomes the family they have always wanted. James and the Giant Peach is usually forgotten, yet it remains a magical piece of cinema that fans of all ages can enjoy.
8 Chicken Little
Chicken Little came during Disney’s experimental phase. The vastly different animation style alienated fans. However, the story still holds up today as one of the most endearing, if bizarre, in Disney’s canon.
Chicken Little is a take on the old fable by the same name – only this time, aliens come to the town of Oakey Oaks. As with the original, Chicken Little is the first to discover the invasion, but hardly anyone believes him. It is then up to him and his ragtag group of friends to convince the town of the impending conflict. Chicken Little is a delightful movie about outcasts who shine for who they are by the end of the film.
7 The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride
The Lion King is one of the most beloved and celebrated Disney films of all time. Yet, its acclaim does not make its sequel – The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride – any less enjoyable. This second installment follows Simba and Nala's daughter, Kiara, as she enters adulthood. Unfortunately, Simba is not ready to let go of his little girl – with his anxiety skyrocketing even more when a young male lion named Kovu comes along.
This tale highlights the dangers of prejudice and the power of love. Kovu and Kiara are a surprisingly compelling couple who carry the message of freedom and unity throughout the movie. It is also filled with great songs that are not easily forgotten. Those wary of sequels will not be disappointed with this film.
6 Onward
Onward is a Disney/Pixar collaboration from 2020. Because it was released on Disney +, it was overlooked by many Disney fans. However, Onward is a delightful, clever, coming-of-age story set in a modern and fantastical world.
The film focuses on two elven brothers on a quest to bring back their late father for one day. The movie is filled with Dungeons & Dragons references that may have gone over some audiences' heads. But for those in the know, this movie is a delightful play on the game, and a touching family story.
5 Coco
Though Coco received much acclaim when it first came out, it has since fallen out of the public’s eye. This musical movie is a charming and poignant look at death against a brilliantly vibrant background. The animation is stunning – making not only the characters, but the setting come to life as Miguel travels from the land of the living to the land of the dead.
Coco’s story has many twists, keeping its audience on their toes. Plus, the music is so beautiful that fans will want to get up and dance. Coco shines a light on a taboo and often-feared subject and portrays death as an extension of life. It also teaches the importance of music and how one song can have wildly different meanings depending on the listener.
4 A Bug’s Life
A Bug’s Life – though popular in its time – has since fallen by the wayside. Despite being an older Disney film today, it still holds up as a fun, creative, and heartfelt story. The characters are all so distinct and endearing that it is hard not to love this movie.
Though there is some controversy surrounding A Bug’s Life due to its similarity to DreamWorks’s Antz, the Disney/Pixar offering is no less enjoyable. This underdog tale of Flick and the Circus Bugs working together to contend with the villainous Grasshoppers is the perfect movie to share with the whole family.
3 Meet the Robinsons
Meet the Robinsons is a criminally underrated Disney film due to its experimental animation style and offbeat humor. The film follows an orphaned boy named Lewis who loves to invent things. He is then met by a kid from the future who takes Lewis to the future. What follows is a bizarre but touching tale of family and the secret power of failure.
Meet the Robinsons is a heartfelt story and has many laugh-out-loud moments of dry humor and pop culture references that kids may not have understood initially. This movie is assuredly one that fans should check out again – especially if they watched it as children – so they can catch all the humorous and heartbreaking moments this film has to offer.
2 Tarzan
Tarzan is an animated adaptation of a book by Edgar Rice Burroughs about an orphaned human baby who is taken in and raised by gorillas. Tarzan grows up as an outsider in his family but strives to be someone his adopted father, Kerchak, can be proud of. However, Kerchak’s grief at losing his biological child often gets in the way of him fully accepting Tarzan.
Things are complicated further when a group of English researchers arrives in their jungle. Tarzan then struggles to decide where he belongs. This movie is not only underrated due to Phil Collins’s incredible music, but also for its depiction of acceptance and what it means to be a protector. It is a gorgeous and fun movie that deserves more credit for its powerful story.
1 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame has one of the most beautiful scores in Disney history. However, this darker tale, originally by Victor Hugo, was too much for many audiences. Those who enjoyed it, though, were met with a tragic but ever-relevant story about who society’s monsters really are.
Quasimodo was taken in as a baby and given residence in Notre Dame cathedral, where he is employed as the bell ringer. However, he is not allowed to go outside or even leave his chambers. Quasimodo longs to be a part of society and prays that he can someday prove that he is not the monster people believe. This dark tale of acceptance and prejudice is beautiful and heinously underrated.