Disney+: 10 Best Cult Films (According to IMDb)

It goes without saying that Disney+ is a veritable buffet of magical entertainment. Playing host to classic shows old, new, and original, and a sea of films definitely worthy of the Disney moniker, it’s practically impossible not to find something worth binging on the streaming service from the house of mouse.

Casual watchers will instantly go for classics like Aladdin and The Lion King, but die-hard Disney buffs will instantly hook their sights on other, less-known selections. Disney’s variety of cult films contains some of the best and brightest that simply missed the box office numbers. Fortunately, IMDb has a great list to narrow down movies to get fans started.

10 The Rocketeer (6.5)

Remember when Disney tried to make their own Iron-Man movie? Joking aside, The Rocketeer does feel like a strange combination of Marvel and Indiana Jones, not that anyone’s complaining.

When an American test pilot discovers a top-secret jetpack during WWII, he uses his newfound flight powers to do battle with a ring of villains led by an undercover Nazi spy. It’s sad that this only gets a 6.5, but it’s still a daring adventure worth a watch or two.

9 Return to Oz (6.7)

Oz is a lot scarier than one thought, isn’t it? Known by its reputation as one of the scariest Disney films on the record, Return to Oz is not the journey over the rainbow from 1939 fans all remember.

On the contrary, it’s perhaps one of the darkest versions of L. Frank Baum’s work to date, but that’s why fans love it. How many other kids’ fantasy movies feature steampunk soldiers, witches with interchangeable heads, and shock therapy?

8 Tron (6.8)

Tron is without a doubt a movie that’s stuck in the ’80s, but that’s part of the sci-fi epic’s ultimate charm. Yes, the plot is a tad confusing and the CGI effects are dated, but that’s what makes the movie work.

The battle between the programs and the users for the fate of the virtual world might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those looking to sink into an entertaining slice of neon-lit, spandex-covered cheese, this is the perfect movie.

7 A Goofy Movie (6.8)

It might only have a 6.8 rating, but this animated adventure is certainly making a comeback with modern audiences. In this Disneyfied road trip flick, Goofy not only shows some of his best comedic work, but also displays a sense of maturity one would never expect from the lovable klutz.

It’s got some of the best cartoon slapstick ever put to animation, a great soundtrack, and a vibe that’s so stuck in the ’90s it becomes timeless.

6 Flight of the Navigator (6.9)

Flight of the Navigator is an… interesting film, to say the very least. To put it in the simplest of terms, a boy discovers a futuristic alien spaceship voiced by Paul Reubens and the two go on an interstellar trip and uncover the cosmic secrets of the universe.

It’s honestly one of those films one just needs to watch to understand, but any sci-fi fan worth their salt should definitely check this one out.

5 Hocus Pocus (6.9)

Although this film has only recently achieved its peak cult status, it still needs to be mentioned. While some may call this flick a Disney Channel Original Movie with a bigger budget, true fans are absolutely spellbound by the sinister Sanderson Sisters.

It’s one of the first Disney flicks where the villains are the focus, and undoubtedly the best part of the film. And honestly, how is it not a Halloween tradition for every Disney freak?

4 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (6.9)

It might be growing out of its cult film status, but to not count this absolutely magnificent animated masterpiece on this list would be heresy. This is one feature Disney would never ever get away with in today’s social climate, not without a hard PG-13 rating slapped onto it.

The bittersweet tale of Quasimodo might be Disneyfied, but it’s probably the best and most beautiful in the business.

3 Atlantis: The Lost Empire (6.9)

Easily the most underrated animated Disney film in their library, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a sci-fi steampunk odyssey that would make Jules Verne’s jaw hit the floor. What can be said about the animated epic that hasn’t been said already?

From the classic sketchbook-styled animation of a vintage Disney flick to the epic scale and mythological themes that course throughout the production, this film is a smart, stunning, and stimulating adventure no animation fan should miss.

2 Treasure Planet (7.2)

In the magical realms of the Disney fandom, members often fall into two categories on the subject of underrated films. On one side, there’s the previously-mentioned Atlantis. 

On the other, Treasure Planet takes the helm and steers the solar-powered schooner off to a grand adventure inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic pirate adventure. It’s a mixed bag, but not one fans would ever pass up.

1 The Nightmare Before Christmas (8.0)

At last, no Disney cult-film discussion would be complete without the king of them all, though Pumpkin King would be the appropriate term. At one point, Disney was so against Tim Burton’s horror-inspired holiday feature that they distanced their name from it by releasing it through Touchstone.

Now, it’s nearly impossible to not associate Jack Skellington with the house of mouse. What once was their dirty secret is now one of their biggest fan favorites. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

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