The 10 Most Underrated Disney Movies, According To Reddit

Disney is the most successful movie studio in the world, and part of the reason why is because it has so few misses. Unfortunately though, even the best movie makers and most beloved movies studios have a bad day at the office from time to time, and Disney is no different.

However, even the few negatively-received or low-grossing movies in the studio’s huge catalog still have their fans. Between some patchy but engrossing sci-fi movies, a couple of middle-of-the-road Pixar flicks, and a trippy comedy about a llama, Redditors have found greatness in this odd group of films.

Dinosaur (2000)

Like Jurassic Park, Dinosaur is full of innovative CGI, which came at a time when digital effects were still in their infancy. However, unlike Jurassic Park, Dinosaur is considered underwhelming in almost every other department of filmmaking.

But WowIdontfeelgood believes the film has “kinda been swept under the rug as far as movie recommendations go.” That’s because, even though the movie is a short 80 minutes, its pacing is so slow that it feels twice the length. It isn’t as exciting as a dinosaur movie should be, and in the 22 years since its release, there have been so many other more interesting films about the reptiles.

Hercules (1997)

When it comes to Disney’s animated movies, Hercules doesn’t get mentioned enough. It might have something to do with the fact that it follows other ’90s movies like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King, and Hercules is fairly low-stakes and inconsequential by comparison.

However, the 1997 movie is still hugely entertaining, and it’s one of Skilliyeng1306’s favorites, who loves it and claims that it “has the best Disney soundtrack of any movie.” And though there are other more popular 90s Disney movies, there’s even a great Disney Hercules animated show based on the film, which is considered better than any of the Lion King sequels.

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

It’s hard to call a movie underrated when it was successful enough to get not just one but several sequels, but 20 years after its release, Lilo & Stitch doesn’t get talked about enough. Prettybbboi is one of the movie’s fans who believe it has been forgotten, even though “it has a good amount of heart, comedy, and adventure.”

The 2002 movie is one of Disney’s most wholesome entries in its entire filmography, as the relationship between a young girl and an alien is surprisingly endearing. It’s one of Disney’s most unique too, as it isn’t based on an existing property or old fable.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

2001’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a fun sci-fi movie about the search for the underwater city, and Furiousherman reckons that it doesn’t get enough love. Along with Treasure Planet, the Redditor calls the movies “underrated gems in every way.”

There’s a lot to love about the 2001 movie, especially as it goes surprisingly in-depth when compared to the other best movies about Atlantis. It’s one of Disney’s best sci-fi flicks, and it has that charming hand-drawn animation that is rarely seen these days, so in that respect, it’s one of the last of its kind.“

The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

The Emperor’s New Groove is one of the trippiest Disney movies ever, and the premise and art direction are equally strange. That’s why it might not have landed as well with general audiences who are more used to Disney princesses, memorable musical numbers, and heartwarming storytelling.

The movie is set in an Incan empire, and it follows an emperor who is transformed into a llama, and PowerBrows argues that the film is “the best-animated movie Disney has ever made.” And though might not be all that popular compared to the studio’s other films, it does have somewhat of a cult following that is constantly growing, and it’d make a great Disney live-action remake.

Brave (2012)

Being a subsidiary of Disney, Pixar is one of the greatest movie studios working today. That isn’t just in terms of animated studios, but any movie studio. The company makes incredibly detailed films that are full of messages that both children and adults can learn from, and Brave is no exception.

Reddit user Schroedingersnewcat theorizes that “Brave got steamrolled by the Frozen bulldozer.” While Frozen was released a year later, they’re both about proud female heroes, and it’s possible that the phenomenal success of the latter could have overshadowed the Pixar film. Either way, Brave deserves way more attention than it gets.

The Rescuers (1977)

User Advance467 is a huge fan of The Rescuers and claims nobody ever talks about the film anymore, even though it has “one of the most captivating Disney stories.” The movie has one of the most imaginative concepts, as it’s about an international mouse organization that helps abduction victims.

As it was released all the way back in 1977, The Rescuers is approaching 55 years of age, and though it doesn’t completely hold up, it’s still a fun animated adventure movie. And even the sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, which came 13 years later, has a lot of merits to it too.

Chicken Little (2005)

Redditor Snoo-68474 believes Chicken Little, a film about a chicken, aliens, and a falling sky, is the most underrated Disney movie. But the Reddit user really is in the minority. While all of Disney’s most underrated movies still have their fanbases, as small as they may be, Chicken Little is the movie that even Disney seems to wish it could forget.

The Reddit user even knows this, as they admit that “I’m the only person I know who loved Chicken Little.” However, for as dismissed as the film generally is, some think that the newly released Don’t Look Up stole Chicken Little’s premise.

Onward (2020)

While toys and cars being sentient is a fantastical premise, Pixar had never made an all-out fantasy movie before. But that finally happened in 2020 with the release of Onward, which is about two elf brothers on a road trip in an attempt to bring their father back to life.

Redditor Misterc33 makes the argument that “the resolution and the message reminded me that sometimes the journey matters more than the destination.” It was one of the most heartwarming and lowkey tear-jerking films that Pixar had released in a while. And though the fantasy movie might not be filled with hilarious references like its clear influencer Shrek, Onward is still full of hidden details.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)

User ShenaniganCow is one of the few to sing the praises of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Redditor makes some good points as to why it should be considered one of Disney’s best releases, with the primary argument being that “Frollo is the king of Disney villains.” The character’s downwards glare is ingrained in every ’90s kid’s memory.

But it isn’t surprising why the 1996 movie doesn’t sit well with most viewers, as the film is easily the darkest that Disney has ever released. Notre Dame is full of dark themes such as genocide, lust, and torture. Not even the musical numbers can keep it from being so dour and depressing.