Generations of children have grown up watching Disney's animated movies. With the studio's first feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, being released in 1937, Disney's animated film have been a ground-breaking and influential part of the film industry for decades, with almost 60 feature films released to date.
Disney has created some of the most beloved movies of all time, with classics like Pinocchio, enormous hits like The Lion King and modern masterpieces like Moana. Even with the popularity of the films, though, there are still those overlooked gems, as well as a few whose reputation might be a bit overly generous. Here are our picks for the most underrated and overrated Disney animation movies.
Underrated: Robin Hood
The story of Robin Hood has been told countless times on film and it is the perfect kind of well-known adventure for Disney to adapt. The film casts adorable cartoon animals in the famous roles of Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and Little John. However, the film was not much of a hit and sits at 54% on Rotten Tomatoes.
While some fans might think the adventure aspects are played a little too kid-friendly, the movie is a lot of fun. The characters are charming, there are some thrilling sequences and the villains are memorable. It remains a solid retelling of the classic story.
Overrated: Fantasia
Fantasia was one of Disney's earliest movies, an opportunity for them to explore what could be done with the animation format. The film plays like an opera, with epic music playing over various animated stories. It has been praised as one of Disney's best, with 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
There's no denying that Fantasia is a ground-breaking work of art and should be admired for its ambition, but it is also not the most enjoyable Disney movie. Despite the amazing visuals, the unconventional narrative approach perhaps just isn't as engrossing as Disney's typical adventures.
Underrated: Tangled
Tangled is another example of Disney taking a well-known story and putting their own unique spin on it. It is also the first Disney Princess movie to move from hand-drawn animation to computer animation for the retelling of the Rapunzel story.
While the movie gained favorable reviews, it didn't have the same kind of impact as the other Disney Princess movies. Still, despite the new look, it feels very much like a classic Disney adventure with a charming romance, exciting sequences and a lot of great humor.
Overrated: Ralph Breaks The Internet
Ralph Breaks the Internet marked another major hit for the studio. The sequel to Wreck-it Ralph followed Ralph and Vanellope as they venture onto the World Wide Web.
The movie was praised as a superior film to its predecessor, earning 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. While it is a visually stunning and clever movie at times, the movie is also filled with dated and tired jokes about the Internet setting. The simpler original film remains more enjoyable.
Underrated: The Great Mouse Detective
The Sherlock Holmes mysteries also got the Disney treatment with The Great Mouse Detective. The film follows the adventures of Basil of Baker Street, a confident detective who works to unlock the latest evil plot by his nemesis, Professor Ratigan.
The movie is one of the more forgotten Disney films, coming out right before the so-called Disney renaissance, but it is a great movie to seek out. It boasts a fast, energetic pace and wonderful characters, especially Vincent Price's Ratigan, perhaps the most underrated Disney villain.
Overrated: Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty is one of the first films you think of when considering the classic Disney Princesses. The story follows Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the evil Maleficent and must be saved by a heroic prince.
The movie is considered a classic among the Disney catalog, but it does feel very dated now. It has more than a few dull sections and the princess' characterization is sorely lacking. Having a main character without any agency doesn't make for a very entertaining adventure.
Underrated: The Rescuers Down Under
The Rescuers is a fairly forgettable Disney film from 1977, but the sequel, The Rescuers Down Under is a major improvement on the original. The Australia-set adventure centers on a team of brave mice on a mission to rescue a young boy who has been kidnapped by a poacher.
The movie is all but forgotten by Disney fans, failing to make much of an impact at all. However, in terms of flat-out adventure, it is one of Disney's strongest films and has some genuinely breathtaking sequences.
Overrated: Cinderella
Cinderella is another of those quintessential Disney Princess movies, but is also one that feels less special after all these years. The story focuses on a young girl who is forced to be a servant for her evil stepmother and stepsisters, until she is given one night to live like a princess and meet her Prince Charming.
While there is an undeniable charm to the movie, some folks who revisit it might be surprised just how much time is dedicated to Cinderella's animal friends. Like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella is a pretty inactive character in her own story, which is a disappointment.
Underrated: Hercules
The myth of the heroic Hercules is another well-known story that was ideal for the Disney treatment. The film follows the young Hercules, who tries to prove himself a hero so he can take his rightful place on Mount Olympus.
The movie came out in the midst of the 90s, when Disney was churning out some of its best work. For some reason, Hercules didn't receive the same attention as the bigger films, but it is one of Disney's most entertaining, with great action, memorable songs, and a perfect voice cast.
Overrated: Frozen
Frozen is generally regarded as one of the best modern Disney movies. It is the story of a princess who seeks out her long-lost sister to undo a spell that has been cast on the kingdom. The movie became a phenomenon, thanks largely to the extremely popular song "Let it Go".
While the movie looks beautiful and it has some nice twists on the princess story, there are large chunks of the movie that are very forgettable. It could be argued that the movie seems to peak at the "Let it Go" song and never reaches those heights again.