While everyone knows Liong King, Toy Story, Monster's Inc., and other animated Disney essentials, there are numerous other animated movies on Disney+ that some might have missed out on or forgotten about. Additionally, these are animated movies that should tickle the funny bones and quiver the tear receptors of children and parents alike.
There are a variety of animation styles used in the movies: 2D animation, 3D animation, Stop Motion (Claymation), and even old-school Cel Animation. So, go ahead, kick back, and enjoy some of the best content Disney+ has to offer.
Dinosaur
Disney's 2000 film, Dinosaur, represented a triumph in 3D computer animation. It confirmed and built on the success of Toy Story (1995) and could be considered a stepping stone to the iconic Monster's Inc. (2001).
Although Dinosaur didn't receive the same level of recognition as the two films mentioned above, this action-adventure is still a tremendous watch. The life-like animation of the array of species incorporated in the movie was light years ahead of its time. The action sequences in this movie are intense, barbarous exchanges between some of the most powerful animals who ever lived.
Mars Needs Moms
Mars Needs Moms is another 3D computer-animated film that was released in 2011. Viewers follow Milo, a nine-year-old, who is abducted alongside his mother by an alien race. Milo has one night to find his beloved mother and return to everyday life back on earth.
Equipped with pristine animation and boisterous humor, Mars Needs Moms also ruffles the emotions with its endearing depictions of love between mother and son.
The Three Caballeros
This 1944 cel-animated musical follows the trio of Donald Duck, José "Zé" Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles as they venture through Latin America. At the time of its release, Donald Duck was only ten years old, making his debut appearance in The Wise Little Hen a decade earlier.
Children will enjoy the cartoon's colorfulness, songs, and slapstick humor while parents can bask in how Disney animation has evolved over the last 76 years.
James And The Giant Peach
James and the Giant Peach was released in 1996 and is based on the children's novel written by Roald Dahl in 1961. The claymation film was celebrated by critics, warranting a certified fresh score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie's stop-action, claymation medium gives it a creepy but unforgettable appearance. Watch James as he liberates himself from harsh caretakers and accesses the gaping realms of his imagination.
The Aristocats
The 2D animated film was released in 1970 and follows a family of cats as they traverse through the unfamiliar countryside. Abandoned by the butler of their late owner, cats like Marie, Duchess, and Berlioz have to work together to make the best of their new life.
The Aristocats is adorable, and its focal song, Everybody Wants to Be a Cat, is an iconic tune in Disney's catalog of musical classics. Parents and children are in for a treat with the movie's genre-spanning tunes and delightful kittens. Plus, it's a nice quick watch, clocking in at 89 minutes.
Bolt
Bolt is a 3D computer-animated film released in 2008. The movie follows Bolt, a canine/TV star who doesn't know he is on TV and falsely believes his character's lightning speed superpower is real. Bolt's adventure begins when he is separated from his owner in Hollywood and dropped into the bustling streets of New York City.
Accompanied by a borderline emo cat and a jolly hampster, Bolt tries to reconnect with his beloved owner. Bolt is laced with slapstick fun and hilarious wisecracks. John Travolta voices the protagonist in this much-forgotten movie that earned an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Fox And The Hound
The Fox and The Hound is Disney's twentieth full-length animated movie since its fruition in the early 20th century. Viewers follow the severed relationship between a bloodhound crossbred, Cooper, and his old-friend Tod the Fox.
Copper's owner, a hunter, causes Cooper to end his friendship with Tod because he is now a "huntin' dog." The kids will enjoy the alluring animation and amusing tunes in The Fox and The Hound, while parents can admire Disney's depiction of how social pressures turn friends into adversaries.
Zootopia
Zootopia is an extraordinary 3D animated film released by Disney in 2016. Due to the extensive list of animated movies released in the latter half of the 2010s, audiences may have missed out on this gem that earned a jaw-dropping 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie follows Judy Hopps, the first rabbit hired to the city's police force, and Nick Wilde, a fox and con artist. Together, the unlikely pairing end-up involved in a conspiracy set in a metropolis populated entirely by talking animals. Zootopia is funny and heartwarming as it wrestles with contemporary societal issues.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
The 1996 2D animated musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, follows bell-ringer Quasimodo as he escapes solitary confinement and seeks connection with the outside world. This colorful cinematic experience strikes with zinging humor and potent drama.
Quasimodo is put on a quest to protect Gypsy Esmeralda from her evil admirer, Frollo, who happens to be the bell-ringer's overseer. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the classic 1831 novel by Victor Hugo, and it's fascinating to see how the controversies depicted in the story still ring true today.
The Emperor's New Groove
In this 2000 2D animated film, audiences follow the pompous and spoiled Emperor Kuzco as he falls from grace in the form of a donkey. Kuzco's advisor turns him into a donkey to snatch his power. Kuzco's new appearance renders him as unrecognizable to his friends and citizens, which not only lands him in a significant dilemma but also causes him to reflect on how he treated others while in a position of power.
The Emperor's New Groove is the epitome of Disney's ability to bring the family together through explicit humor that cracks up the kids, as well as elusive 'adult jokes' that hit parents right in the gut.