More and more, Disney+ is adding new movies to its already impressive catalog, which means some films that have gone overlooked can now be streamed. Many of those movies are from the '90s, which was famously a legendary time for Disney as they released some of their most iconic films.
While those are well known, the streaming service is indeed now home to hidden gems from the decade. Some are remakes of classics, others are smaller budget flicks, and some don't come from Disney at all but are still available on the platform. All are worth checking out if you haven't yet.
Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991)
Based on a memoir titled A Girl and Five Brave Horses, this Disney movie tells the true story of Sonora Webster Carver. She was known for riding diving horses and the film focused on that, telling an emotional story that was a hit with critics.
Although it came out in Disney's successful early '90s era, their hits mostly came from the animated side of things. That made this film fly under the radar and disappoint at the box office. That said, the reviews were strong and a young Gabrielle Anwar gives a great performance to lead the way.
Camp Nowhere (1994)
Sometimes, a hidden gem doesn't have to be a movie that was met with widespread critical acclaim. Camp Nowhere only holds a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes yet there's a lot of fun to be had for anyone who gives this movie a chance.
The adventure comedy centers around a group of junior high school kids who make their own summer camp with an ex-drama teacher running things. That leads to the sort of antics you'd expect from a place where the children are basically in charge. Throw in a fun turn from Christopher Lloyd and this is a winner.
Newsies (1992)
If someone tells you that you can watch a young Christian Bale in a musical, there's a good chance you'll want to see that immediately. With Disney+ you can because Newsies is available, which indeed features a teenage Bale in the lead role.
Focusing on a paperboy strike in 1899, the film is filled with delightful musical numbers and a peek at how good Bale would be going forward. This also marks the directorial debut of Kenny Ortega, who would go on to helm the High School Musical trilogy and other future musicals.
Blank Check (1994)
A moderate box office success, Blank Check is just one of those movies that you can clearly have a good time watching. Although reviews weren't sparkling for it, there is a lot to like in this tale about a boy who inherits a blank check and spends a lot of money as gangsters come after it.
For starters, the film is co-written by Blake Snyder, who went on to write several books that are considered the standard for many screenwriting classes. That alone makes it something to see as you can really pinpoint how Snyder utilized many of his tricks to make this work.
Brink! (1998)
When it comes to Disney Channel Original Movies, a handful stand out above the rest. For example, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century was so popular that it ended up sparking an actual trilogy. That didn't happen with Brink! but fans certainly wouldn't have said no to more.
An updated take on the 1865 novel Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates, the DCOM follows a troubled teen who joins a team of inline skaters to win money. It's considered one of the best Disney Channel films in history and has some well-made skating scenes, making it a fun sports movie too.
The Straight Story (1999)
You may not have heard of The Straight Story but it's actually one of the best-reviewed films available on Disney+, regardless of genre or decade. The movie depicts the true story of Alan Straight who traveled across several states on a slow lawnmower to make amends with his dying brother.
It received a nomination for the coveted Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and saw Richard Farnsworth earn an Oscar nomination for his performance in the lead role. Not enough people talked about this or went to see it, as it only grossed about $6 million.
Heavyweights (1995)
Everyone knows that The Mighty Ducks trilogy is among the most memorable and beloved series of kids' movies ever. Meanwhile, not nearly as many people know about Heavyweights, though they would likely enjoy it given the cast members.
The film features Aaron Schwartz, Shaun Weiss, and Kenan Thompson, who were all part of The Mighty Ducks. The story is about a group of kids sent to a weight loss camp where they must fight back against an overbearing fitness guru played by a delightfully over-the-top Ben Stiller.
Jack (1996)
A film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Robin Williams shouldn't be a hidden gem but considering the disappointing reviews and underwhelming box office intake, Jack did just that. The tearjerker tells the story of the titular Jack, a kid who ages four times faster than everyone else.
As expected, Robin Williams is excellent at playing the role of a wondrous kid in a grown man's body and while there's fun to be had, the movie can also break your heart at points. The likes of Jennifer Lopez, Diane Lane, and Fran Drescher round out a quality supporting cast too.
The Rocketeer (1991)
Long before the MCU and even films about Spider-Man or the X-Men, The Rocketeer acted as Disney's foray into the world of superheroes. Based on a comic book of the same name, the story sees a pilot find a jetpack that he uses to fight crime.
Incorporating real life elements like Nazi enemies and Howard Hughes helped make The Rocketeer a success from a critical standpoint. However, it didn't live up to expectations commercially and has since been forgotten. Fans of the superhero genre will want to give it a shot though.
Cinderella (1997)
There have been so many iterations of Cinderella on both the big and small screens that it can be hard to keep up. This 1997 version is a remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical and ended up becoming the most watched televised musical in decades upon its debut.
It still falls into the hidden gem category though because it wasn't really available to stream or rent for years until finally arriving on Disney+. Starring Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, and more, this stands out for the fantastic musical numbers, quality acting, and Brandy shining as the first Black on-screen portrayal of the titular character.