The 2000s was a bright decade for Disney animation. While the company debuted many now-iconic traditional animations including Lilo & Stitch and The Emperor's New Groove, Disney's collaboration with Pixar also produced CGI hits including The Incredibles, Up, and Finding Nemo. But despite all this success, not every Disney film to debut during this era has become a classic. We're here to focus on those that weren't so critically successful by turning to Rotten Tomatoes.
The review aggregation website has assigned ever Disney film released between the years 2000 and 2009 a percentage rating based on the good and bad reviews from critics. Those with the lowest Tomatometer scores will be showing up here.
With the rating system explained, it's time to hop back a couple of decades and look at the movies that didn't scored high. Here are the worst theatrically released Disney films of the 2000s, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
The Tigger Movie (2000): 62%
Disney kicked off the decade by releasing The Tigger Movie. This animated musical sees the animals who live in Hundred Acre Wood scouting out a new home for Eeyore. After Rabbit sends Tigger away for being a distraction, the bouncy tiger discovers that he is not the only one of his kind.
Though this Winnie the Pooh installment was as charming and cute as ever, it didn't have the same level of depth seen in other animated films of the time. Others felt the film would have fared better as a TV release rather than a theatrical one.
Recess: School’s Out (2001): 60%
The next year, Disney debuted a comedy film based on the long-running TV series, Recess.
Serving as the Season 5 finale, Recess: School's Out has T.J. Detweiler and friends eager for summer vacation to begin. After learning that their former principal is scheming to make winter a year-round ordeal, the gang decides to put an end to his fun-destroying plans.
The Recess film was well-written and full of laughs, but it failed to step up from its usual cartoonish television tone.
Home On The Range (2004): 53%
Home on the Range finds the three cows of Patch of Heaven dairy farm teaming up to keep their home secure after an eviction notice is posted on the gate. To do this, they must track down the ransom of a wanted cattle rustler outlaw.
Critics found that 2004 Western comedy appeared amateurish when held up next to the more impressive animations and stories of Pixar. The uninspired plot and dull characters didn't do the film any favors.
Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009) 52%
Based on Charles Dickens' 1843 story of the same name, A Christmas Carol follows miserable businessman Ebenezer Scrooge as he encounters three spirits on Christmas Eve.
Though the dark fantasy featured strong voice work from Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman, many felt that the soul of the original source material was lost. Additionally, the pretty visuals were praised by some but deemed distracting by others.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001): 49%
Atlantis: The Lost Empire saw Disney departing from its fantasy roots and venturing into sci-fi territory. Unfortunately, the adventure film didn't play out how the studio had imagined.
The 2001 movie sees an inexperienced explorer teaming up with a group of long-time travelers in the 1900s. Their goal: to come across the long-lost city of Atlantis. They plan to accomplish this by following the instructions of a sacred book.
Atlantis was brisk and dazzling, but the poorly developed characters and scattered plot caused it to disappoint viewers and critics.
Brother Bear (2003): 37%
In 2003's Brother Bear, an Inuit boy named Kenai avenges his brother's death by killing the bear that caused the tragedy. His plans get switched around, however, after the Spirits turn Kenai into a bear as punishment for his unjust murder.
Brother Bear's animations were polished, but its recycled plot failed to enchant viewers. It didn't have the powerful effect Disney aimed for.
Chicken Little (2005): 37%
Chicken Little claimed that the sky is falling, but in actuality, it's his movie that flopped.
The 2005 sci-fi comedy tells the story of a young chicken who gets hit in the head by a panel from a UFO. Though his town is resistant to his ideas, Chicken Little must do all he can to convince the residents of Oakey Oaks that a giant alien invasion is about to let loose.
2005's Chicken Little was technically impressive, but its chaotic story failed to stay strong.
Valiant (2005): 32%
Set deep into World War II, Valiant tells of a carrier pigeon who attempts to rescue another bird, who is a prisoner of war.
Sadly, the 2005 adventure comedy didn't do its strong voice cast justice by packing in weak gags and ugly character design. Though Valiant tried to be charming, its bland tone took over — which ultimately led to a forgettable finish.
The Wild (2006): 19%
Unfortunately, The Wild has hardly anything going for it.
The 2006 comedy tells of a lion cub that must figure out how to get home to the Central Park Zoo after being shipped to Africa. Sounds familiar? Then you might have seen DreamWorks' 2005 animation, Madagascar, which shares a strikingly similar plot.
In addition to featuring an unoriginal story, The Wild also suffered poorly in the animation department. The characters looked dated and unfinished.
The Jungle Book 2 (2003): 19%
While the first Jungle Book remains a classic, its follow-up failed to achieve the same legendary status.
Now living in the human village, Mowgli is supposed to be content. However, he misses his friends in the jungle and decides to journey back. Though he hopes to find Baloo and Bagheera, he instead runs into his old enemy: the evil snake, Shere Khan.
Many felt that The Jungle Book 2 was more fit for a direct-to-video release due to its overall low quality. The richness of the original was cheapened by a weak script and poor character development.