The Walt Disney Company owns one of the most beloved film libraries in Hollywood history. Since the 1937 release of Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, the animation division alone has created numerous classic films that have been enjoyed by generations, and the live action studio hasn’t been far behind.
However, for every Beauty and the Beast or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea the studio has produced, there have been other Disney productions that have been forgotten by many, left to the dustbin of history instead of the DVD shelf. These films aren’t bad, nor are they completely forgotten (especially for you die-hard fans!) But they’ve somehow been excluded from the pop culture zeitgeist, and we think they deserve a second watch!
The Black Cauldron – 1985
Based off of Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain novels, The Black Cauldron was a radical departure for Disney animation in the mid-80s. The film, which follows a young boy Taran as he battles the evil Horned King in a fantasy land based on the Europe of the early middle ages, is much darker than the Disney films that had come before it, with heavy emphasis on action and no musical numbers.
In fact, upon release, the film was the first Disney animated film to feature a PG rating. In addition to being dark, The Black Cauldron was also incredibly expensive. Thanks to years in production, experimental special effects, and last minute re-edits, the film was the most expensive animated feature ever made at the time it was released. And unfortunately, despite some solid reviews, the film was a financial bomb. The film definitely deserves a second chance as its fantasy-style would fit with modern mega franchises, and it’s not nearly as dark as some of the other properties Disney releases today.
The Rescuers Down Under – 1990
Despite being released during the Disney Renaissance period, The Rescuers Down Under – a sequel to 1977’s The Rescuers that sees its titular heroic mice take on a mission in the Australian outback – was a financial disappointment at the box office, and it has been greatly overshadowed by other Disney films of the period like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King.
The film definitely deserves a second viewing – or first viewing, as the case may be – if for no other reason than the outstanding performances from Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, John Candy, and George C. Scott.
Meet The Robinsons – 2007
Disney animation was in a commercial – and some would say creative – tailspin in the mid-2000s, with its films often paling in comparison to those put out by eventual sister studios Pixar and Hollywood rival Dreamworks. Right in the midst of this downturn, the studio released Meet the Robinsons in 2007. The film, based the book A Day with Wilbur Robinson, follows Lewis, a young inventor who’s taken into the future by the mysterious Wilbur.
The film was a critical and commercial disappointment, however it’s definitely worth a second look from Disney fans due to the large number of references to the futurism of Walt Disney and Tomorrowland in the film’s future segments.
The Island at the Top of the World – 1974
Many Disney fans have probably never heard of The Island at the Top of the World, and those that have likely have negative feelings towards the film, since its financial bombing at the box office is cited as the reason legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter’s Discovery Bay project wasn’t built in Disneyland.
However, if one can put that aside, the film – based on the book The Lost Ones by Ian Cameron – is an entertaining steampunk romp, definitely deserving of a second look.
Treasure Planet – 2002
In some ways similar to what the aforementioned Black Cauldron had done nearly 20 years earlier, 2002’s Treasure Planet chose to eschew Disney’s “winning formula” – at that time the Broadway musical style Renaissance films – and instead tell a sci-fi version of Treasure Island set in space.
Despite a heavy marketing push, the film failed to resonate at the box office or with audiences, and is largely forgotten today. However, the film does have its charms, and the visuals alone merit a second viewing.
So what do you think of our list of forgotten Disney films that deserve a second look? Any others that you can think of? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
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I’ve seen Black Cauldron, Rescuers 2, Meet the Robinsons, and Treasure Planet, all on video. And Meet the Robinsons on a streaming service last year. I agree, these movies deserve some real lime light of their own.
Love Treasure Planet! Does anyone remember The Worlds Greatest Athlete with Jan-Michael Vincent, Tim Conway, and John Amos? I haven’t seen that movie in 45 years!!
I definitely believe treasure planet deserves a second chance such an amazing movie makes you laugh and definitely a great family movie
The Great Mouse Detective. In terms of Disney-fying classic characters, Basil is one of my favorite Sherlocks and Ratigan is one of my favorite Moriartys.
Two of my favorite old Disney movies are The Horsemasters (starred Annette Funicello) and Miracle of the White Stallions (based on the true story of the rescue of the Spanish Riding Scool of Vienna’s Lipizzaner horses during WWII).
My two favorite “ forgotten” Disney movies are The Rocketeer and the first live action Jungle Book with Jason Scott Lee. I can’t even find that one on dvd.
Hunchback of Notre Dame is highly underrated. It’s far darker than most other films even with Disney’s efforts to “soften” the Victor Hugo novel.
Child of Glass!!
We love Meet the Robinsons so much!!!!
Love love love Meet the Robinsons. My kids found it on Netflix a year or 2 ago. Couldn’t believe I had never seen it. Such a wonderful movie!
An oldie but a goodie:,Toby Tyler!
All these movies are disney classics now but we’re misunderstood when they were released. Island is at true classic, remember torn and the black hole didn’t fair well at first now they are classic disney iconic films
Darby O’Gill and the Little People was always a favorite of mine. Another favorite was In Search of the Castaways. I also loved Island at the Top of the World!
I’ve never heard of the Island at the Top of the World and never saw the Robinson’s. I own the rest with Treasure Planet being my favorite and Rescuers Down Under a close second.
One of the greatest disappointments of my childhood was not getting to see The Black Cauldron. I still haven’t seen it. Hopefully it will be on Disney+
Interesting as Island at the Top of the World & The Black Cauldron are on TV several times a week on the Sky Movies Disney channel in the UK.
Rescuer’s down under is great, glad to see it on this list. missing is A Goofy Movie, highly underrated!
In my house, we own and love The Rescuers Down Under, Meet the Robinsons, and Treasure Planet. Have never liked The Black Cauldron (although I own it). And you’re right in that I’ve never heard of the Island at the Top of the World. I wonder if that will be on the Disney + streaming service when it launches in November.
I agree with the choices of movies listed here. I saw the Island at the top of the World at the movies as a boy and remember it fondly. It was great entertainment for me.
I also liked Treasure Planet and thought it received a bad rap.
Great article! I’m going to have to look through my collection and watch these again soon, plus the original Rescuers.
The Black Cauldron was/is one of my grandsons favorite Disney movies
I have three of these movies: “Rescuers Down Under”, “Meet the Robinsons”, and “The Island at the Top of the World”. I like all three of them. I don’t remember ever seeing “The Black Cauldron” or “Treasure Planet”.
I couldn’t agree more regarding The Black Cauldron, Rescuers Down Under, and Treasure Planet. Beautiful animation, engaging characters, and male protagonists. My sons love all three! I’ve never seen Island at the Top of the World – I will have to check it out.