7 Underrated Disney Movies That Should Have Started Franchises

Since its inception in 1923 by The Walt Disney Company, there’s been an unwavering commitment to weaving magic that would captivate young imaginations for generations. While the brand may be synonymous with princess movies and fairytale films, it’s essential to recognize the diverse range of offerings beyond these classics. It appears that, amid every popular Disney film, there are several others that have been overshadowed. These underestimated gems hold immense untapped potential, and some could potentially spawn new franchises or series for Disney.

Since Disney has been creating movies for many years, it’s expected that there are several beloved films worth discussing. These aren’t necessarily blockbusters that broke box office records, but they’re still remarkable in their own right. Sometimes, these movies might not have lived up to expectations initially, but this doesn’t make them poor quality. We’ve all found ourselves enamored with at least one film that seemed overlooked by others, learning the hard truth that greatness doesn’t always guarantee widespread appeal.

7) Treasure Planet (2002)

Treasure Planet,” often overlooked, is a fantastic science fiction adventure that deserves more recognition. We’ll keep emphasizing this until it gets the attention it deserves. This animated film offers a refreshing modern twist on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, Treasure Island. In this adaptation, the familiar narrative is set in a futuristic universe teeming with exotic aliens, spacecraft voyages, and, of course, planetary journeys – elements that make for an unforgettable adventure!

The narrative centers around young Jim Hawkins, who finds himself in the perfect circumstances for an extraordinary journey. With the aid of a trusted family acquaintance named Doppler, he embarks on a mission to locate a legendary treasure – a supposedly hollow planet brimming with riches. This is how it earned its name.

In 2002, Treasure Planet was released with modest response, falling short of Disney’s anticipated box office success. Despite this, it received several nominations for awards. What truly matters is that it has cultivated a devoted fanbase. If it had sparked a new sci-fi genre within Disney, fans would have been eagerly awaiting the next installment.

6) Enchanted (2007)

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that I was utterly enamored with the live-action adaptation of “Enchanted.” It brilliantly encapsulated all the charm and magic of classic Disney princess films, while infusing it with a delightful dose of humor. The audience’s affection for this film endured for years, with numerous pleas for a sequel echoing throughout the movie realm. One would have assumed that such enthusiasm would propel “Enchanted” into a new franchise for Disney. Regrettably, however, the passage of time between the original and its sequel (“Disenchanted”) was so vast that the initial fervor waned before the sequel even graced our screens.

The tale commences in the enchanting realm of Andalasia, where Giselle encounters her prince, promising a future of endless joy. Unfortunately, she is displaced into our real world without her prince, initiating a fresh journey. A common man named Robert discovers her and endeavors to safeguard her life. Drama, music, and romance unfold throughout this extraordinary adventure.

Generally speaking, the movie “Enchanted” was quite successful, not only at the box office but also in terms of subsequent sales. It’s astonishing that Disney didn’t immediately produce a sequel or multiple sequels given its popularity. The film garnered numerous nominations and sparked much conversation among viewers. The main cast included Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, and Susan Sarandon.

5) Oliver & Company (1988)

Back in the day, Disney had a knack for spinning heartwarming yarns centered around our furry friends. They knew it was alright to tug at our heartstrings, just as long as they did so delicately. And so, we’re led to “Oliver & Company,” a 1988 musical masterpiece that takes us on an adventurous journey through the stray canine and feline community of New York City. It’s essentially a lively reimagining of the classic tale “Oliver Twist,” in case the title didn’t make it obvious enough!

In the heart of the tale, we find an orange tabby cat named Oliver and a Jack Russell Terrier named Dodger. Dodger, in a protective manner, guides the small kitten Oliver, showing him how to hunt for food and acquire what’s necessary to thrive. Initially, the movie didn’t fare exceptionally well, receiving mixed reviews at best upon its release. However, over time, Oliver & Company has risen to cult-classic status, with many viewers naming it their most cherished nostalgic Disney film.

The release of “Oliver & Company” faced a significant challenge as it premiered on the same weekend as “The Land Before Time.” This timing might account for some of its performance. However, this movie had several strengths, such as music by Billy Joel. Notably, Joey Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, Richard Mulligan, Roscoe Lee Brown, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and others were part of the star-studded cast of “Oliver & Company.

4) George of the Jungle (1997)

In essence, George of the Jungle isn’t the tale of Tarzan, but it shares similarities. This film presents a whimsical reinterpretation of the original concept, and one can easily sense the joy the creators took in bringing this project to life. Unlike Tarzan, our protagonist here is named George. Abandoned in the jungle as an infant, he was brought up by gorillas, a plot twist that should resonate with you. What sets him apart from other gorillas isn’t just his human-like appearance; his primary caregiver, a gorilla named Ape, is remarkably intelligent for a primate.

George typically traverses the treetops, repeatedly bumping into their sturdy trunks. Notably, George’s existence underwent a drastic transformation upon encountering and saving a lady named Ursula. She whisked him away from his forest dwelling to the bustling city, where life instantly became turbulent.

After considering all aspects and taking everything into account, George of the Jungle can be summarized as a live-action version of an animated character. It’s filled with humor, absurdity, and its leading character frequently interacts with the audience by breaking the fourth wall. Despite its success, which led to a sequel, it received far less attention compared to the original, but with thoughtful development, it could have become a popular comedy series.

In the movie “George of the Jungle,” actors like Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church, Holland Taylor, Richard Roundtree, and John Cleese took on roles.

3) The Black Cauldron (1985)

Occasionally, Disney dives into uncharted territory and attempts something fresh, as demonstrated by The Black Cauldron, a dark fantasy adventure film that may have caused quite the scare for some children. However, despite its frightening elements, this film could have paved the way for exciting new possibilities at Disney Studios. The narrative draws inspiration from The Chronicles of Prydain and incorporates elements from Welsh folklore.

The tale unfolds around Taran, a rural farmhand living in the realm of Prydain. Unforeseen events thrust him into the role of guardian for a prophetic swine. Throughout his adventure, he encounters a few unexpected companions, such as the often debated character Gurgi and Princess Eilonwy.

The Black Cauldron, initially, garnered a mix of opinions from critics. The reason? It was quite pricey to produce as it employed novel animation techniques that weren’t cheap at the time. Consequently, its box office performance didn’t meet expectations. Despite this cinematic underperformance, The Black Cauldron has since attracted a number of curious viewers, who have become part of an enthusiastic fanbase. The movie featured the voices of Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, Freddie Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, Arthur Malet, John Byner, Phil Fondacaro, and John Hurt.

2) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas, an endearing yet eerie movie, originates from the imaginative world of Tim Burton. The story is adapted from one of his poems and takes place in a fantastical realm called Halloween Town. In this magical land, we follow Jack Skellington as he discovers various realms that bring all holiday celebrations to life.

Instead, let’s focus on how Jack decides to switch his holiday allegiance from Halloween to Christmas, taking an unusual approach by abducting Santa Claus and inspiring the residents of Halloween Town to invent their unique versions of a winter celebration.

It’s truly surprising that Disney hasn’t expanded “The Nightmare Before Christmas” into a franchise, considering its widespread popularity. Imagine if, when Jack discovered the Christmas door, we were treated to other holiday doors as well (like Valentine’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc.). These could have served as potential settings for future films. The original film featured the vocal talents of Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, and Ed Ivory.

1) Bolt (2008)

In recent years, both superheroes and pets have been popular topics on the big screen. It’s not hard to imagine that combining these two themes could result in a blockbuster movie. And that’s exactly how the animated film “Bolt” came to be. The story centers around Bolt, a dog who believes he’s a real-life superhero due to his role in a television show. When his owner is abducted, Bolt, believing he’s equal to any challenge, sets out on a journey to rescue her.

Throughout their journey, Bolt befriends Rhino, a witty hamster, and Mittens, a street-smart alley cat with a strong dose of sarcasm. Together, they’re determined to rescue Penny. Indeed, it seems like the makings of an engaging children’s film!

In my opinion, Bolt, a fantastic Disney film from the 2000s, often gets overlooked in discussions about the decade’s best movies. Despite boasting an impressive ensemble cast that included John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell, James Lipton, and Greg Germann, it frequently doesn’t receive the recognition it truly deserves.

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2025-09-05 19:42