10 Underrated Disney+ Movies Worth Revisiting

Disney+ is a huge and well-known streaming service, so you might not realize it has some hidden movie gems. While it’s famous for big hits like Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Endgame, Zootopia, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there are also some lesser-known films worth checking out.

Disney+ has some hidden gems that deserve another chance. These are movies that didn’t do well in theaters, weren’t properly appreciated when they first came out, or simply didn’t get the recognition they deserved. They’re all worth watching.

Ron’s Gone Wrong (2021)

The movie Ron’s Gone Wrong didn’t really catch on with audiences, which is unfortunate. It was released in late 2021, a time when many people were still hesitant about going back to movie theaters.

In the movie Ron’s Gone Wrong, robots are a huge trend. The story centers on Barney, a shy boy who receives a malfunctioning robot and the unlikely friendship they develop.

This movie is a delightful and touching adventure. Though it didn’t perform well at the box office, it’s critically well-received, earning an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and features a fantastic group of voice actors.

Confessions Of A Shopaholic (2009)

Lots of great movies get unfairly dismissed as “chick flicks,” causing people to miss out on something they might really love. A perfect example is Confessions of a Shopaholic.

The movie, based on the first two books in the Shopaholic series, did well in theaters, earning over $100 million. However, it wasn’t a lasting success and didn’t receive positive reviews.

Over the years, Confessions of a Shopaholic has aged surprisingly well. It’s still genuinely funny, and Isla Fisher’s performance is a highlight. Plus, the movie boasts a fantastic supporting cast including John Goodman, Joan Cusack, Hugh Dancy, and Krysten Ritter, making it even more enjoyable.

Anastasia (1997)

When people remember animated movies from the 1990s, particularly those available on Disney+, they often think of the most popular titles like The Lion King, Mulan, and Aladdin. This can cause some lesser-known, but still great, movies to be overlooked.

The movie Anastasia did reasonably well in theaters, but it’s surprisingly rarely mentioned. It tells the story of Anastasia Romanov, a woman with amnesia who’s trying to discover her history, and is set in a fictionalized 1926.

It’s a shame this film isn’t more remembered, as critics loved it when it came out. It earned several prestigious award nominations, including one for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards, and was even turned into a stage play as recently as 2016.

Young Woman And The Sea (2024)

Daisy Ridley rose to fame playing Rey in the recent Star Wars films. Since then, she’s been working on smaller, critically acclaimed independent movies.

I recently rediscovered a film I’d completely forgotten about – Young Woman and the Sea. It’s a biopic, based on a novel, and it tells the incredible true story of Gertrude Ederle. She was a pioneer, you know – the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel! It’s a really inspiring story, and honestly, I’m surprised it doesn’t get talked about more.

Critics loved Young Woman and the Sea, particularly Daisy Ridley’s incredible performance. While it had a short time in theaters, the movie became available on Disney+ and, unfortunately, didn’t get the attention it deserved.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Walt Disney Animation Studios had a golden age in the 1990s, often called the Disney Renaissance. However, the years that followed weren’t as successful, with many films failing to impress audiences or critics.

Recently, people have begun to remember that period with more affection. Movies like Treasure Planet, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Bolt are now appreciated more, and that’s particularly true for Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

This movie follows a team of explorers in 1914 as they search for the legendary lost city of Atlantis. With engaging characters, beautiful animation, and a compelling story, it’s a surprisingly good film that deserves more attention.

The Book Of Life (2013)

The Book of Life is a movie that often gets overshadowed, mainly because Pixar released Coco a few years later. Coco explored similar themes and became far more popular.

Despite its flaws, The Book of Life still has a lot going for it. The story centers on Manolo, a bullfighter with a passion for music, as he tries to win over the girl he loves while facing challenges during the Day of the Dead.

I’m really struck by how different the animation looks – it definitely feels special and doesn’t just feel like a copy of something like Coco. Plus, the voice acting is amazing! Diego Luna, Zoe Saldaña, and Channing Tatum all bring so much to their roles.

The Little Mermaid (2023)

Disney’s live-action remakes often don’t live up to the charm of the original animated films. However, The Little Mermaid faced an unfair uphill battle, as many people dismissed it even before seeing it.

Despite costing a lot to produce, the movie only earned over $550 million at the box office, which was considered a letdown. Viewers who have seen it often agree it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

Halle Bailey is truly impressive as Ariel, particularly with her singing. Her version of “Part of Your World” is as beautiful as, or even surpasses, the original performance by Jodi Benson – and that’s saying a lot! The movie is actually better than many critics suggest, and it’s become a hit on streaming services.

The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

There have been countless adaptations of Sherlock Holmes over the years. He’s appeared in everything from serious dramas starring actors like Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr., to even animated comedies like Sherlock Gnomes. It seems like you can’t escape him!

Disney’s The Great Mouse Detective is a somewhat overlooked but charming film from the 1980s. It’s a fun mystery featuring a mouse detective—very much like Sherlock Holmes—who helps a young mouse find her missing father.

Despite being overshadowed by Disney’s later successes, The Great Mouse Detective played a key role in the studio’s revival. While not a blockbuster, it performed well enough to boost the filmmakers’ confidence and pave the way for the Disney Renaissance.

The Marvels (2023)

Despite being a sequel to a very successful film, The Marvels has become the lowest-grossing movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform well in theaters and suffered from negative reviews online.

While The Marvels might not be a top-tier Marvel movie, it definitely deserves more recognition. It’s a refreshing change of pace with a runtime of less than two hours, and it’s genuinely enjoyable and lighthearted. The film really succeeds because of the strong chemistry between its three main characters.

Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani have great on-screen chemistry, making their scenes together really enjoyable. Plus, the movie is significant for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring a Kate Bishop appearance and a scene after the credits that sets up future storylines.

Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)

The pandemic caused some of Disney’s great movies to not get the attention they deserved. Films like several Pixar releases and Raya and the Last Dragon didn’t reach as many viewers as they should have.

Both Raya and the Last Dragon and the popular film Encanto are excellent. While Raya doesn’t feature catchy songs, it’s a visually stunning story with touching relationships and plenty of exciting action.

Despite not performing well in theaters, Raya and the Last Dragon was highly praised by critics, earning a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s considered one of the strongest animated films of the early 2020s and was nominated for a Best Animated Feature award.

2026-04-01 17:52