The Case of the Underrated Disney Classic
When we think of a Disney Animated Classic, the same movies tend to come to mind (for example, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Aladdin.)
With as many as 57 movies that fit this category, it’s only natural that some films will fall to the wayside. This week, we ranked our favorite somewhat-forgotten Disney Animated classics. We didn’t choose the MOST forgotten, just our favorites that tend to be less popular.
Some underrated movies that we didn’t list:
Home on the Range
Saludos Amigos
The Three Caballeros
Make Mine Music
Fun and Fancy Free
Fantasia / Fantasia 2000
Some movies contain Disney animation but we did not consider them for this list because they were made by a studio other than Disney Animation Studios. Such as:
A Goofy Movie
1995
Stars: Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, Jim Cummings
Rated G
Gross USA: $35,348,597
Pete’s Dragon
1977
Stars: Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy, Jim Dale
Rated G
Budget: $10,000,000 (estimated)
Gross USA: $40,100,000
James and the Giant Peach
1996
Stars: Paul Terry, Joanna Lumley, Pete Postlethwaite
Rated PG
Budget: $38,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $135,378, 26 July 1996
Gross USA: $28,934,758
Our Top 10 Underrated Disney Animated Classics
10. The Sword in the Stone
1963
Stars: Rickie Sorensen, Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson
Rated G
Budget: $3,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $2,230,614
Gross USA: $22,182,353
9. The Black Cauldron
1985
Stars:Grant Bardsley, Freddie Jones, Susan Sheridan
Rated PG for some scary images
Budget:$44,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $4,180,110
Gross USA: $21,288,692
This movie is one of Robin’s favorites! Here’s a picture of her as the Horned King for Halloween
8. Oliver and Company
1988
Stars: Joey Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin
Rated G
Budget: $31,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $4,022,752
Gross USA: $74,151,346
7. Meet the Robinsons
2007
Stars: Daniel Hansen, Wesley Singerman, Angela Bassett
Rated G
Budget: $150,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $25,123,781
Gross USA: $97,822,171
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $169,333,034
6. Atlantis
2001 popularity up on IMDB?
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Jim Varney, Corey Burton
Rated PG
Budget: $120,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $329,011
Gross USA: $84,052,762, 30 December 2001
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $186,053,000
5. The Great Mouse Detective
1986
Stars: Vincent Price, Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin
Rated G
Budget: $14,000,000 (estimated)
Gross USA: $38,600,000
4. Brother Bear
2003
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis
Rated G
Budget: $128,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $291,940
Gross USA: $85,336,277
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $250,397,798
3. Treasure Planet
2002
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Thompson, Martin Short
Rated PG
Budget: $140,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $12,083,248
Gross USA: $38,176,783
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $109,578,115
2. The Emperor’s New Groove
2000
Stars: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt
Rated G
Budget: $100,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $9,812,302
Gross USA: $89,302,687
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $169,327,687
1. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
1996
Stars: Demi Moore, Jason Alexander, Mary Kay Bergman
Rated G
Budget: $100,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $21,300,000, 23 June 1996
Gross USA: $100,138,851
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $325,338,851
Honorable Mentions
Big Hero 6
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Chicken Little
Robin Hood
The Aristocats
The Fox and the Hound
The Rescuers
Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Bolt