10 Disney Movies That Are 10/10 But Nobody Remembers

Disney is famous for creating many classic films, but with so many movies to choose from, some truly great ones have faded from memory. While Disney is best known for heartwarming, animated stories for families, they’ve actually made films for all ages and explored a wide variety of genres.

Disney has made so many popular films over the years, spanning all kinds of genres, that some truly excellent movies – both animated and live-action – have faded from memory. These films might not have been big hits when they first came out, or they might have been a bit different than people expected from Disney, or simply released at an unfavorable time. Despite this, they’re still wonderful movies that deserve to be rediscovered.

Brother Bear (2003)

The animated film Brother Bear, directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker, is set in post-ice age Alaska. It tells the story of Kenai (voiced by Joaquin Phoenix) who, after his oldest brother tragically dies saving him from a bear, seeks out and kills the animal in revenge.

The Great Spirits transform Kenai into a bear as a way to teach him a valuable lesson. To regain his human form, he must journey to a distant mountain. Along the way, he meets and befriends a young bear cub named Koda, and the two develop a close connection.

Brother Bear is a touching story about dealing with loss, finding forgiveness, and the bonds of family. While some found it straightforward, it actually offers more emotional complexity than many other well-known Disney animated films.

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Directed by Jack Clayton and adapted from Ray Bradbury’s 1962 novel (with a screenplay also by Bradbury), Something Wicked This Way Comes is a dark fantasy horror film. The story centers on two friends, Will and Jim, who encounter a creepy carnival that rolls into town right before Halloween.

Mr. Dark leads the carnival, transforming the townspeople into strange and unsettling figures, fueled by their deepest fears. Unlike typical Disney films, Something Wicked This Way Comes is a much more mature and unsettling story, tackling difficult subjects like death, temptation, and fear. This darker tone is likely why it hasn’t been as widely celebrated, but it’s also what makes it a truly compelling film.

Treasure Planet (2002)

I recently watched Treasure Planet, and it’s a really cool animated sci-fi adventure! It’s directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and it’s based on the classic Treasure Island book by Robert Louis Stevenson. The story follows Jim Hawkins, a bit of a troublemaker, who discovers a holographic map leading to a huge pirate treasure. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does the voice for Jim, which is awesome!

With its distinctive steampunk design and mix of animation techniques, Treasure Planet stands out as a truly unique film. However, these choices may have contributed to it being overlooked by mainstream audiences. Despite becoming a beloved cult classic among Disney fans, the film’s impressive creativity, compelling story, and well-developed characters still haven’t received the widespread appreciation they deserve.

Tru Confessions (2002)

Tru Confessions is a comedy-drama film directed by Paul Hoen and adapted from Janet Tashjian’s 1997 novel of the same title. The movie follows Tru Walker (Clara Bryant), a young woman who dreams of being a filmmaker and enters a film competition. Her documentary subject is her twin brother, Eddie (Shia LaBeouf), who has developmental disabilities as a result of a lack of oxygen during birth.

Tru’s project helps her understand her brother’s perspective and the daily discrimination he experiences, while also revealing the complexities within her family. Despite being a well-made film, Tru Confessions didn’t receive the widespread attention it deserved, likely because it was released as a Disney Channel Original Movie.

Tru Confessions is a touching story about family relationships, the complexities of growing up, and the challenges faced by a teenager, powerfully brought to life by a remarkable performance from Shia LaBeouf.

Sky High (2005)

Sky High is a funny superhero movie directed by Mike Mitchell. It follows Will Stronghold (played by Michael Angarano), whose parents are both superheroes. He attends a high school specifically for teenagers with superpowers. At first, Will thinks he doesn’t have any powers, but they begin to develop while he’s at school. He has to navigate the challenges of keeping old friends, making new ones, and dealing with a hidden supervillain.

Though critics initially liked Sky High, it faded into obscurity as a Disney film. But it’s recently gained a devoted following – and for good reason! It stands out from typical superhero movies with its charming high school story, relatable characters (even with superpowers!), and a blend of action and fantasy.

Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Meet the Robinsons is a funny, animated sci-fi movie inspired by William Joyce’s children’s book, A Day with Wilbur Robinson. The story follows Lewis, a young orphaned inventor, who teams up with a boy named Wilbur to travel to the future and prevent a villain called Bowler Hat Guy from stealing his creation.

Although critics liked Meet the Robinsons, it wasn’t a big hit in theaters and has become somewhat overlooked among Disney films. The movie features lovable characters and a touching story that deals with important themes like family, overcoming hardship, adoption, and love, all wrapped up in a surprisingly intricate and captivating plot with plenty of unexpected turns.

A Goofy Movie (1995)

I absolutely love A Goofy Movie! It’s a really fun animated comedy directed by Kevin Lima. The whole movie revolves around Goofy, who’s a bit worried about his teenage son, Max, and tries to bond with him on a cross-country fishing trip. But, naturally, being Goofy, everything goes hilariously wrong, and Max has his own secret agenda going on the whole time!

With memorable characters, hilarious jokes, upbeat songs, and a touching story about family, A Goofy Movie has everything you’d expect from a classic Disney film. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform well in theaters because of marketing issues and unfortunate timing, but it remains a hidden treasure among Disney fans.

The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

The Great Mouse Detective is a fun, animated mystery movie inspired by the Basil of Baker Street book series. The film centers around Basil, a clever mouse detective, as he solves the case of a missing toymaker. Although it was well-received by critics and audiences, the movie has largely been overlooked over time.

Okay, so I just watched The Great Mouse Detective, and it’s a really delightful movie! It basically takes the Sherlock Holmes formula and puts a clever, adorable spin on it with mice. The story moves at a great clip, keeping you hooked, and the characters are genuinely charming. Plus, the animation has a lovely, nostalgic feel to it – it really takes me back! If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly mystery, I highly recommend checking this one out.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is a funny movie for teens, directed by Sara Sugarman. It’s based on a 1999 book with the same title by Dyan Sheldon. The movie is about Mary, who also goes by Lola (played by Lindsay Lohan), and her big dream of becoming an actress.

Lola’s move from New York City to New Jersey sparks a mission to become the most popular girl in school and land the lead in the play, but her vivid imagination causes some trouble. Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is a fun, relatable movie with memorable songs, and it features one of Lindsay Lohan’s best performances.

The Black Cauldron (1985)

The Black Cauldron is an animated fantasy film inspired by the first two books in Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain series. The story takes place in the magical land of Prydain and centers on Taran, a young pig-keeper, who embarks on a journey to prevent the villainous Horned King from harnessing the power of the Black Cauldron.

The King plans to use a magical cauldron to create an undead army and take over the world. While now a beloved classic, The Black Cauldron was largely forgotten by Disney for years because of its dark themes, which were considered too scary for children. Some also found its story and characters less appealing than those in Disney’s more popular films.

While The Black Cauldron is noticeably darker in tone, that’s actually what makes it so good. Its unique characters and departure from typical Disney films are also major strengths.

2026-02-15 00:51