10 “Rotten” Disney Animated Movies That Are Actually Great

Summary

• A Goofy Movie is an underrated animated gem, exploring family bonds & teenage struggles with humor & heartwarming moments.
• Robin Hood’s innovative approach, dark themes, & unique cast of anthropomorphic characters make it a standout in Disney’s canon.
• The Black Cauldron’s visual marvel, dark fantasy elements, and detailed world-building set it apart as a daring, underrated Disney film.

Despite being rated rotten on Rotten Tomatoes, some underrated animated Disney movies are actually quite great. In Rotten Tomatoes jargon, a film or TV production being “rotten” refers to it receiving a low or average rating from critics and audiences. Typically, if scored below 60%, it is considered to be rotten. Conversely, more highly-rated films gain the title of “fresh,” but it’s not uncommon for critics’ scores and audience scores to wildly differ.

To guard against that binary system being exploited, Rotten Tomatoes has now incorporated
a new audience score rating called the Popcornmeter
.

While in the past, there have been audience Verified Hot movies that critics hated, some deserve to be revisited or have since been recontextualized. Others were always good movies, but perhaps not well received in their time. As such, a number of these “rotten” movies have gone on to become cult classics, and Disney films are no exception to this rule. Several of their movies have been rated rotten, but are actually quite fun to watch, or better than people remember.

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10 A Goofy Movie

It’s Hard To Be Cool When Your Dad Is Goofy

A Goofy Movie

A Goofy Movie is an animated film from Disney, released in 1995, featuring Goofy and his teenage son Max. The storyline follows their cross-country road trip as Goofy attempts to bond with Max, who is reluctant to join him. The film explores themes of family, paternal love, and the challenges of growing up. Voiced by Bill Farmer and Jason Marsden, it offers a blend of humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments.

Director Kevin Lima Cast Bill Farmer , Jason Marsden , Jim Cummings Runtime 78 Minutes

In 1995, during Disney’s then-new experimental television animation era, A Goofy Movie was released. Fast, funny, and fabulous, this movie was a nostalgic trip filled with heartwarming moments. Despite being a low-budget TV production, its songs, animation, and funny moments keep it fresh. It later got a theatrical release, and more than doubled its original budget. The movie tackles Max Goof’s hardships in finding his path in high school and Goofy’s pains as the father of a growing teenage son.

What some seem to have missed during its release is that this movie was made to follow up on Goof Troop, with the events of the movie taking place three years after the show. A Goofy Movie still does perfectly as a stand-alone movie, but watching the show previously does add value to the experience. The animated pizza cheese pull, the inflatable bed, and Max’s performance at the end make A Goofy Movie a nostalgic watch.

9 Robin Hood (1973)

A Heap O’ Legends And Tall Tales About Robin Hood

Robin Hood (1973) Where to Watch

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Robin Hood is a 1973 animated film produced by Walt Disney Productions. The story follows Robin Hood, a cunning fox, and his loyal companion, Little John, as they outsmart the corrupt Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham to help the oppressed citizens of Sherwood Forest. Featuring a unique cast of anthropomorphic animals, the film combines adventure, humor, and classic Disney charm. Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, it remains a beloved entry in Disney’s animated canon.

Director Wolfgang Reitherman Release Date November 8, 1973 Cast Peter Ustinov , Phil Harris , Brian Bedford , Terry-Thomas , Roger Miller , Pat Buttram , George Lindsey , Andy Devine

On the outside, Robin Hood may seem like just another retelling of the beloved folklore story, but it really is more than that. It had a beautiful soundtrack, and entire sequences like “Oo De Lally” are still remembered for their high technical score, both musically and in the animation. Besides that, it was the first Disney movie to feature a full cast of anthropomorphic characters, which helped it stand out at the time.

Robin Hood
was the first Disney Animated feature produced after Walt Disney’s passing.

While the movie is still beloved today and has taken on a new, subversive cultural life of its own, back in the day it was already a success and was highly profitable for Walt Disney Pictures. The political satire and Robin Hood’s takes on corruption and social injustice will forever be remarkable, especially in a kids’ movie, and that’s perhaps why it did so well. Even today, the themes of the movie and traditional hand-drawn animation still hold up.

8 The Black Cauldron (1985)

Misfits On A Quest

The Black Cauldron AnimationAdventureFantasy Where to Watch

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The Black Cauldron is an animated fantasy film from Walt Disney Studios, directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich. Released in 1985, it follows the young hero Taran and his quest to prevent the evil Horned King from obtaining a powerful magical relic known as the Black Cauldron. Featuring the voices of Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, and John Hurt, the film combines elements of adventure, mystery, and dark fantasy.

Release Date July 24, 1985 Cast Grant Bardsley , Susan Sheridan , Freddie Jones , Nigel Hawthorne , Arthur Malet , John Byner

A surprisingly dark, adult tale for Disney, The Black Cauldron nonetheless once again confirmed Walt Disney Animation’s expertise in hand-drawn animation and innovative animation photo transfer process, creating for a visual marvel. It also delved into a tale from the Early Middle Ages and didn’t pull any punches about the era, which was often hard and unforgiving. Not only were the themes dark, but the movie even included scenes of violence and death.

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Some criticize The Black Cauldron for having less compelling characters. However, the movie does make up for it by providing elaborate settings, like the land of Prydain or the underground kingdom. Its fantastical objects, like the king’s sword and the cauldron, are also well-thought-out. Small intricacies like Gurgi’s design are also visually interesting and help The Black Cauldron stand out from other Disney animated movies of the era. Overall, it didn’t work at the time, but it’s worth revisiting Disney’s daring take on a darker movie for kids.

7 Bambi II

The Sequel

Bambi II AnimationDocumentaryDramaFamily Where to Watch

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*Availability in US Release Date January 26, 2006 Director Brian Pimental

In the original Bambi, we see the titular character struggling after his mom’s death. Bambi II gives devoted Bambi fans a closer look at his life, adding to the canon the previously unseen events between Bambi as a baby and a young adult. It also gives a better insight into Bambi and his dad’s relationship.

Bambi II
was never given a theatrical release in the U.S., but was in countries like France, Germany and parts of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Its straight-to-video release was what ultimately made it not as popular in its country of origin, but Bambi II still stands as one of the uncommon instances where Disney makes a good sequel. Bambi and his future wife Faline’s interactions are still heartwarming to witness, and hint at their loving future. Lines from Bambi and his dad’s interactions are still relevant, too, as the whole plot of Bambi trying to gain his father’s respect is relatable, no matter how much time passes.

6 Wish

A Wish Come True?

Made as Disney’s celebratory 100-year anniversary milestone film, Wish is a film full of heart, though it was criticized for how many winks and nods were given to previous Disney projects. For example, the font used in the credits is the same as in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the “Walt Disney Pictures” went back to the style used in 1937. Other movies like The Rescuers, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty were referenced, and while some may have felt there was too much fan service, for the nostalgia-oriented, it was wonderful to catch all the Easter eggs and nods.

Beyond the fan service, other elements of Wish, like its voice talent, including Chris Pine as King Magnifico, were immaculate. The background character’s storylines, like Valentino’s, were cute. While it may not be on par with other movies in the Disney canon, it still didn’t deserve the rotten rating it got, as Wish is a timeless treat for any Disney fan.

5 Oliver & Company (1988)

Good Luck, Alonzo. I’ll Be Waiting

Oliver & Company Where to Watch

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*Availability in US Release Date November 18, 1988 Cast Joey Lawrence , Natalie Gregory , Cheech Marin , Bette Midler , Robert Loggia , Billy Joel , Richard Mulligan , Roscoe Lee Browne , Sheryl Lee Ralph Director George Scribner

Being one of the countless Charles Dickens movie adaptations, the classic Oliver Twist tale got yet another twist in 1998’s Oliver & Company. Despite a grat voice cast that included Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Joey Lawrence, and Cheech Marin, Oliver & Company failed to impress critics. Arguments against the movie revolve around its predictability and dullness, its lackluster musical direction, and its generic New York City setting.

Even so, there are things to love about it. The care the animators took in developing each dog’s breed meticulously stylized is what puts it all together, with the artists’ designs of Dodger, Fagin, and Oliver looking especially sleek.Oliver & Company was also extremely silly, stealing a chuckle or two even from adults. Songs like “Why Should I Worry?” can be as beloved today as they were decades back, reminding everyone that not every Disney animated movie needs to be a masterpiece to still be good.

4 Brother Bear (2003)

A Bear-y Good Movie

Brother Bear AnimationAdventureFamilyFantasy Where to Watch

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Brother Bear is an animated adventure from Walt Disney Pictures, released in 2003. The film follows Kenai, a young Inuit who is transformed into a bear as punishment for killing one. To regain his human form, Kenai must learn valuable lessons about nature and brotherhood. The voice cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, and Rick Moranis, with the film featuring music by Phil Collins.

Release Date October 23, 2003 Cast Joaquin Phoenix , Jeremy Suarez , Jason Raize , Rick Moranis , Dave Thomas , D.B. Sweeney

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One of Joaquin Phoenix’s more forgotten projects, Brother Bear showcased the actor in a new way through his heartwarming voice performance as Kenai, a young, Indigenous Alaskan hunter who is transformed into a bear by the spirits after killing one. The movie was made at a time when Disney was trying to gain better financial positioning by having more animal-focused, funny films, like The Lion King. As such, it strived to be a gentler, funnier watch.

Critics mostly found fault regarding its animation quality and generic plot, but that’s undercutting the work put into it. Its animation is actually much more detailed and lovely than it first appears, and Brother Bear‘s nature-based magical and fantastical elements can be seen as precursors to later beloved films Brave and Frozen. The young Inuit hunter turned into a bear, the philosophical search for the Northern Lights, and the revisiting of Denahi explore a storyline that sets the stage for Disney’s and Pixar’s explorations of Indigenous folklore in the years to come, making it worth a watch.

3 Home on the Range (2004)

It’s One Of Disney’s Most Underrated Films

Home On The Range Where to Watch

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*Availability in US Release Date April 2, 2004 Cast G.W. Bailey , Roseanne Barr , Bobby Block , Steve Buscemi , Carole Cook , Charlie Dell Runtime 75 minutes

Home on the Range is one of Disney’s most misinterpreted films, much to its detriment. Maybe it was not as conventional as the average children’s movie, but its plot and visuals weren’t as dull as for critics and audiences to categorize it as rotten. This cow-filled adventure following the farm’s residents trying to save their farm by hunting down a criminal is certainly enjoyable for families.

Home on the Range was Walt Disney Studio’s last 2D film before
The Princess and the Frog
five years later. They haven’t released another 2D film since.

The line deliveries from the three main actors (Judi Dench, Cuba Gooding Jr, and Jennifer Tilly) were really entertaining, and sure to make kids giggle. The music was great, but the little yodeling number in the movie will really stick with kids. Each of the characters, from Ollie to Larry to Wesley, had a moment to shine. On top of that, the Western setting, with its classical valleys, saloons, and deserts was very nicely put together and visually entertaining.

2 Chicken Little

The End Was Near

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*Availability in US Director Mark Dindal Cast Zach Braff , Garry Marshall , Don Knotts , Patrick Stewart , Amy Sedaris , Steve Zahn Runtime 80 minutes

On release, Disney fans expected the Chicken Little movie to have a predictable storyline. They instead received a movie with equal parts of sci-fi and fiction. It was not everybody’s cup of tea, but Chicken Little still deserves a watch. Its plot is strange, and the characters are even stranger, but the movie does a great job of mixing a classic alien invasion story with a teenage chicken trying to save his reputation.

As Disney Animation’s first completely computer-animated theatrical film, it was rich with the character’s comedic gestures and designs. Narratively, it also was packed full of classic Disney life lessons like, “take care of yourself before others.” While it can be seen as a bit of a swing and a miss, it’s still a really entertaining watch, breezy and fun for the whole family.

1 Atlantis

It Went Somewhere Really Different

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The 2D-animated Disney movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire follows a linguist who leads an expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis and unlock its secrets. The 2001 sci-fi movie features an ensemble cast composed of Michael J. Fox as Milo Thatch and Cree Summer as Atlantian Princess Kida, as well as James Garner, Don Novello, Phil Morris, Jacqueline Obradors, Claudia Christian, Florence Stanley, Leonard Nimoy, David Ogden Stiers, John Mahoney, Jim Varney, and Corey Burton in supporting roles.

Director Gary Trousdale , Kirk Wise Cast Michael J. Fox , Corey Burton , Claudia Christian , James Garner , John Mahoney , Phil Morris

The general reason given for Atlantis‘ rotten rating is its lack of character development and a rational plot. Unfortunately, the movie ended up being shown in theaters in a transitional time when studios were ditching hand-drawn animation to replace it with CGI. While often called underwhelming, Atlantis is, in reality, a complete turnaround from other more regular Disney movies. The film is not a musical, as the filmmakers prioritized action over songs. Atlantis is entertaining and well-made, with strong characters like Milo and Kida, and imaginative sci-fi elements.

Not only has it gathered a cult following through the years, but it has gained more fans from its subsequent appearances in other franchises. The crew’s attentiveness to the smallest things, like the Atlantean language, are also marvelous. They not only created a new language from scratch, but the way it is read is supposed to reflect wave movements is visually stunning. Between the immersive world-building and the daring, adventure-centric take, Atlantis deserves to be revisited as a now-classic Disney animated movie.

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