Underrated Disney Films

Okay, so not every Disney film can have the social influence and media attention of Frozen or Cars, but the Walt Disney Animation Studios has produced five of my favorite films that people forget about all too often. If you haven't seen any of these films recently, I highly recommend you rewatch them!

5. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Obviously, Pooh and friends are extremely popular characters, but the 1977 film doesn't get nearly enough publicity. It did see a slight resurgence with the re-release of the film for its 30th anniversary, but this sweet and touching story is timeless and worth watching over and over.

4. Wall-E

The only Pixar film on my list because practically anything Pixar touches turns to gold... except Wall-E. The different style of filmmaking used here is absolutely breathtaking but didn't translate very well for the younger crowd. It's a modern version of a silent film for the majority of the film and might take a second viewing to truly appreciate, but is well worth it.

3. Hercules

This wasn't an unpopular film, per se, but didn't get nearly the publicity of the princess films. Phil (voiced by Danny Devito) is one of my favorite sidekicks, Hades is one of the funniest Disney villains ever created, and the Muses are a fantastic gospel-esque choir that drive the story. There are some one-liners that can be missed if you aren't paying attention - this is a very dry yet funny film.

2. The Emperor's New Groove

I would honestly put this film on the top of the list for funniest Disney animated film ever. I hadn't seen this one in about 10 years and rewatched it recently, fully laughing throughout the entire thing. Kuzco is a hilariously self-centered character, Yzma just might be the funniest Disney villain ever (sorry, Hades), and Kronk is somehow equally as memorable without taking away from the story. The plot is original and you will laugh the entire movie!

1. The Great Mouse Detective

This was my favorite Disney movie as a kid until Lion King came along in 1994. It's sharp, fast, and smart. The characters have real depth and the storyline is much darker than the more well-known Disney films. It's based off the character of Sherlock Holmes and is unique because it has virtually no romantic storyline - not something Disney is remembered for. And the show-stopping number in the middle (World's Greatest Criminal Mind) reminds me of an earlier version of Be Our Guest with a villainous twist.

To my knowledge, all of these films except for Wall-E are on Netflix instant streaming, so the next time you need a movie recommendation, try one of these!