ScreenRant
10 “Rotten” Disney Animated Movies That Are Actually Great
By Maria Lozano
August 27, 2024
Despite being rated rotten on Rotten Tomatoes, some underrated animated Disney movies are remarkable. In Rotten Tomatoes jargon, a film or TV production being “rotten” refers to receiving a low or average rating from critics and audiences. Typically, if scored below 60%, it is considered rotten. Conversely, more highly rated films gain the title of “fresh,” but it’s not uncommon for critics’ scores and audience scores to differ wildly.
To guard against exploiting that binary system, Rotten Tomatoes has now incorporated a new audience score rating called the Popcornmeter.
While there have been audience-verified Hot movies that critics hated in the past, 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, many of these “rotten” movies have become cult classics, and Disney films are no exception to this rule. Several of their movies have been rated rotten but are fun to watch or better than people remember.
10
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.. It features
In 1995, A Goofy Movie was released during Disney’s then-new experimental television animation era. 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.
A Goofy Movie still does perfectly as a stand-alone movie, but watching the show previously does add value to the experience.
What some seem to have missed during its release is that this movie was made to follow up on Goof Troop, with the film’s events 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)
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.
On the outside, Robin Hood may seem like just another retelling of the beloved folklore story, but it is more than that. It had a beautiful soundtrack, and 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 cast of anthropomorphic characters, which helped it stand out then.
The political satire and Robin Hood’s takes on corruption and social injustice will forever be remarkable, especially in a kids’ movie.
While the movie is still beloved today and has taken on a new, provocative cultural life of its own, back in the day, it was already a success and 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 movie’s themes and traditional hand-drawn animation still hold up.
8
The Black Cauldron (1985)
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, the Black Cauldron. Featuring the voices of Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, and John Hurt, the film combines elements of adventure, mystery, and dark fantasy.
A surprisingly dark, adult tale for Disney, The Black Cauldron once again confirmed Walt Disney Animation’s expertise in hand-drawn animation and innovative animation photo transfer process, creating 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 brutal and unforgiving. Not only were the themes dark, but the movie even included scenes of violence and death.
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 attractive and help The Black Cauldron stand out from other Disney animated movies of the era. Overall, it didn’t work then, but it’s worth revisiting Disney’s daring take on a darker movie for kids.
7
Bambi II
The Sequel
In this straight-to-home-release Disney animation sequel, young deer Bambi reunites with his father, the Great Prince, who teaches him the ways of the forest. As Bambi and his father reconnect, the iconic Disney character teaches his elder his lessons.
In the original Bambi, the titular character struggles 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.the titular character struggles.
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 ultimately made it less 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 and hint at their loving future. Lines from Bambi and his dad’s interactions are also relevant, as the whole plot of Bambi trying to gain his father’s respect is relatable, no matter how much time passes.
6
Wish
Wish is a Disney animated adventure/fantasy comedy that follows Asha, a young girl from the kingdom of Rosas who wants nothing more than to care for the people of her home. One night, Rosa takes a chance to wish upon a star – only to invite chaos when her prayers are somewhat answered by an energetic cosmic entity known as Star. Together with her goat and this new friend, they’ll save the kingdom from an ambitious king.
Made as Disney’s celebratory 100th-anniversary milestone film, Wish is a movie 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 “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, catching all the Easter eggs and nods was terrific.
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)
Oliver and Company is an animated musical comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Inspired by Charles Dickens’s novel “Oliver Twist,” the film follows Oliver, a homeless kitten adopted into a gang of dogs to survive on the streets of New York. Oliver Twist, the film follows Oliver, a homeless kitten who is adopted into
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 great 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, lackluster musical direction, and 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 exceptionally 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 be still good.
4
Brother Bear (2003)
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. Kenai must learn valuable lessons about nature and brotherhood to regain his human form. The voice cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, and Rick Moranis. The film features music by Phil Collins.
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, transformed into a bear by the spirits after killing one. The movie was made when Disney tried 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.
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.
Critics mostly found fault regarding its animation quality and generic plot, but that’s undercutting the work put into it. Its animation is much more detailed and lovely than it first appears. 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)
Home on the Range follows three cows, Maggie, Grace, and Mrs Caloway, who take on a mission to stop their home from being taken away when their dairy farm is served an eviction notice. Forming a team with the Sheriff’s horse, they set out to collect the ransom on cattle rustler Alameda Slim to take their fate into their own hands.
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 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 undoubtedly 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 entertaining and made kids giggle. The music was great, but the little yodeling number in the movie will stick with kids. Each character, 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
Zach Braff’s Chicken Little creates panic when he claims the sky is falling when a piece falls and hits him. Outcast for his claims, Little seeks redemption by joining the baseball team and plays a vital part in winning a crucial game. He’s once again hit by a “falling sky” – which turns out to be a UFO – and must convince everyone that he wasn’t lying.
On release, Disney fans expected the Chicken Little movie to have a predictable storyline. Instead, they received a film with equal parts of sci-fi and fiction. It was not everybody’s tea, but Chicken Little still deserves a watch. Its plot is strange, and the characters are stranger, but the movie mixes a classic alien invasion story with a teenage chicken trying to save his reputation.
Disney’s Chicken Little was the studio’s first fully computer-animated film — but it was the second time the studio adapted the fable “Henny Penny.”
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 an entertaining watch, breezy, and fun for the whole family.
1
Atlantis
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.
The general reason 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; the filmmakers prioritized action over songs. Atlantis is entertaining and well-made, with solid characters like Milo and Kida and imaginative sci-fi elements.
It has gathered a cult following through the years and gained more fans from subsequent appearances in other franchises. The crew’s attentiveness to the most minor things, like the Atlantean language, is also marvelous. They not only created a new language from scratch but how it is read is supposed to reflect wave movements, which 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.
