Despite Walt Disney Pictures’ numerous triumphs, there have been perceived failures and missteps along the way. The internet is rife with discussions about the worst Disney movies, as people tend to relish such topics. However, not every film deserving of its poor reputation, and it’s worth taking the time to see these movies and form your own opinion if you have the opportunity and interest. Popular consensus isn’t always accurate, and memories of films that haven’t achieved “classic” status tend to fade away. As such, we’ve compiled a list of Disney movies that you might not have watched yet, but definitely should.

At first glance, the 2011 film Mars Needs Moms can be somewhat perplexing. While it’s an animated movie distributed by Disney, it doesn’t belong to the Walt Disney Animated Feature category. Instead, it was produced by ImageMovers, the studio established by Robert Zemeckis that had previously created The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol. The latter, in which Jim Carrey portrayed most of the significant roles, was also a collaboration with Disney. Regrettably, Mars Needs Moms went unseen by most, and it subsequently put an end to their partnership.

Mars Needs Moms, adapted from a children’s book by cartoonist Berkeley Breathed, is a science fiction tale that turns unexpectedly dark. The plot revolves around a boy from Earth who races against time to rescue his mother from the clutches of martians. The aliens intend to extract her memories and “mom-ness” for use in their robotic caretakers. As an adult character recounts his own failed attempt to save his mother from the same deadly process, the theme of maternal demise is prominent in the movie. Even children who’ve watched emotional films like Bambi and Finding Nemo may find this aspect of the movie too distressing.

In 2011, when Disney released a new theatrical movie featuring Winnie the Pooh, it was easy to dismiss it as a mere cash grab utilizing recycled material. After all, there had been three Pooh movies since 2000, including The Tigger Movie, Piglet’s Big Movie, and Pooh’s Heffalump Movie, all of which were largely unremarkable. However, what many people didn’t realize is that those movies were produced by DisneyToon Studios, a division of Disney that specializes in sequels directly released on video and movies based on TV shows. On the other hand, the new Winnie the Pooh was backed by the full resources of Walt Disney Animation Studios. She represented a genuine effort to add value to these beloved Disney characters.

In contrast to most Pooh animations produced after The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in 1977, the new Winnie the Pooh movie takes inspiration directly from A.A. Milne’s Pooh stories. The film’s story revolves around Christopher Robin’s disappearance, which leads to chaos in the Hundred Acre Wood as everyone thinks he has been abducted by a monster due to a misinterpreted note. Along the way, Pooh is preoccupied with his honey obsession while Eeyore searches for his tail. The film is a classic Winnie the Pooh tale, with plenty of witty humor that will appeal to both parents and kids without relying on any pop culture references.

Disney’s decision to change the title of this film may have been a significant mistake. Originally titled John Carter of Mars, it was altered following the underwhelming performance of Mars Needs Moms, as Disney feared the word “Mars” might be a negative association. However, this left potential viewers unfamiliar with Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels without any indication of what the movie was about. Even the name “John Carter” is not particularly exciting for an Earthling, let alone a Martian warlord. Although the film fared better internationally, it was still considered a box-office failure in the United States.

In 2005, Sky High was a box office success, but audiences outside of its tween-age demographic mostly overlooked it. The film arrived at a time when the superhero genre was still in its early stages, with Batman Begins and The Fantastic Four movie also releasing that year. The superhero tropes that are now well-known to movie-goers were still relatively new and seemed more like leftover ideas from The Incredibles. It was three years before the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sky High, released in 2005, was overshadowed by other superhero movies of that time, such as Batman Begins and Fantastic Four. However, it remains a delightful family comedy with a superhero twist. The film follows Will Stronghold, the son of a famous superhero, who is yet to display any superpowers. Will has to navigate through high school, where he is ranked at the bottom of the social hierarchy due to his lack of powers, and at the same time, uncover a secret supervillain plot. Sky High not only provides a superhero story but also focuses on Will’s journey to gain confidence and identify trustworthy friends, which adds a distinct Disney touch to the plot.

Disney is known for adapting stories with significant changes, but usually in a subtle manner. However, Treasure Planet was different as it took Robert Louis Stevenson’s pirate adventure novel, Treasure Island, and gave it a steampunk outer space setting. This change was made to make the story more exciting for contemporary children. Unfortunately, the 2002 movie was a box office failure.

Although Treasure Planet didn’t fare well at the box office, it’s a shame because there’s a lot in the movie that comes directly from Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, and even the parts that are entirely new work really well as a thrilling adventure story, with some strong themes about found family that still hold up today. The complex surrogate father/son relationship that develops between protagonist Jack Hawkins and cyborg pirate villain John Silver is more nuanced than the typical Disney hero/villain dynamics. Additionally, the movie is visually stunning, combining traditionally animated characters with CGI backgrounds and blending the aesthetics of tall sailing ships with its sci-fi setting. Despite not being typical Disney fare, Treasure Planet is a truly excellent animated film.

Atlantis, released a year before Treasure Planet, is another Disney movie that didn’t conform to the typical animated movie formula and was, therefore, unsuccessful at the box office. As a result, Princess Kida of Atlantis missed the opportunity to join the ranks of the Disney Princesses, despite the fact that she would have been an intriguing and distinctive addition to the lineup.

Atlantis is an atypical animated Disney movie that didn’t quite meet the usual expectations. The story follows Milo Thatch, a young researcher who discovers the way to the fabled undersea kingdom of Atlantis. Despite ridicule from those around him, Milo joins a diverse group of explorers funded by an eccentric millionaire on a mission to Atlantis. Milo and Kida, the princess of Atlantis, find romance while the expedition is plagued by greed and betrayal from the surface world. The movie’s unique look, thanks to production designer Mike Mignola (creator of Hellboy), and the strong voice cast, including Michael J. Fox and Cree Summer, make it an enjoyable watch despite its occasionally convoluted plot.

Despite winning multiple awards for a sappy song by Phil Collins, Tarzan is often overlooked for its other notable achievements. While the music may not be very memorable, the film was actually both a critical and box-office success upon release. However, it seems to have been forgotten in contemporary times, overshadowed by more popular Disney films like The Lion King, which featured songs by Elton John and Tim Rice. Nevertheless, Tarzan deserves recognition for its well-executed animation and engaging storyline, which offers a fresh take on the classic tale of a man raised by apes in the jungle.

Disney’s version of Tarzan is a retelling of the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs tale of a man raised by apes who later encounters humans in adulthood. The romantic subplot between Tarzan and Jane Porter, voiced wonderfully by Minnie Driver, is one of the movie’s highlights. While there are some animal sidekicks for comic relief, some viewers may find them bothersome, but overall the film is well-crafted. However, despite being set in Africa, there is a noticeable absence of black characters among the few human characters. Nevertheless, this representation is an improvement compared to previous Tarzan adaptations. In short, the movie has its imperfections, but no more than many of the beloved Disney classics.

The decision to adapt Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, into an animated Disney film was an unusual one. The original story is a dark and gritty tale with heavy themes of sexuality and death. While the Disney version provided a somewhat happier ending, the film still maintained a somber tone that caught many viewers off guard upon its release in 1996. Unfortunately, the movie was not a commercial success and failed to meet expectations at the box office.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame may not have been a hit with family audiences due to its darker themes, but it can still be an intriguing film for mature viewers. While it has its share of lighthearted moments and musical numbers, it also features one of Disney’s most sinister villains, Frollo. Unlike other popular Disney antagonists, Frollo is purely malevolent and harbors a dangerous fixation on Esmerelda, the Romani dancer who also captures the heart of the protagonist, Quasimodo. Frollo’s ultimate goal is to eradicate the Romani people from Paris, and he uses his power to control Esmerelda as leverage. Quasimodo and Phoebus, a heroic soldier, work to foil his plans. Although it’s not a faithful retelling of Victor Hugo’s novel, the film still offers a multi-layered and compelling narrative.

Walt Disney had envisioned the concept of creating more Fantasia since the release of the original film in 1940. He had planned to regularly re-release the movie with fresh segments replacing old ones to keep the content fresh and dynamic. However, the film initially failed to make a profit, and plans for more were put on hold. Nevertheless, the idea of producing additional Fantasia segments was revitalized in the 1990s, and a sequel was ultimately produced to commemorate the new millennium (thus the name Fantasia 2000).

Despite including “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from the original film, Fantasia 2000 is not just a reshuffling of its predecessor, as all other segments are original. Some segments, such as “Pines of Rome” with its flying whales, prioritize style over substance, but when Fantasia 2000 hits its mark, it really delivers. The standout segment is “Rhapsody in Blue,” an evocative New York story set to Gershwin and animated in the style of cartoonist Al Hirschfeld, making it unlike anything else in either film and among Disney products in general. This unique segment balances well with “Pomp and Circumstance,” a segment in which Donald Duck helps Noah lead animals to the ark.