Phrasemaker

Everyone has their favorite Disney film. Whether it’s the classic Cinderella movie or The Parent Trap, Disney’s films have resonated with both young and old audiences. However, Disney’s roster of popular titles includes some films that you may have never heard of or watched before.

If you think you’ve seen everything Disney has to offer, think again. The House of Mouse has some underrated works that you should check out, which range from obscure animated features to understated live-action stories. With that, try out these 15 niche Disney films you’ve probably never watched.

Robin Hood (1973)

You’re probably familiar with the iconic tale of Robin Hood. But have you seen Disney’s version of the heroic vigilante? Robin Hood (1973) puts the titular character in a world of anthropomorphic animals as they band together and fight against the excessive taxation of Prince John.

For a film made in the early 70s, the animation of this movie is vibrant and fun, accentuating its simple story. While it’s noted that the film’s been used for recycled animation scenes in later films, it has still become a cult classic and is even cited as a major influence on Disney’s recent film Zootopia and its sequel.

The Sword in the Stone (1963)

In Disney’s adaptation of the classic fable of King Arthur’s humble beginnings, we follow the orphaned Wart, who aims to help his foster brother, Kay, become a knight. Wart later stumbles into the cabin of the talented wizard, Merlin, with the latter convincing Wart that he’s destined for greatness.

As a niche Disney film, The Sword in the Stone (1963) brings a lot of humor and action in its story, making its characters, such as the beloved Merlin, quite memorable. Despite the narrative being criticized as seeming to be incoherent, it’s still worth watching for its magic.

Dinosaur (2000)

With the popularity of Dinosaur movies in the 90s because of Jurassic Park, Disney also hopped onto the trend and released Dinosaur (2000), which is a more wholesome take on these historical creatures. We follow Aladar, an iguanadon dinosaur raised by a family of lemurs, who is trying to find a safe haven from a meteor strike while carnivorous dinosaurs are chasing them.

This movie is often noted for its stunning computer animation and detailed background. But unfortunately, it’s usually compared to the Steven Spielberg and George Lucas-produced movie, The Land Before Time (1988). While this movie’s narrative wasn’t exactly innovative, watching this film is certainly a visual experience you should have.

The Three Musketeers (1993)

You might think that the Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers movie is already a niche Disney film. But there’s another Three Musketeers movie Disney had already produced years prior. The Three Musketeers (1993) is a live-action adventure-comedy film that loosely follows D’Artagnan on his quest to become a musketeer.

The Three Musketeers (1993) is still considered a cult classic because of its lighthearted take and its charismatic cast members, especially Tim Curry as Cardinal Richelieu. While you might not find a sense of historical faithfulness in this adaptation, the chemistry between its cast members makes watching it worthwhile.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Considered as an inventive family sci-fi film of its time, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) follows an eccentric inventor who accidentally shrinks his children and next-door neighbor to the size of insects. The shrunken group must then navigate their huge world of everyday objects that have become massive obstacles.

An entertaining film enjoyed by families, this movie has the right balance of charm and adventure in its story. It holds up to this day for its childlike wonder, making it worth watching even if it’s paced a bit slowly.

Treasure Planet (2002)

Treasure Planet (2002) is a bold entry to niche Disney films, as it is adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel of the same name, and the third Treasure Island adaptation made by Disney. This film follows a 15-year-old Jim Hawkins on the planet of Montressor as he comes across a map to the greatest pirate treasure trove in the cosmos. He then boards his spaceship to find this treasure.

Mainly, what makes Treasure Planet (2000) niche is that it struggled at the box office. It wasn’t promoted that much during its time, making a lot of people miss out on this movie. With that, however, it gained a cult following for its unique art style and themes of self-discovery.

Fantasia (1940)

Has Disney ever tried an experimental film route? Well, with Fantasia (1940), it’s a movie that’s unlike anything Disney has created. The movie is a musical anthology that consists of eight animated segments set to various classical music pieces.

While there’s not much of a concrete story in each of its segments, it has a lot of brilliantly animated imagery, making it a masterpiece and a hallmark in animation as an art form. The movie’s unconventional structure makes it a niche watch for modern audiences. From its artistic ambition and sonic music, it’s become a required experience for Disney fanatics.

The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Set in Victorian London, The Great Mouse Detective (1986) trails Basil of Baker Street as he takes on the greatest case of his career when London’s master toymaker is kidnapped, and it’s up to him to restore peace to the mouse world.

The movie has a very moody atmosphere, which is different from Disney’s typical lively films. While the film was released during a quieter era of Disney animation, it should be given its credit for laying the groundwork for the studio’s later renaissance.

Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Commonly noted for being a very underrated gem, Meet the Robinsons (2007) tells the story of Lewis, an orphaned young inventor desperate to find his place in the world. He stumbles on a time-traveling machine that leads him to the future, meeting the eccentric Robinson family, setting up for a time-heist-like adventure that’s both thrilling and warm.

Although the film was overshadowed by bigger releases like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Enchanted, it has since gained appreciation for its strong emotional message full of optimism. The movie is heartfelt, has a unique story, and is one of Disney’s most meaningful films.

Halloweentown (1998)

Most Disney films mentioned in this list so far often had theatrical releases. But with Halloweentown (1998), this was a Disney Channel Original movie. The story introduces viewers to Halloweentown, where Halloween creatures live all year round. Marnie discovers this magical place when she finds out she comes from a long line of witches, and with her emerging powers, she must protect Halloweentown from the dark magic that threatens to destroy it.

As a pioneering Disney Channel Original Movie, Halloweentown (1998) has its cozy autumnal atmosphere and imaginative world-building. It even relies a lot on practice costumes and detailed set design. With that, the movie has become a niche Disney film that’s become a Halloween staple.

The Rocketeer (1991)

Before the beloved Sky High (2005) film, we had The Rocketeer (1991), a stylish superhero adventure inspired by Dave Stevens’ comic series. The film opens with Cliff Secord, a daring stunt pilot who comes across an experimental jetpack and becomes a masked hero. His newfound fame has made him a target of government agents, gangsters, and other enemies.

The movie has some nostalgic notes, practical effects, and a timeless sense of adventure. It’s become a refreshing superhero story that focuses on “doing the right thing,” even when the odds are stacked against you. The movie is remembered as a sincere throwback that celebrates heroism in its purest form, making it an overlooked live-action gem for Disney.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

AA risky departure from Disney’s traditional animated formulas is Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001). It tells the story of Milo, a linguist nd cartographer who joins an expedition to find the legendary lost city of Atlantis. He comes to discover a technologically advanced civilization on the brink of collapse and struggles within his internal group to protect Atlantis.

Visually, Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) stands out from most of Disney’s films. It heavily leans into science fiction, mythology, and action. Even if the movie received mixed reactions, it was still very ambitious for its time and displayed Disney’s willingness to experiment beyond its branded animation storytelling.

Tomorrowland (2015)

Can your actions really shape the world’s future? In Tomorrowland (2015), the story centers on Casey Newton, a curious teenager who discovers a mysterious pin that transports her to Tomorrowland, a utopian city created by the world’s greatest innovators. However, not everything is picture-perfect in her world, and Tomorrowland’s as well, as they both start crumbling.

This movie also struggled with critical reception and box office performance during its time. Later on, however, its themes have grown resonant, touching on ideas such as environmental responsibility and hopefulness. The movie stands in the midst of several dark dystopian narratives that have emerged with young adult dystopian movie adaptations in the 2010s.

The Black Cauldron (1985)

Known to be Disney’s darkest and most controversial animated film, The Black Cauldron (1985) is adapted from Lloyd Alexander’s books The Chronicles of Prydain. It introduces us to Taran, a young farm boy who becomes caught up in a quest to stop the Horned King from using a magical artifact that’s capable of raising an undead army.

This movie’s imagery has a lot of grim tones, and it’s unlike anything Disney has released before. To add to that, the film had a lot of production challenges, extensive edits to tone down its darker elements, and it was a commercial failure. As a niche Disney film, it has also earned its cult-classic status because of its bold atmosphere and the studio’s willingness to take creative risks at the time.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Finally, we have Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), which is a whimsical fantasy film that combines both live-action and animated elements inone setting. This story follows Eglantine Price, an apprentice witch who takes on three refugee children during World War II. Together, they embark on a magical journey to find a spell that will protect Britain from its invasion.

Known for its playful balance of fantasy and historical context, the movie has quite an inventive narrative and some memorable musical sequences. Additionally, it was even nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Special Visual Effects. It’s become an underrated Disney classic that rewards viewers looking for something a little different from Disney’s iconic offerings.

Disney’s filmography goes beyond its most talked-about classics. From experimental animation to overlooked live-action adventures, these niche Disney films show how willing the studio has been to take creative risks, even when the results didn’t always find an audience right away.

What’s Next for Animation?

Looking ahead, animation has also continued to evolve just as boldly. If you’re curious about what’s next for the medium, be sure to check out our highly-anticipated 10 animated movies releasing in 2026, featuring upcoming projects that are set to push visual styles, narratives, and imagination even further.