Forgotten Disney Jewels

Forgotten Disney Jewels I hear you say? What exactly are forgotten Disney Jewels? Well, dear readers, today it is all about those Disney movies that for, whatever reason, did not get the appreciation they deserved throughout time! I’m talking about a forgotten Disney Princess, epic storylines, fun animation, an interesting bad guy or two and some all round feel good movie moments! Today we will be looking at 10 movies that I feel people have forgotten how amazing they are and how important they are in the Disney Franchise.

I adore these movies a lot; they didn’t make it onto my top Disney movies because I always feel that they deserve their own list. To fully understand how amazing each of the movies are, we need to look at the Disney era they were created in. You’ll see that there are three different eras of Disney that I have chosen from. One from Disney’s Silver age. Five from Disney’s Bronze Era also known as Disney’s Dark Age. While the final four movies are during Disney’s Post Renaissance Era. 

Hey Niamh, for those of us who just watch Disney movies for their magic and getting lost in a movie, why is the Era in which the movie was made important? Well each era tells a lot about Disney’s History. Be it a change in animation, trying out new ideas, recovering from box office flops or, the feeling of being lost within the animation due to things going on in the animation studios itself. For me, when it comes to these 10 movies, I always think of how the movie made me feel, the characters and how much I got lost in a world far from my own. But, for those of you who like a little bit of history, I’ll sum up quickly what each era means and list one Box Office Hit per Era to give you a sense of the time when my forgotten Disney Jewels were released. 

Disney’s Silver Era

One Movie Hit of this era: Cinderella

This era saw many top Disney Classic favourites being released. What set this era of Disney apart from the Golden era can be summed up by two things. Firstly, the use of elaborate backgrounds and the use of softer colours within the animation. Secondly, the themes within the movies were a lot more lighter while showcasing more complex characters in comparison to previous eras. This Era of Disney Movies seem to give the moviegoer a feeling that anything is truly possible if you just believe! 

Disney’s Bronze Era: 

One Movie Hit of this era: The Aristocats

The important thing about this era is Disney’s step away from traditional animation and their use of xerography. This gave the movies a ‘Scratchy Animation Feel’. When you watch many of the movies from this era you really begin to question yourself: is the likes of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ really before ‘Robin Hood’? The answer is yes. The easiest way to describe it is that xerography seems rough around the edges, leaving a feeling that the animation wasn’t as advanced. The Bronze Era is also known as Disney’s Dark Age because this era followed after the death of Walt Disney. Many of the movies during this era, it is argued, felt like they were missing Walt’s direction and it felt like the company was trying to cut costs of production. How might you ask? Reusing character formations and outlines from previous productions. Having said all this, it is my favourite era of Disney movies as, just like many of us figuring out where we want to go in life, Disney Animation were figuring things out, trying out different styles and still managed to bring out some unforgettable classics. This era heavily influenced what was to become Disney’s Renaissance Era aka the era most people get lost in: the 1990’s. 

Disney’s Post Renaissance Era:

One Box Office Hit during this era: Lilo and Stitch

The era in which Disney knuckled down on trying different types of storytelling. This era was defined by trying to grow with the Disney fans who grew up during Disney’s Renaissance Era, all the while aiming to mesmerize a whole new generation of kid movie goers. During this time, Disney released numerous movies all with different story techniques but they were competing with two of the biggest movie franchises of all time, ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’. The largest grossing Disney movie during this era was Disney’s ‘Dinosaur’ and would see the company using CGI animation for the first time. Why is that important you might ask? The use of CGI paved a path on how Disney would animate their movies going forward. 

*Drum Roll Please* Now it is onto the reason you are all reading this post……

 Niamh’s 10 Forgotten Disney Jewels in chronical order: 

• The Sword in the Stone (1963): The first movie on the list is ‘The Sword in the Stone’. I like to think this movie started my love of the Arthurian Saga. For anyone who doesn’t know, one of my specialties is Early Welsh Literature. But, when it comes to this telling of the classical Arthurian story, it is my favourite adaptation. In comparison to newer Disney animation, the animation in this movie may seem old but, honestly, I think it adds to the movie’s overall charm. The story follows Merlin as he takes Arthur under his wing as this legendary story begins to unfold. 

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977): I adore A.A. Milne’s stories of Winnie the Pooh and his friends. Although, in more recent years, Disney have brought out The Tigger Movie (2000), Piglet’s Big Movie (2003), Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005) and Winnie the Pooh (2011); this silly old bear’s adventures had to start somewhere! Apparently, Walt Disney wanted to make this movie years before it actually got released but it wasn’t until after his death that the animation studio decided to run with this idea. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is one of my all time favourite Disney movies. Anyone who grew up listening to A.A. Milne’s story needs this movie. Soak up the silly and fun moments of Winnie the Pooh and his friends. The original movie is the reason so many of us now adore the Hundred Acre Wood and its inhabitants. 

• The Rescuers (1977): An evil villain that can put Cruella de Vil to shame with her sassiness alone! The Rescuers see two mice risk everything to save a little girl, Penny. The idea here of animals being a part of a Rescue Aid Society working under the United Nations always made me smile as a kid. The beginning of darker backdrops and storylines for Disney, the Rescuers takes place in America’s Deep South and brings you on an unforgettable journey.

• The Black Cauldron (1985): Get ready for one of Disney’s most controversial movies of all time! Did you love it or hate it? Were you terrified of the deadly animations or were you transfixed in awe of what Disney had created? For me, The Black Cauldron had me mesmerized, hiding behind a pillow in parts and questioning the storyline! Yes, The Black Cauldron does not have the strongest storyline; in fact, I am still confused at the very end of the movie, trying to piece everything together, but…. I don’t love this movie any less. The characters are fun, the animation is going to leave a lasting impression on you and the storyline I mentioned? Taran and his friends go on a journey to find the Black Cauldron before the evil horned King does. 

*Did you know: The Black Cauldron was the very first Disney movie to use Computer Animation for a feature length film? For those of you who didn’t, the computer programme the animators used for the Black Cauldron was used again and again in the 90’s to create countless movies during Disney’s Renaissance Era.*

• The Great Mouse Detective (1986): According to many Disney Critics, this is Disney’s Bronze Era best movie… I personally love it for it’s Sherlock Holmes feel and the fact the villain in this one still gives me nightmares! The storytelling of this one stands alone from all of the other movies brought out during Disney’s Bronze era and it was the biggest box office hit of this era too for Disney. If you are to watch this one with little ones, be aware that it can get quite scary during the final run in with Professor Ratigan. The movie, overall, is a fantastic and thrilling detective adventure that Arthur Conan Doyle (the author of Sherlock Holmes) would have been proud of.

• Oliver and Company (1988): This is the Disney movie I remember owning on VHS and putting it on just for the sound track! Oliver and Company is based on Charles Dickens book ‘Oliver Twist’ but, instead of people, its animals! Now, I love the story in this one a lot and the music but I am about to admit to something extremely controversial. I adore the style of animation used in this movie. I honestly feel it fits the story incredibly well. It also included an extremely star studded cast of voice actors including Billy Joel and Joey Lawrence. For anyone who hasn’t seen it before, keep an ear out for one of my favourite Disney songs ‘Why Should I Worry?’ and let me know if you don’t daydream of bopping along to this song while walking over one of those ground railings! 

• The Emperor’s New Groove (2000): The movie that should have its own ride at one or ALL of the Disney parks! The Emperor’s New Groove is such a funny movie that everyone needs to see at least once during their life! A fun villain and her sidekick! (Emma’s editor’s note: That lever moment XD) A funny lead with an epic friendship? Learning important life lessons and, oh, there is a llama! It truly is one important Disney Movie when it comes to a comic relief movie! I also love the colour palette used in this animations. Bright colours are everything! 

• Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001): The film that made me obsessed with the mythical land of Atlantis. Out of all the movies on the list, this one takes my top spot of the number one most underrated and forgotten Disney film ever! I loved the storyline for Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the animation in this movie made me fall in love more with myths and legends from around the world. There are two movies in this franchise and I agree with the mass of people who believe Disney should make a live action version of this movie.

• Treasure Planet (2002): A retelling of Treasure Island but with a twist. First of it is in Space! There are Ships in Space and Morph! Just watch this movie for Morph as a tween. I really wanted him as a friend! The animation is fantastic; when they get to treasure planet I remember seeing it for the first time and sitting on the edge of my seat for the remainder of the film. The story? Timeless and the characters brilliant! Two of my favourite people are voicing character’s in this Emma Thompson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

• Sky High (2005): As much as I love this movie… This one is on the list especially for Emma. When I decided to do this topic I asked her what her Forgotten Disney Jewel and she answered… Sky High. Fighting Superhero and Sidekick stereotypes since 2005. The thing is this one is great for the younger viewers; as for the teens and adults, you’ll see it coming a mile off but it is still worth the watch. Personally, I feel this one is only going to appeal to those who like superheros but don’t try to compare it to the Marvel Movies. You’ll connect with at least one of the character’s in the movie on a personal level and you’ll want to go to Sky High after seeing this movie!

All of the above list can be found on Disney+ UK and Ireland. The only thing left to say is what is your favourite forgotten Disney Movie?