There’s no shortage of animated movies nowadays, with many animated films from well-known studios opening in theaters nearly every month and a wide catalogue of new releases on streaming platforms too. But what about those movies that were released a while ago and didn’t get as much love as they deserved? Whether you’re looking to dive into nostalgia or discover a film you’ve never heard of, we’re here to help! Here is a list of 5 underrated animated movies, in alphabetical order! Enjoy!
1. Anastasia (1997)
This 1997 gem from director Don Bluth is the rare animated film from the 90s that wasn’t released by Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Studio Ghibli – the biggest animation studios at the time – but that can definitely measure up to the competition in terms of visuals, storytelling, and overall quality. This Twentieth Century Fox release uses the true story of the titular Russian princess to craft an exciting narrative filled with beautiful world-building, iconic songs, and a central romance we love to root for. It all begins with an evil wizard named Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd) putx a curse on the royal family – the Romanovs – right before the palace is overrun by foreign troops during the Russian Revolution.
In the midst of chaos, the young Anastasia (Meg Ryan) escapes thanks to the help of a young boy working at the palace, Dimitri (John Cusack). Years later, Anastasia’s grandma (Angela Lansbury) is still looking for her, and decides to offer a reward to anyone who finds her. Interested in the money, two Russians hold auditions to present the Queen with a fake princess who can look the part, and who should they find, if not Anastasia herself? Keeping in mind that Anastasia, who now goes by Anya, doesn’t remember who she is, and that one of the Russians is the same Dimitri who helped her escape, our trio is in for quite the adventure.
Anastasia isn’t revolutionary narrative-wise, but what makes it a standout is the combination of a committed, all-star cast, a haunting score full of unforgettable tunes, and a story that flows very well, leaving room for comedy, romance, and emotion. On top of this, the world-building is exceptional, from the many locations our heroes travel to to the realistic costumes and props. Anastasia is a journey in time, made even better by its heartwarming message about family and resilience.
2. Robin Hood (1973)
When we think back to the first great Disney animated movies, we usually remember classics from the 50s, like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, or from the 80s, like The Little Mermaid. Robin Hood (1973) is often forgotten, yet it’s a superb entry not only in Disney’s “Bronze Age” (1970-1988), but also in their overall catalogue – not to mention, it’s one of the best Robin Hood movies ever made. The film, from directors Wolfgang Reitherman and David Hand, tells the story of the notorious thief (Tasos Masmanidis), who roams Sherwood Forest, Nottingham, with his friend Little John (Michalis Maragakis), stealing from the rich to give to the poor.
There really isn’t much more to the plot per se, but what makes it such a pleasure to watch is the rich characterization of every single character, from our two protagonists to love interests Maid Marian (Monica Evans) and Lady Kluck (Carole Shelley), to the hilarious duo of the whiny Prince John (Peter Ustinov) and his right-hand-man, a sarcastic snake named Sir Hiss (Terry-Thomas). But there are even more characters in a highly enjoyable epic that starts entertaining you from its very first minutes, with a deliciously infective title scene that will have you whistling along. Look out for a hilarious scene where the Sheriff of Nottingham (Pat Buttram) sings a certain song about the “Phony Kind of England”.
3. Robot Dreams (2024)
If you thought The Iron Giant was going to be on this list, think again, because there are several underrated animated movies about robots, and we just had to mention this 2024 release. Pablo Berger takes us to an imaginary version of New York City where all residents are animal, living their lives just like us humans would. In this silent movie, our protagonist is “Dog”, and when we first meet him, he’s lonely. So much so, in facts, that when he stumbles upon a commercial advertising a friendly robot, he decides to buy it. Right away, the robot is at his doorstep; soon, he’s assembled it and the two can become friends.
Right away, a beautiful friendship blooms, and it’s effortless to watch them enjoy each other’s company – that is, until Dog makes the wrong decision and the two are separated by destiny. As they both try to return to the other, in one way or another, life takes over, and they soon realize that their friendship is going to have to evolve into someone else. Despite the film revolving around a dog and a robot, you can’t get any more human than this, in what is ultimately an analysis of what it means to overcome loss and carry our best memories – even those that never happened – within us.
4. Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Based on Aoi Hiiragi’s 1989 manga of the same name, Whisper of the Heart is the only Ghibli film directed by Yoshifumi Kondō, a close friend and colleague of Hayao Miyazaki’s who worked as the animation director on many beloved Ghibli classics, including Kiki’s Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke. Sadly, Kondō passed away three years after the release of the film, at the age of 47, and he never got to be Miyazaki’s successor, as the Studio Ghibli founder meant him to be. Still, his legacy lives on in this beautiful, haunting gem about art, self-discovery, growing up, and love.
The film centers around a curious young girl named Shizuku who one day realizes that all the books she’s been taking from the library have previously been read by the same person, a boy named Seiji. Shizuku, who is an avid reader, convinces herself that the boy is her soul mate and starts looking for him, in a quest that will first take her to a large cat, an eccentric antiques dealer, and many disquietingly fascinating creatures. The movie’s original title, Mimi wo Sumaseba, literally translates to “If You Listen Closely,” and you’ll definitely be doing some listening, as the popular “Take Me Home, Country Roads” song is featured in it – only, not in the way you’d expect. A must watch!
5. Wolfwalkers (2020)
Released by the same Irish animated studio that gave us the award-winning The Breadwinner and Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers is one of the best animated movies of the 2020s – yet you’ve probably never heard about it. Whether it’s due to its limited theatrical release, its quirky animated style, or the fact that it was released not long after the COVID pandemic, we’ll never know, but this is still a fantastic animated gem that you absolutely need to check out.
Wolfwalkers is about an apprentice wolf hunter named Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) who lives in Ireland with her father. The forest around Robyn’s town is home to the last remaining wolf pack, and her father is determined to hunt them down. As for our protagonist, she would like to help him, but she’s also inquisitive and willing to be challenged. This combination of factors eventually leads her on an adventure, and soon she finds herself facing one of the wolves her dad is trying to find – except that the wolf is not what she’d expected “it” to be. We’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers, but trust us when we say that you’ll fall in love with Wolfwalkers‘s folk tale vibe and one-of-a-kind animation, combined with a story that couldn’t be more timely.
The 5 movies listed above are all underrated animated gems that you should seek out, and that will make for fantastic watches whether you’ve seen them before or you’re approaching them for the first time. If you still need more recommendations, why not check out Ice Age, Brother Bear, Fantasia, Raya and the Last Dragon, The Road to El Dorado, Chicken Run, and Akira? Happy watching!
