You’ve got your shiny new Disney+ subscription but have already gone through the best that the Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar properties have to offer, so what’s left? Disney’s new streaming service features hours upon hours of entertainment for young and old, so it’s easy to miss some awesome, underrated films and TV series from the catalog.
Disney+ features a treasure trove of film and television that you may have forgotten about. From classic animated series’ to comedy and fantasy films from past decades, there’s still a lot more to discover. Check out a list of 10 underrated movies and TV shows to check out on Disney+ below.
DARKWING DUCK (1991)
Born as a spinoff from the popular 1987 kids’ TV series DuckTales, Darkwing Duck is an animated superhero TV show that follows the crime-fighting adventures of the title character and his sidekick, Launchpad McQuack. The pair team up in each episode to battle a colorful cast of villains, often in a humorous fashion.
Darkwing Duck was not only known for its quirky characters and exciting action but also its clever parody of other dark pulp-era heroes like The Shadow, Batman, and Zorro. The show became a hit with its young audience upon its release in 1991 and would run for 91 episodes. In the decades that passed, it seems that time had forgotten this peculiar hero until he reappeared again in the 2017 reboot of the DuckTales TV series on Disney XD.
DUCKTALES: THE MOVIE - TREASURE OF THE LOST LAMP (1990)
Speaking of DuckTales, another forgotten gem from that universe is DuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp, which was released in the latter end of the TV series’ run in 1990. The film finds Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Louie, and Dewey on a quest to Egypt in search of a lost treasure, when they find a magical lamp amongst the spoils and within it, a genie. The treasure doesn’t come easy though, as a sinister sorcerer begins to track them down, also seeking the same riches.
This animated gem of a film is full of humor and adventure and can be enjoyed by the whole family. It has everything viewers loved about the DuckTales TV series, only in a feature-length format.
DOUG (1991)
This early ’90s Nickelodeon classic (later continued by Disney) is another example of an amazing, yet underrated show that people may have either forgotten about or missed altogether. It may not have hit the same heights as shows like the super-popular Rugrats and The Ren & Stimpy Show, which were airing around the same time, but it’s a unique show with its own particular style.
It follows the adventures of Doug Funnie, a teenager with a vivid imagination that’s trying to get through elementary-school life. When he’s not trying to impress his crush Patti, Doug writes in his journal as a form of escape from the pressures of adolescence, where he often pretends to be a superhero known as Quailman. What makes the themes in Doug so relevant is that it tackles the insecurities faced by all young adults at some point in their lives, and with plenty of humor and charm.
MR. MAGOO (1997)
Comedy legend Leslie Nielsen takes on the character of Mr. Magoo in the film of the same name. Magoo is a short-sighted millionaire who always finds himself in trouble by refusing to wear glasses. The film sees our bumbling protagonist inadvertently caught up in a jewel robbery where he’s forced to get the better of a pair of thieves while being tracked by federal agents himself.
The film was a flop and received unfavorable reviews from critics, but nevertheless, it is a comedy film that’s full of laugh-out-loud moments. Nielsen made a career of playing funny men that were oblivious to their surroundings and the situations they’re in, meaning it’s likely this role was written specifically for him, and he gives it his best.
THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED (2005)
As far as inspirational sports movies go, The Greatest Game Ever Played may go down as one of the most underrated of all time. A young Shia LaBeouf plays the golfing prodigy Francis Ouimet, who strives to play in the US Open against his hero, champion Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane). Facing prejudice from the classy golfing society, the pair eventually face off in a nailbiting match that will have you emotionally invested throughout all eighteen holes.
Inspirational stories are one of Disney’s key specialties and they sensationally hit the mark with this film. Whether you love the sport of golf or hate it, there’s much to admire about this universal underdog story.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1993)
Based on the classic 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers has been adapted numerous times across all forms of media, but few are as entertaining as the 1993 film rendition featuring some of that decade’s biggest stars.
The Musketeers were a special gang of King’s guards that were dissolved, save for three loyal followers. Three soon become four when the ambitious D’Artagnan (Chris O’Donnell) discovers a plot by the evil Cardinal (Tim Curry), prompting the Musketeers to take it upon themselves to protect their fellow countrymen from the wrongdoings of the state.
The film received a mixed reaction upon its release but remains one of the more enjoyable adaptations of this classic tale.
GARGOYLES (1994)
Demonic stone creatures that sit on top of old buildings come to life to protect modern-day New York in the animated series, Gargoyles. The show was full of mythology that hadn’t been explored until that point, making for a unique entry into the crowded slate of ’90s kids’ animated TV shows.
What separated Gargoyles from the rest of the pack is its mature storytelling and themes, along with the darker tone (in comparison to other shows contending for eyeballs at the time). It was an instant fan-favorite but was abruptly canceled after two seasons, giving it an underrated status. ABC did produce a third season, although the show still deserved more than just 78 episodes.
HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS (1989)
Rick Moranis plays a scientist who accidentally shrinks his kids and their friends to a size that will make ants seem giant to them in the 1989 sci-fi comedy film, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The kids end up having to navigate the treacherous landscape of their own backyard while their father desperately tries to locate them.
This was one of the standout comedies of the late ’80s, though, it has seemingly been overshadowed by more popular comedies of that era in the years that passed. Sadly, the hilarious Rick Moranis would only work for a few more years before stepping away from Hollywood, so we can thank Disney for bringing this fantastic family classic back to audiences via its new streaming service.
WILLOW (1988)
Warwick Davis plays Willow Ufgood, a man with a fondness for magic who comes across a special baby girl that he must protect while trying to find a suitable guardian for her. Aided by the warrior Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), they head off on a dangerous mission to fulfill the baby’s secret destiny, which happens to be to bring forth the demise of an evil queen that’s plaguing their land.
Willow is a fantasy-adventure film that is a must-watch for all Star Wars fans. Warwick Davis’ connection to the franchise goes as far back as 1983 when he appeared as Wicket in The Return of the Jedi. Since then, he’s appeared in several other Star Wars films and TV shows; however, it’s his performance in this entertaining fantasy film where he gets to truly shine. Furthermore, it’s directed by Ron Howard and based on a story by George Lucas. Need we say more?
TURNER & HOOCH (1989)
Tom Hanks plays a police detective who’s forced to look after the dog of a murder victim. Considering the slobbering pooch (appropriately named Hooch) may have been the only witness to the crime, he’s left with no other choice. As you may be expecting, the two become inseparable on their quest to find the murderer.
Turner & Hooch is an underrated buddy-movie for the ages. It’s full of comedic gags that all dog lovers will appreciate and it offers an excellent portrayal of the bond between man and dog.
