The 25 most underrated Disney movies of the 2000s, ranked
The 25 most underrated Disney movies of the 2000s, ranked
Staff Author, Kelly MartinezWed, April 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC
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Disney's underrated aughts: 'The Emperor's New Groove,' 'National Treasure,' 'Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen'Credit: Disney (3)
The 2000s were a magical time to be a Disney fan. That's due in part to inspired remakes like Freaky Friday (2003) and Pixar classics such as Ratatouille (2007), but not every Disney film from this era gets the recognition it deserves.
Some of these Disney releases were unfairly dismissed by critics (see: Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) while others, including Treasure Planet, flew under the radar entirely. If you dust off that ancient pile of DVDs, you’re bound to discover some hidden gems.
With the House of Mouse currently celebrating the successes of Zootopia 2 and Hoppers (and the imminent arrival of Toy Story 5), it’s the perfect time to revisit some of the studio’s most overlooked films.
Below, check out Entertainment Weekly’s ranked selection of the 25 most underrated 2000s Disney movies.
01 of 25
Chicken Little (2005)
Zach Braff voices Cluck in 'Chicken Little'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Zach Braff stars as the chicken who cried wolf in this adaptation of the European fable “Henny Penny.” Directed by Mark Dindal (The Emperor’s New Groove), the story centers on a young rooster who becomes the town laughingstock after falsely claiming the sky is falling.
While the film wasn’t a critical darling, it’s worth revisiting for the absolutely bonkers plot. A chicken and his friends travel to space to thwart an alien invasion? Count us in! There’s also a sweet father-son dynamic that’s surprisingly touching.
Bonus: Joan Cusack voices Chicken Little’s BFF Abby.
02 of 25
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005)
Lilo is not impressed with Stitch's drawing in 'Stitch Has a Glitch'Credit: disney
Set smack in between the events of Lilo & Stitch (2002) and Stitch! The Movie (2003), this direct-to-video release follows Lilo (Dakota Fanning, replacing Daveigh Chase) and everyone’s favorite blue menace (Chris Sanders) as they prepare for a hula competition. Unfortunately for the duo, Stitch has technical difficulties to deal with.
Even if it can’t completely recreate the magic of the original, it strikes a nice balance between heartwarming drama and fun, zany antics. The emotional whiplash of the third act turns us into blubbering messes to this day.
03 of 25
Teacher’s Pet (2004)
Spot, voiced by Nathan Lane, in 'Teacher's Pet'Credit: disney
Can you still recite the lyrics to “I Wanna Be a Boy” or are you normal? Leonard and his pup Spot (Nathan Lane) get the big-screen treatment in this zany musical in which, yes, Spot gets transformed into a human boy.
The movie, which serves as the capstone to the early-2000s TV series, is light and fun. It’s got cartoon dogs, and its humor will appeal to your inner fourth-grader — what more could you want?
Fun fact: It’s also a Cheers reunion! Kelsey Grammer voices Dr. Ivan Krank, while the script was penned by two of the sitcom’s regulars, Bill and Cheri Steinkellner.
04 of 25
Recess: School’s Out (2001)
It's the last day of school in 'Recess: School's Out'Credit: disney
Chuck Sheetz’s sequel to the popular Disney series follows T.J. (Andrew Lawrence) and the Recess gang on the last day of school. But summer gets off to a rotten start when T.J. uncovers the unthinkable: a plot to get rid of summer vacation. The horror, the horror!
The movie is light and breezy, coupling ridiculous hijinks with snappy dialogue that’s refreshingly witty for a kids’ flick. Short and sweet, it rounds out to 83 minutes of pure fun.
05 of 25
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001)
'Lady and the Tramp' gets an underrated sequel, decades laterCredit: disney
Scamp’s Adventure centers on Lady and Tramp’s troublemaker son Scamp (Scott Wolf), who yearns to become a wild dog.
In a good ol’ act of teenage rebellion, he runs away from home, tries to join a tough pack of strays, and falls for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks (Alyssa Milano).
There’s just something undeniably fun about these “OG couple’s kid grows up and rebels” direct-to-video sequels, and this is one of Disney’s strongest. Plus, there’s plenty of nods to the original; there’s even a recreation of the iconic spaghetti and meatballs scene.
06 of 25
Peter Pan: Return to Never Land (2002)
Peter Pan charms Wendy's daughter, Jane, in 'Return to Never Land'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
This belated sequel to Peter Pan (1953) centers on Wendy’s daughter, Jane (Harriet Owen), a cynical tween who doesn’t believe in Peter Pan. When Jane is kidnapped and forcibly taken to Neverland in a case of mistaken identity, she must learn to truly believe in the magic in order to get home.
A tad extreme, but it makes for high stakes. The story finds the right equilibrium between paying homage to beloved characters and developing the next-gen protagonist in her own right. Extra credit for its apt use of BBMak’s “Do You Believe in Magic?”
07 of 25
The Tigger Movie (2000)
The Hundred-Acre Wood gang in 'The Tigger Movie'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Tiggers are wonderful things! This Winnie the Pooh tale follows everyone’s favorite bouncy friend as he sets out to find other tiggers like him.
Sidekick spinoffs are pretty hit-or-miss, but The Tigger Movie proves that Pooh’s buddy is more than capable of handling the spotlight on his own. While the film is silly and fun, its universal themes about identity, family, and belonging also have us reaching for tissues.
This is one of those Disney movies that hits harder as an adult. Just like stripes, stories about found family will simply never go out of style.
08 of 25
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
Ariel welcomes another member of the family in 'Return to the Sea'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Little Mermaid II centers on Ariel and Eric’s daughter Melody (Tara Charendoff), who’s unaware of her mermaid heritage. Wanting to keep Melody safe, Ariel forbids her from going to sea and… you can probably guess where this is going.
OG cast members Jodi Benson, Kenneth Mars, Samuel E. Wright, and Buddy Hackett all reprise their roles from the original, a rare treat for a sequel made so many years later.
What really makes this one a standout in a sea of Disney direct-to-video sequels is Benson and Charendoff, who have magical mother-daughter chemistry. “For a Moment” is a bop.
09 of 25
The Game Plan (2007)
The Rock gets an unexpected daughter in 'The Game Plan'Credit: Everett Collection
Before he was the voice of Maui in Moana (2016), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson brought his A-game to The Game Plan, where he plays a star quarterback who unexpectedly discovers he has an 8-year-old daughter (Madison Pettis).
The film is a win-win for kids and sports fans alike, full of laugh-out-loud and nail-biter moments on and off the field. The Rock and Pettis make for a charming father-daughter duo, playing off each other in a way that feels organic.
Plus, there are several fun cameos by pro athletes and broadcasters that football fans will dig.
10 of 25
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)
Lindsay Lohan and Alison Pill in 'Confessions of a Drama Queen'Credit: Buena Vista/courtesy Everett Collection
With the Lindsay Lohan renaissance upon us, it’s the perfect time to revisit Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.
The musical comedy stars Lohan as 15-year-old Lola, an aspiring Broadway actress and compulsive liar stuck in the suburbs. While the film was panned at the time, it’s since been embraced as an appealing depiction of teenage girlhood.
The story works on multiple levels, both as a fun girls’ night flick and as a clever satire of the ridiculous way pop culture depicts young women.
11 of 25
The Lion King 1½ (2004)
Timon and Pumbaa are back in 'The Lion King 1 1/2'Credit: Disney
There are prequels, there are sequels, and then there’s whatever The Lion King 1½ is. The quirky film centers on Timon and Pumbaa (Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, reprising their roles) as they retell the events of The Lion King (1994) through their eyes.
Disney took a risk here by diverting from its usual sequel formula, and it largely pays off by rehashing the source material in a way that feels clever and fresh rather than cash-grabby. The duo’s meta commentary isn’t just amusing, but worth listening to. We’d put their narration on par with the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew’s banter.
12 of 25
Brother Bear (2003)
Kenai and Koda in 'Brother Bear'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
If “a Disney movie everyone watched as a child and then totally forgot about” was a Jeopardy clue, Brother Bear would be the clear answer. The story revolves around Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix), an Alaskan Native boy who, after killing a grizzly bear as revenge for his brother’s death, is transformed into a bear himself.
The film’s message about the true meaning of brotherhood is timeless, but it’s also surprisingly mature for a kids’ movie, tackling heavy themes of grief, justice, and forgiveness with sensitivity and care.
13 of 25
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Ice Princess (2005)
Michelle Trachtenberg in 'Ice Princess'Credit: Disney
Michelle Trachtenberg will forever be remembered for her roles in Buffy and Gossip Girl, but her performance in Ice Princess shouldn’t be overlooked. She headlines this dramedy as Casey, a teen torn between chasing a Harvard scholarship or pursuing her passion for ice skating.
Ice Princess gives its teenage protagonist a level of depth that’s rare for movies released in the early 2000s, making Casey a character we understand and root for. The complex mother-daughter dynamic between Trachtenberg and Joan Cusack is also a standout. Raise your hand if it made you want to learn how to ice skate!
14 of 25
The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
Hilary Duff and Yani Gellman in 'The Lizzie McGuire Movie'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Not every Disney Channel show translates well to the big screen, but The Lizzie McGuire Movie is what dreams are made of. Hilary Duff stars as the eponymous Lizzie, who embarks on an eventful school trip to Rome with her pals, including BFF Gordo (Adam Lamberg).
The movie has rightfully cemented itself as a cult classic in recent years, with zoomers everywhere appreciating its quotable dialogue (“You’re an outfit rememberer!”), fun escapism, and accurate portrayal of middle-school friendships.
Let’s be honest, though: It set the expectations for eighth-grade field trips way too high.
15 of 25
Sky High (2005)
Kurt Russell and Michael Angarano in 'Sky High'Credit: Buena Vista/courtesy Everett Collection
Before the MCU, there was Sky High.
Mike Mitchell’s witty genre hybrid follows Will (Michael Angarano), who starts school at his parents’ prestigious alma mater, an airborne academy for teen superheroes. There’s just one tiny problem: He doesn’t have any powers. You try living up to the pressure of having a super-powered Kurt Russell as your dad.
The movie is a delightful mix of candy-colored action and teen angst, the latter of which centers on Will’s ill-fated crush on a senior, Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Not only is it a blast to watch, but it’s also a clever homage to classic superhero tropes.
16 of 25
Dinosaur (2000)
Forget the 'Jurassic Park' sequels, 'Dinosaur' is an underrated prehistoric gemCredit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Step aside, Jurassic Park. Ralph Zondag and Eric Leighton’s live-action/animated hybrid follows a young Iguanodon named Aladar who’s raised by lemurs. When a meteor destroys their island home, the family is forced to flee to the mainland, where they cross paths with a herd of dinos.
Dinosaur is visually stunning, seamlessly blending computer-generated prehistoric creatures with live-action backgrounds. The animation is incredibly realistic and detailed, right down to the scales on the dinosaurs’ backs, making for an immersive adventure that commands the audience’s attention every (giant) step of the way.
17 of 25
National Treasure (2004)
Nicolas Cage goes on a scavenger hunt in 'National Treasure'Credit: Everett Collection
Of all Nicolas Cage movies, nothing gets zillennials yapping quite like National Treasure.
Jon Turteltaub’s action-adventure stars Cage as Benjamin Franklin (yes, really) Gates, a historian and amateur cryptographer on a mission to unearth a legendary stash of lost treasure. In order to find the goods, he’s got to, er… steal the Declaration of Independence (that escalated quickly).
The film is a blast from start to finish, packed with high-stakes action, humor, plenty of memeable Cage moments, and a supporting cast that includes Harvey Keitel, Diane Kruger, and Christopher Plummer. Plus, it makes for the perfect Fourth of July watch.
18 of 25
Fantasia 2000 (2000)
One of Disney's best classics gets a long-awaited follow-up in 'Fantasia 2000'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Some sequels are worth waiting for — even if the wait lasts six decades.
Following in the footsteps of its 1940 predecessor, Fantasia 2000 serves us a melting pot of lively animated segments set to pieces of classical music (think: Beethoven, Stravinsky).
At just over an hour in length, the bite-sized flick makes for a perfect Disney appetizer. Its combination of traditional animation and CGI is striking, paying homage to Disney’s past while offering a taste of what’s to come — a perfect note on which to end the Disney Renaissance era.
19 of 25
Bolt (2008)
Bolt and Rhino in 'Bolt'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Forget Pulp Fiction and Grease, it’s Bolt for which John Travolta deserves all the accolades.
Directed by Chris Williams and Byron Howard, this gem centers on lovable pup Bolt (Travolta), who stars in a hit action series alongside his owner, Penny (Miley Cyrus), and becomes convinced he has superpowers in real life.
The Oscar-nominated film feels reminiscent of classic Disney, packed with cartoon fun, fast-paced action, and “reach for your tissues” moments that feel earned. Although Bolt often gets lost in the shuffle of the studio’s animated features, it paved the way for future successes like Tangled (2010).
20 of 25
Tuck Everlasting (2002)
Alexis Bledel and Jonathan Jackson in 'Tuck Everlasting'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Gilmore Girls and General Hospital collide in this romantasy starring Alexis Bledel and Jonathan Jackson.
Based on the 1975 novel of the same name, it follows teenage Winnie (Bledel) as she falls in love with a boy named Jesse Tuck (Jackson), who has become immortal after drinking water from a magical spring.
Instead of coming across like a corny Lifetime movie, Tuck Everlasting manages to tackle mature topics like death and morality without devolving into preachiness, which is no small feat.
Let’s be real here: We all cried over this movie at a sleepover at least once.
21 of 25
The Rookie (2002)
Dennis Quaid winds up in 'The Rookie'Credit: Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
Not to be confused with the cop show starring Nathan Fillion, The Rookie is a must-see for baseball fans. Dennis Quaid steps into the cleats of real-life former Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Jim Morris, who (finally!) made it to the major leagues at the age of 35.
What really sets The Rookie apart from being just another run-of-the-mill sports flick is Quaid’s emotionally layered performance, portraying the character not just as an athlete but as a complicated person on and off the field. If that doesn’t sell you, how about Brian Cox playing Jim’s old man?
22 of 25
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
An enduring myth gets an underrated animated adventure in 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire'Credit: Everett Collection
Atlantis is truly the definition of a lost treasure. Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise’s unjustly overlooked sci-fi action film centers on a young linguist named Milo (Michael J. Fox) who gets his hands on an ancient book with directions to the famed lost city of Atlantis. The film’s bright and bouncy animation style feels like it was ripped straight out of a comic book, making this a visual stunner.
It’s arguably one of Disney’s most mature animated features; instead of being just another formulaic fairy tale, it uses its story to critique capitalism and imperialism. Groovy!
23 of 25
Treasure Planet (2002)
Morph, B.E.N., and Jim Hawkins in 'Treasure Planet'Credit: Everett Collection
John Musker and Ron Clements’ underrated Treasure Planet, featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the voice of teen adventurer Jim Hawkins, is basically a sci-fi fanfic of the 1883 novel Treasure Island. Instead of sailboats and pirates, we get spaceships and space pirates. Sounds awesome, right?
Although the movie bombed at the box office, it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and has since become a cult classic. Transplanting classic lit, be it Stevenson or Shakespeare, into completely new settings is common enough by now, but few merge their disparate milieus with as much imagination and wit as Treasure Planet.
24 of 25
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
The Robinsons (and a few others) in 'Meet the Robinsons'Credit: Disney
Stephen Anderson’s wacky and wonderful animated adventure follows 12-year-old orphan Lewis (voiced by Jordan Fry and Daniel Hansen), a science whiz on a mission to track down his birth mother. When he crosses paths with an eccentric time traveler (Wesley Singerman), he suddenly finds himself in the year 2037.
This undeniably fun film may be one of Disney’s most unique, packed with twists and turns that even a time traveler couldn’t predict. The characters feel like real people, and they tug at your heartstrings so much that you'll want to reach into the screen and give them a hug.
25 of 25
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Kuzco, Kronk, and Yzma in 'The Emperor's New Groove'Credit: Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
Of all the underrated Disney films this century, nothing can compare to the masterpiece that is The Emperor’s New Groove.
At the center of the tale is the spoiled Emperor Kuzco (David Spade), who has to learn compassion after a potion mishap with his diabolical ex-advisor (Eartha Kitt) transforms him into a llama.
This one simply has it all: absurdist gags, catchy tunes (“My Funny Friend and Me” never gets old), delightful puns and in-jokes, narrative architecture that quite self-awarely makes no sense… shall we go on?
Groove remains endlessly rewatchable, its message about the importance of empathy being more relevant than ever.
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