Throwing their hat into the ring alongside the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, 2019 saw the launch of Disney+. Featuring an array of exclusive content from Disney’s flagship brands alongside a veritable laundry list of fan-favorite offerings, the service quickly morphed into a streaming giant that was capable of competing with its more established competition. Boasting more than 150 million subscribers worldwide as of March 2024, Disney+ has some of the best movies and TV shows on offer.
In addition to a vast library of Disney-exclusive content from the likes of Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, Disney+ also plays host to many criminally underrated movies. Ranging from critically acclaimed blockbusters that failed to break into the mainstream to films that attained fan favorite status despite mixed reviews, Disney+ is home to some of cinema’s most underappreciated films. From epic tales of survival and battles of the human spirit all the way to laugh-out-loud romantic comedies, there’s something for every brand of film fan out there.
15 Predators (2010)
Directed By Nimród Antal
The third film in the Predator series, Predators took the franchise off-world for the first time, chronicling the trials and tribulations of an elite group who find themselves marooned on a mysterious alien planet to serve as target practice for the titular extra-terrestrial hunters. While Predators received mixed reviews from critics, Nimród Antal’s picture is contentiously the series’ finest offering since the iconic original debuted in 1987.
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In addition to the talents of a diverse ensemble cast, Predators offers a fresh take on the franchise that crackles with intensity. The film decidedly isn’t perfect, but it’s a return to much of what made the original such a success, emphasizing adrenaline-infused action sequences and psychological tension.
14 Togo (2019)
Directed By Ericson Core
Togo is a Disney+ original movie starring Willem Dafoe as musher Leonhard Seppala, the owner of Togo, who is a sled dog that was thought to be too weak to perform in the 1925 serum run to Nome. The film is directed by Ericson Core, who previously directed the films Invincible and Point Break.
- Director
- Ericson Core
- Release Date
- December 20, 2019
- Cast
- Michael Greyeyes , Christopher Heyerdahl , Richard Dormer , Julianne Nicholson , Michael McElhatton , Michael Gaston , Willem Dafoe
- Runtime
- 114minutes
Given Willem Dafoe’s vast body of acclaimed work, it’s hardly surprising that Togo stands as one of his more underappreciated outings. When critics typically point to the likes of Platoon, The Lighthouse, or At Eternity’s Gate as examples of Willem Dafoe’s best movies, his stunning bow in Togo flies beneath the radar in terms of mainstream appreciation. While Ericson Core’s film is easy to dismiss as just another dog movie, Togo transcends the usual standards associated with such titles, producing a gripping tale of loyalty and love that never fails to tug on heartstrings.
13 King Arthur (2004)
Directed By Antoine Fuqua
Arthur is a reluctant leader who wants to return to Rome and live in peace. However, he sets out on a rescue mission alongside the Knights of the Round Table when the Saxon army is about to attack.
- Director
- Antoine Fuqua
- Release Date
- July 7, 2004
- Runtime
- 126 Minutes
A heavily embellished take on the legend, King Arthur reimagines the titular character as a Roman cavalry officer during the fall of the Empire, as opposed to the traditional character mold of a medieval knight typically used in King Arthur movies. Despite being lambasted as little more than a ham-fisted action flick by critics, there’s an enjoyable viewing experience to be found in King Arthur, if viewers are willing to look past its weaknesses. The movie’s thrilling battle sequences and unconventional depictions of the Knights of the Round Table serve to elevate King Arthur above similar genre contemporaries in terms of sheer entertainment.
12 Sunshine (2007)
Directed By Danny Boyle
Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle, follows a team of astronauts on a mission to reignite a dying sun with a massive nuclear bomb. Set in 2057, the film stars Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh, encapsulating their struggle against both physical and psychological challenges. As the crew ventures deeper into space, they confront unexpected dangers that threaten the mission and their survival.
- Director
- Danny Boyle
- Release Date
- July 27, 2007
- Runtime
- 107 minutes
Sunshine bears the unenviable accolade of being one of the greatest sci-fi films in recent memory that virtually nobody remembers. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Cillian Murphy, the film chronicles a perilous mission through space to reignite the dying sun using a stellar bomb. A box office disaster, the 2007 movie had faded into almost complete obscurity before discovering a new lease of life as one of Disney+’s most underrated attractions. Utilizing an eerie sense of realism and visually stunning cinematography, Danny Boyle’s film effortlessly blends the genres of science fiction and horror to jaw-dropping effect.
11 Holes (2003)
Directed By Andrew Davis
A teenage boy finds himself at a juvenile detention camp after being falsely accused of theft. Each day, he and the other boys are forced to dig holes in the desert, supposedly to build character. As the protagonist delves deeper into the camp’s secrets, he uncovers a mysterious connection to his own family’s history, leading to the revelation of a hidden treasure and the resolution of an ancient curse.
- Director
- Andrew Davis
- Release Date
- April 18, 2003
- Runtime
- 117 minutes
A comedy-drama based on Louis Sachar’s novel of the same name, Holes is often overlooked in conversations about great book adaptations given the film’s relatively small budget and promotional fanfare in comparison to some of its contemporaries. Holes is a vastly underrated offering, deftly juggling dark subject matter and uplifting sentiment in a family-friendly manner that makes the movie accessible to audiences of all ages. A surprisingly layered story that invites introspective reflection on themes in the vein of authority, justice, and redemption, Holes still manages to maintain the tongue-in-cheek aura of any classic coming-of-age story.
10 Ready Or Not (2019)
Directed By Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Starring scream queen Samara Weaving in the leading role, Ready or Not is a glorious piece of horror comedy that stands out as one of the subgenre’s sleeper hits. The film chronicles the tribulations of a young bride who finds herself hunted through her new spouse’s ancestral home by his family as part of a twisted ritual. A crowd-pleasing blend of black humor and thrilling horror, Ready or Not is a riotously entertaining watch.
Weaving’s superb lead bow is complemented by an array of excellent supporting performances from the likes of Adam Brody and Andie MacDowell, expertly carrying the film to its electrifying conclusion. A first-rate genre subversion, Ready or Not is one of the most underrated horror films of the 2010s.
9 Remember The Titans (2000)
Directed By Boaz Yakin
Remember The Titans is a 2000 sports drama directed by Boaz Yakin and starring Denzel Washington. The film is based on the true story of a newly integrated high school football team in Virginia. Under the leadership of coach Herman Boone, the team navigates racial tensions and strives for success on and off the field.
- Director
- Boaz Yakin
- Release Date
- September 29, 2000
- Runtime
- 113 minutes
Loosely based on the true story of Herman Boone and his attempt to integrate a high school football team, Remember the Titans is contentiously the finest American football film ever made. Spearheaded by Denzel Washington, the film effortlessly balances social commentary with an array of motivational sequences. Given the movie’s positive reviews, it’s hard to pinpoint why Remember the Titans is such an underrated offering. It could be argued that the movie doesn’t possess the same appeal to audiences outside the traditional demographic associated with American football. Whatever the case may be, Remember the Titans retains its status as a top-tier inspirational sports drama.
8 James And The Giant Peach (1996)
Directed By Henry Selick
An orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.
- Director
- Henry Selick
- Release Date
- April 12, 1996
- Cast
- Paul Terry , Joanna Lumley , Pete Postlethwaite , Simon Callow , Richard Dreyfuss , Jane Leeves , Miriam Margolyes , Susan Sarandon
- Runtime
- 79 Minutes
James and the Giant Peach tells the tale of a young boy who embarks on a fantastical adventure with an array of talking insects in an enormous magical peach. One of Roald Dahl’s most celebrated and inherently feel-good stories, it’s remarkable that the film holds status as an underrated flick. While the superb voice-over performances turned in by James and the Giant Peach’s supporting cast have never received the full amount of praise due to them, the film’s blend of live-action and stop-motion animation is easily its most unappreciated aspect, with borderline psychedelic visual effects used in the film were years ahead of their time.
7 Road To Perdition (2002)
Directed By Sam Mendes
2002’s Road to Perdition sees Tom Hanks step into the role of Michael Sullivan, a man raised by an Irish Mob boss who betrays him. Directed by Sam Mendes, Sullivan embarks on a journey to get vengeance on the man who wronged him.
- Director
- Sam Mendes
- Release Date
- July 12, 2002
- Runtime
- 117 minutes
A somber crime drama led by Tom Hanks, Road to Perdition sees the Forrest Gump star take on the uncharacteristically dark role of a mob enforcer on the run from his former employer. One of Hanks’ more underrated cinematic outings, Sam Mendes’ picture is often overlooked given Road to Perdition‘s lack of instantly quotable one-liners or glamorized depictions of criminality associated with films of its ilk.
However, the film’s evocative exploration of the bond between fathers and sons is what sets it apart from many gangster contemporaries. Road to Perdition eschews the traditional narrative structure of a mobster movie, in favor of a poignant commentary on the nature of this unshakable bond set against the backdrop of a brutal revenge story.
6 The Drop (2014)
Directed By Michaël R. Roskam
The Drop is a crime drama directed by Michaël R. Roskam and based on a screenplay by Dennis Lehane. The film stars Tom Hardy as Bob Saginowski, a bartender who becomes involved in a robbery gone wrong and a subsequent investigation that unravels secrets about the neighborhood’s criminal underbelly. Also featuring James Gandolfini and Noomi Rapace, the film explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and the complexity of human relationships.
- Director
- Michaël R. Roska
- Release Date
- September 12, 2014
- Cast
- Tom Hardy , Noomi Rapace , James Gandolfini , Matthias Schoenaerts , John Ortiz , Elizabeth Rodriguez , Michael Aronov , Morgan Spector
- Runtime
- 106 Minutes
Led by Tom Hardy and The Sopranos star James Gandolfini in his final film appearance, The Drop is a masterful crime thriller of the highest order. However, despite The Drop’s star-studded cast, understated advertising and a limited release for the film meant that it flew under the radar even at the time of its release. This lack of mainstream recognition is a shame, considering The Drop is a glorious case study in gritty, atmospheric filmmaking. The movie received glowing reviews from critics, with particular praise directed towards the intense performances by Hardy and Gandolfini in the leading roles in a slow-burn character-focused enterprise.
5 Phone Booth (2002)
Directed By Joel Schumacher
A riveting psychological thriller, Phone Booth features Colin Farrell and Kiefer Sutherland at the top of their respective games. Farrell plays a young publicist who finds himself trapped under a mysterious sniper’s scope in a phone booth, where he is forced to carry out an array of personally compromising tasks ordered by Sutherland’s ominous marksman to survive.
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From the electrifying performances on display to the movie’s adrenaline-soaked narrative, Phone Booth is a criminally underrated cinematic offering. The supremely gifted duo of Farrell and Sutherland shine in the leading roles, a particularly impressive feat when the latter only shows his face briefly. Cultivating an insane air of tension from start to finish, Phone Booth is a case study of how to do a lot with a little.
4 The Last Duel (2021)
Directed By Ridley Scott
The Last Duel is a historical epic drama set amid the Hundred Years War, and explores the ubiquitous power of men, the frailty of justice, and the strength and courage of one woman willing to stand alone in the service of truth. Based on actual events, the film unravels long-held assumptions about France’s last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris; two friends turned bitter rivals.
- Release Date
- October 15, 2021
- Runtime
- 2h 32m
Based on the remarkable true story of two knights who fought to the death after one accused the other of sexual assault against his wife, The Last Duel bombed at the box office. This likely came as a surprise to many as the film was spearheaded by celebrated director Ridley Scott and boasted an enviable cast. However, the film’s financial returns decidedly do not reflect The Last Duel’s superb quality. A polished showcase of Scott’s epic style of filmmaking carried by powerhouse performances from leading trio Ben Affleck, Jodie Comer, and Adam Driver, The Last Duel is a thought-provoking epic that invites philosophical musing.
3 The A-Team (2010)
Directed By Joe Carnahan
Based on the 1980s TV series of the same name, The A-Team follows a team of Special Forces operatives who are falsely imprisoned, and escape in order to clear their names. Starring Liam Neeson as John “Hannibal” Smith, Bradley Cooper as Templeton “Face” Peck, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as Bosco “B.A.” Baracus, and Sharlto Copley as H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock, the titular team find themselves at the heart of a conspiracy that runs far deeper than they could ever have imagined.
- Director
- Joe Carnahan
- Release Date
- June 10, 2010
- Runtime
- 119 minutes
The A-Team sought to bring the iconic soldiers of fortune to the silver screen. Led by Liam Neeson in the role of John “Hannibal” Smith and supported by the likes of Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, the film sees the team attempt to clear their names after being framed for a crime they did not commit. Despite a less than enthusiastic critical response, The A-Team is unabashed fun from start to finish. Some hilariously over-the-top action sequences and an array of entertaining performances from the leading quartet combine to make this a worthy film adaptation of a TV series.
2 Spy (2015)
Directed By Paul Feig
Written and directed by Paul Feig, 2015’s Spy features Jason Statham, Jude Law, and Melissa McCarthy in an Action, Comedy, and Spy setting. McCarthy plays a CIA employee relegated to a desk that helps her field agent partner remotely until she’s forced into action to help keep everyone safe.
- Director
- Paul Feig
- Release Date
- June 15, 2015
- Runtime
- 120 Minutes
Often lost in the wider slew of comedic offerings associated with Melissa McCarthy, Spy is a sidesplitting romp of a film. McCarthy plays Susan Cooper, a CIA analyst who finds herself thrust into a desperate race to save the world from a potential nuclear catastrophe after her field agent partner is purportedly killed in the field. In addition to McCarthy’s trademark hilarity and a hysterical array of performances from the film’s supporting cast, Jason Statham is Spy‘s unexpected success story, flexing his comedic chops with such proficiency that it’s hard to believe that he hasn’t had more roles like it.
1 Prometheus (2012)
Directed By Ridley Scott
A prequel to Scott’s genre-redefining Alien franchise led by an ensemble cast, 2012’s Prometheus sought to explore the origin story of the Xenomorphs. While Scott’s picture received a generally positive response from critics, some detractors argued that the film failed to adequately explore its premise; Prometheus’ ambiguous ending left viewers with more questions than answers.
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Despite such criticism, Prometheus is arguably the most underrated film in the entire Alien franchise. While the movie doesn’t provide clear-cut answers, it’s a first-rate sci-fi horror outing across the board. The film’s glorious visual effects and heart-pounding action sequences combine for a visceral experience while invoking deep philosophical musings about the nature of creation and humanity’s place in the universe. This weighty movie, and many underrated offerings like it, are readily available via Disney+.