Often referred to as “Disney’s Dark Age,” the Disney Bronze Age lasted from 1970 to 1988 and suffered from being sandwiched between two eras of Disney that produced some of the most highly regarded movies inanimation history. But the lore behind why the Bronze Age is thought of as the “Dark Age” goes deeper than that: it was the first full era without the guidance of Walt Disney himself.
Although Disney’s financial issues during this time contributed to the Dark Age moniker, the movies themselves don’t deserve the poorer reputation they’ve received. Disney’s Bronze Age features some of the studio’s most rewatched films, including Oliver & Company, The Aristocats, and The Fox and the Hound.
8
The Black Cauldron Is Poorly Structured
Famously known as the movie that almost destroyed Disney, The Black Cauldron faced many hurdles even before its release. With a ridiculously high budget for the time, taking almost 10 years to make, director changes, last-minute cuts, and a morbid tone largely unfamiliar to Disney’s built-in audience, this all led to a box office bomb that almost put Disney in the red.
The 1985 movie is loosely based on The Chronicles of Prydain, but makes The Horned King the main villain and eliminates most of the storyline that the five books showcased. Ironically, even though Disney tried to bury the film for years, it has gained status as an underrated cult classic thanks to its gothic animation style and genuinely dark, creepy scenes. However, it cannot be denied that this film’s storyline is choppy, unclear, and many of the characters feel weak.
7
Oliver & Company Is Enjoyable, but Tonally Strange
By all accounts, this 1988 movie should have been better than what it was. Oliver & Company features an all-star voice cast, including Bette Midler and Billy Joel. It follows the beloved classic Oliver Twist, just with animals instead of humans. Although there are many admirable scenes, including the fun song “Why Should I Worry?” and the heartbreaking opening scene in which the movie’s hero kitty, Oliver, is not chosen by a family looking for a pet (it’s genuinely hard to watch without crying), there are also some confusing decisions made.
The characters are all dynamic and enjoyable to watch, with their connections to each other feeling fleshed out and realistic. Despite this, there is an odd tonal shift: the animals’ crazy, colorful, fun antics are interspersed with dark scenes in which the mafioso-like villain threatens the owner of the movie’s central band of animals. The balance doesn’t quite work, and the film’s fast pacing doesn’t help at all, rushing viewers from one scene to the next in a way that feels a bit odd.
6
The Rescuers Is Cute but Forgettable
Although not as highly regarded in the world of animation today, The Rescuers was a huge success for Disney upon its release in 1977 and even outperformed Star Wars in some countries. As a result, it was the first Disney movie to receive an official sequel released by Disney’s main animation studio. Ironically, as the years pass, the sequel has become more popular with fans than the original, despite the original’s initial mega-success.
The plot follows Bernard and Bianca, two mice who work for the Rescue Aid Society, as they set out to rescue Penny, a girl kidnapped by the villainous Madame Medusa, to retrieve a gem that only a child can reach. There is a lot of great in this movie, including the dynamic between Bernard and Bianca, the bizarre yet terrifying nature of the villain, and the darker-toned animation style that takes viewers from New York City to a bayou in the American South. But the movie falters in a few places as well, including musical sequences that throw off the pace and a cast of characters who aren’t bad but are overall very forgettable.
5
The Aristocats Is Endlessly Charming
The Aristocats is a 1970 Disney movie that has faced a bit of controversy in recent years.Similar to The Lady and the Tramp, the depiction of the Siamese Cat in Scat Cat’s band has been labeled offensive by many in the years since The Aristocats‘ release, leading Disney+ to add a warning to the film.
Besides its controversies, The Aristocats is often remembered with fond nostalgia due to the bombastic, jazzy soundtrack, memorable characters, and genuinely fun, comedic moments. Following the story of a family of cats kidnapped by their owner’s butler. The family must then find their way home with the help of the alley cat, Thomas O’Malley. The journey showcases colorful, dreamlike animation, interspersed with engaging action scenes, and the romance between Thomas and Duchess is genuinely sweet to behold.
4
The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh Is Whimsical Fun
A highly underrated movie in the Disney lexicon (although all Winnie-the-Pooh movies seem to face this problem), The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh is perhaps as forgotten as it is because its structure is much different than other Disney animated films of the time. It follows the iconic characters from The Hundred Acre Wood, but instead of one movie, there are three separate stories told individually and squished together in a way that doesn’t feel like a film but rather a series of episodes from the life of Pooh and his friends.
Regardless of the movie’s structure, it is colorful, entertaining, and features the whimsical charm that fans are so familiar with in stories about Pooh. Each character has a moment to themselves, and the writing is clever enough to be easily absorbed by children but also interesting for adults. But, it’s the use of music and the breaking of the fourth wall technique that really set this movie apart as memorable and a great, underrated watch.
3
Robin Hood Is a Cozy, Colorful Romp Through an Old Legend
This 1973 movie is the film equivalent of a warm hug. With classic Disney 2D animation, a warm color palette, a dynamic group of protagonists, and a storyline that remakes a famous legend but also takes no big swings with the storyline and therefore risks very little, Robin Hood ushers viewers along a romantic ride with a heavy dose of comedy and sprinkles of action along the way.
As mentioned, the movie is a remake of the famous Robin Hood legend, but using anthropomorphic animals instead of humans. Robin Hood doesn’t have his merry band as per usual, just Little John. Yet he still manages to rob the rich to give to the poor, ends up with Maid Marian, and tricks the foolish and cowardly Prince John. One of the highlights of this film actually lies in its music. Although there are no standout songs that would make a list of the best Disney songs of all time, its music perfectly fits the movie and only adds to its warm, fanciful charm.
2
The Great Mouse Detective Is Mischievous and Very Rewatchable
Although Disney fans are well aware of this 1986 film, The Great Mouse Detective is often considered an underrated Disney movie. This is partly because of the technological advancements used during its climactic battle scene in Big Ben. This saw animators blend 2D animation and CGI to animate the iconic UK landmark’s inner clock mechanisms. The movie is also a well-written, fun, mischievous ride with memorable characters and a few scenes that were a bit dark for Disney at the time.
Based roughly on Sherlock Holmes, the plot centers on Basil of Baker Street as he attempts to locate the missing father of a girl named Olivia. Along the way, he and his compatriots realize that this disappearance is part of a larger scheme that involves Basil’s biggest nemesis. Along the way, viewers are treated to the plans of a kooky detective, a devilishly fun villain, and are a bit scared of the henchman Fidget, who has a penchant for jump scares.
1
The Fox and the Hound Breaks and Mends Hearts
Widely known as one of the most heart-wrenching movies in Disney’s earlier years, The Fox and the Hound shows the burgeoning friendship between Tod, a fox, and Copper, a hound dog. As they get older, it becomes clear that their supposed roles in life (due to biology) will change the course of their friendship, and even drive them apart entirely.
The 1981 story breaks from a few typical Disney storytelling techniques in use at the time. There is no set villain, although there are certainly antagonists. The story’s themes are also much more mature, with a realistic look at growing up and an ending that isn’t sad, but it certainly isn’t happy, and it wasn’t what the audience expected. However, this is what makes the movie so wonderful. By subverting typical expectations, the plot feels fresh, and the characters are grounded in realism (though the audience sometimes wishes they weren’t).
- Movie(s)
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Pinocchio, Frozen, Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Moana