Beauty and the Beast have always been beloved films since they were released in the 1990s.

What about the less popular titles in the Disney catalog? Which of those might have more success with real actors rather than cartoon characters? Who might be more popular this time around than the first? These are some the least beloved Disney animated films that might just be bigger the second time around.

Updated on December 1st, 2022 by Jordan Iacobucci:

Disney Animation is known for its massive hits and classic films that have transcended generations. However, not all of their films have been quite so beloved. As Disney's latest animated endeavor, Strange World, bombs at the box office, Rotten Tomatoes offers insight into the very worst animated films ever released by the studio in its nearly 100-year history.

15 Recess: School's Out (2001) - 60%

It was never a classic, but Recess: School's Out was based on a much-beloved Saturday morning cartoon. Perhaps the often mindless antics of fourth-graders T.J., Ashley, Vince, Gus, Gretchen, and Mikey would be funnier if performed by live actors.

Like Lady and the Tramp before it, a made-for-Disney+ version of the film might be more appreciated, and more well-liked than the original animated version ever was, grounding the plot in an extra sense of realism that eluded the original project.

14 Pocahontas (1995) - 55%

Pocahontas had some great music and a strong female lead, but has always been a bit controversial for its lack of historical accuracy. Recent years have seen fans turn away from this entry in Disney's Renaissance period, as it becomes increasingly clear that its events are heavily skewed in favor of John Smith's heavily doctored of his time in America.

Perhaps, as a live-action remake, Pocahontas could embrace more of its history, while also promoting better representation by including a cast of Native American actors to portray the corresponding roles. There's certainly a story there, and this could be the perfect time to rewrite the wrongs and represent American history as more than "simple" imperial conquest.

13 The Black Cauldron (1985) - 55%

The Black Cauldron is an adventure movie, although far more fantasy-based than the sci-fi beginnings of other Disney films in this genre, such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Based on a Newberry-winning fantasy novel, The Black Cauldron's story was always there, and always popular, but failed to find an audience upon its initial release.

With a young cast and new special effects, a remake of this film could certainly be the hit it always intended to be, especially in this time of fantasy-obsessed audiences. In fact, many Disney fans have called for audiences to give The Black Cauldron a second chance.

12 Robin Hood (1973) - 55%

Disney's animated take on the legend of Robin Hood didn't make the same mark as the studio's other animated features, but its fox protagonist and lion "king" before The Lion King existed certainly make it recognizable.

Disney is already betting that a live-action version (along the lines of The Lion King and The Jungle Book) would be a major success. They are already planning a Disney+ live-action remake of the original film in hopes that it will rank much higher on the list of Disney live-action films than it did on the list of animated features.

11 Home On The Range (2004) - 52%

Home on the Range is an often-forgotten Disney animated film set in the Old West, where three cows, voiced by Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, and Jennifer Tilly, must save their farm before it is taken over by a team of merciless bounty hunters. The film made little impact in popular culture and was far from the critical or commercial success that the studio had been hoping for.

Though the cast is primarily comprised of animals, a live-action Home on the Range remake could follow in the footsteps of Disney's previous CGI reboots, many of which have proven to be quite popular. Additionally, a live-action environment could give the filmmakers a chance to show off the natural features of the film's setting, adding a certain sense of awe to the film that the original was lacking.

10 Oliver And Company (1988) - 54%

Jon Favreau's success with The Jungle Book and The Lion King prove that technology could stand in for the animal characters of the Billy Joel-starring Oliver and Company, Disney's take on the classic tale of Oliver Twist. However, 2019's Lady and the Tramp also proves that real-life animal actors can also make a splash in a live-action adaptation, giving a possible Oliver and Company reboot several different options.

Either direction could work in bringing Oliver and Company out of the shadows and into the spotlight of Disney's popularity. There was never anything wrong with the story of some street dogs and an orphan kitten, it is merely a matter of presentation.

9 Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) - 49%

Atlantis: The Lost Empire may have featured the vocal stylings of Michael J. Fox, but it never took off as a Disney classic. Atlantis was a classic adventure movie underappreciated in its time that may work far better with the grand scale of a live-action film.

In the years since Atlantis was released, the possibilities of what studios can do in live-action movies have increased exponentially. What could not have been adequately captured in 2001 is now very much in reach, suggesting that Atlantis may have better success with real actors, grand sets, and top-notch CGI to fill in the gaps of its compelling fantastical world.

8 Return to Neverland (2002) - 45%

The original Peter Pan is already slated to get its own live-action remake, leading some fans to wonder if Disney is also considering adapting the 2002 sequel, Return to Neverland, in the near future, though this would likely hinge on the success of the first film's theatrical run.

Problems that were highlighted concerning this second story in Disney's Peter Pan outing can all be ironed out in a remake. And, if the live-action original works out then all the technology for a Return to Neverland will already be in place as well, making the remake a no-brainer for Disney.

7 Planes: Fire And Rescue (2014) - 45%

The sequel to the similarly-disparaged 2013 film, Planes: Fire and Rescue is far from Disney's best animated movie, following Dusty as he is reassigned to fighting forest fires after his racing days come to an end. The film, though slightly higher-rated than its predecessor, is considered to be one of Disney Animation's worst movies of all time.

Planes: Fire and Rescue could benefit from a hard reboot, perhaps doing away with the whimsical nature of anthropomorphic planes and instead crafting a story about the pilots who fly them. There is a compelling story buried in Fire and Rescue, but it may only come to the surface if the film is reinvented entirely with an extra dosage of realism absent in the original film.

6 Bambi II (2006) - 44%

Bambi II is the direct-to-video sequel to the classic 1942 film, taking place in between the events of Bambi's childhood and young adult years. Despite taking over sixty years to get made, the sequel was heavily panned upon its release as a failure to improve on its predecessor.

Given that there is currently a photorealistic remake of the original Bambi in the works at Disney, the film could potentially adapt some of the material from Bambi II in its plot. Disney's live-action remakes have historically run longer than their animated counterparts, sometimes introducing new plotlines to fill the time. Instead, the Bambi film could adapt what has already been written while improving on one of the studio's worst sequels.