Unexpectedly Disturdomain_7 Imagry Hidden in Disney Movies

(Photo by ©Walt Disney Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection)

80 Hidden Gem Movies On Disney+

Disney+ launched just last November and in its first six months it has already become arguably the biggest streaming player in the game next to Netflix. By now, you've probably been through most of the buzzy Disney+ originals the streamer has debuted since its launch, and you've no doubt revisited some of the classics among the very best movies available on Disney+. Which puts you in the "What To Watch Now?" stage of your Disney+ relationship… and we're here to help.

This guide to 80 hidden gems on Disney+ includes movies with great Tomatometer scores that never found the big audience they deserved (Millions,Queen of Katwe); nostalgic favorites (The Sandlot,Cool Runnings); underrated Disney animated films (Basil the Great Mouse Detective,A Goofy Movie); gripping documentaries courtesy of Disneynature and National Geographic (Jane,Free Solo); and some Fresh picks for the really young ones out there (did you know all theTinker Bellfeatures are Fresh on the Tomatometer)?

Some will be movies you've never heard of, some will be movies you'd forgotten about, and many will be movies you'll be surprised to discover are available on the service.

We've grouped our guide into categories to help you get straight to the stuff you and your family are looking to discover: adventures and dramas, comedies, animated movies, documentaries, nostalgic faves, and stuff for young kids. If you want to dive evendeeperinto the streaming service's offerings, we've got you covered with the guide to the best originals on Disney+, best movies available on Disney+, and even Disney+'s weirdest offerings. So… get bingeing.

Found a hidden gem on Disney+ that's not on our list? Let your fellow fans know in the comments.

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Adventure and Drama for the Whole Fam

#19

Adjusted Score: 70826%

Critics Consensus: An action-packed, if anachronistic, look back at pulp matinee serials, The Rocketeer may ring hollow with viewers expecting more than simple fun and gee-whiz special effects.

Synopsis: Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell) is a cocky stunt pilot in love with a beautiful actress, Jenny Blake (Jennifer Connelly). When... [More]

#18

Adjusted Score: 41683%

Critics Consensus: Extra! Extra! Read all about Newsies instead of suffering through its underwhelming musical interludes, although Christian Bale makes for a spirited hero.

Synopsis: In this musical, homeless New York City newsboy Jack "Cowboy" Kelly (Christian Bale) befriends two newcomers to his trade, brothers... [More]

#16

Adjusted Score: 104630%

Critics Consensus: Queen of Katwe is a feel-good movie of uncommon smarts and passion, and outstanding performances by Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo help to elevate the film past its cliches.

Synopsis: Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) and her... [More]

#15

Adjusted Score: 58452%

Critics Consensus: An old-fashioned, if bland, adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's novel.

Synopsis: Abandoned by her mother years ago, Opal (AnnaSophia Robb), a 10-year-old girl, moves with her preacher father (Jeff Daniels) to... [More]

#14

Adjusted Score: 76981%

Critics Consensus: An inspirational crowd-pleaser with a healthy dose of social commentary, Remember the Titans may be predictable, but it's also well-crafted and features terrific performances.

Synopsis: In Virginia, high school football is a way of life, an institution revered, each game celebrated more lavishly than Christmas,... [More]

#13

Adjusted Score: 85819%

Critics Consensus: Kurt Russell's performance guides this cliche-ridden tale into the realm of inspirational, nostalgic goodness.

Synopsis: When college coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) is hired to helm the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, he brings... [More]

#11

Adjusted Score: 93195%

Critics Consensus: A charming children fable even adults can enjoy.

Synopsis: When 9-year-old Damian (Alex Etel) finds a bag of money in his back yard, he and his brother Anthony (Lewis... [More]

#13

Adjusted Score: 85359%

Critics Consensus: Bolstered by impressive special effects and a charming performance from its young star, Flight of the Navigator holds up as a solidly entertaining bit of family-friendly sci-fi.

Synopsis: This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale,... [More]

#10

Adjusted Score: 81462%

Critics Consensus: Faithful to its literary source, this is imaginative, intelligent family entertainment.

Synopsis: A boy and his friends question the motives of a woman (Sigourney Weaver) who forces them to dig holes at... [More]

#9

Adjusted Score: 91355%

Critics Consensus: One of Disney's finest live-action adventures, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea brings Jules Verne's classic sci-fi tale to vivid life, and features an awesome giant squid.

Synopsis: In 1866, Professor Pierre M. Aronnax (Paul Lukas) and his assistant Conseil (Peter Lorre), stranded in San Francisco by reports... [More]

#8

Adjusted Score: 99390%

Critics Consensus: With strong performances and director David Lynch at the helm, The Straight Story steers past sentimental byways on its ambling journey across the American heartland.

Synopsis: A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) learns one day that his distant brother Lyle... [More]

#17

Adjusted Score: 26584%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In 1977, two girls from opposite sides of the world come together and change each other's lives. Young, white Mahree... [More]

#2

Adjusted Score: 56420%

Critics Consensus: Return to Oz taps into the darker side of L. Frank Baum's book series with an intermittently dazzling adventure that never quite recaptures the magic of its classic predecessor.

Synopsis: Dorothy discovers she is back in the land of Oz, and finds the yellow brick road is now a pile... [More]

#1

Adjusted Score: 55027%

Critics Consensus: State-of-the-art special effects and an appealing performance from Warwick Davis can't quite save Willow from its slow pace and generic story.

Synopsis: Enter the world of "Willow." Journey to the far corners of your imagination, to a land of myth and magic,... [More]

#7

Adjusted Score: 66148%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Just-fired Darby O'Gill (Albert Sharpe) does not want to tell his daughter, Katie (Janet Munro), that his position has been... [More]

#6

Adjusted Score: 65793%

Critics Consensus: This glossy edition of White Fang shaves off the rough-hewn edges that made Jack London's epic story so distinct, but gorgeous photography and heartfelt performances make this an appealing adventure.

Synopsis: This adaptation of Jack London's wilderness tale focuses on young Jack Conroy (Ethan Hawke), who has arrived in Alaska to... [More]

#5

Adjusted Score: 63549%

Critics Consensus: Though slow-moving, Tuck Everlasting raises big issues and explores them with sensitivity.

Synopsis: The story of Winnie Foster (Alexis Bledel), a teenage girl on the cusp of maturity. Winnie longs for a life... [More]

#4

Adjusted Score: 66006%

Critics Consensus: Despite all the underdog sports movie conventions, the likable cast and lush production values make The Greatest Game Ever Played a solid and uplifting tale.

Synopsis: Blue-collar Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) fights class prejudice while mastering golf, a game guarded by the upper crust. Employed as... [More]

#3

Adjusted Score: 92128%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Warm-hearted family tale of a girl's cross-country trek to find her father, set during the bleak days of the Depression... [More]

#1

Adjusted Score: 56298%

Critics Consensus: Beguiling effects transcend a predictable plot.

Synopsis: As a child living in Africa, Jill Young (Charlize Theron) saw her mother killed while protecting wild gorillas from poachers... [More]

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Underrated Animated Features (And Animated Sequels)

#15

Adjusted Score: 94820%

Critics Consensus: This Disney two-fer may not be the most reverent literary adaptation, but it's remarkably crafted and emotionally resonant.

Synopsis: Two animated adaptations of classic literature make up this Disney film. In "The Wind in the Willows," wealthy Mr. Toad... [More]

#14

Adjusted Score: 57281%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: This retelling of "The Lion King" is conveyed from the perspective of meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and warthog Pumbaa (Ernie... [More]

#13

Adjusted Score: 94371%

Critics Consensus: The arresting and dynamic visuals, offbeat details and light-as-air storytelling make James and the Giant Peach solid family entertainment.

Synopsis: Featuring stop-motion animation and live action, this inventive adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's tale follows the adventures of James... [More]

#12

Adjusted Score: 21977%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In this animated family film, the aptly named Goofy (Bill Farmer) is deeply proud of his college-bound son, Max (Jason... [More]

#11

Adjusted Score: 56225%

Critics Consensus: Ambitious but flawed, The Black Cauldron is technically brilliant as usual, but lacks the compelling characters of other Disney animated classics.

Synopsis: In the land of Prydain, lowly pig herder Taran (Grant Bardsley) dreams of becoming a gallant knight. Young Taran receives... [More]

#10

Adjusted Score: 60536%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Scrooge McDuck finds a magic lamp with Huey, Dewey and Louie and their girlfriend, Webby.... [More]

#9

Adjusted Score: 96441%

Critics Consensus: Frankenweenie is an energetic stop-motion horror movie spoof with lovingly crafted visuals and a heartfelt, oddball story.

Synopsis: Young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is a science nerd and outsider at school, but he does have one good friend:... [More]

#8

Adjusted Score: 81709%

Critics Consensus: The Great Mouse Detective may not rank with Disney's classics, but it's an amiable, entertaining picture with some stylishly dark visuals.

Synopsis: Rodent supersleuth Basil and his bumbling partner must thwart evil Ratigan's plot to depose the Mouse Queen.... [More]

#6

Adjusted Score: 62139%

Critics Consensus: Though basically a TV cartoon stretched out to movie-length, Recess has enough successful jokes and smart writing to make it a worthwhile view.

Synopsis: The school year is finally over, and T.J. Detweiler is looking forward to a fun-filled summer. Boredom quickly sets in... [More]

#5

Adjusted Score: 72435%

Critics Consensus: Though its story is second-rate, The Rescuers Down Under redeems itself with some remarkable production values -- particularly its flight scenes.

Synopsis: Cody (Adam Ryen), a boy living in the Australian outback, frees a rare golden eagle from a trap. When an... [More]

#4

Adjusted Score: 60092%

Critics Consensus: A Goofy Movie offers enough of its titular ingredient to satisfy younger viewers, even if most parents will agree that this beloved character deserves better.

Synopsis: Though Goofy always means well, his amiable cluelessness and klutzy pratfalls regularly embarrass his awkward adolescent son, Max. When Max's... [More]

#3

Adjusted Score: 73645%

Critics Consensus: Though its characterizations are weaker than usual, Treasure Planet offers a fast-paced, beautifully rendered vision of outer space.

Synopsis: The legendary "loot of a thousand worlds" inspires an intergalactic treasure hunt when 15-year-old Jim Hawkins stumbles upon a map... [More]

#2

Adjusted Score: 54457%

Critics Consensus: Atlantis provides a fast-paced spectacle, but stints on such things as character development and a coherent plot.

Synopsis: An inexperienced young adventurer becomes the key to unraveling an ancient mystery when he joins up with a group of... [More]

#1

Adjusted Score: 31684%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In this animated Disney tale, Aladdin (Scott Weinger), Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin) and the gang are not as free of... [More]

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Live-Action Laughs

#12

Adjusted Score: 91300%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Two identical twin sisters, separated at birth by their parents' divorce, are reunited years later at a summer camp, where... [More]

#11

Adjusted Score: 72044%

Critics Consensus: Sweet and spry, Adventures in Babysitting gets by on its amiable tone.

Synopsis: When plans with her boyfriend fall through, high school senior Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) ends up babysitting the Anderson kids,... [More]

#6

Adjusted Score: 24544%

Critics Consensus: With its overactive focus on special effects and tiresome slapstick, Flubber squanders the immense talent of its cast and crew.

Synopsis: Professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams) is experimenting with new kinds of energy, and he thinks this project will save struggling... [More]

#9

Adjusted Score: 74242%

Critics Consensus: The Great Muppet Caper is overplotted and uneven, but the appealing presence of Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang ensure that this heist flick is always breezily watchable.

Synopsis: In the second live-action Muppets film, intrepid journalists Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo snag an assignment reporting on a British jewel... [More]

#8

Adjusted Score: 93096%

Critics Consensus: A perfectly light, warmly funny romantic comedy that's kept afloat by Ron Howard's unobtrusive direction and charming performances from Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah.

Synopsis: A young boy saved from drowning by a beautiful mermaid, falls in love with her 20 years later when she... [More]

#7

Adjusted Score: 77563%

Critics Consensus: The American remake of the popular French comedy mostly works a charm under the combined talents of the three leads, who play nicely against type -- although forced plot elements and sentimentality at times dampen the fun.

Synopsis: New York City roommates Peter (Tom Selleck), Michael (Steve Guttenberg) and Jack (Ted Danson) are all successful and happily unmarried,... [More]

#6

Adjusted Score: 79400%

Critics Consensus: Even as its special effects take center stage, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids still offers a charming, high-spirited sense of adventure for the whole family.

Synopsis: When kids sneak into inventor Wayne Szalinski's (Rick Moranis) upstairs lab to retrieve an errant baseball, his experimental shrink ray... [More]

#5

Adjusted Score: 88362%

Critics Consensus: Writer-director Nancy Meyers takes the winning formula of the 1961 original and gives it an amiable modern spin, while young star Lindsay Lohan shines in her breakout role.

Synopsis: In this update of a 1961 film, twins Annie and Hallie (Lindsay Lohan) are strangers until happenstance unites them. The... [More]

#12

Adjusted Score: 72055%

Critics Consensus: Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger add strong performances to an unexpectedly clever script, elevating 10 Things (slightly) above typical teen fare.

Synopsis: Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn't... [More]

#4

Adjusted Score: 66043%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A UFO captained by a cat-like extraterrestrial (Ronnie Schell) is intercepted by the U.S. Military. The spacecraft's feline pilot, who... [More]

#3

Adjusted Score: 70934%

Critics Consensus: Though less Muppet-centric than the original trilogy, Muppet Treasure Island is an energetic, cheerful take on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure, with typically solid gags.

Synopsis: Kermit, Long John Silver (Tim Curry) and Young Jim Hawkins (Kevin Bishop) set sail for riches using a dead pirate's... [More]

#2

Adjusted Score: 56232%

Critics Consensus: George of the Jungle is faithful to its source material -- which, unfortunately, makes it a less-than-compelling feature film.

Synopsis: George (Brendan Fraser) has raised himself since since he was a baby and a plane crash stranded him in an... [More]

#1

Adjusted Score: 79068%

Critics Consensus: Cool Runnings rises above its formulaic sports-movie themes with charming performances, light humor, and uplifting tone.

Synopsis: Four Jamaican bobsledders dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow. With the help of a... [More]

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Documentaries

#10

Adjusted Score: 71163%

Critics Consensus: It doesn't probe as deep -- or tell as many hard truths -- as it could have, but Don Hahn's look at Disney's rebirth offers a fascinating and surprisingly candorous glimpse into the studio's past.

Synopsis: Through extensive use of archival clips, documentarian Don Hahn explores how Walt Disney Animation Studios broke out of their mid-1980s... [More]

#9

Adjusted Score: 27343%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Legendary Walt Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston helped create the studio's signature style. In this documentary, the pair... [More]

Starring:

#8

Adjusted Score: 63581%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: This lyrical documentary uses high-definition photography, narration by French actress Zabou Breitman and an elaborate score to illuminate the life... [More]

#7

Adjusted Score: 103868%

Critics Consensus: Jane honors its subject's legacy with an absorbing, beautifully filmed, and overall enlightening look at her decades of invaluable work.

Synopsis: Jane Goodall, a young and untrained woman, challenges the male dominated scientific consensus of her time with her chimpanzee research... [More]

#6

Adjusted Score: 106077%

Critics Consensus: Free Solo depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason - and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal.

Synopsis: Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.... [More]

#5

Adjusted Score: 84771%

Critics Consensus: An amazing array of images from beneath the sea.

Synopsis: Director James Cameron travels with the crew of a Russian research vessel as they plunge into the depths of the... [More]

#4

Adjusted Score: 100555%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

#3

Adjusted Score: 94641%

Critics Consensus: Monkey Kingdom's breathtaking footage of primates in the wild is likely to please animal lovers of all ages.

Synopsis: In South Asia, Maya the monkey and her son Kip struggle to survive within the competitive social hierarchy of the... [More]

#2

Adjusted Score: 76127%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio meets with scientists, activists and world leaders to discuss the dangers of climate change and possible solutions.... [More]

#1

Adjusted Score: 87691%

Critics Consensus: Disneynature Born In China delivers more of the breathtaking footage the series is known for -- and more than enough cuddly anthropomorphic action to keep the kids entertained.

Synopsis: From frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest, filmmaker Lu Chuan follows the adventures of three animal families... [More]

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Disney Channel and '90s Kid Nostalgia Picks

#10

Adjusted Score: 67618%

Critics Consensus: It may be shamelessly derivative and overly nostalgic, but The Sandlot is nevertheless a genuinely sweet and funny coming-of-age adventure.

Synopsis: When Scottie Smalls (Thomas Guiry) moves to a new neighborhood, he manages to make friends with a group of kids... [More]

#20

Adjusted Score: 15847%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Morris "Mud" Himmel (Jonathan Jackson) spends every summer at computer camp, but he hates it. Mud and his friends (Andrew... [More]

#19

Adjusted Score: 25162%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: The former child star (Michael J. Fox) of a TV show meets a cute little waif (Christina Vidal) who changes... [More]

#18

Adjusted Score: 43008%

Critics Consensus: Harmless piece of fluff that ought to satisfy fans of the TV show.

Synopsis: During summer break, Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) and her closest pals head off on a school-sponsored journey to Rome. Before... [More]

#16

Adjusted Score: 44201%

Critics Consensus: Camp Rock wants to be the next High School Musical, but its forgettable songs and dull premise hold it back.

Synopsis: Celebrity singers (Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas) coach aspiring musicians at a special summer camp.... [More]

#15

Adjusted Score: 19531%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Four diverse New York teenagers (Raven, Adrienne Bailon) hope their music group will hit the big time.... [More]

#14

Adjusted Score: 15885%

Critics Consensus: Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen's superficial tendencies are unlikely to appeal to older viewers -- though its colorful candor is decidedly not intended for them in the first place.

Synopsis: Mary Elizabeth Cep (Lindsay Lohan) is an ambitious teen girl who goes by the name of Lola and aspires to... [More]

#11

Adjusted Score: 35937%

Critics Consensus: Rookie of the Year gets some laughs from its novel premise, but a high strikeout rate on jokes and sentimental fouls keeps this comedy firmly in the minor leagues.

Synopsis: A freak accident causes 12-year-old Little League player Henry (Thomas Ian Nicholas) to become such a powerful and accurate pitcher... [More]

#10

Adjusted Score: 38204%

Critics Consensus: Harmlessly hokey yet never much more than mediocre, Hocus Pocus is a muddled family-friendly effort that fails to live up to the talents of its impressive cast.

Synopsis: After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch)... [More]

#9

Adjusted Score: 13122%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Bored with her quiet suburban Massachusetts town, bratty Patti Randall (Christina Ricci) is excited when her beloved cat, D.C., comes... [More]

#8

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A mad scientist unleashes evil clones of a family (Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker) to find their secret... [More]

#7

Adjusted Score: 7924%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: After a crook named Carl Quigley (Miguel Ferrer) nearly kills 11-year-old Preston Waters (Brian Bonsall) by running over the boy's... [More]

#4

Adjusted Score: 7859%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Members (Shia LaBeouf, Nick Spano, Tom Virtue) of a family unwittingly appear on a reality-television show after the producer sends... [More]

#3

Adjusted Score: 4627%

Critics Consensus: Disappointing even by the relaxed standards of live-action children's entertainment, A Kid in King Arthur's Court stands as a rare near-total misfire from Disney.

Synopsis: When a violent earthquake rocks Southern California, hapless teenager Calvin Fuller (Thomas Ian Nicholas) finds himself careening through a hole... [More]

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For the LITTLE Little ones

#9

Adjusted Score: 40292%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Newly born fairy Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman) is transported by the wind to Pixie Hollow on the island of Neverland... [More]

#8

Adjusted Score: 81976%

Critics Consensus: A charming and delightful walk through the Hundred Acres Woods for young viewers.

Synopsis: Winnie the Pooh (Jim Cummings), Piglet (John Fiedler), Tigger and Roo (Nikita Hopkins) search for a mysterious and fearsome creature.... [More]

#7

Adjusted Score: 74242%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A retelling of the classic Dickens tale with Disney's classic characters.... [More]

#6

Adjusted Score: 22754%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Friendly fairy Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman) means well but often gets into trouble. All the same, Pixie Hollow has entrusted... [More]

#5

Adjusted Score: 77058%

Critics Consensus: Despite its short running time, Teacher's Pet is a witty and irreverent family film.

Synopsis: In this animated musical, Spot (Nathan Lane) is a snarky blue-furred dog whose greatest desire is to be transformed into... [More]

#4

Adjusted Score: 38038%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Born of a flower and growing to only a couple of inches tall, poor Thumbelina (Jodi Benson) is worried she'll... [More]

#3

Adjusted Score: 76251%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In this animated film, five sentient household appliances -- Toaster, Blanky, Radio, Lampy and a vacuum cleaner named Kirby --... [More]

#2

Adjusted Score: 60214%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman), Periwinkle (Lucy Hale) and friends venture into the winter woods to find the secret of fairy... [More]

#1

Adjusted Score: 22222%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: It's time for Christopher Robin (Brady Bluhm) to return to school, which means he's unable to keep visiting with his... [More]

Thumbnail: ©Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, © Abramorama

Unexpectedly Disturdomain_7 Imagry Hidden in Disney Movies

Source: https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/hidden-gem-movies-on-disney/

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