The Simpsons have released the first short of a series of four dedicated to the crossover with Fortnite, available on Disney Plus. This event coincides with the transformation of the Fortnite island into Springfield Island, where iconic locations such as Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger, and the Power Plant have been incorporated, offering fans the opportunity to explore a new facet of the Simpsons universe. More lore than many plots of The Simpsons The first short, titled Apocalypse D’oh, features the iconic characters Kang and Kodos facing off against some of the heroes of Fortnite, such as […]
The Simpsons have released the first short of a series of four dedicated to the crossover with Fortnite, available on Disney Plus. This event coincides with the transformation of the Fortnite island into Springfield Island, where iconic locations such as Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger, and the Power Plant have been incorporated, giving fans the opportunity to explore a new facet of the Simpsons universe.
More lore than many plots of The Simpsons
The first short, titled Apocalypse D’oh, features the iconic characters Kang and Kodos facing off against some of the heroes from Fortnite, such as Jonesy, Hope, and Fishstick, who, true to his name, is turned into actual fishsticks during the narrative. The story unfolds after an incident inside a wormhole involving a fragment of a Zero Point Shard, referencing previous crossover events, including those from Marvel.
These narrative shorts will be released weekly every Monday throughout November, where more details will be revealed about how The Simpsons were introduced into this world full of Battles and Victories. Additionally, the crossover includes a classic couch gag from the series, where the Fortnite character, Peely, is transformed into a banana split, adding a dose of characteristic humor.
The narrative of Apocalypse D’oh also offers meta commentary on the crossing of realities, mentioning other crossover events from Fortnite, such as collaborations with DC and Star Wars. This creative approach not only entertains but also reflects the evolving nature of entertainment through bold and original collaborations.
This crossover between The Simpsons and Fortnite reinforces the legacy of both franchises as leaders in entertainment, promising new experiences for fans of both communities. For more information about the event and other releases, you can check the season guide of The Simpsons in Fortnite.
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” is the most controversial film in the Indiana Jones series, largely due to its problematic portrayal of India. It all starts with…
You probably don’t care, but Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom contains a major error during one of its most iconic scenes.
The scene in question takes place when Indy, Short Round, and Willie Scott are being chased by Mola Ram and his henchmen, and they find themselves cornered on a rope bridge. At that moment, Indy says: “Mola Ram! Get ready to meet Kali… in hell!“, before cutting the rope bridge and sending many of the pursuers into the waters, where they are devoured by crocodiles.
In a video by Insider, crocodile and alligator expert Frank Robb explains the inaccuracy of the caimans that appear in the scene. The error is related to the fact that the scene takes place in India, which is the main setting of Temple of Doom.
It also has to do with the way alligators eat their prey and chew on the clothes of bullies after devouring them.
“This is supposed to be in India, and they are showing American alligators in India. It would be the Indian gharial or the saltwater crocodile that can also be found in some places in India. So they got the species wrong,” explains the expert.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the most controversial film of the saga
The Temple of Doom is the most controversial film in the Indiana Jones series, largely due to its problematic representation of India. Showing American alligators in India is just one part of the larger issue that arises with the portrayal of the country, its people, and its culture throughout the film.
All the Indian characters in the movie are one-dimensional caricatures. The villagers are helpless and can only be saved by Indy, which feeds into the white savior narrative.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Indian characters, including Mola Ram and the thugs, are nothing more than ruthless villains who literally drink blood and carry out human sacrifices.
The true story of the villains in The Temple of Doom is that the Thuggees were a real gang that committed robberies and murdered travelers, but operated on a much smaller scale than the influential cult in the movie.
The fact that the Thuggees drank the blood of Kali and worshiped the deity, who is a prominent goddess in Hinduism, perpetuated harmful and inaccurate stereotypes about the Hindu religion and also about Indian culture.
Along with its Indian characters, the film has been criticized for the infamous dinner scene at Pankot Palace, where Indy and the other diners are served chilled monkey brains and live snakes. There is no historical or cultural basis for such foods to be eaten in India. And we could go on, but we’re ruining the movie for you.
Doctor Who comes to Disney+: What can I watch to catch up? Well, we make a selection of the episodes you need so you don’t miss anything.
Starting to watch Doctor Who today can be intimidating. It’s been airing since 2005, focusing solely on its modern iteration. However, wanting to see the 60th-anniversary specials doesn’t mean you have to watch everything released until now. You can watch just a selection of episodes that will give you a clear picture, like the one we’re presenting here.
We’ll be leaving out many things: fantastic episodes, significant pieces of lore, and entire stages without mention. But our goal is to provide you with the information you need to catch up as quickly as possible. And if you get hooked, then you have a fabulous journey ahead of you.
Although there’s a Doctor before and three others after him, the primary and most significant for the 60th anniversary is Tennant. That’s why, to catch up, you have two possibilities. You can either watch the seasons starring him, spanning from episode 169 to 202, or opt for a selection of key episodes. Those episodes are as follows:
The first appearance of the character, explaining briefly how the character’s regeneration powers work, is a highly recommended Christmas special called “The Christmas Invasion.” The next relevant episode is 178, titled “Runaway Bride,” where the Tenth Doctor meets his new companion, a pivotal character in his story and in what’s to come for his 60th anniversary: Donna Noble. She will also play a crucial role in the intense two-part finale that marked the end of the Tenth Doctor’s story, or so it was thought then, in episodes 198a and 198b titled “The Stolen Earth” and “Journey’s End.”
Calling oneself Matt Smith is also important
To understand what will happen later, we need three episodes from the Eleventh Doctor that established elements of the lore for the events of the 60th anniversary. These took place in episodes 202, 229, and 240.
The first is “The End of Time,” where not only is David Tennant’s official farewell given, but also the Doctor’s regeneration into a new actor, Matt Smith, takes place. The most interesting aspect of this episode is the resurrection of the Doctor’s great archenemy, known as the Master, and the return of the Time Lords. In the following episode, “The Power of Three,” we discover that a legend from Gallifrey, the Doctor’s planet, turns out to be true and threatens the extinction of humanity. And in the last one, “The Day of the Doctor,” the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors unite to confront a terrible threat, meeting in the process an incarnation of the Doctor that we had never known before: the Warrior Doctor, the Fourth Doctor.
The final key piece
With all of this, we have all the elements to understand, at least in broad strokes, what’s to come in the 60th anniversary. One key piece is missing, though ideally, we should watch the entire era of Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor. But it’s only necessary to watch episode 300, “The Power of the Doctor.” In this episode, it’s explained why the Tenth Doctor returns as the Fourteenth Doctor in an adventure where many of the Doctors throughout history face a terrible threat.
With these seven episodes, it should be possible to follow the three episodes of the upcoming Doctor Who special. Of course, we don’t know what will happen in those episodes, so there might be aspects of lore or history that need to be known to grasp all the details. But with this, you should be able to follow this celebration of one of television’s longest-running series without any problem.
The original tetralogy of Indiana Jones films arrives at Disney+, preparing us for the premiere of its new installment.
Indiana Jones is a beloved character, and not without reason. That’s why it’s fantastic news that the adventures of the most famous archaeologist in the history of cinema will be coming to Disney Plus on May 31st. Consisting of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” this will complete the availability of the tetralogy of films directed by Steven Spielberg and conceived by George Lucas, with Harrison Ford in the role of Indiana Jones.
This move can be explained by the fact that on May 18th, at Cannes, “Indiana Jones and the Fate Dial,” the fifth film in the franchise, will have its premiere. This marks the first film in the franchise not directed by Steven Spielberg, who serves as a producer. However, it still features Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones and John Williams handling the soundtrack. With James Mangold, known for “Logan” and “Ford v Ferrari,” taking over the director’s chair, the film promises to maintain the spirit of the saga despite Spielberg no longer being at the helm.
For those of us who won’t be at Cannes during these days, we’ll have to wait until June 30th to see the movie. However, to make the wait shorter, we can always revisit the four previous films along with other new releases on Disney+ since they remain wonderful adventure movies.
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Discover this week’s premieres on the main streaming platforms: from Netflix to Apple TV+.
A new week of premieres arrives for the major platforms and the streaming war continues. While the last weeks of April and the first week of May were very interesting in terms of releases, in this case we have a somewhat weaker week but with some productions that can give a lot to talk about.
Once again, Netflix rises as the alternative with the largest offer, with several premieres that seek to revalidate the platform as the best of all. In addition, this time they bring some interesting production, such as the Korean series The Dark Knight. But the other great proposals of the week come from Apple TV+, which premieres a documentary by Michael J. Fox and a very interesting new series.
All the week’s premieres on HBO Max
HBO Max‘s week is pretty relaxed. While it continues with Succession and other series that are making it one of the most followed platforms of the last year, the streaming service is relaxing on new releases and will only release Two Sides of the Abyss.
In this six-episode miniseries, police officer Luise Berg of Wuppertal, Germany, is thrust into an inevitable catastrophe after her daughter’s killer is released early. This is a German series that is looking for a good international impact, and it certainly looks very interesting.
But if HBO Max brings little, in the case of Amazon Prime Video it is even less. The platform barely premieres a new chapter of Citadel, the spy series directed by the Russo Brothers that is the second most expensive in history and that, however, has not managed to please critics at all.
Disney Plus will premiere three new productions: two series and a movie. The most notable is Not Dead Yet, a comedy series that follows the life of Nell Serrano (Gina Rodriguez), who has just gone broke and become single. Feeling old and out of place, she works to restart the life and career she left behind 10 years ago.
The streaming platform par excellence has put the batteries and this week premieres many more productions than its competition. The most outstanding of them, as we mentioned before, is Black Knight. It is a South Korean series starring Kim Woo-bin, and its synopsis is as follows:
In a dystopian future plagued by air pollution, the survival of humanity depends on the black knights. And they are no ordinary delivery boys.
Apple TV+ is the platform that can best take the fight to Netflix this week. It only has two premieres scheduled, but both are very interesting. The best, though, is Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, a documentary with the Back to the Future star telling his story and how Parkinson’s caused him to quit acting.
Ready to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Disney Plus? You will still have to wait a bit, but something very interesting is coming.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has just landed in theaters, but it has done so with such mastery and quality that many are already wondering when they will be able to enjoy it in streaming. In this way, they will be able to watch it again and again without limits, and all the details that James Gunn has integrated into the film can be enjoyed with the necessary pause.
Obviously, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be coming to Disney Plus, the platform that integrates all of Marvel Studios. But when exactly will it do so? Dates can vary greatly depending on each release, but in the case of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 it seems to be pretty clear.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Disney Plus
All Marvel Studios movies take an average of 45 to 90 days to arrive on the platform. There are some, as was the case with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, that in just two months can already be enjoyed on the streaming platform. But Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantummania is going to take 89 days, with a release scheduled for next May 17.
What does how long each film takes to release online depend on? Mostly, on the rest of the feature films and series that Marvel has on its calendar. This time they have decided to release Ant-Man 3 after the premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 so as not to hinder its release and tie the conversation around James Gunn’s film.
However, sometimes they do the opposite: prepare a new release with the previous release of the last film. It’s something they do, especially when they have some sort of tie-in, and it’s more common with series like Loki, Wandavision or Moon Knight. In the case of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, they will probably opt for this second option, especially considering that summer and the summer releases are coming.
Next on Marvel Studios’ calendar is the release of three series: Secret Invasion, of which we have already seen the trailer, Echo and Loki, whose second season seems to have been delayed. Of these releases, the one that may have something to do with Guardians of the Galaxy is Secret Invasion, and therefore it may be that the release of the movie on Disney Plus is close to the series.
Considering that Secret Invasion will be released next June 21, 2023, and following the rough estimates for Marvel releases, we could be talking about a late July or early August release on Disney Plus. Until then, of course, we can still see it in theaters.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first movie, Black Panther, became a cultural phenomenon shortly after its release featuring the first black superhero. It made $1.3 billion and earned an Oscar. The release of the sequel was met with eager excitement, which now continues as we finally have a Disney+ release date for the movie.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever came to theaters on November 11th, 2022. Since its release, we had to wait patiently to hear when it’ll come to Disney+. The reason for the wait in receiving a confirmed release date is because the producers want to see how the movie does at the box office first. The better it does at the box office, the longer we wait for it to be released on Disney+. Purely based on that, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has to be doing well.
This newest movie in the Marvel franchise follows Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye, and Dora Milaje as they fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers. At the same time, they’re also dealing with the death of King T’Challa portrayed by Chadwick Boseman. Throughout the story, we watch as the characters grieve the sudden loss, and continue to try and find a new way forward for their country.
During the movie, we’re also introduced to new characters, one of which will play an important role in the story. This character, Namor, is the King of a hidden underwater nation that’s being introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
So, if you’re wondering when you’ll be able to watch the movie on Disney+, you’re in luck. The wait isn’t long anymore as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be released on the streaming service on Wednesday, February 1st. This long wait for a release date is great for the franchise and demonstrates the movie’s popularity. Here’s how Wakanda Forever compares to other MCU releases from the last year:
Thor: Love & Thunder – 64 days from its theatrical release to arrive on Disney+
Eternals – 68 days from its theatrical release to Disney+
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings – 70 days to be released on Disney+
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – 83 days from theatrical release to Disney+
It’s also been confirmed that the movie will not be coming to Disney+ Premier and that this service hasn’t been used since the release of Jungle Cruise. Furthermore, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever can only be streamed on Disney+ and won’t be released on other platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others.
While we love most of the Marvel Studios superhero movies, there’s no denying that Black Panther set an unprecedented standard. It will be interesting to see how the second installment does without the lead from the first movie. However, we do appreciate that they didn’t just use a new actor and pretend that nothing happened. This was probably one of the more respectable farewells that we’ve seen a franchise make to honor a lost actor.
As we’re moving into the festive season, Disney+ is ramping up the viewing experience for January and 2023 already. There are plenty of seasonal episodes going to be released on a weekly basis, so you won’t want to miss any of those. There are also a few movies lined up for the first month.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect on Disney+ when January 2023 arrives. I’ll follow that up with an MCU Phase 5 list of release dates for 2023 and 2024.
January 4
The Boonies (Season 1)
Locked Up Abroad (Season 12)
Lost Treasures of Egypt (Season 4)
Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Season 2)
Primal Survivor: Over the Andes (Season 1)
Underworld, Inc. (Seasons 1 & 2)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch – 2-Episode Season 2 Premiere
National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 5, “Bad Romance”
Willow – Episode 7
January 6
Strangest Bird Alive
January 11
Airport Security (Seasons 4-8)
Best in Bridal (Season 1)
Bride & Prejudice (Season 1)
Celebrity Ghost Stories (Seasons 5 & 6)
Evil Genius (Season 1)
My Ghost Story (Season 1)
SuperKitties (Season 1, 11 episodes)
Chasing Waves – All Episodes Streaming
Gina Yei – All Episodes Streaming
National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 6, “Frenemies”
Star Wars: The Bad Batch – Episode 203, “The Solitary Clone”
Willow – Episode 8
January 18
Chibi Tiny Tales (Shorts) (Season 3, 14 episodes)
Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funhouse (Season 2, 5 episodes)
Me & Mickey (Shorts) (Season 1, 20 episodes)
Night Stalkers (Season 1)
Secret Life of Predators (Season 1)
King Shakir Recycle – Premiere
National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 7, “Point of No Return”
Star Wars: The Bad Batch – Episode 204, “Faster”
January 20
Ocean’s Breath
Sharkatraz
January 25
Bloody Tales of Europe (Season 1)
Dino Ranch (Season 2, 6 episodes)
Hacking the System (Season 1)
Riding Britain’s Railways (Season 1)
Mila in the Multiverse – Premiere
National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 8, “Family Tree”
Star Wars: The Bad Batch – Episode 205, “Entombed”
January 27
American Blackout
Challenger Disaster: Lost Tapes
T. Rex Autopsy
Disney MCU Dates Phase 5 in 2023 and 2024
As many of you know, Disney+ is home to Marvel, and its Cinematic Universe. After Wakanda Forever aired at Cinema, we’re expecting it on the streaming platform shortly. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special ended Phase 4 of the MCU, and Phase 5 is about to kick off.
These are the official release dates, but we might have to wait for them to appear on Disney+.
After numerous attempts after so long, the long-awaited Black Panther: Wakanda Forever launches today. The sequel is a sad but powerful reminder of Chadwick Boseman’s absence, an actor who managed to transcend the cinematic screen and make a home for himself in the hearts of Marvel fans. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait long to see it on Disney+.
The truth is that Boseman was not just the Black Panther we fervently watched in the movies. In troubled times like these, figures like Black Panther have been essential in a fight that is still very present. Now, Wakanda Forever arrives to pay homage to Boseman, a film that’s significantly marked by his loss.
The unexpected loss of Chadwick Boseman
It’s a crime to talk about the cinematic Black Panther without discussing the powerful Chadwick Boseman. His brilliant interpretation endowed the character with exceptional charisma and helped towards the success he later acquired.
Something that not many knew about was Boseman’s battle with cancer during his participation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He made the disease public at a later stage, which surprised many people (his physical condition seemed excellent). He had such discretion about it that he didn’t share anything with his co-workers, even Black Panther’s director.
Yet, Chadwick Boseman always was more than his character, T’Challa. Some of his shows, like 21 Bridges or Marshall, are top movies in his filmography that serve as examples of his superb acting skills. His illness didn’t hinder him from continuing his outstanding work, not to mention alternating with significant altruistic activities. One such activity includes his crucial fight against racism.
Who is Black Panther?
Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created Black Panther, who were also the creative, brilliant minds behind most of Marvel’s most iconic characters (Spiderman, Captain America, Hulk…we can do this all day). Back at that time, Black Panther’s emergence was revolutionary: he was one of a few black superheroes in mainstream movies, which is what marked his success.
The brand’s conception in 1966 reflected a time that was marked by the African Americans’ struggle for equal rights. Significantly, the Black Panther character became part of T’Challa’s identity as the king of Wakanda. The kingdom was one of the most technologically-advanced nations worldwide due to the abundance of Vibranium. T’Challa’s hallmark trait was his incredible agility and strength mixed with his outstanding intellect (one of the greatest minds in the Marvel Universe).
Of equal importance was Shuri, his younger sister. With a Marvel character that Reginald Hudlin and John Romita Jr introduced much later (circa 2005), she finally received a powerful, unique appearance by becoming the new Black Panther in the latest Wakanda movie (featuring actress Laetitia Wright).
Wakanda: the technological utopia
Black Panther’s story shouldn’t be separated from Wakanda, a country that no one colonized in the fictional story. Due to the existence of Vibranium, it quickly became the most technologically-advanced nation on planet Earth; that says something.
Many people and fans state that Ethiopia formed the real-life inspiration for Wakanda’s creation. As a matter of fact, Ethiopia is the only African country on the continent that managed to resist colonization. Yet, while the similarities are incredibly obvious, no one has confirmed this correlation.
Wakanda is protected and hidden from other nations in the world. The comic books describe it as a paradise with hills and mountains surrounding it without easy access. In the movies, a far more effective way of hiding Wakanda existed, namely, a giant hologram.
Black Panther, a different MCU movie
This movie that Ryan Coogler directed made quite a difference within the MCU by representing the first black superhero in a film. Also, most of the production staff members were African American, which means it was in the best hands.
(Warning: SPOILERS ahead )
The Black Panther plot followed T’Challa, returning to Wakanda to claim the title of the country’s leader after what happened in Captain America: Civil War. As you’d expect, nothing was going to go as planned. Vibranium deposits eventually attracted villains, such as Ulysses Klaus (Andy Serkis) and Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan).
Black Panther dives into problems and issues the genre and MCU aren’t used to dealing with, such as power struggles and racism. Powerful characters like Killmonger present a stunning depth that you don’t really see in other Marvel antagonists. His claim to the throne penetrated so deeply in the public eye that a movement formed on social network platforms with the hashtag “KillmongerWasRight“.
New faces in the MCU: who is Namor?
After several rumors, Namor finally enters the MCU hand-in-hand with the actor that presents him, Tenoch Huerta. While we may not know him as well as other actors, Namor has the distinction of being one of Marvel’s oldest characters. He is the son of a human and an Atlantean with more than 80 years of history. He has the opportunity to alternate between all sides within the comics.
Many consider Namor one of the first mutants on Earth. In the comic books, he formed part of the X-Men, the Defenders, and the Avengers at one stage or another. One of Namor’s interesting powers is flight, which is unusual for a marine being.
What connects him to Black Panther? If you’re a fan of the comics, you’ll know that Namor and T’Challa have almost killed each other several times. Wakanda and Atlantis have been foes for many years, so it doesn’t surprise us that the main storyline of Wakanda Forever involves the challenging confrontation of both nations and their leaders.
This movie presents noticeable changes from the comic books, though. It’s most likely due to the similarities between Namor and Aquaman ( the DC hero Jason Momoa plays in the DCU movies), making it change to a different path. In this case, the MCU opted for the Namor inspired by pre-Hispanic culture. The visual as[ects presented by the character remind us of Aztec and other Latin American cultures. Also, Namor’s city that he governs changes its name: Atlantis is gone and replaced by Talocan.
The legacy that Chadwick Boseman left us
The pain of losing Chadwick Boseman is still with us after so many years. His co-workers and family members keep his memory alive. They highlight the example that he was for the current generation, thanks to his roles in cinema and his humility.
The sequel is a tribute to the figure of Boseman and an exploration of the concept of loss. All in all, now we can only say: Wakanda forever!
Now that Disney+ is here, you’ve probably made a list of all your favorite Disney movies to rewatch. But one of the advantages of subscribing to this streaming service is the opportunity to discover long-lost classics from the Disney universe. This may come as a surprise to you, but there are a number of great films that, unfortunately, Disney seems to have forgotten over the years.
In today’s article, we’re going to share a roundup of 15 underrated gems from Disney. They range from animated classics to modern productions and live-action movies. You may vaguely recall some of these titles, while others might not even ring a bell. But fortunately, with Disney+, you have the opportunity to discover them or rewatch them whenever you want. Feel like joining us on a magical journey through the Disney universe?
After the success of Mary Poppins, Disney decided to produce a similar movie, that is, one with scenes of real-life actors interacting with cartoon characters. The result is the charming Bedknobs and Broomsticks, an adventure whose incredible animated sequences and visual effects continue to amaze us. Especially noteworthy is the film’s climax, when Eglantine Price, the protagonist newbie witch (played by a young Angela Lansbury), will conjure up a very curious army to face a legion of Nazis. It also has catchy musical numbers such as “Portobello Road” and “The Beautiful Briny.”
Many believe the Disney Renaissance began with The Little Mermaid, but that’s not entirely true. Released three years earlier, The Great Mouse Detective brought together most of the ingredients that would make Disney succeed in the ’90s: an agile script, a charismatic hero (who can resist the mouse version of Sherlock Holmes?), excellent animation and, of course, a great villain. The final battle, in and out of London’s iconic Big Ben, is still quite spectacular. It was also one of the pioneers in introducing computer animation.
We all remember the endearing The Muppet Christmas Carol or The Muppets reboot from 2011, but The Great Muppet Caper has been largely forgotten. It was the film that launched the absurd, self-referential comedy that now permeates everything related to the Muppets. In fact, the movie opens with a song acknowledging that this is a movie (“Hey a Movie!”) and explaining how Kermit the Frog and Fozzie will play two journalists who are identical twins. This moment sets the tone for the entire film! The adventure is full of misunderstandings, trickery and stellar actors like Monty Python’s John Cleese
Hocus Pocus was released in 1993 with limited success, but in recent years it has luckily become regarded as a cult classic. And for good reason: the film is the quintessential ’90s movie that mixes genres without a problem. It offers 96 minutes of horror, comedy, fantasy, suspense… as we follow a teenager, Max Dennison, who inadvertently resurrects the Sandersons, a trio of fearsome witches played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker
Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a must-see movie for fans of old-fashioned special effects. We’re talking about the homemade kind, without any computerized tweaking. This story of an Irishman who captures the king of the leprechauns and gets him to grant three wishes is full of magical scenes with great special effects and editing.
Here we’re breaking the rules a bit by recommending a documentary instead of a fictional film, but it’s well worth it. Waking Sleeping Beauty tells the story of how Walt Disney Feature Animation returned to the fore of entertainment after multiple box-office flops and productions that dragged on forever. Specifically, after the disaster that was The Black Cauldron, the situation was so dire that many analysts of the era believed Disney was finished. How did it go from that to The Little Mermaid, The Lion King or Aladdin? Watch the documentary to find out!
10 Things I Hate About You is a modern-day adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, one of William Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. In its day, the film’s romantic misunderstandings and hidden life lessons truly resonated with the ’90s generation. How will you feel when you watch it now? You may wonder why today’s teen romantic comedies can’t be as smart and mature as this one. And if you’re still not convinced, you can always satisfy your curiosity by checking out a young Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Julia Stiles
The title of The Parent Trap may bring to mind a movie from the late ’90s with Lindsay Lohan playing twins separated at birth, but we’re referring to the original ’60s film with Hailey Mills as the lead. The adventure is the same: twins who learn of each other’s existence at summer camp and then try to get their parents back together. But this version is better than its remake because it doesn’t consider itself a kids’ movie: it’s endearing without being cheesy, and smart when it needs to be.
The Princess and the Frog was Disney’s last movie with traditional animation… because when it was released, it went largely unnoticed. And that’s a shame, because it’s an excellent remake of a classic tale, now set in New Orleans. Tiana was the first African-American Disney princess, and her strong, proactive personality makes her an excellent role model for kids. Oh, and in case you were wondering: yes, the villain’s song lives up to expectations!
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is still one of Disney’s best live-action films because of its stunning special effects (the movie won an Oscar for them in 1955), its massive dose of adventure, James Mason’s portrayal of Captain Nemo and Kirk Douglas as whaler Ned Land. The adventure begins when a mysterious sea monster is sinking ships in the Pacific Ocean. An expedition is launched to find out if the beast really exists, receiving help from Nemo and his iconic submarine, the Nautilus.
Remembered by few, The Black Cauldron is one of Disney’s most underrated animated films. Based on the first two books in The Chronicles of Prydain (The Book of Three and The Black Cauldron), the movie follows the adventures of Taran, a swineherd. He dreams of being a hero, but instead of having adventures and battling monsters, his life is centered on looking after Hen Wen, a little pig. However, Hen Wen is no ordinary animal, because when she touches her snout to water, she has the ability to see the future. One day, Hen Wen runs away due to a mistake by Taran and is captured by the Horned King and his minions. Will Taran manage to rescue her with the help of Princess Eilonwy, the bard Fflewddur Fflam and the adorable Gurgi? Magical, spooky and full of unforgettable moments, The Black Cauldron is a film that no Disney or fantasy fan should miss.
Want to know why Disney’s theme parks have a huge rock with a sword stuck in it? The Sword in the Stone is Disney’s fun and (never better said) magical take on the Arthurian legend. While it isn’t the most recognized or remembered film from the makers of Mickey Mouse, it has everything it needs to dazzle viewers of all ages. The Sword in the Stone follows the adventures of Arthur (“Wart” to his friends), a young orphan and apprentice squire who, after an accident in the forest, meets the wizard Merlin. After seeing a very promising future in Arthur, the enchanter will return to the castle with him and become his tutor. Magic, adventures, unforgettable songs and an exciting wizards’ duel are a taste of what awaits you in this movie.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire was the first fantasy and science fiction film created by Walt Disney Feature Animation. This movie had everything it needed to succeed: a good story based on Jules Verne, charismatic main characters, and loads of special effects that looked amazing on the big screen. However, the film went largely unnoticed, and to this day, many people have forgotten that it is one of the Disney classics. If you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, we suggest you join Milo Thatch and his expedition on their search for the underwater empire of Atlantis. It’s worth the trip!
In the wake of Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Disney tried its luck with a futuristic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale, Treasure Island. Called Treasure Planet, the movie follows young Jim Hawkins on some mind-blowing adventures. Using a holographic map, Jim sets out to find the so-called “Loot of a Thousand Worlds,” hidden in some corner of the galaxy. Aboard the RLS Legacy, Hawkins will hunt for the treasure and befriend the cyborg John Silver… but behind their friendship, there may be hidden intentions. With its amazing design and hair-raising action, Treasure Planet is a film that will delight animation and science fiction fans.
To bring our list to a close, Pete’s Dragon is another magical Disney film that, similar to Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Mary Poppins, successfully mixes real-life images with cartoons. This film follows the adventures of Pete, an orphan boy who was bought by the Gogan family and is treated as a servant. While staying with them, the boy meets Elliott, an invisible dragon that he is able to see. One day, the two decide to run away from the Gogan family in search of a better life. Exceptionally sweet and full of memorable moments, Pete’s Dragon is a beautiful story of friendship that you cannot miss.
We hope you liked our selection of lost and underrated classics from Disney. Don’t forget to watch them on Disney+! Do you know of any others that should be on this list? Tell us about them in the comments section!
