12 Underrated ’80s and ’90s Animated Gems You Need to Watch

1. Cats Don’t Dance 1997，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 8609, ID: 0118829
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Cats Don’t Dance is about Danny, a kitten with dreams of stardom who travels to Hollywood in search of fame. In a film industry that favours human actors, it’s hard for animal actors to get a chance. Facing setbacks, Danny works with a group of animal friends to make his dream come true. The film shows the theme of pursuing equality and persevering in one’s dreams.
2. The Pagemaster 1994，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 25819, ID: 0110763
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The Pagemaster is about a shy and timid boy, Richard (played by Macaulay Culkin), who accidentally enters a fantasy world of books. Through the company of three talking books – Adventure, Fantasy and Horror – Richard must overcome his inner fears to complete the adventure and find his way home. The film combines live action and animation, incorporating classic literature.
3. The Brave Little Toaster 1987，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 27975, ID: 0092695
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The Brave Little Toaster is about a group of abandoned appliances – a small toaster, a lamp, an electric blanket, a radio and a hoover – who embark on a perilous journey to find their lost owners. The film not only shows the appliances’ desire for loyalty to their masters, but also explores the importance of belonging and solidarity.
4. The Iron Giant 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 231159, ID: 0129167
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The Iron Giant is a tale of a boy named Hogarth who accidentally discovers and forms a friendship with a giant robot that falls from the sky during the Cold War. As the government hunts down this robot, Hogarth and the giant must face the fears and prejudices of the outside world. The film conveys themes of choosing one’s destiny and peace through the giant’s learning that he is not destined to be a weapon.
5. James and the Giant Peach 1996，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 74544, ID: 0116683
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Adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic, James and the Giant Peach is about an orphaned boy, James, who, after escaping from his cruel aunt, embarks on a fantastical journey through a giant peach and begins adventures with a group of friendly insects. A clever combination of live-action and stop-motion animation, the film showcases James’ fantastical experiences as he travels across oceans and fights against perilous odds.
6. The Secret of NIMH 1982，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 45809, ID: 0084649
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The Secret of NIMH is about Mrs Brisby, a brave field mouse who seeks the help of a group of experimentally modified intelligent mice to save her ailing son. Faced with the impending threat of farm relocation, Brisby must overcome her fears and rely on the mice’s intelligence to protect her family.
7. Rock-A-Doodle 1991，IMDB Rating: 6.0, IMDB Votes: 10686, ID: 0102802
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Rock-A-Doodle is about the confident rooster Chanticleer, who believes his crowing makes the sun rise. When he is tricked into leaving the farm, a young boy, Edmund, and a group of animal friends embark on an adventure to find Shantiklir and bring the sun back to the farm. The film presents a fantasy world with its vibrant animation and catchy songs.
8. Bebe’s Kids 1992，IMDB Rating: 5.8, IMDB Votes: 5549, ID: 0103783
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Bebe’s Kids is about three mischievous children that Robbins has to take care of her friend Bebe’s while she is on a date with Jamika. As they travel to an amusement park together, these kids create all sorts of chaos and hilarious scenes. With its distinctive animation style and humorous reflections on social issues, the film is a unique piece of animated cinema in the 1990s.
9. Thumbelina 1994，IMDB Rating: 6.2, IMDB Votes: 18897, ID: 0111419
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Thumbelina describes the adventures of Thumbelina, a young girl who, after an accidental kidnapping, goes on a quest to find her way home and true love. She encounters a variety of strange creatures who try to prevent her from being reunited with her prince. With beautiful animation and catchy songs, the film shows her perseverance of hope and pursuit of happiness in the face of adversity.
10. Kaze no tani no Naushika 1984，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 184626, ID: 0087544
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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind follows Princess Nausicaä as she endeavours to save her home and mediate the conflict between mankind and nature in a futuristic world infested with poisonous gases and giant insects. As the threat of war grows, Nausicaa uses her courage and ingenuity to find a solution to live in harmony with nature. Hayao Miyazaki builds a rich world and a profound story that conveys the important message of coexistence with nature.
11. The Swan Princess 1994，IMDB Rating: 6.4, IMDB Votes: 27316, ID: 0111333
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Adapted from the classic Swan Lake story, The Swan Princess follows the adventures of Princess Odette, who has been turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer, and Prince Derek, who embarks on a journey to break the curse and regain his freedom. As the two go through various trials and tribulations, the film conveys themes of true love and perseverance.
12. An American Tail 1986，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 58575, ID: 0090633
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An American Tail begins with the story of Fiver, a young mouse and his family who emigrate from Russia to the United States in search of a better life. During the journey, Fiver is separated from his family and faces the hardships and adventures of the new world on his own. The film conveys themes of family, hope and resilience, making it a classic animation that touches the heart.