Box-office struggles couldn't bury these 10 family movie flops, actually misunderstood masterpieces like Strange Magic and Treasure Planet

A musical with unusual charms

Lucasfilm’s Strange Magic is an animated jukebox musical about love lost and found in unexpected places. Its detailed, realistic visuals combine eerie characters with cute ones, while familiar songs are given playful new renditions.

The unusual mix did not appeal to everyone, but the film has a distinctive place among fractured fairy tales and songbook musicals. Its plot twist and themes of beauty and belonging may resonate with viewers open to a monstrous love story.

Peter Pan faced stiff competition

The film features committed performances, including Jeremy Sumpter as Pan, and Jason Isaacs as both Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. Rachel Hurd-Wood’s Wendy is brave and intelligent, while the fanciful setting keeps Neverland grounded in the story.

Treasure Island travels to space

Disney’s Treasure Planet opened against Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as hand-drawn animation was losing ground to computer-generated films. The studio was also struggling to find its footing after the successful 1990s renaissance.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, the film relocates pirates and buried fortune to space. Its science-fiction and steampunk approach may not suit purists, but it offers a different take for viewers willing to embrace a new interpretation.

Haunted Mansion missed its moment

The 2023 Haunted Mansion opened in summer rather than fall, within days of Barbie and Oppenheimer’s theatrical debuts. The crowded release period, limited marketing and SAG-AFTRA strike all contributed to a difficult launch.

The ensemble includes LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson, whose on-screen chemistry is highlighted, alongside Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish and Danny DeVito. Its focus on a group of living characters sets it apart from the single-family-centered 2003 version.