Treasure Island

Treasure Island has built a real following in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus and History Vault among viewers who do not usually seek out animation. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. With 238 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. A harder one to justify skipping than to start. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Treasure Island arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Treasure Island has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. Enchanted by the idea of locating treasure buried by Captain Flint, Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey and Jim Hawkins charter a sailing voyage to a Caribbean island. Unfortunately, a large number of Flint's old pirate crew are aboard the ship, including Long John Silver. Bobby Driscoll and Robert Newton lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1950. Treasure Island uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Genuinely enjoyable for a wide range of viewers, Treasure Island treats animation as a delivery mechanism, not a limitation. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Visually distinctive and narratively ambitious in ways that hold up regardless of format. Worth watching in order from the beginning.