Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Kernel Score: 79% · 5,071 ratings · Rated PG

Genres: Animation, Family, Adventure, Science Fiction

Released: 2001-06-02

Runtime: 95 minutes

Is Atlantis: The Lost Empire worth watching?

Worth watching. Disney's undersea-adventure about a linguist leading a crew to find Atlantis has bold art and good pace. It sold itself on action over songs and is a cult favourite today.

Watch it if you

  • like adventure animation with a bold style
  • enjoy lost-world and expedition stories
  • miss Disney's non-musical films

Skip it if you

  • want Disney songs and romance
  • dislike plots that feel familiar

Best for: Family adventure night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Atlantis: The Lost Empire

  • Stream: Disney+
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

A young linguist named Milo Thatch joins an intrepid group of explorers to find the mysterious lost continent of Atlantis.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire parents' guide: ages 6+

Parents need to know that Atlantis: The Lost Empire is an adventure-animation film with some perilous action sequences.

  • Violence & scariness: Some — Includes sea monster encounters and adventure-peril typical of a PG animated adventure.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Atlantis: The Lost Empire

If you liked Atlantis: The Lost Empire, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Treasure Planet (2002) — 84%: Disney's other adventure-led sci-fi, set in space.
  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) — 81%: Directed by the same pair, and just as ambitious.
  • The Sea Beast (2022) — 82%: Sea-faring adventure with striking animation.
  • Moana (2016) — 85%: Ocean adventure with a bold lead and great visuals.
  • Castle in the Sky (1986) — 93%: Ghibli's own lost-civilisation adventure.
  • The Lion King (1994) — 94%: Disney classic with a strong sense of epic scale.

Director

Gary Trousdale

Cast

  • Michael J. Fox as Milo James Thatch (voice)
  • Cree Summer as Princess 'Kida' Kidagakash (voice)
  • James Garner as Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke (voice)
  • Claudia Christian as Helga Katrina Sinclair (voice)
  • Corey Burton as Gaetan 'The Mole' Moliere (voice)
  • Phil Morris as Dr. Joshua Strongbear Sweet (voice)
  • Jacqueline Obradors as Audrey Rocio Ramirez (voice)
  • Don Novello as Vincenzo 'Vinny' Santorini (voice)
  • Jim Varney as Jebidiah Allardyce 'Cookie' Farnsworth (voice)
  • Florence Stanley as Wilhelmina Bertha Packard (voice)

Atlantis: The Lost Empire FAQ

Is Atlantis: The Lost Empire worth watching?

Worth watching. Disney's undersea-adventure about a linguist leading a crew to find Atlantis has bold art and good pace. It sold itself on action over songs and is a cult favourite today.

Where can I watch Atlantis: The Lost Empire?

In the US you can stream Atlantis: The Lost Empire on Disney+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Atlantis: The Lost Empire OK for kids?

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Atlantis: The Lost Empire is an adventure-animation film with some perilous action sequences.

What movies are like Atlantis: The Lost Empire?

If you liked Atlantis: The Lost Empire, try Treasure Planet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Sea Beast and Moana.