Disney's animated film collection shaped many a fan's childhoods with memorable characters and child-friendly morals that they carry with them through adulthood. Some of these are so timeless that they deserve to be continued, and classics such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid have all received sequels and cartoon series to further expand on them.
Though a sequel is commonly thought to take place after a story's end, another option is to further develop themes and story lines from the first film, so some of Disney's sequels are actually prequels or 'midquels.' Unfortunately, direct-to-video is commonly associated with a movie not being good enough for a theatrical release, but some of them have done quite well. Take a look at 10 of the best straight-to-video and DVD sequels of the 2000's that continue Disney's classic tales.
Cinderella III: A Twist In Time (2007) - 5.9
Cinderella (1950) is the story of a servant girl who got a chance at her happily-ever-after with her kind heart, and just a little bit of magic. A Twist In Time, explores other ways the story could have ended.
When Anastasia finds the Fairy Godmother's magic wand, she rushes it home to her cruel mother, who then uses it to turn back time and reverse Cinderella's happy ending. Cinderella and her animal friends must try to change time once again, but is there any hope for her relationship with her stepsisters?
Lady & the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventures (2001) - 5.9
Lady and the Tramp (1955) is a sweet love story between a pampered pooch and a local stray. Their story continues through their son, Scamp, in Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventures.
Frustrated by the constraints of pet-life, Scamp runs away to join a pack of rough-and-tough street dogs that live in a junk yard. There, he meets Angel, a stray pup who wants more than anything to have a safe and loving home like the one that Scamp just left.
Bambi II (2006) - 6.1
Bambi II delves into the missing parts of Bambi's childhood that were skipped in the original film. Shortly after his mother is cruelly taken from him by a hunter, Bambi's father (known as 'The Great Prince Of The Forest') finds him wandering the forest alone.
Unprepared to care for a fawn, he tries to find another deer to watch Bambi through the harsh winter. There is no doe available, and the stoic Great Prince must take his playful, affectionate son into his charge until the safety of Spring arrives.
Stitch! The Movie (2003) - 6.2
Lilo and Stitch (2002) was an early 2000's phenomenon. In only four years, it had three sequels and a cartoon television show. Depending on your outlook on it, Stitch! The Movie could serve as a pilot or a prequel to Lilo and Stitch: The Series.
It takes place a short time after the first movie with Lilo and Stitch happily living in their blended family of humans and alien friends. Little do they know that their lives are about to change again, because all 625 other experiments are there on Earth!
Brother Bear 2 (2006) - 6.2
Koda and Kenai are living as bears when they team up for another adventure in Brother Bear 2. Kenai is happy, but haunted by memories of a childhood friend named Nita.
Tied to her by an amulet that he gave to her when he was still a human, Kenai and Nita must go on a journey to burn the amulet so that she can be released from the bond to get married to a man named Atka. Meanwhile, used to having all of Kenai's attention, Koda is worried that his friend will leave him to be with Nita.
Leroy & Stitch (2006) - 6.2
Both a direct-to-video sequel, and simultaneously released on the Disney channel, Leroy and Stitch is the 4th film of the Lilo and Stitch franchise, and the final chapter to the animated series.
All of Jumba's experiments have been captured and cataloged, but Captain Gantu hasn't given up. He breaks Dr. Van Hamsterviel out of prison, and together, they force Jumba to create an evil Stitch clone - experiment 629, AKA Leroy.
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008) - 6.3
Jodi Benson reprises her famous role as the red-headed mermaid in Ariel's Beginning. After a tragic incident that led to the death of Queen Athena, music is strictly forbidden in the once joyful kingdom of Atlantica.
Ever stubborn, and a lot like her mother, Ariel realizes her love for music and sets off on an adventure in hopes of restoring the beautiful art form to her home, while meeting forever friends along the way.
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch (2005) - 6.3
Set before Stitch! The Movie, this continuation follows Stitch as he adjusts to life on Earth. Lilo prepares for a hula competition and all is well, until a glitch causes Stitch to revert to his original, evil programming.
Unable to control himself, his destructive tendencies hurt the friendships that he's come to love. Not only is the good Stitch disappearing, but he will be lost forever if Lilo and the gang can't find a cure for his glitch before it's too late!
An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000) - 6.4
Eager to begin the next chapter in his life, Max couldn't be more excited to move away from the rules and restrictions of home and go to college. It's all fun and X-Games with his friends until his dad loses his job and decides to return to school - Max's school to be exact.
Max is embarrassed and wants nothing to do with his doting father, but all Goofy wants is to have a close and loving relationship with his son.
Lion King 1 & 1/2 (2004) - 6.5
Another sequel that takes the audience back to the middle of the original story, Lion King 1 & 1/2 is a unique retelling of the first film from the perspective of Timon and Pumbaa in a playful, fourth-wall breaking adventure.
Also titled Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata, it goes back to the beginning and explains Timon and Pumbaa's separate lives before Simba, how the two friends met, and the origins of that beautiful phrase, "Hakuna Matata."