It looks like after years of limited sequels from Disney Animation, they are finally falling into the business of sequels with their releases of Ralph Breaks The Internet and Frozen 2. Before now, the studio often shied away from sequels to popular films, choosing instead to go after original concepts only.
But, that doesn't mean they didn't exist. In fact, many animated sequels are even better than their originals — though not most. Looking beyond the sphere of Disney, there are a good deal of other animated sequels that deserve recognition for their additions to the medium.
Fantasia 2000
Out of all of the Disney animated films to make a sequel to, Fantasia was certainly not most people's first thought. But it makes total sense. The original Fantasia doesn't have a core narrative, instead being a series of vignettes accompanied by classical music.
The sequel continues that tradition but updates it with revolutionary advancements in animation. These sequences are spectacular, especially the jazzy "Rhapsody in Blue" number. It is a fitting continuation of the ideas that Walt Disney himself was imagining at the time of the original film.
Frozen II
The first Frozen movie was one of the most successful animated films to come from Disney Animation. To say it was a phenomenon is an understatement. So, how does one create a follow-up to one of the most beloved animated box office hits of all time?
Turns out using it as a vehicle to address the treatment of the environment and indigenous peoples is how. While the film has a few false starts throughout, the overall message is surprisingly poignant. Not to mention the advancements in animation can already be seen.
The Lego Batman Movie
Though technically not a sequel, this spin-off took the best of The Lego Movie's DNA and intertwined it with everything we love about Batman. Will Arnett's take on the caped crusader was an instant classic in the first film, so giving him his own solo outing was a no-brainer.
The film surpasses its Lego title, becoming one of the best Batman movies ever made. It celebrates everything we love about the character and his long history, poking fun at the more ridiculous parts that we choose to ignore. The Lego Batman Movie is the rare spin-off that really works.
How To Train Your Dragon 2
The first How To Train Your Dragon film was a fresh new addition to the varying quality of DreamWorks Animation. While the studio was known for some popular hits like Shrek, it also put out mind-boggling flops such as Bee Movie. But, with How To Train Your Dragon, DreamWorks entered a reputation not unlike Pixar Animation, providing deeply emotional stories through the guise of children's entertainment.
The sequel doubled down, expanding the world and mythos of these stories and complicating the relationships found within. Not to mention the hyper-real animation works really well with the still stylized characters.
The Rescuers Down Under
The Rescuers Down Under was the first theatrical sequel to come from Disney Animation. With the framed device of these child-saving mice established in the first film, any number of sequels could be made. This sequel, set in the outback of Australia, is so much more than a great sequel. The film continues the message and story from the first film just fine.
The real power behind The Rescuers Down Under is its impact on the medium and on Disney Studios. It was one of the first animated films from the company to utilize computer animation alongside traditional hand-drawn animation. This combination would go on to be crucial in films such as Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.
Shrek 2
Sometimes when sequels are addressed, the creators choose to just double down on the premise of the original. Often, this choice backfires and feels oversaturated and careless. Shrek 2 is the exception. This sequel doubles down on the jokes, paralleling the modern world to its fairy tale counterpart.
The jokes are even funnier and the world is so much bigger. This is the film that also gave fan favorite characters, such as Puss in Boots. The best part is, none of the heart is lost. The relationship between Shrek and Fiona is complicated and only comes out to a sweeter conclusion.
Toy Story 3
Coming out nearly a decade after its predecessor, expectations were high for Toy Story 3. How could Pixar keep their streak going with sequels as well as they did with Toy Story 2? The answer was imbuing this franchise with the same heart that was brought to the studios' later films, such as Up.
Toy Story 3 is way more emotionally fraught than its predecessors, embracing darker tones and harder questions for its toy characters. It offered what was believed to be a perfect ending to a trilogy that had started so long ago. If you didn't bawl in that last act, are you even human?
Toy Story 4
Toy Story 3 offered many fans a perfect ending to the Toy Story series, or so we thought. So, there was a lot working against this sequel which came out, once again, nearly a decade after its predecessor. Why we ever doubted Pixar is a mystery, because Toy Story 4 is a vastly more mature and fitting end to these films than the last.
The inclusion of Forky is one of the best character creations the studio has done in years, and the development of Woody's story is one of the best thought-out arcs for any Pixar character. It is both hilarious and fun while remaining a thoughtful piece of filmmaking, addressing themes of aging and purpose.
How To Train Your Dragon 3
This finale took far longer than it should have. But luckily, DreamWorks delivered and the wait was worth it. How To Train Your Dragon is one of the best third acts to a trilogy ever conceived, beyond its animated format. While some might complain about pacing and villain issues, it's the emotional themes that make the film really work.
Over the course of three films, audiences have connected deeply to the "boy and his dog" relationship between Hiccup and Toothless. To see it come to a close was one of the most emotional experiences to come out of any animated film. It's full of so much heart and spirit, which is only boosted by some of the best animated sequences in any film.
Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 is everything a sequel should be. It expands the scope of the story being told in more ways than one. In terms of the world, everything is bigger. The amount of characters involved is massive, and the types of stories they're experiencing are nuanced and diverse. Not to mention, the movie is hysterical. The number of gags and references never feel overboard and are always balanced out by the emotional heart that makes you love these characters is the first place.