10 Best Animated Sequels of All Time

Animated sequels rarely live up to the standards of the original, especially since many animated classics are left as standalone movies. It is only in the 21st century that animated sequels have become more popular. Before this shift, animated movies were either left untouched or given direct-to-video sequels with little fanfare, as was the case with many Disney classics. The landscape of animated movies is much different now.

The 21st century saw the rise of long-running animated franchises such as Shrek, Toy Story And Kung Fu Panda. Still, sequels can be tricky business, with studios struggling to come up with storylines as vibrant as those in the original movies. However, there are some exceptions where a sequel can beat a brilliant idea. In these cases, some sequels can even improve upon the animated classics that inspired them.

10

Inside Out 2 (2024)

Sequel to Inside (2015)

Pixar has been leading the way with animated sequels for years, And they continued the strike in 2024. Inside Out 2 Broke box office records nine years after the first movie came out, and became the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. Inside Out 2 Creams a few new emotions into Riley’s tight mind, and there are some other creative quirks, like the sense of self that controls Riley as she goes through puberty.

The first Inside out is a coming-of-age story viewed from an unorthodox angle, and the sequel builds on that idea as Riley becomes more emotionally complex. These new characters create some interesting problems in Riley’s mind, as everything becomes a little more chaotic and difficult to control. Inside Out 2 But don’t let his philosophy overshadow his humor too much.

9

Incredibles 2 (2019)

Sequel to The Incredibles (2004)

Pixar’s record with sequels is not without a few blemishes. Cars 2 Might be the studio’s worst movie of all, and others like it Monsters University And Find Dory Didn’t quite live up to the high standards of the original. Incredibles 2 Also seemed like a disappointment at the time, but the timing was kind to the superhero sequel. It’s not exactly what some people expected.

One of the most common criticisms on Incredibles 2 Is that the villain, Screenslaver, has a slightly muddled philosophy. Although Syndrome was a tough act to follow, Screenslaver is a bit underrated and an interesting twist villain. Apart from some more explosive action and great gags, Incredibles 2 is also noteworthy for being superbly modernWith a retrofuturistic swagger that seems ripped from the pages of old superhero comics.

8

Frozen 2 (2019)

Sequel to Frozen (2013)

Frozen was one of the movies that pushed Disney forward into a new era of animation, so a sequel was always going to be a difficult project. While frozen 2 Generally considered the worse of the two, it is still a worthy successor. The story follows the characters as they seek to uncover the source of Elsa’s powers, making it a sort of origin story. There is much more magic and mythology to keep things interesting.

One of the challenges that Frozen 2 Feist was creating a soundtrack as iconic as the first movie. The showstopper this time round is “Into the Unknown,” And Idina Menzel gives another amazing vocal performance. According to the title of the song, Frozen 2 is even more visually ambitious than the first, with new creatures, new landscapes and some clever directorial choices that invite the audience deeper into Arendelle and the surrounding areas. Frozen 3 is now at work.

7

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Sequel to Puss in Boots (2011)

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Took over a decade to produce after repeated setbacks, but his time spent in development hell was worth it. The last wish Surpasses the original Puss in shoes by a mile. It can be enjoyed without watching the original, because it is so inventive and self-assured. The last wish Takes inspiration from Westerners, especially the good, the bad and the ugly, As Puss sets out on a journey to restore his nine lives.

Like all the other movies in the fear franchise, The last wish Puts a spin on some beloved fairy tale characters, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The story and the humor are both fun, but what really matters The last wish Stand out is the way that Its unorthodox animation style makes the action scenes pop. Puss in Boots: The Last WishThe end comes alarm 5, And this sequel will have a lot of potential if it borrows from the same playbook.

6

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Sequel to Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Kung Fu Panda Shows Po’s journey from regular Shmo to Dragon Warrior. It’s a great standalone movie, but the Kung Fu Panda Franchise essentially hinged on the quality of the first sequel. Fortunately, Po was just as funny in his new role, alongside Master Shifu and the rest of the Furious Five. Kung Fu Panda 2 Digs deeper into Po’s backstory, and it gets fairly dark at times.

Replacing Tai Lung as the main villain is Lord Shen, a genocidal white peacock voiced by veteran bad guy actor Gary Oldman. Shen’s army of wolves presents a different kind of challenge to Po, and this gives the sequel a new dynamic. Shen is a great villain. He has a balletic fighting style, and a beautiful character design. There are a few fights without Shen that also jump off the screen.

5

Toy Story 2 (1999)

Sequel to Toy Story (1995)

Pixar’s first sequel proved that Toy Story There was no fall. With another movie that explored Buzz and Woody’s relationship with humor and heart, Toy Story 2 was one of the most successful animated movie franchises of all time. The story splits the duo for a long time, as Woody is stolen by a greedy toy collector who wants to sell him as part of a complete set to a museum in Japan.

Toy Story 2 Features one of Pixar’s best villains, as Stinky Pete from Kelsey Grammar shifts from a lovable old man to a violent, manipulative antagonist. Elsewhere, Buzz has a hilarious storyline with another Buzz Lightyear toy that plays on his deep insecurities. generally, Toy Story 2 Is on par with the original movie, and it showed that there is a future for his beloved characters.

4

Shrek 2 (2004)

Sequel to Shrek (2001)

Fear 2 remains the best fear Sequel, and it may even eclipse the original. Scared a little less misanthropic than he was before he met Donkey and Fiona, Fear 2 Send him to the kingdom of far far away to meet Fiona’s parents. There are plenty of great jokes as Shrek struggles to maintain his manners in polite society, but the story is kicked up another notch with the introductions of Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother.

Replacing Lord Farquaad, Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother are the perfect villains for Fear 2. They provide a hilarious mixture of preening, entitled ego and volatile, savvy menace, making them worthy of hatred and fear in equal measure. Fear 2 Also benefits from the introduction of Puss in BootsAnd the spectacular final showdown, with a 50-foot tall gingerbread man storming the castle to Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero”.

3

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Sequel to How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

How to train your dragon 2 Doubles down on everything that made the first movie so popular, but it also represents a leap forward in terms of ambition. The breathtaking aerial action scenes and the sweeping landscapes are both rendered beautifully. Legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, who has been nominated for 16 Academy Awards, served as visual consultant, and it shows.

How to train your dragon 2 is set five years after the events of the original. This allows it to tell a slightly different story. While the first movie offers a heartwarming coming-of-age tale, Hiccup is more mature and ready to take on more responsibility in the sequel. How to train your dragon 2 don’t play safe, But its blend of family drama and epic action makes for a winning combination.

2

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Spider-Man: In the Spider-Verse shook up the landscape of animated movies when it came out in 2018. After many years of homogenized big-budget animation, with Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Illumination and more studios producing movies that generally look the same, the Spider-Verse movies have led . A new wave of animation that dares to be different. Over the Spider-Verse is the movie that shows that the creators still have a lot of tricks up their sleeves.

Across the Spider-Verse, Like the first movie, is a creative patchwork of different visual influences, referring to the different characters and universes. Overall, the comic book’s punchy editing and visuals give it a unique appeal. This improves the comedy beats, but it works best in the sci-fi action scenes. Over the Spider-Verses excruciating cliffhanger ending sets in Over the Spider-Verse, Which is set for a release in 2026.

1

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Sequel to Toy Story 2 (1999)

In addition to being Pixar’s best sequel, Toy Story is one of Pixar’s best movies overall. The third movie in the Toy Story Franchise seemed like it would provide a finale for the characters at the time before Toy Story 4 And Toy Story 5 became real possibilities. Toy Story 3 Shows Andy growing up and moving on, and his toys face the prospect of a life without him. They endure a hellish daycare center under the thumb of an evil teddy bear.

Toy Story 3 Has just as much humor as the franchise’s previous two entries, but is even more emotionally resonant. Toy Story 3 It came out 15 years after the first movie, so it was a way for its audience to say goodbye to some of the characters they grew up with. Andy transitions into adulthood and accepts a bittersweet ending, while the toys are left with some sorrow but a lot of hope for a happy future.