Summary
Disneyhas been creating memorable and entertaining animated movies for over 100 years. Their groundbreaking classics such asCinderellaand101 Dalmatiansbrought overhauls to the world of cinema, which has only continued in more recent times. From the so-called “Renaissance” movies likeThe Lion KingandHerculesto the modern-eraFrozenandRaya and the Last Dragon, many of their films still serve to inspire audiences and captivate them on adventures that are as exciting as they are emotional.
Though many remain relatively unknown, certain Disney films received sequels. They are, mostly, not on par with the original by a long shot for most fans. However, theseDisney sequel moviesstand out for continuing the adventures of beloved characters, with some even proving more popular than their predecessors.
This list will only focus on Disney’s own movies, not those of Pixar. All ratings are according to IMDb.
10Mulan 2
IMDB Rating: 5.6/10
Though it’s far removed from the original, for those who want to know what happened to Mulan after the groundbreaking events of the first film, this sequel revisits the character one month later. After receiving a mission from the Emperor himself, Mulan and her fiancé, Shang, escort his three daughters to the city of Qui Gong. Throughout the film, Mulan helps the girls discover freedom and, as it was for her, that their duty is to their hearts.
Mulan 2offers a sentimental look at the beloved characters Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po, the soldiers from the first film, and how they wish for a"girl worth fighting for.“It’s obvious from the start, but the three princesses, Mei, Ting-Ting, and Su, fall in love with the three soldiers, respectively.Mulan 2also has some memorable songs, like “Lesson Number One” and “Like Other Girls.” Though it’s completely unlike the original and features very little action,Mulan 2continues the story of beloved characters and still includes Mushu,unlike its live-action retelling.
9Lady And The Tramp 2: Scamp’s Adventure
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
Scamp’s Adventuremay be typically underrated, but it offers a fun and heartfelt story with a unique cast of new characters. While Lady, Tramp and their three daughters enjoy a comfortable life in the home of Jim Dear and Darling, Scamp feels he doesn’t fit in. When he misbehaves and gets chained outside, he meets a group of outcast dogs, the Junkyard Dogs. Scamp eventually joins them but is unaware of how dangerous their leader, Buster, is.
While the film focuses on Scamp, it also provides a lot of backstory for his father, Tramp. It’s revealed Tramp was once Buster’s mentor who taught him how to survive on the streets.When Tramp fell in love with Lady, Buster felt betrayed and held a fierce grudge against him. This sequel is notable for paying homage to the original without just being a direct rehash and even won a DVD-exclusive award for the best voice-acting.
8Cinderella 3: A Twist In Time
IMDB Rating: 6.0/10
Cinderellahad two sequels made, thoughCinderella 2was a relatively uninspiring collection of three short stories.Cinderella 3, however, makes up for its disappointing predecessor, exploring what happenedwhen Cinderella’s evil stepmother,Lady Tremaine, got hold of the fairy godmother’s wand. After Cinderella marries the prince, Tremaine acts out of complete hatred and revenge. She’s able to turn back time with the wand, stopping Cinderella’s dreams from coming true.
What this film does particularly well is deepening the characters. Viewers see Lady Tremaine’s vengefulness and Cinderella’s bravery, and even Anastasia grows from being simply Cinderella’s “ugly sister” to a fleshed-out character experiencing guilt and inner conflict. This film sheds new light on classic characters and also appeals to fans who would like to see a “What If?” scenario.
7Brother Bear 2
IMDB Rating: 6.1/10
The originalBrother Bearmay, unfortunately, remain an underrated Disney movie, yet it had a truly heartfelt story. Kenai decided to transform into a bear due to his great care for the bear cub, Koda. As such, this sequel starts with them after waking from hibernation in the winter. Kenai has flashbacks to when he was a child, involving an almost fatal accident when his friend Nita nearly drowned in a lake. Soon after, Nita, now an adult, comes looking for him and the trio set out to the Hokani Falls.
Some fans did not welcome the love between Kenai and Nita in this movie, since it interferes with the beautifully established brotherly bond between Kenai and Koda, which made the first movie so emotional. However, it’s overall one of the stronger Disney sequels, with a nice aesthetic and smooth animation, and therefore should be generally appreciated by fans of the first underrated movie.
6Lilo And Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch
IMDB Rating: 6.2/10
Lilo and Stitchis a beloved Disney franchise, and this sequel may be underrated, but it explores the deep bond between the titular characters. This sequel continues the story of Lilo, her sister Nani, and Stitch, along with their new alien friends Jumba and Pleakley, who are now one big family. Nani’s plans for a family fun night don’t go as planned, especially when Stitch starts to “glitch,” causing chaos in the house.
His sudden glitches throughout the film test his friendship with Lilo, who thinks he’s deliberately out to ruin her plans to win the hula competition. However, shockingly for Lilo, Stitch’s “glitches” eventually result in his death. It is only Lilo’s love for him that has the power to revive him. As such, the film explores how much Lilo needs Stitch as Stitch needs her, even if their friendship is tested. The film is quite short but has great animation and an iconic soundtrack.
5Aladdin And The King Of Thieves
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
The originalAladdinwas, and still is, one of Disney’s most popular films, and as such two sequels were made, forming a trilogy. WhileThe Return of Jafarhad a weak plot,The King Of Thievesbuilds on Aladdin’s backstory. While preparing for his wedding to Jasmine, the 40 Thieves infiltrate the palace to steal the Oracle. It’s revealed their leader, Cassim, is Aladdin’s father, which gives fans greater insight into how Aladdin ended up a “street rat” as seen in the original movie.
The King of Thievesis full of lively songs and sawRobin Williams reprise his role as the beloved Genie. Though the film focuses on Aladdin and Cassim, this unfortunately leaves Jasmine relatively absent from the action.
4The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
The Lion Kingis a fan-favorite film, and its sequel was quite well-received. Though sharing some obvious similarities,Simba’s Pridepicks up immediately where the first film left off. It follows Simba’s daughter Kiara, who yearns for adventure, though this causes tension with her father, much like how it was between Simba and Mufasa. In the end, thanks to her and the new character Kovu, they restore peace and unite the two lion prides.
While the original movie was inspired by Shakespeare’sHamlet, this sequel firmly follows the story ofRomeo and Juliet. The film’s villain, Zira, is particularly well-written, as a completely merciless character who previously manipulated and trained Kovu to be an assassin. Her motivations for revenge are well-justified, which adds greater depth to the story, something many other Disney sequels lack.
3The Rescuers Down Under
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
The Rescuers Down Underwas the first Disney sequel movie and one of the strongest entries. Set in the Australian Outback, the story begins with the young boy Cody, who helps an eagle out of a poacher’s trap. Unfortunately, he falls into a trap of his own and is kidnapped by the truly ruthless McLeach. Word reaches the Rescue Aid Society, which sends their most admired members Bernard and Bianca. Together with the new character Jake, they set off to save Cody and foil McLeach’s evil plans.
With better animation than its predecessor and an engaging story, this sequel is generally preferred over the originalRescuers. In most cases, Disney sequels never match up to the original. However,The Rescuers Down Understands out as one of the few films that improves on the original.
As of writing,Frozen 2is Disney’s highest-grossing animated film, solidifying theFrozenseriesas its own franchise.Frozen 2does a great job of exploring more of the lore behind the beloved characters and setting. It has quite a deep story, dealing with the effects of a past tragedy that needs resolving. Years before the first movie, Anna and Elsa’s grandfather deceived the Northuldra, even killing their leader, which caused the Northuldra to become trapped in the forest.
For many fans,Frozen 2has the better soundtrack. Many songs have more powerful lyrics, such as “Show Yourself,” which offers a more genuine look at Elsa’s inner feelings and struggles. Anna’s character in particular was very well-developed, as she demonstrated the most character growth. She comes up against genuine heartbreak, almost losing her friends for good, and her song “The Next Right Thing” shows her dealing with her sorrow.
The sequel to the belovedWreck-It Ralphtakes viewers on an even greater journey than before, branching far out of the arcade into the realm of the internet. When Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush, breaks down, she and Ralph travel into the internet in the hope of buying a new wheel, so she can continue racing. What starts as a simple mission quickly becomes complicated, and the film explores the theme that things cannot stay the same forever.
While the first film is centered on Ralph, the sequel makes Vanellope the main character, exploring her inner feelings. She’s torn between not wanting to upset her best friend Ralph, yet she’s grown bored with the predictable nature of her game and yearns for a fresh start. She even meets the beloved Disney princesses in an iconic scene when viewers see Vanelleope as a true princess, realizing her dreams by singing her own song. Brimming with imagination and a sense of fun,Ralph Breaks The Internetappeals to all ages.
