On paper, it sounds easy to make a superior sequel to the original movie with animation software constantly developing, but the stunning visuals are only half of the story. The narratives of animated movies have a much tougher task than any other genre, as they have to appease both children and grown-ups, but sequels have to do that and satisfy fans of the original.
This makes it rare when an animated sequel goes above and beyond, as so few follow-ups are able to build on the original movies without coming off as hollow imitations. However, over the past 30 years or so, there have been just enough movies to have actually outdone their predecessors, against all odds.
Rugrats In Paris (2000)
Though many first animated movies in a series set the bar high, it wasn’t hard for Rugrats In Paris to outdo The Rugrats Movie. Though the movie appeals more to kindergarten audiences with little entertainment for adults, the movie came years after the first season of the show, meaning that there are adults who grew up with them that would have found some kind of nostalgia in the movie. On top of that, Rugrats In Paris is surprisingly very character-driven.
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
Kung Fu Panda is one of the most underrated when it comes to not only animated movies, but movie trilogies. The whole series is fantastic and it’s one of the few animated series that Dreamworks takes a lot of care over. But of the movies, Kung Fu Panda 2 is the best, as it was significantly helped by the influence of Guillermo Del Toro, who served as an executive producer on the movie.
Toy Story 4 (2019)
The idea of Toy Story 4 rubbed some fans the wrong way when it was announced, as Toy Story 3 featured the perfect ending that wrapped everything up.
However, when Toy Story 4 was released, it proved fans wrong and it served as more like an epilogue to the third movie than anything, as the stakes of the movie weren’t as high but it was filled with just as many funny and sad moments.
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (2009)
The first Ice Age movie was never that great to begin with, as Ray Romano’s baritone voice and John Leguizamo’s annoying delivery as Sid made the movie borderline unwatchable. The first sequel didn’t get any better either, but by the time the third movie in the series, Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs, came around, the annoying voices had softened a little and the narrative was helped significantly by the inclusion of dinosaurs. Throwing dinosaurs into any movie will make it better.
Finding Dory (2016)
Pixar doesn’t often make sequels, and sometimes that’s for the better as their standalone movies such as Up, Wall-E, and Coco are classics that just shouldn’t be messed with. And originally, Finding Nemo seemed like one of those movies, but when didn’t get everything right, it added another dimension to the series and it felt great to revisit that world.
The Land Before Time II (1994)
The Land Before Time is a classic movie and it actually doesn’t get talked about enough when people discuss some of the best animated movies of all time. The movie has gone on to have an exhaustive list of sequels, as there are 14 movies in the series. Of the lot, The Land Before Time II is vastly superior to the original movie and it’s ed more due to the entry of Chomper, the baby T-Rex, into the series.
The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
Though it’s more of a spin-off than a sequel, it’s the first proper follow up to The LEGO Movie and does brilliantly to cater as much to 30-something Batman fans just as much as it does to children. deep cuts that only fans will understand.
Incredibles 2 (2018)
Essentially being an animated version of The Fantastic Four, director Brad Bird delivered a Fantastic Four movie that 21st Century Fox never could with the original Incredibles.
However, things the sequel got right.
Shrek 2 (2004)
With the original Shrek taking the world by storm, turning fairytales on their head and essentially being a fairytale parody, it seemed like best animated movies of the 2000s.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
best animated villains of the decade, has some of the best looking animation ever, and that emotionally exhausting ending remains unrivalled 10 years later.
