While some sequels miss the mark, others are worthy of praise and recognition. In the world of animation, many sequels have become iconic, memorable, and beloved, even gaining more popularity than the original in some cases.
Fans often wait in anticipation in the run-up to a sequel's release, but a crucial indicator of success is how much a film makes at the box office. Movies tend to make the most money in the initial few months, but lifetime revenue is still a valuable statistic. As time goes by, movie budgets increase, and so do box office takings. When it comes to animated sequels, only a few are the best.
10 Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs Is The Best Sequel In The Series
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs is the third release in the beloved Ice Age film series. Although there's nothing quite like the original film, the third installment is a huge upgrade from Ice Age: The Meltdown and it incorporates some of the most fascinating creatures to ever walk the planet.
When Manny becomes a father, Sid follows suit after stumbling across some dinosaur eggs. Of course, this doesn't end well and the prehistoric protagonists quickly realize they have a dangerous road ahead as they attempt to rescue the sloth. IMDb rates the sequel higher than any other in the series, even surpassing 2022's The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild. Some even say Dawn of the Dinosaurs is one of the best animated movies from the 2000s.
9 Minions: The Rise Of Gru Was Released To Critical Acclaim
Thanks to the popularity of the first two releases in the Despicable Me film series, the cylindrical humanoids got their own movie in 2015. Minions was a success with viewers and critics alike, and early 2022 saw Minions: The Rise Of Gru hit the big screen.
With each new film, the minions' fanbase continues to grow. The yellow protagonists are the source of many memes and even have their own filter on Snapchat. It's clear they have had an impact on the world, so it's no surprise that the animated sequel, Rise of Gru, was so successful.
8 Toy Story 2 Is The Highest-Grossing Disney Sequel Of The '90s
Toy Story was Pixar's first feature-length film, and after it gained a global fanbase, the computer animation studio became a household name. It was likely that a sequel would release, and before the turn of the century, audiences got to see the follow-up. Just like in the original movie, Toy Story 2 follows Andy's toys as they venture out of the bedroom into the urban wilderness.
The sequel retained the incredibly talented voice actors for the protagonists and also introduced fans to new characters Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete. According to IMDb, Toy Story 2 is the highest-grossing Disney sequel of the '90s.
7 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Carried The Franchise Into The 2010s
Some of the best DreamWorks Animation movies are the Madagascar films. It's one of the company's biggest franchises and the sequel, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, set the bar high. Although it didn't perform as well at the box office as the third movie, it's considered to be the favorite release with most fans.
After enjoying the island lifestyle, the Central Park Zoo escapees find themselves on another accidental adventure after their makeshift airplane crash lands on their way back to Manhattan. The story explores Alex's origin and introduces audiences to his family and the African reserve community. Escape 2 Africa also retained the most popular characters and comedy style, which carried the franchise into the 2010s.
6 The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Is Adored By Fans And Critics
In The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, Mufasa's son and protege is the king of Pride Rock. Simba and Nala raise their newborn cub, Kiara, and despite her father's warnings about the outlands, the lioness' genetic curiosity gets the better of her.
While Simba's Pride didn't do as well at the box office, the sequel cleverly ties the two stories together. As a result, The Lion King II: Simba's Pride was immediately adored by fans and critics alike, and many still speak highly of the sequel as one of Disney's greatest achievements.
5 Finding Dory Retained The Winning Formula From Finding Nemo
Finding Nemo was a milestone for Disney and the animated movie became a classic tale. More than a decade after its release, one of Pixar's best supporting characters got a sequel titled Finding Dory. It did not disappoint and made even more money at the box office than Finding Nemo.
Although the winning formula of a dangerous adventure at sea to find a lost character was retained, the plot differs slightly. Of course, Dory is the protagonist who goes in search of her mom and dad. It's unlikely that there will be another feature-length movie, however, Finding Dory is funny, heartwarming, and entertaining.
4 How To Train Your Dragon 2 Is The Most Profitable Movie In The Series
The first How To Train Your Dragon movie follows Hiccup, a misfit in a community of Vikings on the island of Berk. Instead of defending his home from dragon attacks like his friends and family, he befriends one of the most dangerous dragon species of all time. After he and Toothless convince the villagers that they can share the land with dragons, it was natural that a sequel continued the story.
How To Train Your Dragon 2 goes beyond their hometown. The movie reveals what happened to the protagonist's mom, and where Hiccup got his caring nature. How To Train Your Dragon 2 is the most profitable movie in the series and has made the most money worldwide.
3 The Incredibles 2 Is Pixar's Highest Grossing Movie To Date
A mere 14 years later, The Incredibles 2 begins where the first movie left off. As The Underminer terrorizes the city of Metroville, the superhero family prepares to stop him. This leads to a great deal of collateral damage and harsher rules for the supers.
The Incredibles 2 introduces a new antagonist, the Screenslaver, and reveals Jack-Jack's many powers. With the help of a few new characters, the supers must gain the public's respect and take down their common enemy. The anticipated Disney sequel has made over $1.2 billion globally and is Pixar's highest-grossing movie to date.
2 Shrek 2 Made More Money Than Any Other Movie In The Franchise
After the success of Shrek, it was inevitable that a sequel would eventually be released. The animated sequel takes place after Shrek and Fiona get married and the two settle into their swamp. The newlyweds are then summoned to the kingdom of Far, Far Away to celebrate their wedding with the king and queen and reveal their ogreish identities.
The second installment had some big expectations to live up to, and in the end, Shrek 2 didn't disappoint. Shrek 2 made more money globally than any other movie in the franchise. Many movie-goers consider it to be the best animated sequel ever.
1 Toy Story 3 Is Pixar's Best Movie, According To Metacritic
Those who watched the first two movies as a child were likely in higher education when Toy Story 3 was released, and in the film, Andy also leaves for college. Toy Story 3 is yet another heartwarming and wholesome tale in the franchise. Understandably, the kids' movie tactically touched the hearts of teenagers and young adults and introduced a new child protagonist.
Fans waited for more than a decade for the third installment, but most will agree it was definitely worth it. Toy Story 3 is the highest-rated animated sequel on IMDb. On Metacritic, the third installment in the beloved film series is Pixar's best movie with a Metascore of 92.