Few names are as influential as Disney in the animated movie space, particularly for titles aimed at kids. The studio was especially dominant from the 90s onward, releasing dozens of films that remain a massive part of pop culture today. Many of those titles have sequels, some of which kick-started franchises that have remained relevant for decades.
Disney is a juggernaut in cinema, but it isn't the only company adept at producing titles for younger audiences. DreamWorks, for example, owns many beloved IPs, and they are far from the only studio to do so.
While audiences often clamor for sequels, it's no secret that plenty fail to reach the lofty highs of the originals. It's hard to recapture the magic of a rich, animated world a second time around, and the best sequels build on existing foundations while adding something new and meaningful.
It's a difficult task, and many franchises have failed to resonate with audiences or critics a second time around. Still, a sequel doesn't need to exceed the original to earn a fanbase, and some are absolutely worth watching, especially if you're already a fan of the story.
We're focusing on non-Disney sequels in this list and limiting each franchise to a single numbered entry, though spin-offs are an exception. Each film on this list boasts a strong original showing and takes the story and beloved characters on new adventures without lazily rehashing what came before.
Whether you're looking for some fun animated movies by studios apart from Disney or are wondering what sequels are best, here's a selection that's worth your time.
10 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 (2013)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a delightfully silly movie and takes place shortly after the events of the original. Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) built a machine that made it rain food, but it malfunctioned with disastrous consequences.
The old team reassembles for a new adventure in the sequel, including Anna Faris as Sam Sparks and Terry Crews as Earl. They visit an overgrown island where they learn Flint's machine is now creating food-animal hybrids.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 leans heavily on memes and pop culture references, making it feel like a time capsule to rewatch today. The story is arguably not as good as the original, but it's a great sequel nonetheless, and Flint's struggle with acceptance is on brand for the character.
9 Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted continues the story from the previous movie, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. A group of zoo animals, led by Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), is in Europe on a mission to return to their Zoo home in Central Park.
Their journey hits a snag when they unwillingly terrorize a casino. Their actions draw the attention of a lethal animal control officer, Captain Dubois, voiced by Frances McDormand, who relentlessly pursues the animals across the continent.
Alex and his friends join a traveling circus to avoid the authorities and meet another band of animals with their own motivations. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is full of goofy, slapstick humor, but it also boasts some surprisingly strong new additions alongside the established cast.
8 Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (2009)
The Ice Age movies are arguably more suitable for younger audiences than many on this list. Still, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs stands out for its new adventure in a lost world under the ice, where Manny the mammoth (Ray Romano) and his friends learn that dinosaurs still exist.
The group is older now. Manny and Ellie (Queen Latifah) are expecting a baby, and the other animals have aspirations of their own. They end up in a strange jungle with its own ecosystem and threats that feel quite different from the rest of the series.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs also introduces audiences to Buck (Simon Pegg), a fearless one-eyed weasel with a taste for adventure. He's a great addition to the team, as he attempts to help the group return to familiar territory.
7 Despicable Me 2 (2013)
The original Despicable Me stars Steve Carell as Gru. He's a criminal mastermind, and we discover he has a heart of gold when three orphan girls enter his life. He's a proud father in Despicable Me 2, brought back into the fray by the Anti-Villain League.
The league calls on Gru for his expertise in tracking down an even more dangerous villain. He teams up with Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig), a special agent, to uncover their mysterious foe and his dastardly scheme.
Some fans would argue that Despicable Me 2 doesn't quite reach the heights of the original. Still, if you enjoyed the first movie, the sequel offers a fun continuation of the story, full of wacky humor and the minions who have become a staple of the franchise.
6 An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is quite different from its 1986 predecessor. The original tells a heartfelt immigration story about a group of mice, the Mousekewitz family, coming to America and the trials they face.
In comparison, Fievel Goes West is more like a Western with an injection of comedy. The family from the original is struggling to adapt to living in America. They hear a rumor about a better life for mice in the Wild West and embark on a new journey. However, Fievel (Phillip Glasser), a brave young mouse, learns the move may be too good to be true and not the paradise they expect.
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is more action-packed than the original and has a notably different tone. Nonetheless, it's great to see the Mousekewitz family again in a busy Western setting, facing new dangers.
5 Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
The Kung Fu Panda movies are always a great time, with accomplished action set pieces and a charismatic cast. Jack Black stars as Po the panda, and the story of Kung Fu Panda 2 continues from where the original left off. Po is now the Dragon Warrior, entrusted with the safety of the Village of Peace.
The sequel introduces a new antagonist, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), an evil peacock. He's a mighty warlord, and rather than wielding kung-fu, he would rather destroy it entirely by harnessing the destructive power of gunpowder.
Kung Fu Panda 2 gives our lovable hero a deadly new opponent, but it also explores his past, revealing that he and Shen may have crossed paths before. The sequel builds on the original's story, explores relatable themes, and pushes the franchise forward.
4 Shrek 2 (2004)
Audiences of all ages adore the Shrek franchise, and while the movies look like fairy tales with toilet humor on the surface, they also have a strong message about growth and self-worth.
Shrek 2 is a shining example of the latter. Shrek (Mike Myers) meets Fiona's (Cameron Diaz) parents for the first time in the sequel. They don't get along, and Shrek calls on the Fairy Grandmother for help as he fears he isn't good enough for his new wife.
Shrek 2 is full of laugh-out-loud moments, but also tells a warm, heartfelt tale about being comfortable in your own skin. Eddie Murphy is hilarious as Donkey, and the movie also introduces audiences to the fan-favorite Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) for the first time.
3 How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
How to Train Your Dragon is arguably one of the most beloved movies in DreamWorks' library. It tells a coming-of-age story where a young Viking, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), befriends an injured dragon despite an ongoing conflict between them.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 begins where the original left off. Dragons are now a part of Viking life, with both working together. Even Hiccup's gruff father, Stoic (Gerard Butler), rides a dragon of his own. It's a charming conclusion to the first movie, but the discovery of a mysterious, powerful Dragon Rider threatens to disturb the peace.
The 2014 movie is an impressive sequel with some surprisingly dark moments, which hit much harder after the events of the original. How to Train Your Dragon 2 builds on the lore with a strong new story that isn't simply a rehash of what came before.
2 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the critically acclaimed sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and many fans would argue it's among the best animated movies in recent years.
Across the Spider-Verse tells a story about Miles Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore. He's struggling as a teenager, trying to balance regular life with his superhero duties. Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) introduces him to the Spider Society, an organization that patrols the multiverse and ensures key events come to fruition. However, one particular event could have everlasting implications for Morales.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse boasts an animation style that looks like it was ripped straight from a comic book. It's a stunning movie that also tells a creative multiverse story with relatable themes.
1 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) was such a popular character in Shrek that he got his own spin-offs. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is his latest outing, and while the movie is an accomplished fantasy comedy, it tackles topics like aging and maturity with more nuance than many would ever expect.
Puss in Boots is still the legendary hero audiences know and love, but there's a problem. He's used eight of his nine lives. Puss now fears death for the first time and decides to remove himself from an adventurer's life into something more conventional.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish forces our hero back into the fray in search of the Wishing Star. It's a perilous journey, with higher stakes than ever before. The 2022 animated movie features all the witty jokes and grand set pieces you would expect, and it offers something for everyone. Younger audiences will adore the fast pace and humor, and the title is surprisingly impactful for adults as well.
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