A Definitive Ranking of the Most Popular Disney & Pixar Sequels
Since the release of Moana 2, we've been revisiting some of our favorite Disney and Pixar sequels. Over the past few years, Disney has offered some especially great returns, including Frozen and Inside Out. And there are some we could've done without.
Below, check out our definitive ranking of Disney's most popular sequels—see which one reigns superior.
8. Cars 2
Cars came out in 2006, but it wasn't until 2011 that Pixar unveiled its second installment. If you ask us, Cars, by itself, is a masterpiece. Unfortunately, none of the following films, including 2, measured up to its original. The bond between the characters and the villains was nowhere near as charming as Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Sally Carrera and Doc Hudson in the first release.
Also read about: 5 Movies That Deserve a Ride at the Disney Parks
7. The Lion King II
Unfortunately, we hold the controversial opinion that The Lion King isn't as spectacular as everyone makes it out to be. By default, The Lion King II ranks low on our list because we're not in love with Simba and Nala's story. That said, it's on the better end of Disney sequels, but we're unsure if it'll ever be our cup of tea.
6. Moana 2
As excited as we were for Moana 2, we felt the sequel fell flat compared to its 2016 predecessor. Don't get us wrong—we were very entertained by it, and we always enjoy Auli'i Cravalho's performance in the titular role. Sadly, the missing catchy tunes from Lin-Manuel Miranda made the film less memorable, and it felt a little rushed (since it was converted from a television series to a full-length feature).
5. Inside Out 2
We weren't the biggest fans of Inside Out, so our expectations were somewhat low for its sequel. Surprisingly, we enjoyed the second installment even more. The film's tone didn't feel as dark as the first one, and the new emotions shook things up tenfold.
4. The Incredibles 2
It's almost offensive that it took 14 years for Incredibles to receive a sequel. That said, it did not disappoint. It was equally as fun as the first film, and all the characters still seemed genuine to the personalities. Now, let's hope the third film cranks things up even more—but hopefully, it won't take another decade to drop.
Also read about: 7 Royal Disney-Themed Gifts to Celebrate National Princess Day
3. Ralph Breaks the Internet
Like Inside Out, we enjoy Ralph Breaks the Internet more than the first. We got a considerable amount of enjoyment from seeing the homages to real-world pop culture, including eBay as the enemy, battle royale video games, and even cameos from the Disney Princesses, as Ralph and Vanellope work to save Sugar Rush from closure.
Honestly, we wouldn't have been angry if Ralph Breaks the Internet was the first film and Wreck-It Ralph as a prequel. That's how good it is!
2. Frozen 2
Frozen 2 really emphasizes the importance of using the same creators to channel the similar energy of its original film. The story seemed meaningful to the continuation of Anna and Elsa's character (including some maturity from the sisters) and with a stacked soundtrack of "Let It Go" and "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman," we didn't think Frozen 2's music could compare. But "Into the Unknown" and "Lost in the Woods" have the same charm.
1. Toy Story 2
Toy Story is undoubtedly (and rightfully) one of the most iconic sequels to grace theaters. How many movies can you say brought you characters you forgot weren't in the original lineup? We can't imagine a world without Jessie and Bullseye. It's truly one of those movies we can watch over and over again without getting old, even more than 20 years later.
Curious to learn more about the most underrated Disney films? Click HERE to discover five animations that need a sequel.