10 Greatest Non-Disney Animated Movie Sequels Of All Time

Disney is one of the most important names in animated movies, especially when it comes to films for children. Starting in the 1990s, the studio produced a huge number of incredibly popular movies that are still well-known today. Many of these films have led to sequels and even long-running franchises.

Disney dominates family movies, but other studios also create popular films for kids. DreamWorks is a great example, with lots of well-known characters and stories, and they’re not alone in making successful content for younger viewers.

Everyone loves a good sequel, but many don’t live up to the original. It’s difficult to recreate the special feeling of a well-developed animated world, and the most successful sequels both honor what came before and offer something fresh and worthwhile.

Making a good sequel is tough – many haven’t impressed viewers or critics. However, a sequel doesn’t have to be better than the first movie to find an audience, and some are definitely enjoyable, particularly for those who loved the original story.

This list highlights sequels that aren’t part of the Disney universe, and we’ve limited ourselves to one numbered sequel per franchise – though prequels and spin-offs are fair game. Every movie included built on a successful first film, offering fresh stories and adventures for familiar characters instead of simply repeating old ideas.

If you’re interested in great animated films beyond those made by Disney, or want to know which movie sequels are really good, check out these recommendations – they’re definitely worth watching.

10. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 (2013)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a fun and goofy movie that picks up right after the first one. In the original, Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader) invented a machine that could make food fall from the sky, but it went wrong and caused a big mess.

The original team is back for another adventure! Anna Faris returns as Sam Sparks and Terry Crews as Earl. This time, they find themselves on a wild island where they discover that Flint Lockwood’s invention is now combining food and animals in strange new ways.

Watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 now feels a bit like looking back at a specific moment in internet history, thanks to all the memes and pop culture it includes. While the story might not be quite as strong as the first movie, it’s still a fun sequel, and it stays true to Flint’s character by exploring his desire to be accepted.

9. Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted (2012)

Following the events of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted sees Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller) and his zoo animal friends traveling through Europe as they try to make their way back to the Central Park Zoo.

Things get really complicated for these guys when they accidentally cause chaos at a casino. This, of course, attracts the attention of Captain Dubois – brilliantly voiced by Frances McDormand – a seriously determined animal control officer who won’t stop until she’s tracked them down, no matter where they go. It turns into a huge, continental chase!

In Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Alex and his friends run away to join a circus to escape from those chasing them. They encounter a different group of animals with their own plans, and the movie is packed with silly, physical comedy. It also introduces some great new characters to the already beloved cast.

8. Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (2009)

As a big animation fan, I’ve always thought the Ice Age films were great for kids. But Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs really grabbed me – it’s such a fun twist to discover this whole lost world of dinosaurs hidden under the ice! Seeing Manny the mammoth and the gang react to that was just hilarious, and made for a truly exciting adventure.

The animal friends are all grown up! Manny and Ellie are getting ready for a new baby, and everyone else is starting to think about their own futures. Their adventures take them to a unique and unfamiliar jungle, filled with new challenges and dangers unlike anything they’ve faced before.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs features Buck (Simon Pegg), an adventurous and brave one-eyed weasel who joins the herd. He helps Manny, Sid, and Diego find their way back home.

7. Despicable Me 2 (2013)

The first Despicable Me movie features Steve Carell as Gru, a supervillain with a secret soft spot. This heart emerges when three orphaned girls unexpectedly come into his life. In Despicable Me 2, Gru is back in action – this time recruited by the Anti-Villain League – and happily embracing fatherhood.

The League needs Gru’s help to find a new, even more dangerous villain. He partners with special agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) to investigate this mysterious enemy and stop their evil plan.

While some fans think Despicable Me 2 isn’t as good as the first movie, it’s still a really enjoyable sequel if you liked the original. You can expect more of the same silly humor and plenty of the lovable minions that everyone enjoys.

6. An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)

Unlike the first An American Tail movie from 1986, Fievel Goes West takes a different approach. The original film is a touching story about the Mousekewitz family, a group of mice who immigrate to America and the difficulties they encounter.

Unlike its predecessor, Fievel Goes West feels more like a funny Western. The Mousekewitz family is finding it hard to adjust to life in America, so they set off for the Wild West after hearing it’s a better place for mice. But young Fievel soon discovers that this new life might not be the perfect paradise they hoped for.

While An American Tail: Fievel Goes West has more exciting action and a different feel than the first movie, it’s still fun to watch the Mousekewitz family navigate new adventures and challenges in the Wild West.

5. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

The Kung Fu Panda films are consistently fun to watch, featuring impressive action sequences and a likable group of characters. Jack Black voices Po, the panda, in Kung Fu Panda 2, which picks up right after the first movie. Now known as the Dragon Warrior, Po is responsible for protecting the Village of Peace.

The new movie features a villain named Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a powerful and cruel peacock. Instead of fighting with martial arts, he plans to wipe out kung fu altogether by using the force of gunpowder.

In Kung Fu Panda 2, Po faces a powerful new enemy while also learning more about his own history – surprisingly, he has connections to this villain! The movie continues the story from the first film, tackles meaningful themes, and takes the series in an exciting direction.

4. Shrek 2 (2004)

I absolutely love the Shrek movies! Everyone seems to, no matter how old they are. They’re hilarious – definitely silly at times – but beyond all the jokes, I think they really teach you a lot about growing as a person and learning to like yourself for who you are.

Shrek 2 is a great example of a successful sequel. In this film, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) finally meets Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) parents, but things don’t go well. Worried he won’t be accepted, Shrek seeks help from the Fairy Godmother.

Shrek 2 is a genuinely funny movie with a sweet story about accepting yourself. Eddie Murphy shines as Donkey, and the film also introduces the incredibly popular character Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas.

3. How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

How to Train Your Dragon is easily one of the most popular films DreamWorks has ever made. It’s a heartwarming story about a young Viking named Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) who becomes friends with an injured dragon, even though Vikings and dragons are usually enemies.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 continues the story right after the first film ended. Dragons and Vikings now live and work together harmoniously, and even Hiccup’s father, Stoic, has his own dragon companion. While this creates a peaceful and happy situation, it’s disrupted by the emergence of a dangerous new Dragon Rider.

As a huge fan of the first How to Train Your Dragon, I was really blown away by the 2014 sequel. It’s a fantastic follow-up, and honestly, it gets surprisingly intense at times – those moments really landed with me, knowing what happened in the original. What I loved most is that it didn’t just retread old ground; it genuinely expanded the world and told a completely new, compelling story.

2. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)

Okay, let me tell you – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse absolutely lives up to the hype! As a sequel to the already incredible Into the Spider-Verse, it doesn’t just meet expectations, it soars past them. Seriously, I think this one might be one of the best animated films we’ve seen in ages. It’s visually stunning and emotionally resonant – a real knockout.

Across the Spider-Verse follows Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) as he navigates the challenges of being a teenager and a superhero. When Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) brings him into the Spider Society – a group that protects the multiverse – Miles learns about an event that could dramatically change his life forever.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has a visually striking animation style, almost as if the movie was made from comic book pages. Beyond its beautiful look, it’s a clever and heartfelt story about the multiverse with themes that many people can connect with.

1. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Everyone loved Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) in Shrek, so he got his own series of movies! His newest one, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, is a funny and exciting fantasy adventure that surprisingly explores deeper themes like getting older and growing up.

Puss in Boots is still the famous hero everyone loves, but he’s running out of chances – he’s used up eight of his nine lives! For the first time, Puss is afraid of dying and decides to trade his adventurous lifestyle for a quieter one.

In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, our hero is thrown back into adventure as he searches for the Wishing Star. This journey is incredibly dangerous, with more on the line than ever before. The 2022 animated film delivers the clever humor and impressive visuals you’d expect, making it enjoyable for viewers of all ages. Kids will love the quick pace and funny moments, while adults might be surprised by how meaningful the story is.

2026-06-15 13:36