Disney’s upcoming animated movie slate is full of sequels, making these 10 sequels to classic Disney films much more likely. Although Disney owns some of the most recognizable intellectual properties in movie history, the company stayed away from making theatrical sequels for the longest time, with thier rare sequels typically going directly to DVD. However, the release of Ralph Breaks the Internet signaled a change for the studio, reigniting a pattern of theatrical sequel releases. Disney is seriously ramping up the production of these animated sequels, meaning that there is a chance that these 10 films could happen.
Several Disney animated sequels are currently in the works, with some of the company’s biggest franchises returning for another theatrical outing. Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 are set to release in 2024, Zootopia is set to release in 2025, and Frozen 3 and Toy Story 5 are set to release in 2026. This could be just the start of the floodgates opening for popular Disney sequels, with it already being confirmed that Frozen 4 is in development. If Disney wants to continue this pattern, these 10 movie sequels would be perfect.
10 A Big Hero 6 Sequel
The Comics Provide Tons Of Potential
One of the most obvious candidates for a sequel is Big Hero 6, with the film being perfect for a sequel over a decade after it was originally released. Big Hero 6 is famously a Marvel property, with Walt Disney Animation Studios turning it into a hit animated film. This means a Big Hero 6 sequel could adapt one of the team’s other comic book stories. Big Hero 6‘s spinoff TV shows show there is plenty to expand on, which is why Big Hero 62 needs to happen.
9 Cars 4
Could Lightning McQueen Return?
The Cars franchise is one of Pixar’s most profitable franchises, with the three films rocketing the series up to an iconic level. Cars 3 seemingly wrapped up the arc of Lightning McQueen, but that doesn’t mean that the series is over forever. As Cars 2 proved, there is plenty of room for a fourth film to explore other side characters, while the spinoff series Planes shows that other corners of the Cars universe can continue to be explored. Cars 4 is a no-brainer if Disney and Pixar wants to continue making sequels, and its more likely after these recent announcements.
8 Incredibles 3
Superhero Sequels Are Bigger Than Ever
Incredibles 2 is one of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time, which is surprising considering that the sequel came out 14 years after the original. It has only been six years since Incredibles 2 released, meaning that it may still be a while until a third film is made. However, with superhero movies being bigger than ever, it only makes sense for Pixar to move ahead with a third film in The Incredibles franchise, further exploring the world of the titular superhero family.
7 Encanto 2
One Of Disney’s Most Popular New Franchises
Some of the more recent films from Walt Disney Animation Studios have struggled critically and commercially, with films like Wish, Strange World, and Raya and the Last Dragon not hitting as well as Disney had hoped. However, 2021’s Encanto stands out as a major success story for the studio, with the world, story, and soundtrack standing out among the other titans of the Disney ethos. Because of this, it would make a lot of sense for Disney to make Encanto 2, with there being a lot of room to expand on this world.
6 Wreck-It Ralph 3
The One That Started The Sequel Trend
Another popular pick for a sequel is the Wreck-It Ralph franchise, with Ralph Breaks the Internet being the film that reignited Walt Disney Animation Studios’ sequel trend. While Ralph and Vanellope have had their arcs explored two times now, there is still plenty to explore in the world of Wreck-It Ralph. Since the franchise focuses on video games, there are still all kinds of properties for the franchise’s original characters to explore. The box office success of films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie shows that video game films are bigger than ever, meaning Wreck-It Ralph should return.
5 Inside Out 3
Even After Inside Out 2
One of the most notable upcoming sequels from Disney is Inside Out 2, with it continuing the story of Riley and the emotions inside her head. However, it is possible that another sequel could already be in development, turning Inside Out into an even bigger franchise. Inside Out 2 will be introducing several new emotions, but there is tons of untapped potential for new Inside Out characters, with Inside Out 3 possibly introducing even more.
4 Zootopia 3
There Are Plenty Of Buddy Cop Stories
Another popular pick for another Disney sequel is Zootopia, with the franchise possibly expanding beyond the upcoming film Zootopia 2. The potential for buddy cop stories is almost endless, and the expansive world of anthropomorphic animals can easily carry several more films. The Zootopia+ series highlights just how big the world of Zootopia is, which is why it is perfectly suited for another sequel.
3 Moana 3
They Could Continue Expanding Her Story
The Moana franchise will see some major expansion over the next few years, with Moana 2 set to release in 2024 and the live-action Moana remake set to release soon. It is clear that Disney is interested in pushing Moana even further than ever before, which is why it makes sense for Moana 3 to happen next. It isn’t known where Moana 2 will take the story of Moana and Maui yet, but it is entirely possible that Moana 2 could set up an exciting new adventure that could carry into a third film.
2 A Monsters, Inc. Sequel
It Could Finally Happen
Monsters, Inc. is one of Pixar’s earlier films, with it exploring the world of the monsters that live in children’s closets and under their beds. The original 2001 film was a major hit, but that wasn’t the end of Monsters, Inc., with a prequel film titled Monsters University releasing in 2013. While this film was a great addition to the franchise, it was a prequel, meaning that a true Monsters, Inc. sequel still hasn’t happened. A proper Monsters, Inc. sequel could now finally happen, showing what Sully and Mike are up to after their initial adventure.
1 Tangled 2
Why Hasn’t It Happened Yet?
2010’s Tangled is one of the films credited with kicking off the modern era of Disney, which is why it is surprising that a sequel still hasn’t happened. The first Tangled covered the classic story of Rapunzel, but like most other Disney sequels, that shouldn’t stop a sequel from getting made. Tangled has already been expanded on in a TV show as well as an animated short, and the franchise could come back if Disney decides to make a sequel to the hit film.
