5 Magical Netflix Animated Movies That Need Sequels and Spinoffs Like KPop Demon Hunters

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Netflix releases a lot of original animated movies, and while the quality varies, many great ones get lost in the shuffle. Occasionally, a film like KPop Demon Hunters becomes a huge hit and spawns a franchise. But there are plenty of other Netflix animated movies that could be just as successful if given a chance – here are five that deserve more attention.

Since it was released, KPop Demon Hunters has been a huge hit for Netflix, becoming one of the year’s biggest movies in 2025. Because of this success, Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation are planning to build on the film’s world with several new projects. A sequel, KPop Demon Hunters 2, is already in the works, along with a live tour, a stage musical, a third movie, and even a TV series. Netflix is clearly investing in the KPop Demon Hunters brand, and they should consider expanding other popular films in the same way.

5) Orion and the Dark

Similar to Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks has released some of its animated movies directly on Netflix, such as the 2024 film Orion and the Dark. Based on the popular children’s book, the movie follows a young boy who has to confront his biggest fear when he’s visited by the personification of the Dark. Together, they embark on a magical adventure through the night, where the boy encounters imaginative creatures and learns to conquer his anxieties.

Orion and the Dark was popular with audiences, largely thanks to its distinctive animation and the script written by Charlie Kaufman. It’s disappointing that there are no plans for a sequel, because the story has a lot of potential. Similar to the Inside Out films, they could easily create a continuation by introducing new characters representing more abstract concepts, alongside the existing characters like Dark, Sweet Dreams, Light, and Sleep.

4) Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is his unique, stop-motion take on the well-known story of a wooden puppet who magically comes to life. If Netflix were to make more movies like it, it probably wouldn’t be a direct sequel following Pinocchio’s further adventures. Instead, a follow-up could be another stop-motion film by Del Toro, reimagining a different classic fairy tale. Films like Guillermo del Toro’s Hansel and Gretel or Guillermo del Toro’s Sleeping Beauty would be incredibly entertaining and a great way to build on the success of Pinocchio.

3) Klaus

True Christmas classics are uncommon, but Netflix achieved one with the 2019 release of Klaus. The film tells the story of how Santa Claus came to be, focusing on a struggling postal worker sent to a remote, icy town. He befriends a solitary toymaker, and together they begin crafting gifts for the local children.

The movie Klaus was a hit with both critics and audiences. It’s a heartwarming fairy tale that suggests how the legend of Santa Claus began, which makes a sequel seem unnecessary. However, the world of Christmas offers plenty of storytelling possibilities, and Klaus 2 could become another beloved holiday film.

2) The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Released in 2021, The Mitchells vs. the Machines—a collaboration between Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix—is widely considered one of the best animated films of the last ten years. It’s disappointing that a sequel hasn’t been made yet. The story centers around a quirky family road trip to drop their daughter off at college, which is unexpectedly interrupted by a robot uprising.

A sequel to The Mitchells vs. the Machines might actually be in the works, unlike the other films on this list. After a long wait, it was announced in late 2025 that a follow-up film was being developed. Many fans believe a sequel is well-deserved, and hopefully, this project will come to fruition.

1) Nimona

If Netflix were to make a sequel to one of its animated films, 2023’s Nimona would be the perfect choice. Originally developed at Blue Sky Studios, the project was cancelled when Disney bought 20th Century Fox. Thankfully, Annapurna Pictures stepped in and brought Nimona to life on Netflix. The movie, based on the Nimona graphic novel, is a fantastic story about a knight in a futuristic fantasy world who becomes friends with a playful shapeshifter.

Both ND Stevenson, the creator of Nimona, and Troy Quane, a co-director, have hinted at wanting to make a sequel (according to Comic Book Club), but nothing has been officially confirmed. The world of Nimona is rich with possibilities, and the first movie left many questions unanswered that a Nimona 2 could explore. It would also be unique to see another Nimona film from Netflix and Annapurna that isn’t connected to Blue Sky Studios.

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2026-06-06 17:11