7 Great Standalone Animated Movies That Deserved a Sequel

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Animation has always been a beloved form of entertainment, but even popular animated films don’t always get sequels. Some stories leave you wanting more, while others feel complete as they are. Here are a few animated movies that we think would benefit from a follow-up, expanding their worlds and continuing their stories – they definitely deserve a part two!

7.) The Nightmare Before Christmas

Few Disney films have maintained such a dedicated fanbase over the last thirty years. Released in 1993, The Nightmare Before Christmas quickly became a beloved classic, introducing characters like Jack Skellington, Sally, and Oogie Boogie, and continues to be a prominent part of Disney’s style. Every year, these characters transform Disney parks during the Halloween season, leaving fans wanting to explore more of Halloween Town. While the original film surprisingly led to manga adaptations that expanded Jack’s story, a brand new stop-motion movie would undoubtedly be a huge event in the entertainment world.

6.) Titan A.E.

I always thought Titan A.E. was something special. Released in 2000 with Matt Damon and Drew Barrymore voicing characters, it really stood out as unlike anything else at the time, and honestly, still does. The setting, far in the future, felt very similar to shows like The Expanse and Farscape – it had aliens and futuristic technology, but also a raw, realistic feel. It was directed by the amazing animator Don Bluth, and while it’s maybe been overlooked, I think the world of Titan A.E. would be perfect for a revival.

5.) The Mitchells Vs. The Machines

In 2021, Sony Pictures Animation released The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix, a funny and touching movie about an ordinary family suddenly caught up in a robot apocalypse. Created by the team behind Spider-Verse, the film features amazing visuals and a genuinely heartwarming story. The Mitchells themselves are a memorable and engaging family, and fans would love to see them return in a sequel – even if it doesn’t involve robots! Given the success of films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and KPop Demon Hunters, another adventure with the Mitchells feels increasingly possible.

4.) Redline

The 2009 anime film Redline, created by Studio Madhouse, is unique because it wasn’t based on any existing manga or light novel. Many still consider it one of the best anime films ever made, perfectly capturing the feeling of incredible speed. While Redline centers on a high-octane race, the universe has potential for new stories featuring different characters racing across a wider galactic setting. Although Studio Madhouse is currently busy with Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, fans are hoping to see them return to this thrilling, fast-paced world.

3.) Transformers One

Many fans consider Transformers One to be the best Transformers movie ever made, including all the animated ones. Released by Paramount in 2024, a follow-up film doesn’t seem likely, but this version of the Optimus and Megatron story deserves to be continued. The movie ends with a cliffhanger, showing the very beginning of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, leaving plenty of opportunities for future animated films. While more Transformers movies are planned, this particular storyline is worth exploring in sequels.

2.) The Adventures of Tintin

I’ve been aware of The Adventures of Tintin for as long as I can remember – it’s been around since the 1920s! It was exciting to finally see it brought to life as an animated film by Steven Spielberg in 2011, something fans had wanted for years. There’s been talk ever since about Paramount making a sequel, but nothing concrete has ever happened. Honestly, given how well the first movie did and how many Tintin stories there are to choose from, it feels like a sequel is just waiting to happen.

1.) Kubo And The Two Strings

Every movie Laika has created feels like it could be expanded with a sequel – films like Coraline, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman, and Missing Link all built fascinating worlds we’d love to revisit. But if we had to pick just one for a follow-up, it would be Kubo and the Two Strings. Its beautiful, fantastical setting was particularly impressive, and even though the story feels complete, we’d happily see more adventures in that universe. While Laika continues to create new animated worlds, revisiting Kubo’s story would be fantastic.

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2026-04-19 18:16