Top 5 Movie Musical Sequels Ranked: From High School Musical 2 To Frozen II

by

Hollywood is known for making lots of sequels, but musicals are a surprising exception. Most successful modern musicals, such as In the Heights, The Greatest Showman, and La La Land, are original stories. Even classic, beloved musicals like The Sound of Music and Chicago never got follow-up films.

As a musical movie fanatic, I’ve noticed it’s really tough to make a good sequel. You see it all the time – something like Grease gets a follow-up, but it just doesn’t measure up. That’s why lists of great musical sequels are pretty short! Mostly, you find newer movies that actually deliver – they give us more fantastic songs and let us revisit characters we already adore. It’s all about building on something good, and thankfully, some sequels actually get it right.

High School Musical 2 (2007)

The first High School Musical movie, released in 2006, became a major part of pop culture. Many millennials remember watching Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron sing hits like “Start of Something New,” “Breaking Free,” and “We’re All in This Together” on the Disney Channel as teenagers. The movie was so popular that Disney quickly made a second one the following year.

In High School Musical 2, Troy, Gabriella, and their friends get summer jobs at a country club, and Sharpay tries to get Troy involved in a talent show. While the first High School Musical movie is a fan favorite, the sequel actually received even better reviews. It currently has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated film in the High School Musical series.

While the songs aren’t all instant classics, tracks like “Bet on It” and “You Are the Music in Me” are definitely highlights. The best song is probably “Gotta Go My Own Way,” with a fantastic performance by Troy and Gabriella. It’s also worth watching all three High School Musical movies, as the third one is another good installment.

Wicked: For Good (2025)

The movie Wicked was a massive hit in 2024, becoming the highest-earning musical film ever and receiving Academy Award nominations for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Because the film only covers the first part of the stage show, a second movie was planned from the start.

In 2025, the movie Wicked: For Good came out, finishing the story of Elphaba and Glinda and connecting it to the classic The Wizard of Oz. While reviews weren’t quite as strong as the first Wicked film, they were generally positive, making it a satisfying continuation of the story.

Look, the second act wasn’t quite as strong as the first – the songs and plot just didn’t hit the same highs, so I wasn’t surprised to see some mixed reactions. But honestly, Wicked: For Good still delivers. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are absolutely phenomenal, and critics are raving about their performances again. It’s a truly grand finale to a story that’s already become a legend.

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Unlike most musicals where characters suddenly burst into song, Pitch Perfect focuses on a college a cappella group. This allows for great musical performances, but feels fresh and unique compared to typical movie musicals.

Building on the popularity of the first Pitch Perfect movie, the sequel delivered exactly what fans wanted: more of the original’s charm, a slightly bigger challenge, and some fresh faces – Hailee Steinfeld as Emily was a particularly great addition. This time around, the Barden Bellas aren’t just competing for a college title, but for a world championship.

Like the first movie, Pitch Perfect 2 delivered memorable musical mash-ups, including one at a lively Kennedy Center show and a fun Christmas song with Snoop Dogg. The film also features a “Riff Off” scene that’s even better than the original, with delightfully silly moments like the Green Bay Packers joining in.

Frozen II (2019)

Few sequels face as much pressure as Frozen II did. The first Frozen was a huge success – it became the highest-grossing animated film ever, and the song “Let It Go” was a worldwide phenomenon. Plus, it was one of Disney’s most praised movies in years. Thankfully, Frozen II lived up to the hype and was also a major hit.

Taking place three years after the first Frozen movie, Frozen II continues the story of Anna and Elsa as they journey into an enchanted forest to uncover the source of Elsa’s magical abilities. While it didn’t receive quite the same critical acclaim as the original, Frozen II was still a hit with audiences and actually earned more money at the box office.

The songs in Frozen II were powerful, especially with Idina Menzel delivering another memorable performance. Her song, “Into the Unknown,” really showcased her voice and even earned an Oscar nomination. “Show Yourself” is another standout track, demonstrating that the movie’s music was a major success.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

The 2008 film Mamma Mia!, similar to Wicked, was based on a popular stage musical. It was a huge commercial success, featuring enjoyable covers of classic ABBA songs and offering a generally fun experience. While a sequel seemed unlikely given its success, it turned out to be surprisingly well-received.

Ten years after the original Mamma Mia!, a sequel called Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again came out. The movie jumps between the present, where the characters are coping with Donna’s death, and the past, showing how Donna first met the three potential fathers of Sophie.

The movie includes several enjoyable musical sequences, and Lily James does a wonderful job playing the younger Donna. While the original film received mixed reactions from critics, this sequel has been much better received – it currently has an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – and it also performed well in theaters.

Read More

2025-12-10 18:02