Animated films are probably enjoying a bit of a comeback in recent years. They have consistently become some of the highest selling movies of each year. There are also now a diverse range of studios producing animated feature films, aside from the traditional duo of Disney and Dreamworks.
There have been plenty of sequels, TV shows and spin-offs from some of the greatest animated films of all time. But there are also many films that haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. Not only this, but there are also many movies that deserve a sequel but probably will never get one. Here are 10 films that fit into that list!
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET
Wreck-It Ralph was in some ways a surprise hit for Disney, which has continued to enjoy an animation renaissance. While they likely had faith in the project, perhaps they didn’t realize it would become as beloved as it has. This led to Ralph Breaks the Internet which many believe to be the superior film of the duo.
However, a third film is probably never going to happen. The last film seemed to have an element of closure, suggesting we probably won’t be able to visit this world again. It’s a shame since it’s so rich and full of opportunity, but perhaps Disney has simply run out of stories to tell.
COCO
Coco is one of the most gorgeous films that Pixar has ever produced and was both a critical and commercial success. It performed brilliantly and recaptured some of that Pixar magic that may have been missing in some of the more recent offerings from the studio.
The problem with Coco is that it doesn’t really lend itself to a sequel. While the story was compelling and the world-building very complete, there was also a very strong ending that could be tarnished by a sequel. Although it would be amazing to visit the land of the dead again, the studio wouldn’t allow a commercial decision over a creative one.
CHICKEN RUN
The stop motion animation of Chicken Run is absolutely spectacular to watch and the film has become a classic, especially in the UK. It’s a beloved member of the Aardman studio family and there’s plenty of stories to tell with such fertile characters.
Unfortunately, the film is in some ways a bit of a cult hit and there may not be grounds to repeat it. Although a sequel would be a really fun trip back into the world of poultry, its likely that financial interests would dictate that it’s not worth another try at the franchise.
MONSTERS INC.
In the early days of Pixar, there was a lot of talk over when the first failure would happen. The brand is stronger today than it was in the release of Monsters Inc. yet, this incredible film has added to the legacy of one of the most creative studios in the whole of the industry.
Mike and Sully are two characters that hit hearts around the world and we even received a prequel to this fun tale. However, while a series is in the works for Disney Plus it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a true follow up film as it appears that the studio wants to continue to explore new worlds.
SAUSAGE PARTY
The adult comedy from the mind of Seth Rogen was controversial and hilarious. It really brought something different to animation and perhaps many people were surprised by the critical success of the film. Sausage Party is continuing to gain traction as a cult hit, but is there room for a sequel?
Despite there being a lot of potential in the concept that Rogen has set up, it’s probable that a sequel could never happen. It was a difficult sell the first time and although it certainly made a lot of money, there might not be an audience left for a second feature. It’s most probable that this is the only installment into this franchise.
SMALLFOOT
Smallfoot starring Channing Tatum was a bit of a sleeper for cinema-goers. The film is packed full of wit and heart and is a really fun concept to explore. There’s a lot of potential for a sequel with the film finishing with the unity of humans and Yetis alike.
However, this certainly wasn’t a runaway success and many people thought that this would perform a lot better. Maybe its due to poor marketing or maybe the film just wasn’t compelling enough to drive viewers to the cinemas, but Smallfoot will probably never get a sequel.
THE BEE MOVIE
The Bee Movie was commercially panned at the time of release but has since enjoyed a slow growth of enthusiasm. It seems that its become an underground hit with many people supporting the idea of a sequel for the film about a bee fighting for the right to own honey.
The problem is that with so many projects, Dreamworks probably isn’t going to spend time on something that they wouldn’t be able to predict performance-wise. There’s no telling whether any of these fans would actually go to see a sequel or whether they’d wait to see it on streaming services.
RATATOUILLE
A story about a chef and a rat doesn’t sound that appealing. Yet Pixar’s magic worked again as it produced Ratatouille, which is the favorite of many Pixar fans. The film has sparked rides at Disneyland and Remy has become a bit of a sensation.
With the film coming to a natural resolution however, there might not be too much to explore. While the movie probably should get a sequel, there’s no point creating one just for the sake of it. There needs to be a story idea and there are not many more directions to take these characters in unless you start from square one again.
MEGAMIND
It’s criminal that there hasn’t been a sequel to Megamind. The film is incredibly imaginative and is underrated as being part of the comeback of superhero films. It’s a brilliant tale of a villain becoming the hero and deserves a lot more recognition than it gets.
The timing might be gone on getting a sequel for this though. While there’s no good reason that there was never a second Megamind, the ship might have sailed on the dream. As Dreamworks continues to chart its journey forwar, it may not be looking back at such old brands.
LEGO BATMAN
Speaking of animated superhero movies the Lego Batman film was not only an instant hit but also caught many people by surprise. While The Lego Movie is already a classic, people were skeptical about how the dark knight’s tale would perform.
The instant charm of Lego’s cheek and humor, as well as the meta-references to other Batman films, made this a spectacular movie throughout. The exploration of Bruce’s and Joker’s relationship was also an interesting twist. There may be no other films in store though as the Lego franchise is probably going to take a different turn in order to keep it fresh.
