Disney movies are usually always hits that become classics, enjoyed by generation after generation. However, the story sometimes tries to continue, when it should have just been left alone.
There are some Disney sequels and prequels that we forgot existed. Some readers may not have even known these were ever made at all! They certainly were not as big as the original flicks, and, sadly, they were not as good either. They couldn’t be. Still, here they are: Forgotten back-stories and continuations that may help or hurt these original Disney stories.
Cinderella 2: Dreams Come True
Cinderella 2: Dreams Come True is a direct-to-video sequel to Cinderella, which came out in 1950. This movie, from the year 2002, tells three different stories: Cinderella plans a party, Jaq turns into a human and Anastasia falls in love with a baker, to Lady Tremaine and Drizella’s dismay).
This was actually the studio’s best-selling animated sequel that year, but fans and critics were not really into this continuation. Another movie about Cinderella came out in 2007, Cinderella 3: A Twist in Time, which was about the royal couple’s one-year anniversary (and time travel).
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning is a prequel to The Little Mermaid from 1989. In this movie, music has been banned from the underwater kingdom of Atlantica, since King Triton is upset after losing his wife.
Jodi Benson and Samuel E. Wright returned to voice Ariel and Sebastian, while actress Sally Field voiced the villain, Marina Del Rey. There was also another direct-to-video film in 2000, which was called The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea and which was about Ariel’s daughter Melody, who wishes she was in the ocean.
The Lion King 1 1⁄2
Everyone knows about this original film, and most fans are looking forward to the CGI remake that is coming out soon, as well. But besides those two, there are two other notable ones! The Lion King 1 1⁄2 was released in 2004, as the third film in The Lion King media franchise and the second chronologically.
It is about Timon and Pumbaa’s adventures before and during The Lion King. There was also The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride in 1998, which is all about Simba and Nala’s daughter, Kiara, who falls in love with Kovu, a lion from Scar’s pride.
The Return of Jafar
The Return of Jafar, which was released in 1994, is a direct-to-video film and a sequel to Aladdin. Its story takes place one year later, and features actor Jason Alexander as the voice for Abis Mal, a childish and incompetent thief who would do anything to get rich.
This movie also served as the pilot to the Aladdin animated series and was the first Disney direct-to-video animated film. Another sequel, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, came out in 1996. We wonder how many fans of Aladdin and Jasmine knew all these other stories existed?
Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World
Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World is a direct-to-video sequel from 1998, which followed the movie Pocahontas from 1995, and it is about Pocahontas’ journey to England with John Rolfe (in pursuit of peace between the two nations).
Like the original, this movie is based on actual historical events, but this sequel left out the part about Pocahontas passing away. Critics have complained about how different this story is than the actual one, but maybe it is good that fans didn’t have to see that? Then again, many other Disney films have dealt with the loss of loved ones, so who knows…
Tarzan 2: The Legend Begins
Tarzan 2: The Legend Begins is a direct-to-video film, and it was released in 2005, while the original Tarzan came out in 1999. This prequel is about young Tarzan’s adventure to discover who he really is. Big names like Glenn Close and Lance Henriksen came back in the roles of Kala and Kerchak, and people like George Carlin, Estelle Harris and Ron Perlman helped bring to life new characters.
There is more, though, as some fans may know: the sequel to Tarzan, Tarzan & Jane, about their one-year wedding anniversary, was released as a direct-to-video, as well, in 2002.
The Fox And The Hound 2
The Fox and the Hound 2, the next flick on this list, came out in 2006. This direct-to-video film followed the original tear-jerker, The Fox and the Hound, from 1981, and it was a prequel. It told of the younger days of Tod and Copper, when Copper wanted to join a band.
The movie production cost $12 million, making it the most costly animated film to date. When the second one rolled around, Reba McEntire and Patrick Swayze lent their voices to it. But who has actually seen it…?
101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure
101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure, from the year 2003, is the made-for-video film sequel to One Hundred and One Dalmatians from 1961. In this story, Patch the puppy got to meet his idol, Thunderbolt, as they worked (once again) to stop Cruella de Vil.
Stars like Martin Short, Jason Alexander and Jim Cummings voiced the characters in it, and it earned DVDX awards for its directing and music (among other things). It was re-released in 2008, and, of course, there was also a live-action remake in 1996, as well as a sequel in 2000.
Lady And The Tramp 2: Scamp’s Adventure
On a similar note, there is Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp’s Adventure from 2001; this made-for-video sequel came after Lady and the Tramp, which was released back in 1955, and it was about Lady’s and Tramp’s mischievous son Scamp. He wanted freedom, he wanted to be wild, he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He met and joined the “Junkyard Dogs,” but would this life be better than his safe and loving one at home? Alyssa Milano, Jodi Benson, Scott Wolf and Mickey Rooney are just a few of the celebs who brought this story to life.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2
This list is almost to its end, but first… The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2, from 2002, is the sequel of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, from 1996. A fun and unique fact about this one is that most of the stars of the first film returned again. Voices are provided by people like Haley Joel Osment, Demi Moore and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
The plot focuses on Quasimodo going up against a circus owner named Sarousch, who wants to steal the cathedral’s famous bell, La Fidele.
The Rescuers Down Under
In 1990, The Rescuers Down Under followed The Rescuers, which came out in 1977. The main mice, Bernard and Bianca, went on another adventure to the Australian Outback to save a boy named Cody from a poacher.
Bob Newhart, John Candy and Eva Gabor star. As this was the first animated movie sequel produced by Disney, the second released during the Disney Renaissance and the first film to be created entirely digitally…. Well, this one is worth seeing, for those who haven’t yet done so!
Return to Never Land
Return to Never Land was released in 2002, as a sequel to Peter Pan, which was based on J. M. Barrie’s novel and which came out in 1953. This story focused on the next generation - Wendy’s daughter - who ended up in Neverland and met Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys, who encouraged her to believe and to fly.
Considering how big the original movie was (and how popular the movie Hook was), we wonder how many fans have seen this sequel and how many people have even heard of it at all?
The Jungle Book 2
The Jungle Book 2 is one more sequel (the last one we will mention here today), and it is from the year 2003. It came after The Jungle Book, which was released in 1967, and it starred Haley Joel Osment and John Goodman. While it was originally going to be another direct-to-video film, it actually came out in the theaters - the third animated Disney sequel to do so, after The Rescuers Down Under and Return to Never Land.
The plot here was all about Mowgli leaving his village to go reunite with his animal friends, who were introduced in the original movie.
