They Went to Infinity and Beyond
Sequels have a reputation for taking great original flicks and contorting them into something well below sub-par, especially in the world of animation. As it happens, these five haven’t only managed to overcome this cinematic curse, but going to excel with each new entry!
#5: “The Lego Movie†franchise (2014-)
A film series based on Lego blocks really could have gone either way. Movie audiences were pleasantly surprised upon the release of “The Lego Movie†in 2014 however, when they received a film that was witty, engaging, and a whole lot of fun. Two spin offs were released in 2017: “The Lego Batman Movie†and “The Lego Ninjago Movie†and there are already several other planned installments to the franchise. The original film managed to score 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the positive reviews were certainly well deserved, significant buzz for its 2019 sequel, which coincidentally also managed to deliver on the quality!
#4: “The Incredibles†franchise (2004-)
When Pixar makes an “incredible†film, they know their fans will be willing to wait for a sequel. As with “Finding Nemoâ€, we had to wait more than a decade to be reunited with this super family, but it was totally worth it. “The Incredibles†is not just a great animated film, but has been called one of the best superhero movies ever made. The follow up was just as enjoyable, and fans can only hope that director Brad Bird will continue to follow these characters for another installment- but maybe don’t make us wait 14 years this time?
#3: “Shrek†franchise (2001-)
Sometimes animated films are made strictly for children’s enjoyment, but creators really hit the mark when parents can equally enjoy their movies. Such is the case with “Shrekâ€, a series that offers simple laughs for the kids and more nuanced jokes for grown ups, sometimes in the same breath. After “Despicable Meâ€, this series is the second most successful animated film franchise; thanks to various generations of viewers falling in love with this cantankerous ogre since 2001. Should another instalment materialize, we’d happily spend more time in this fairy tale land.
#2: “How to Train Your Dragon†franchise (2010-)
You might be surprised by how many DreamWorks films made our list, but the company knows how to build a franchise deserving of praise. And of all the DreamWorks franchises discussed, this one is surely among the best. The original “How to Train Your Dragon†movie was released in 2010, and surprised audiences with its compelling storyline and emotional heart, proving that this studio is capable of competing with the House of Mouse. The 2014 sequel was a solid follow-up that expanded upon its predecessor both in terms of scope and character development. All the while “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World†managed to secure the trilogy as a modern great!
#1: “Toy Story†franchise (1995-)
The concept behind this enormously successful Pixar franchise is simple: what would happen if your toys came to life when you weren’t looking? The result though is supremely entertaining, delivering laughs while also tugging at the heartstrings. We’ve fallen in love with Andy’s toys over the years, and now the first generation who saw the original film in theatres is able to share it with their own kids. Though there have been several delays in production, it looks like “Toy Story 4†will finally be hitting theatres in the summer of 2019.
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Animated Movies You Should See at Least Once.
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