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This weekend, director Barry Jenkins brings the story of Mufasa to life through the live-action style popularized by the 2019The Lion King. It was an unusual choice to craft a prequel to the popular franchise but also provided some distance from the straight-to-DVD sequels of the 2000s.WithMufasa: The Lion King, we’re seeing a return to the Disney sequels and Disney prequels of the past. It’s no longer confined to animation, but with features likeMaleficient,Alice in Wonderland, andLightyear, Disney continues to expand its franchises.
What was a very uncommon aspect of Disney for its first sixty years became popularized in the 1990s. Three decades later, we’ve seen the House of Mouse continue to roll out these films. WithMufasa: The Lion Kingreleasing this week, here are 10 of our favorite sequels and Disney prequels. Out of fairness, we’re only including a single entry from each franchise, so that a particular series doesn’t just take most of the spots.
10Fantasia 2000
With new music and stunning visuals,Fantasia 2000remains one of Disney Animation’s most underrated films. The “Rhapsody in Blue” sequence is an all-time highlight from the animation studio in terms of creativity and skill. Ottorino Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” showcased a brilliant CGI spectacle, far beyond other films by 2000. Camille Saint-Saëns’s “Carnival of the Animals” is another brilliant highlight, adding some much-needed comedy to the experience. While some of the other showcases are not quite as brilliant, it’s shocking that Disney abandoned its plan for more sequels – especially in the streaming era.
9Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin
Years before the theatrical film that tried to counter-programHarry Potter, the arrival ofPooh’s Grand Adventurepicked up the Disney sequel mantle. After Christopher Robin goes missing from the 100 Acre Wood, Pooh and the gang try to find their best friend. While most of the events are set in motion by Owl’s usual ineptitude,Pooh’s Grand Adventuresoars with beautiful artwork and unique set pieces. It’s a reasonable step up for young children looking to explore deeper themes in storytelling, and it’s another reason why Jim Cummings is the GOAT voice actor.
7Inside Out 2
The most recent Disney sequel,Inside Out 2captures a spot on this list thanks to the clever expansion of the world-building.It also captured the box office in its run. While Joy (Amy Poehler) and the crew get a bit of a makeover thanks to some changing castings, it’s the arrival of Anxiety (Maya Hawke) that fuelsInside Out 2. It’s still not quite as creative as the original film, even if it’s funnier.
6Aladdin: Return of Jafar
Providing a huge nostalgia trip for millennial audiences,Aladdin: Return of Jafarunlocked the Disney home video market. Most of us who grew up in the 1990s are unawareReturn of Jafardid not go to theaters because it was so ubiquitous in the culture. While Robin Williams stepped away, Jonathan Freeman returned as the villainous Jafar. That alone allowed audiences to connect with the story, but the arc for Iago (Gilbert Godfried) helped secure its place as a top-tier Disney sequel.
5The Lion King 1½
One of the most creative endeavors of Disney’s straight-to-DVD wing,The Lion King 1½bursts with humor and creativity. Telling a story that is both prequel and concurrent with the original film,The Lion King 1½primarily focuses on how Timon and Pumbaa came to be friends. Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella returned to do theRosencrantz and Guildenstern are Deadriff, and many of the other stars of the 1994 movie returned as well. There’s a tongue-in-cheek approach to the comedy that fits with the larger Timon and Pumbaa ethos. The meta-comedy rules, and as far as Disney sequels or prequels go, it’s easily the funniest.
4Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
WhileBeauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmaswent straight to DVD, it became one of the animation highlights of 1997. Returning the entire original voice cast,The Enchanted Christmasgets an incredible villain in Forte (Tim Curry) – a giant organ. Curry and Jerry Orbach received Annie Award nominations for best Vocal Performance, and director Andy Knight competed for Best Director against theatrical featuresAnastasiaandMulan. “As Long as There’s Christmas” has become a Disney staple during the holidays, and keepsThe Enchanted Christmastop-of-mind during this season.
3The Rescuers Down Under
One of the most underrated Disney sequels of the Renaissance,The Rescuers Down Underwas one of the few theatrical sequels of the era. The animation is stunning, especially with its integration of CGI from Pixar and the CAPS program. The experimentation here opened the door for the next three renaissance films to utilize the product – which becameBeauty and the Beast,Aladdin, andThe Lion King. Beyond its groundbreaking aspects, the score from Bruce Broughton is among the best of the era, and George C. Scott is terrifying as the poacher McLeach. The massive vistas generated forThe Rescuers Down Underremain some of the very best animated images of the nineties.
2Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Coming offPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, there was a huge world for audiences to explore. Wisely,Piratestook a huge step forward in expanding the world. New creatures, new enemies, and new characters enter the story. To this day, the visual effects for Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) is nearly unparalleled by Disney. It’s stunning work, especially for 2006, and Nighy is excellent in the role. While other aspects ofDead Man’s Cheststill border on problematic (the Indigenous people’s scene stands out),Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chestis a grand spectacle of visual excellence and dramatic tension for the franchise.
1Toy Story 2
WhichToy Storymovie to put at the top of the list was a debate that raged on, but there’s something undeniable aboutToy Story 2. Coming in 1999, mere months after the original concept was scraped, the emotional story of Woody being challenged about his place in Andy’s world borderson masterpiece work from the Pixarand Disney sequel.
Toy Story 2features excellent vocal performances from newcomers Jesse (Joan Cusack) and Stinky Pete (Kelsey Grammer).Toy Story 2also thrives in its depiction of retro toy culture and television nostalgia. WhileToy Story 3andToy Story 4rely on some of the nostalgia for the series,Toy Story 2secured the franchise’s place in American culture and became the best Disney sequel in the process.
Watch Mufasa: The Lion King in theaters starting August 24, 2025.
Alan French
Film/TV Critic
Articles Published :280
Alan French began writing about television and film by covering the Emmys and Oscar beats in 2016. Since then, he has written hundreds of reviews on TV and movies. He attends film festivals regularly. He is a Rotten Tomato-approved critic and is on the committee for the Critics Association of Central Florida.
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DisneyDisney +Inside Out 2MufasaThe Lion KingToy Story 2Winnie the Pooh
