Disney Sequels/Prequels to Watch, Skip, and Totally Ridicule

One of the many reasons I get to call myself a Disney expert is because I have seen almost every Disney movie ever. You may say that I need to grow up and get a life, but I would say to you, this is not the blog post for you so you should go.

One of the interesting questions I get as a self-proclaimed Disney expert is if I have seen the sequels and prequels of the Disney classics. The answer is yes- but more importantly, I want you to know which ones you should watch, which ones you can skip, and what ones you need to watch just to laugh at hysterically.

Below is a list of all of the sequels and prequels and my rating. Enjoy!

PS- These are Disney animated movies- I didn't include any live-action or any Pixar. Not because I don't like them. More because that would have taken forever.

Key:

Watch it! 

Laugh Hysterically While Watching

Skip it

Original: "Aladdin" (1992)

 Sequel: "The Return of Jafar" (1994)

 Jafar was not really defeated in the first movie. Turning a guy into an all-powerful genie is not exactly a punishment. So it comes back to bite our heroes in the butt. This movie is also horribly bad because we are missing our real genie- Robin Williams. Though, we imagine that he was pretty busy with other offers.

Sequel: "Aladdin and the King of Thieves" (1996)

In the first film, a little song titled "Proud of Your Boy" was going to be in the movie. The song talks about Aladdin's longing to please his mother (who was alive in the original version). But we always wonder what happened to his dad? This movie brings father and son back together and I still can't decide who is more attractive! And, THE GENIE IS BACK!

Original: "Beauty and the Beast" (1991)

 

Prequel(ish): "Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" (1997)
 This movie happens while Belle is still a "prisoner" in the castle. The Beast has forbidden Christmas, but Belle decides to have it any way. There's a fabulous tree angel ornament played by Bernadette Peters, fantastic songs that you will want to add to your Christmas playlist, and Tim Curry as an evil organ. Still one of m favorite Christmas movies.

Original: "Pocahontas" (1995)

Sequel: "Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World" (1998)

You know all those history buffs who scolded the original animated movie for its inquiries? This movie is for them.Pocahontas goes to England, meets another John (who we can guess she marries), and wear English clothing and stuff. There is a really good song in this movie ("Where Do I Go From Here").

Original: "The Lion King" (1994)

Sequel: "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" (1998)

Simba is all grownup and he has a daughter who is just as rebellious and rambunctious as he was. And she falls in love with one of Scar's offspring! A real Romeo and Juliet thing. All of the original voices are back- even Matthew Broderick as Simba.

Prequel(ish): "The Lion King 1 1/2" (2004)

A movie from Timon and Pumba's point of view about what was going on in their world when "Lion King" was happening. It's fun to watch the original and then watch this one. You will see a cause-and-effect theme going on, and many of your favorite characters show up.

Original: "A Goofy Movie" (1995)

Sequel: "An Extremely Goofy Movie" (2000)

Max is headed to college, and Goofy finds out that he never got his college degree. So he goes back to school with his son! This was the age of skateboards so there's a college X-Games and tons of 70s music that will please the parents.

Original: "Lady and the Tramp" (1955)

Sequel: "Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure" (2001)
Lady and Tramp have a pup who falls for another pup who lives on the street with a bunch of rough-and-tough street dogs. It's really a repeat of the original with puppies. Songs aren't really worth it either.

Original: "The Little Mermaid" (1989)

Sequel: "The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea" (2000)
 ARIEL AS A MOM!!! Somehow she can still wear a shell bra, That's real Disney magic for you. Prince Eric and the Princess of the Sea learn how hard it is to be parents with a daughter who wants to run away to the sea. Doesn't that sound familiar? Also, Ursula's sister is the villain of this one- ready to prove that she can outdo her sister.

Prequel: "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning" (2008)

This movie is the reason I am writing this post. It is a totally unexpected surprise. All of the original voices are back for what happened before Ariel found her prince, and music was banned from Atlantica. The songs are fantastic and Jodi Benson still has the melodious voice of her youth.

Original: "Cinderella" (1950)

Sequel: "Cinderella II: Dreams Come True" (2002)

After Cinderella gets married, the mice are retelling stories that include Jacque getting turned into a man, Anastasia finding her true love, and a lot of other useless stories that have nothing to do with anything. BUT. This was the start of Jennifer Hale as Cindy- a perfect choice.

Sequel: "Cinderella III: A Twist in Time" (2007)

This one is hard to keep up with, but Evil Stepmother steals Fairy Godmother's wand and turns back time to make the Prince dance with Anastasia instead of Cinderella. Cindy has to fight to get her man back and it is seriously EPIC!

Original: "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996)

Sequel: "The Hunchback of Notre Dame II" (2002)

Didn't you always feel sorry for Quasimodo? He didn't get the girl in the end. This movie says he does find his true love in a circus performer. It's cute for a boring Saturday afternoon- nothing to write home about but worth a little time to end Quasi's story on a happy note.

Original: "101 Dalmatians" (1961)

Sequel: "101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure" (2003)
 This movie almost makes fun of itself. Cruella has fallen waaaay far down the hole, Horris and Jasper are terrified of her, and it was bound to happen that one of the 101 puppies would get lost. Also, the amazing Thunderbolt is not so amazing. This movie sparked an equally hysterical and ridiculous TV series. You will never look at Corgis the same.

Original: "Atlantis" (2001)

Sequel: "Atlantis: Milo's Return" (2003)
Really, really boring tales of what happens after the movie. Really, really boring.

Original: "Mulan" (1998)

Sequel: "Mulan II" (2005)

What happens when you decide to marry someone you thought was a man for the majority of the time you've known them? This. Mulan and Shan are getting married and they are totally different people. The soldier triplets (you know who I'm talking about) also try to find love. The songs are reminiscent of the originals. Kinda disappointing that Eddie Murphy doesn't reprise his role though.

Original: "Tarzan" (1999)

 

Sequel-That's-Actually-a-Prequel: "Tarzan II" (2005)
Tarzan 2 is actually when Tarzan was younger and is trying to find his place in the jungle. None of the original voices are back because they all grew up. Yet another attempt at Disney trying to turn to a younger generation. And I'm sorry- baby Tantar in the original was the cutest ever! And no one replaces Rosie O'Donnell.

Original: "Lilo & Stitch" (2002)

 

Sequel: "Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch" (2005)
I can't get enough of Stitch! And it turns out there are more Stitches! Because as you know, Stitch was experiment 626. What happened to all of the other 625 experiments? They had one giant family reunion! This movie sparked a TV series and was totally awesome.

Original: "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000) Sequel: "Kronk's New Groove" (2005)  Kronk had his moments in the original film- speaking squirrel is pretty awesome. But a whole movie of him is not worth it to me. But baby Kronk and his little oven mitts is adorable! Original: "Bambi" (1942) Sequel: "Bambi II" (2006) After Bambi's mom, well, dies, Bambi lives with his dad, the Prince. Who has absolutely no idea how to raise a baby dear. And you feel bad for little Bambi. Original: "Brother Bear" (2003) Sequel: "Brother Bear 2" (2006) The original is very underrated. I recommend you watch that one before you move onto this one. In this one, a girl turns into a bear and joins the boys on their bear adventures. And of course there's some romance involved. But it's all about the girl power or grrrrrl power. Original: "The Fox and the Hound" (1981) Sequel-That's-Actually-a-Prequel: "The Fox and the Hound 2:(2006) I can't. I can't watch it! Not without knowing what happens in the end! Skip it! Skip it if you want to live! Also, Reba is a singing dog. Seriously, skip it.