I’m a big fan of animated movies, from new films like Nimona to the classics like the Kung Fu Panda trilogy. Some are better than others, obviously. And some are clearly just being pumped out to keep the brand alive. We’re right in the middle of several such instances, from Kung Fu Panda 4 coming out this week, to an unwanted, unadvertised Megamind sequel coming out last week, to the likes of Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 coming out later this year.

As much as I herald the Kung Fu Panda movies are being truly amazing, I have zero interest in actually seeing the new, fourth film in theaters. I had no interest in seeing the new Trolls movie at all, even though I rather enjoyed the first two. And obviously we’ll never see the end of the Minions on the big screen. They’re unstoppable. But I’m not opposed to all animated sequels or even trilogies. There are some franchises that I’d love to see come back for another entry.

There’s no way to know if these proposed movies would be as good as I could hope…but sometimes hoping is all we need. Join me after the jump for six animated, franchise films that I’d love to see get a sequel!

6. The LEGO Movie 3

The first LEGO Movie is a masterpiece, and the sequel is just as good. The LEGO Batman Movie is arguably the greatest Batman movie of all time. The LEGO Ninjago Movie was fine. It’s a damn shame these films were never recognized for their true greatness, and an even bigger shame that these movies didn’t become the same sort of juggernaut as the Minions-related films. So I want The LEGO Movie 3 gosh darnit! As long as all the actors and Lord and Miller come back, of course.

5. The Mitchells vs. The Machines 2

Speaking of Lord and Miller, does anybody else remember the excellent Mitchells vs. The Machines? It went to Netflix during the pandemic instead of getting the big, bold theatrical release it so richly deserved. This movie was hilarious and awesome, which is no surprise, considering the creators. And now it has simply faded from memory. But I want more, gosh darnit! I want a sequel! I want a series! This was a funny family; it was all very relatable, and the Mitchells deserve to take on the likes of aliens, vampires, zombies and much more!

4. Incredibles 3

Of all animated films that could be an easy franchise, I’m surprised there aren’t more Incredibles films. The sequel was alright when it came out nearly 20 years after the original. It was like everybody just decided to get back together and make a new Incredibles movie. It sent the superheroes on a new adventure. That’s what superheroes do! So why not make more? I’d love to see a film that ages up Dash, Violet and Jack Jack into young adult superheroes who leave the Incredibles nest. Maybe they form their own team out of a new generation of heroes, with new villains, new costumes, new codenames and just a whole lot of taking over the family business!

3. Frozen 3 where Elsa is gay

I know Disney is working on Frozen 3; I’m sure of it. I don’t know when it’s coming out or what it’s going to be about. But I’m a solid advocate on Elsa coming out as gay and being the first LGBTQ+ Disney Princess. I don’t care how unlikely it is or the kind of blowback it might get. I want it to happen and I want Frozen 3 to feature Elsa’s girlfriend. I don’t think it should be controversial at all.

2. Shrek/Puss in Boots crossover

This was teased at the end of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and I super duper want it to happen! The Last Wish was a great film, far better than some delayed Puss in Boots sequel deserved to be. So if the animators can keep up that quality of animation, storytelling and energy, I would love to see Shrek return under that lens. The original Shrek movies really burned themselves out by the end. But The Last Wish was so promising that I’m very hopeful about a character revival.

1. Goofy as a grandpa

So mostly I’ve stuck with computer-animated movies so far, but looking over a list of classics, I couldn’t help but want to see a new Goofy Movie. We had a couple of Very and Extremely Goofy movies back in the day, telling the story of Goofy and his son Max as they grew older and dealt with real world events. The Extremely Goofy Movie was about Max going away to college and Goofy meeting a new love interest. It came out in 2000…so what would their family be like 24 years later?! Max and PJ would be in their 40s, most likely with children of their own. What would Goofy be like as a grandfather?! Why have we not yet seen that in animation? I think it would be a total blast!

——————