An accomplished andbeloved animated filmisn’t easy to follow up, but a few popular movie series have only improved as they’ve continued, releasing great third installments that hold up well to the first. Manysequel filmsare produced with the intent of making money and glomming on to the success of the original movie. However,there are several notable outliers that seek to be a worthwhile sequel, expanding the animated worlds audiences first took a liking to.
While second entries do introduce new characters and explore untapped themes, many of these films tend to be largely similar to the previous movie. However,with just enough distance from the original film, third entries have greater storytelling freedom. Films likeMadagascar 3: Europe’s Most WantedandHotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacationplace their characters in previously unexplored locations, with their adventures being simultaneously familiar and thoroughly refreshing enough for audiences of all ages to enjoy.
10Shrek The Third (2007)
Continues The Series With An Enjoyable Story
WhileShrek the Thirddidn’t fare as well with critics as the previous films had, it was still a commercial success. InShrek the Third, after the death of King Harold, Shrek is expected to take the throne, though the ogre has no interest. Therefore, Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots set out to find Fiona’s cousin, Artie, and convince him to rule Far Far Away instead.
Shrek 3 Secretly Turned A Fairy Tale Hero Into A Villain (& It Might Have Been Shrek’s Fault)
Shrek 3 secretly turned yet another fairy tale hero into a villain, and it might have been Shrek’s fault after one situation in Shrek 2.
As audiences expected, the dynamic between the trio is unchanged and is as comical as ever. Audiences also appreciate the progression of Fiona and Shrek’s relationship as well, with the princess revealing she is pregnant. Following the success ofShrek 2is no easy task, butthe third film manages to move the beloved characters in an interesting directionand even recaptures the charm and humor of the previous films for the most part.
9Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (2009)
An Adventurous Sequel That Rises Above Its Inaccuracies
To audiences outside of those scanning theIce Agefilm series for its accuracy,Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaursis an entertaining and appreciated sequel. The third installment in the series of films provides a new location for its main characters to explore, asManny (Ray Romano) and the gang rescue Sid the Sloth from dinosaurs living in a world underneath the ice. The new location is inspired and the design of the prehistoric characters is impressive.
The film takes a bit of time to get into the action, but once it starts,Dawn of the Dinosaursis an adventurous thrill that is more than satisfying to fansof the film series. Coming out on top of its predecessors,Dawn of the Dinosaursremains the highest-grossingIce Agefilm, having grossed $886.7 million worldwide.
8Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Gru And His Brother Dru Make A Hilarious Pair
Though it’s the fourth entry in the overarchingDespicable Mefranchise,Despicable Me 3is the third installment in the main series of films and is a delightful return to form following a slight departure withMinionsin 2015.Despicable Me 3follows the duo of Gru and his long-lost twin brother Dru (both characters voiced by Steve Carell) as they work together to stop Trey Parker’s Balthazar Bratt.
Balthazar is amongthe bestDespicable Mevillains, and he creates a compelling antagonist for the comically paired brother duo to take down.
Parker’s villainous character is a former Hollywood actor who has grown to become resentful of the entertainment industry and seeks to destroy it. Balthazar is amongthe bestDespicable Mevillains, and he creates a compelling antagonist for the comically paired brother duo to take down.Despite largely mixed reviews from critics,Despicable Me 3did well at the box officeand has been appreciated by audiences for its ability to tell a heartfelt story while supplying a never-ending amount of humor.
7Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018)
A Harmless Sequel That Highlights The Best Qualities Of The Franchise
While the remainder oftheHotel Transylvaniafranchisewas never quite able to recapture the charm and originality of the first film, the third entry comes admirably close.Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacationplaces its group of monsters outside its titular hotel and onto a cruisefor an adventurous summer vacation. The film is notably the last time Adam Sandler and Kevin James portray their characters of Count Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster, respectively.
Though the critical reception toHotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacationwasn’t exceptionally positive,critics were sure to acknowledge the film’s ability to entertain with effective gags, fun animation, and a compelling progression for its characters. The movie also did incredibly well at the box office. Grossing $528 million against an approximately $65 million budget, the third entry is the highest-grossing film from the animated monster franchise.
6How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
A Bittersweet Conclusion To The Animated Trilogy
While it’s not as loud or exciting as its predecessors,How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden Worldis still a third installment worth celebrating.The film ends theHow to Train Your Dragontrilogy and follows an older Hiccup journeying to the titular groundsand grappling with his and Toothless' fate. The relationship between the two is as captivating as ever, tugging on audiences' heartstrings several times throughout the film.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden Worldalso improves on lauded aspects of the series, such as its animation and emotional storytelling.
The animated movie boasts a compelling villain and stunning visuals, making it difficult for one to easily turn their attention away from what’s being displayed on screen.In line with the entirety of the trilogy, the third film received a positive response from critics and earned a multitude of accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.
5Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
A Third Installment That Successfully Develops Its Main Characters
Followed by two animated sequel TV shows,Kung Fu Panda 3was the last film in the franchise for many years until 2024’sKung Fu Panda 4. The film follows Po as he prepares to take on a powerful warrior, Kai, who is determined to tear down Master Oogway’s legacy. The third film in the franchise is great for a myriad of reasons. Thefilm further explores the concept of chi, as it was only briefly touched on before, which in turn allows Po to effectively grow as a warrior.
Additionally,there’s a heartfelt story at the center of the martial arts comedy, with Po reuniting with his dadand forming a connection with the members of the Panda Village. The latter is most apparent in the scenes of Po training the village of pandas to turn their everyday tasks into powerful martial arts moves. Scenes with these characters are both endearing and comedic and are some ofthe best fight scenes in theKung Fu Pandafranchise.
4The Lion King 1 1/2 (2004)
Timon & Pumbaa Share Their Amusing Point Of View
In the ’90s,The Lion Kingearned widespread acclaim from critics and was a hit with audiences. The catchy songs, memorable characters, and moving narrative have continued to touch audiences' hearts in the years since. It would take a lot forThe Lion King’s sequel filmsto live up to the accomplishments of the ’90s film, and the third entry in the Walt Disney franchise had a good understanding of this.What makesThe Lion King 1 1/2a strong film is its disinterest in significantly improving the original.
The quirky duo takes audiences back to when they first met and provides comical commentary on the events of the ’90s film.
Acting more as a sidequel than a straightforward sequel,The Lion King 1 1/2provides a new perspective on the events of the original film. Timon and Pumbaa, voiced memorably by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, watchThe Lion Kingand, seeing how little they’re featured, take it upon themselves to share their version of events with audiences. The quirky duo takes audiences back to when they first met and provides comical commentary on the events of the ’90s film.
3Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)
Ends The Film Series With A Lively Adventure Across Europe
TheMadagascarmoviesare one of the few film series mentioned that doesn’t dip in quality with every new release. The series of animated films centered around four anthropomorphic zoo animals continues to get better with every new film, capping off the main series with a solid third entry,Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. After the Central Park Zoo animals are made to navigate the unfamiliar grounds of Africa,the group goes on one last adventure, traveling through Europe with a famous circus.
All the while, they’re being pursued by the head of Monaco’s animal control service — the villainous character voiced so greatly by Frances McDormand. In addition to the fun, adventurous tone of the movie and the appreciated addition of actors like Jessica Chastain and Bryan Cranston to the cast,Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wantedis also entirely pleasing to look at. As a result of the circus setting, the animation and coloring in the film are vibrant.
2Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (2024)
Strong Performances Elevate An Already Solid Third Entry
Combining live-action and animation,Sonic the Hedgehog 3is the third film based on the eponymous video game series. Having just been released at the end of 2024,the film has quickly risen to the top, being seen as the best of thelive-actionSonicmovies. The film sees Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and the gang confront Shadow the Hedgehog and the Robotniks. While the film primarily revolves around both Sonic and Shadow, it’s the latter who often steals the show.
Keanu Reeves is a wonderful addition to the cast, lending his voice to the brooding Shadow. Reeves finds the ideal balance of the character, portraying both his hurt and power effectively.Jim Carrey, too, delivers a strong performance, taking on both Robotnik roles, Ivo and his grandfather Gerald. As expected with the actor, Carrey brings a lot of levity and comedy to the already lively adventure film.
1Toy Story 3 (2010)
A Riveting And Emotional End To A Chapter
With Andy heading off to college, Woody and the other toys inToy Story 3must learn to move on. However,despiteToy Story 3featuring one ofthe most devastating movie endings of all time, the film is still largely fun and comedic, as the toys are accidentally donated to a daycare center. At the daycare, the toys are roughly played with by kids, and they encounter one ofPixar’s scariest characters, Lotso.
Lotso’s friendly, cuddly exterior is merely a cover-up, as the stuffed bear is actually a ruthless dictator, making it his mission to ruin the lives of Woody and the gang. Lotso is a worthy adversary of the toys audiences have become invested in over the years.The connection to and love for these characters is tested multiple times inToy Story 3, especially during its final moments. Asthe toys part ways with a grown Andy, audiences who grew up with the film series must also say goodbye.
