As a die-hard animation enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the magical world of animated films, I am beyond thrilled about these upcoming sequels!
In recent times, blockbuster movies based on superheroes and video games have become a common sight in the film industry, potentially leaving fans of fantasy genres feeling overlooked by production studios. While shows such as HBO’s “House of the Dragon” and Amazon Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” provide lengthy escapades set in beloved realms, nothing quite compares to immersing oneself in such grandeur on a cinema screen, ideally alongside an equally captivated audience.
Fortunately, there are more fantasy films on the horizon than many fans realize, including sequels that will continue beloved sagas from the past few decades. Some of these titles certainly overlap with superheroes, video games, and even sci-fi, but most of them show that Hollywood still leaves a little room for the genre we love to see shine in its own right. And while we may have several years to wait until we get to revisit such vivid locales as the wintery wonderland of Arendelle or the creature-filled neon alleyways of Rhyme City, at least one of these sequels is coming to blow you away as soon as 2025 — and you won’t want to miss it.
Aladdin 2
Despite facing criticism, Disney’s live-action adaptations of their classic animated films provide two significant benefits for the studio. Firstly, these movies often earn hundreds of millions of dollars at the domestic box office, providing a secure return on investment in an industry that can be unpredictable. Secondly, they offer new storytellers the opportunity to breathe life into and expand upon cherished universes that were previously limited to one or two films. The 2019 “Lion King” remake with Beyoncé and Donald Glover was a massive hit, leading Disney to develop a prequel focusing on Mufasa’s (originally voiced by James Earl Jones) early life as a young cub, now voiced by Aaron Pierre.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for any updates on the next chapter of “Aladdin.” The studio seems to be just as excited about diving back into this magical world, following the 2019 Guy Ritchie remake that featured Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, and Will Smith. There’s even talk of a Disney+ spin-off series for Billy Magnussen’s character, Prince Anders, which sounds promising!
One potential obstacle hindering its progress could be Smith’s participation, considering the uncertainty surrounding his career following his actions at the Oscars in 2022 when he slapped Chris Rock. However, since Smith’s latest movie “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” has been a box office hit, it appears likely that the sequel will eventually entice viewers to return to Agrabah.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
It’s no secret that numerous “Avatar” sequels are in the works, spearheaded by James Cameron and 20th Century Studios under Disney. Since 2010, the director has been vocal about his intentions for at least two follow-ups, with the initial film’s positive response and record-breaking earnings providing ample motivation to move forward swiftly. What might come as a surprise is that the next chapter in this series could be released imminently, or it may now bear an ominous new title.
At the 2024 D23 Expo, they unveiled the title for the third Avatar movie: “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” This title refers to the fresh volcanic setting that the film will delve into. As suggested by comments from the cast and team, this location is inhabited by a new Na’vi tribe called the “Ash People,” who will play the role of adversaries in the plot. Initially, “Fire and Ash” and its precursor, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” were planned as one movie, indicating that “Fire and Ash” could be the most significant film in the series yet. Currently, it’s set to hit theaters in December 2025.
Constantine 2
Fans of DC Comics may have experienced a mix of surprise and excitement upon hearing that a follow-up to the 2005 film “Constantine” is being made, with Keanu Reeves returning as the lead character. While the original movie took creative liberties in its portrayal of the character, depicting him as a more compassionate American action hero instead of a calculating British villain, it has since gained a devoted following among comic book aficionados and horror film enthusiasts.
Despite efforts by DC and Warner Bros. to portray the character more faithfully in shows like the short-lived NBC series starring Matt Ryan, and a proposed “Justice League Dark” series from J.J. Abrams (which delayed “Constantine 2” for years), there’s been a persistent desire to revisit the Reeves version of this character. Notably, there haven’t been many updates about this from the cast or crew.
2022 saw Warner Bros. officially announcing the development of a sequel, with director Francis Lawrence set to return after focusing on Lionsgate’s adaptations of “The Hunger Games” books. Akiva Goldsman, who has recently written for projects like “The Dark Tower” and “Transformers: The Last Knight,” will be handling the script. Initially, there was worry that the project might face difficulties due to James Gunn and Peter Safran taking charge of Warner Bros.’ DC universe in 2023. However, Reeves has confirmed that Gunn is supportive of the film being produced as an Elseworlds story within the DC Studios. There’s speculation that Gunn’s plans for a “Swamp Thing” movie could pave the way for Constantine’s significant role in the DC cinematic universe.
Detective Pikachu 2
The movie “Detective Pikachu,” released in 2019, turned out to be an enjoyable surprise. In this film, Ryan Reynolds lent his voice to the lead Pokémon character, while Justice Smith played his human companion. This film deviated somewhat from conventional adaptation methods by creating a new story, but one that still featured familiar elements within a completely fresh setting. The producers at Legendary Entertainment were so optimistic about the cinematic potential of “Detective Pikachu” that they revealed plans for a sequel even before the first movie premiered, and brought on Oren Uziel, the writer of “The Cloverfield Paradox,” to script it.
Despite receiving positive reviews upon its release, “Detective Pikachu” faced a somewhat rocky development path post-release. Upon hitting theaters in 2019, the movie garnered appreciation from both critics and audiences alike, but struggled to compete with the box office dominance of “Avengers: Endgame.” With an initial budget of $150 million, it managed to earn around $450 million. As of 2021, producer Smith expressed skepticism about a sequel coming to fruition, and there was no official word from Legendary Pictures on the project from the film’s release up until 2023.
As a passionate gamer, I was initially disheartened to learn that the release of the anticipated sequel had been delayed. But then, the studio finally spoke up, confirming that it was indeed in production for 2023. However, there was a change of hands as Uziel stepped down, making way for Chris Galletta to take over. The director’s chair might now belong to “Portlandia” co-creator Jonathan Krisel, though we haven’t received official word yet that he’s officially on board.
Frozen III
Without a doubt, the original story of “Frozen” is among Disney’s most triumphant successes in the last two decades. Its memorable melodies and enchanting blend of magic, emotion, and comedy have left audiences worldwide spellbound. Unsurprisingly, the movie made an astounding $1.3 billion at the global box office, making a sequel a logical next step. When the sequel exceeded its predecessor’s earnings with a staggering $1.4 billion global total, it was only natural that “Frozen” would join “Toy Story” as Disney’s ongoing cinematic series.
Indeed, in 2023, Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, disclosed that the studio was planning sequels for several of its top-tier animated films. Notably among these is a fifth installment of “Toy Story” and a third part of “Frozen,” slated for a 2026 premiere. This upcoming “Frozen” film could mark a significant milestone, as it may become the first trilogy produced and shown in theaters by Walt Disney Animation Studios, excluding “Toy Story” or “Cars,” which were produced under Pixar’s wing.
At the 2024 D23 Expo, the studio officially stated that the main actors will reprise their roles for “Frozen III,” and unveiled preliminary sketches featuring Anna (Bell) and Elsa (Menzel) riding horses. However, it was also disclosed that the movie’s release has been pushed back from 2026 to November 24, 2027.
Godzilla x Kong Monsterverse Film
The Monsterverse created by Legendary Entertainment has been thriving since the release of Gareth Edwards’ 2014 movie “Godzilla.” With the introduction of King Kong as both an adversary and ally to Godzilla, the series has gained even more momentum. After making his debut in the prequel “Kong: Skull Island,” Kong then appeared alongside Godzilla in “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021) and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (2024), both of which were financial hits. These successes have sparked speculation that a third film, featuring another collaboration between the two titans, could be in the works from Legendary Entertainment.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but echo the words of director Adam Wingard himself, who brought us the thrilling “Godzilla x Kong” films. In a chat with Discussing Film before the premiere of “The New Empire,” he hinted at the possibility of a third installment, stating, “If you’ve made two movies, maybe it’s time to move on to a third because… there’s a trilogy in there.” His enthusiasm is contagious, as he further added, “I definitely believe there’s more story to unfold in this universe, and I believe I have more stories to share.
Starting in May 2024, Legendary began working on a movie set after “The New Empire,” but they haven’t decided whether it will continue the story from where the last film left off or feature both Godzilla and King Kong. It was later disclosed that Wingard would not be involved in directing or scriptwriting for this project, despite his earlier statements. Instead, Dave Callaham, recognized as a co-writer of “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” for Marvel Studios, will handle the screenplay. At this point, a new director has not been announced yet.
Hocus Pocus 3
Each Halloween, it’s always enjoyable to re-watch the enchanting original “Hocus Pocus,” and with Disney+ introducing a spellbinding sequel in 2022, fans new and old are eagerly awaiting the witches’ summons. With anticipation building, Disney is working tirelessly on a third film, aiming to release it as swiftly as they can, keeping both ends of the Black Flame candle ablaze with excitement.
Following the debut of “Hocus Pocus 2,” executive producer Adam Shankman expressed his satisfaction with the sequel’s success and eagerness to explore more stories set in this world, centering largely around Whitney Peak’s character Becca, a young witch. In the ensuing months, many members of the movie’s cast voiced their readiness to reprise their roles for “Hocus Pocus 3” if Disney chose to make the film, with Bette Midler expressing her desire to participate in some franchise project at this stage of her career.
In June 2023, it was officially announced that a third movie titled “Hocus Pocus” would indeed be produced, with Anne Fletcher directing and Jen D’Angelo penning the script as before. However, by July 2024, Bette Midler hadn’t yet received a draft of the script, which seemed to be causing her some concern about whether the prolonged production schedule would hinder the original cast from reuniting. In an interview on “Busy This Week,” she expressed her view that if they were going to make “Hocus Pocus 3,” they should do it quickly because “Time isn’t just marching, time is hurtling towards its end. Catch us while we’re still around.
The Last Witch Hunter 2
It seems like Vin Diesel’s involvement with “The Last Witch Hunter” series might continue, according to his statements. Back in June 2015, he suggested that Lionsgate was prepared to produce a sequel for the movie even before its release. In a post on his Facebook page, he expressed, “It appears that the studio is so thrilled about ‘The Last Witch Hunter’ – The Axe and Cross franchise… that they are already working on the next one.” He further added, “The film doesn’t hit theaters until October 23rd, but they want me to confirm and even schedule time for filming it.
It seems that Lionsgate’s involvement in the project, as suggested by Vin Diesel, didn’t unfold as swiftly or positively as he suggested. This delay, spanning nearly a decade, might be connected to the underperformance of “The Last Witch Hunter,” which earned just $149 million against its production budget of $90 million. This poor financial performance could be linked to the film’s harsh criticism by critics.
In 2020, Diesel stated that Lionsgate was still interested in producing “The Last Witch Hunter 2.” However, this announcement was made before the disastrous box office performance of “Bloodshot,” a film affected significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic, and which raised doubts about Diesel’s marketability outside the “Fast and Furious” series. Additionally, Diesel mentioned the sequel’s progress as late as 2024, without any public statement from either party suggesting it had been definitively canceled. This statement was made prior to an assistant’s sexual assault allegation against him, which he has denied.
Moana 2
Initially, Disney planned to continue the story of Moana with an animated TV series on Disney+ called “Moana: The Series.” This might bring back memories of old times when Disney movies used to get sequels as TV shows on the Disney Channel. But in 2024, just three and a half years after announcing “Moana: The Series,” Bob Iger revealed they had switched direction and would instead produce a follow-up film titled “Moana 2.” This new movie is expected to hit theaters towards the end of 2024.
In the upcoming film titled “Moana 2,” Auliʻi Cravalho will reprise her role as the title character, with Dwayne Johnson returning to voice the singing demigod Maui. These two stars made their appearance at the D23 Expo in 2024, where a sneak peek of the movie was shown. Additionally, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk are among the cast members returning for this sequel. In the storyline, Moana is depicted as embarking on a mission to reconnect with her ancestors by sailing out to sea once more, accompanied by a new group of wayfinders like herself. This journey promises to be both thrilling and perilous, culminating in a reunion between Moana and Maui, who was last seen guarding over Moana and her people in the form of a hawk. “Moana 2” is set to reach theaters on November 27, 2024.
The Sea Beast 2
In 2022, Netflix unveiled the animated fantasy adventure “The Sea Beast,” with Karl Urban from “The Boys” lending his voice to the character of a daring sea-faring hero obsessed with hunting and defeating the titular sea beast. The movie was applauded by critics, garnering broad praise and securing a nomination for the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar. By January 2023, “The Sea Beast” had become Netflix’s most-watched animated film ever.
It’s only logical that Netflix would move forward with another journey for “The Sea Beast” team, officially confirming in 2023 that Chris Williams, a former Disney/DreamWorks colleague, had been granted permission to commence work on “The Sea Beast 2.” During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he expressed his surprise and lack of initial plans for a sequel. However, there are aspects and concepts from the original film that he’s eager to revisit and delve deeper into.
Initially, Jacob finds himself in a role as a parent to a particularly headstrong child, and he noted that when you observe them on the dock [in the first film], it doesn’t depict accurate parenting. Instead, real-life parenting is much messier, more complex, and more challenging than what’s shown. This new family’s struggles piqued his curiosity. Furthermore, he was intrigued by how other monster hunters might respond to the ending of the first film and what their futures might hold.
Shrek 5
Last but absolutely not least, we have a highly anticipated sequel making its way onto our list. For years, fans have been creating memes and waiting for any word from the studio, and finally in July 2024, DreamWorks confirmed that they were indeed working on “Shrek 5.” This much-awaited film is currently scheduled for release on July 1, 2026. Excitingly, the studio has confirmed that it will hit the big screen once more and bring back series stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz.
According to reports, Eddie Murphy has already recorded his lines for the initial act, and he hinted to Collider before the official announcement from DreamWorks that there seems to be a “Donkey” spin-off in production. Essentially, Murphy stated, “Shrek [5] is on its way, and Donkey will get his own movie.” The director overseeing Murphy and the cast is Walt Dohrn, who has been with the franchise for quite some time now, having directed the “Trolls” series of films for DreamWorks.
Illumination founder Chris Meledandri is also returning to the “Shrek” cinematic universe for “Shrek 5,” having previously executive produced the critically acclaimed spin-off sequel “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Though he shared his own feelings of nostalgia for the original series, he also seemingly implied a desire to take the series in a new direction, perhaps similar to “The Last Wish.” Speaking to Variety about the process of making “Shrek 5,” he said, “The challenge for us has been to find something that really does feel like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels.”
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2024-09-14 14:30