However, Disney has created unneeded sequels that don’t match up to their original work of art. Most of the direct to video Disney sequels on this list were poorly executed. The animation is poor, no character development, and there is hardly any moral. Most of the direct to video Disney sequels were only created for more money rather than to expand its story. What are the top ten worst straight to video Disney movies you may ask? This list will answer that question.
List of Worst Direct-to-Video Disney animated movies
10. Cinderella: Dreams Do Come True
This Cinderella sequel was released over fifty years after the original film to share how happy Cinderella is in her new life. Though she does struggle with the life of a princess, The straight to Disney sequel would have been better hit remained its focus on Cinderella and not other characters like Jack the mouse being turned into a human, or Anastasia finding her own forbidden romance, followed by Lucifer trying to win the heart of the royal cat. This sequel is still worth a watch. The message is endearing and the plot is stitched together quite nicely.
9. Lilo and Stitch: Stitch Has a Glitch
Lilo and Stitch was a heartfelt film about an alien and a lonely little girl befriending each other on the island, Hawaii. Now a sequel returns. Stitch is malfunctioning while Lilo is preparing for an important presentation. The film is very touching but quite dark.
8. Bambi II
After 64 years of Bambi II follows Bambi in his youth after his mother has been killed. Although the film could be considered filler, there was an effort with animation and even the songs are catchy. The story does not capture the beauty of the first. Fans know how Bambi’s story ends if they watched Bambi.
7. Lady and the Tramp II
All these direct to video Disney releases focus on their children. Disney must believe that fans want to see their favorite characters have their children relearn the lessons they had to learn in the first. Lady and Tramp’s son Scamp runs off to live in the wild with other junkyard dogs. The film is fun to watch, however. Dogs make everything better. Except, Lady is hardly given any screentime after being the main character in the first.
6. Atlantis: Milo’s Return
Atlantis was a very different Disney film when released in 2001. It’s marked as an underrated film among fans. What was going to be a TV series, then turned into a straight to video film, Atlantis; Milo’s Return as no idea what its story is, and lacks in animation. If it went ahead as a TV series, it’s likely that it would have done better.
5. Belle’s Magical World
Belle’s Magical World is more of a midquel. It’s a what-if tale based on if Belle had to live a much longer time in the enchanted castle before the beast and servants were changed back into their true forms. The film, however, is told in snippets. Clearly, editors were too lazy to edit out what was supposed to have been a televised series. The animation is also quite bland.
4. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Now following the adventures of Ariel’s daughter, Melody who accepts a deal with Ursula’s twin sister to become a mermaid and live underwater sounds VERY similar to the first film. It’s tough when The Litte Mermaid was quite the masterpiece.
3. Pocahontas: Journey to a New World
Pocahontas was an actual historical figure. The Disney Pocahontas was historically inaccurate, but it was still a great film. In the sequel, Pocahontas travels to the new world with John Rolfe and experiences the customs of his world. The film jumps all around with its character development, and even the storyline. Pocahontas: Journey to a New World is more of a drama about which man Pocahontas will take. Pocahantus was a real historical figure. The film is an embarrassment to her life.
2. The Hunchback of Notre Dame II
In complete contrast to the first Hunchback of Notre Dame, a sequel was unneeded to begin with. The story ended so perfectly. Fans did not need a film with unforgettable songs, Quasimodo get a girlfriend or Esmerelda and Phoebus’ child. The villain of this story is also quite annoying. The sequel of The Hunchback of Notre Dame tries too hard. It also feels as if the plot was written too quickly and the art was not matched up to its breathtaking quality from the first. It does sport much lighter tone from the original. Some of the songs are enjoyable. And your favorite voices return. It would have been better if writers took a closer look.
1. Mulan II
Mulan achieved so much when it was released in 1998. In the sequel, Shang and Mulan are to be married. And three princesses are set for an arranged marriage but end up marrying Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po. The animation is poor along with the development of characters. From a fierce warrior and then going along with her own traditions, Mulan is not the same character. If you take a look on Rotten Tomatoes, Mulan II has 0%. That’s no surprise.
Conclusion
Some of these direct to video Disney sequels are worth a watch. Nobody is holding you back from watching them. They’re Disney films. It’s worth seeing your favorite Disney character in another story. They may also bring a needed laugh if you’re having a bad day.
