2021 was a good year for fans of animated movies, thanks to the many brilliant releases. Viewers were introduced to the fantastical and magical Madrigal family of Luca.
While these movies gave the audience fun, new characters to love and root for, some of the best animated films of 2021 were actually sequels. These gave viewers a chance to see some old favorites again and experience them in new stories; from the highly anticipated The Boss Baby: Family Business, the popularity of these is clear from the IMDb rankings of each.
Space Jam: A New Legacy - 4.4
much-beloved Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, LeBron plays a high-stakes basketball game in order to get back home.
Sadly, the movie doesn't live up to the popularity of the original, mostly due to the subtle humor and the heavy product placement that overshadowed its narrative. LeBron James is the major highlight of Space Jam: A New Legacy, despite the only moderately entertaining storyline.
Monster Family 2 - 4.8
Animation, horror, and comedy combine in Monster Family 2, which takes place a year after the events of the first movie, Monster Family. Just before the witch, Baba Yaga, is due to marry Renfield, the two are abducted and the Wishbone family become monsters to save them.
Although it's a sequel, Monster Family 2 doesn't rely too heavily on its predecessor and is enjoyable as a standalone. The movie certainly wins points for good animation and visuals but the storyline of humans turning into monsters again was a bit cliché, dragging its rating down.
Rock Dog 2: Rock Around The Park - 5.1
Rock Dog 2 sees Bodi and the band coming back a year after the events of the first film on a tour with the friendly pop sensation, Lil' Foxy. While the gang enjoyed basking in the glory of their small-town fame in Snow Mountain, they soon learn that fame comes at a price.
Although this sequel ranks fairly well, a few things detract from its score. For example, the absence of the actors that voiced characters in the prequel and the slightly more complex storyline and an overall message that wasn't as relatable as the first.
The Addams Family 2 - 5.4
The Addams Family 2 brings back the titular family being their odd, spooky, and lovable selves. This sequel focuses more on Wednesday as she struggles to fit in with her family while they're on a road trip which is meant to help them bond again. Events lead her to question whether she truly belongs with them at all.
Although the movie naturally had spooky undertones, this time around even Wednesday's charming dark humor couldn't quite help the movie live up to the first. Self-discovery and family bonding are at the center of the storyline, but the message gets lost in everything else happening with the plot, leading to a story that's not as memorable as it was meant to be.
The Boss Baby: Family Business - 5.9
Several years after the events of The Boss Baby, Tim and Ted Templeton find themselves returning to their younger forms to help Tim's youngest daughter, Tina, uncover dark secrets about her sister's school.
While The Boss Baby: Family Business finds a clever way to bring back the characters that made the first movie great, it's not as fun as its predecessor and doesn't come close to the best animated movies ever made. From the low ranking on IMDb and mixed to negative reviews from both fans and critics, it's clear audiences didn't enjoy it much despite its adventure-filled plot and attempts at humor, although it had a touching message about the value of family at its heart.
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway - 6.2
The lovable, yet mischievous Peter Rabbit returns with more shenanigans in Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. Thanks to Bea's drawings in a book about Peter and his siblings, the rabbits gain popularity and bask in their newfound fame. Peter, however, struggles with the identity bestowed upon him as the rebellious troublemaker and chaos ensues when he runs away.
The highly anticipated animated movie is entertaining enough with almost as much humor and chaos as the first. One of the best parts of it, which may have contributed to the moderately high IMDb ranking, is the growth and character development Peter undergoes, as well as the increased attention on his other siblings and their fun, unique characters.
Straight Outta Nowhere - 6.6
Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog marks the 36th entry in a series of Scooby-Doo films. In this crossover, Scooby and the gang end up in Courage's hometown of Nowhere, where they work together to solve the mystery of the Cicada Queen who keeps attacking them.
Even though it's one in a long line of Scooby-Doo films, this one draws the audience in by bringing together two beloved franchises. The fun storyline and play on childhood nostalgia combine to create a film that's interesting and a little different from the many others in the franchise.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle Of The Realms - 6.6
Battle Of the Realms picks up right after the events of its prequel, Scorpion's Revenge, sending the Earthrealm heroes on a journey to Outworld. There they must fight to save their homeland in a final Mortal Kombat.
The movie stays true to the video game franchise it's based on with the same level of violence and gore. Although it's mostly action-based, there's enough of a story about saving the earth that's intriguing, especially for those familiar with the franchise.
White Snake 2: Green Snake - 6.8
White Snake 2 was inspired by a Chinese folktale named Legend of the White Snake and is a follow-up to the 2019 movie, White Snake. The story follows Verta as she attempts to rescue her sister from Fahai, a demon-slaying monk.
Although it's not very popular, only clocking just under 2,000 ratings on IMDb, White Snake 2 has some impressive action and character designs that contribute to the good ranking the movie has. The story offers something light-hearted and enjoyable but not enough to make much of a lasting impression beyond the great visuals.
Sing 2 - 7.6
The sequel to the 2016 movie, Sing, is just as delightful as its predecessor. Featuring the original cast, plus some new characters voiced by Halsey, Letitia Wright, Bobby Cannavale, and Bono, Sing 2 picks up after the successful grand re-opening of Buster Moon's theatre and follows the beloved characters as they chase bigger dreams to perform on a more prestigious stage.
Boasting a star-studded cast, it's no surprise that this animated movie musical has the most impressive ranking among the list of 2021's sequels. In addition, the show features several familiar musical numbers that the audience is certain to enjoy singing and dancing along to with an underlying message about dreaming big dreams and chasing them, no matter what.
