Disney has shaped the childhoods of millions of people around the world, and continues to do so to this day. Over the years, the company has released films that grew to become timeless classics, appealing to all movie-goers alike and inspiring them to race to buy tickets for any new release. Among the movies that probably come to mind when thinking of Disney classics are The Lion King, Pinocchio, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to name just a few of the many memorable titles that comprise its catalog.
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In the 1990s, the company built on the success of its animated films and started producing direct-to-video movies. These low-budget productions mostly served as prequels or sequels to its biggest movie hits, and despite not getting rave reviews from critics, they proved to be successful with younger audiences, as they allowed them to see their favorite characters in new adventures.
The direct-to-video Disney movies never quite matched the success of the company’s classic films, that’s for sure. Still, some of them are still worth revisiting today. Take a look 10 below.
10 An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000)
1995 marked the premiere of A Goofy Movie, a film that did not perform well at the box office, but still became a hit with its home media release. Capitalizing on its popularity with audiences, Disney released An Extremely Goofy Movie, a directo-to-video sequel released five years later. It features Max Goof as he leaves his father’s home to pursue a college career. But this young man’s departure in search of new experiences turns Goofy’s life upside down, to the point of making him lose his job. Thus, he decides to follow in his son’s footsteps and enroll in the same university in hopes of getting a better job, thereby becoming Max’s biggest nightmare.
A Positive Take on a Father-Son Relationship
An Extremely Goofy Movie received even better reviews than A Goofy Movie, with praise for its engaging family-friendly story, charming characters, and soundtrack. But arguably, the most outstanding element of the film is the positive portrayal of a father-son relationship, and how it evolves as the film progresses. Stream on Disney+
9 Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004)
Mickey, Donald and Goofy are arguably three of the most famous characters in Disney history. In 2004, they starred in The Three Musketeers, a film directed by Donovan Cook. In this direct-to-video production, inspired by various film adaptations of Alexandre Dumas’ eponymous novel, Mickey, Donald and Goofy are street urchins whose greatest dream comes true when Captain Pete hires them as musketeers on a mission to protect Princess Minnie Mouse. Unbeknownst to the trio, Pete’s intentions are far from good, as he only employs them because he seeks to seize the throne without having to deal with truly skilled musketeers.
A Movie Featuring Everyone’s Favorite Characters
Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers is a fun take on a literary classic, starring all-time popular characters, thus making it a very appealing choice for the whole family to enjoy. This 2004 movie earned rave reviews for its detailed animation, musical numbers and its knack for adapting the original story while giving it a refreshing twist. Stream on Disney+
8 Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)
1996’s Aladdin and the King of Thieves became the second sequel to the popular Disney classic following the release of The Return of Jafar in 1994. This film, directed by Tad Stones, features Aladdin, who is now about to marry Princess Jasmine. Having discovered that his missing father is alive and leading the Forty Thieves, Aladdin invites him to live in the castle and away from the life of crime, although the man’s obsession with a particular item will endanger this second chance at life.
The Return of a Major Star
Aladdin is among the most popular films in Disney’s repertoire, but its first sequel was not as successful. Fortunately, Aladdin and the King of Thieves reversed the fortunes of this film series, and managed to establish itself as a production deemed better than its predecessor for its innovative story, new characters and memorable soundtrack. No doubt, among the most notable elements of this direct-to-video film is Robin Williams’ return as Genie, voicing this popular character for the last time in his career. Stream on Disney+
7 The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008)
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning was released in 2008, with Peggy Holmes as director, to wrap up the trilogy of one of the company’s most popular princesses. This film serves as a prequel to the 1989 classic and follows the love story between King Triton and his wife, Queen Athena (Ariel’s mother), which is foiled when a pirate attack claims her life. Grief-stricken, Triton bans music from Atlantica, prompting a young Ariel and some allies to embark on a defiant adventure to bring music back to the kingdom.
A Sequel Worthy of the Original Film
As with Aladdin and the King of Thieves, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning proved to be a significantly better direct-to-video sequel than its predecessor. In addition, it allowed fans to learn a little more about the origins of Ariel and her family, giving them a deeper insight into the mermaid’s life and motivations. Unlike other Disney straight-to-video sequels, this one was acclaimed for its animation quality, which was comparable to the original one. Stream on Disney+
6 The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998)
The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride reached audiences in 1998 to expand on the universe introduced in the globally popular 1994 hit The Lion King. This Darrell Rooney film, heavily inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet follows Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter, who falls in love with a young cub named Kovu. But there’s a problem: Kovu belongs to a pride banished by Simba for being loyal to Scar, and the young lion’s mother plans to seize every chance she gets to get revenge for it.
Expanding The Lion King’s Popular Universe
Given the wild success The Lion King had in 1994, it’s safe to say that the bar was set too high for any sequel. And while The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride didn’t get the same reception as the original film, it did establish itself as one of Disney’s best direct-to-video sequels, delivering a refreshing story that appealed to kids and adults alike. The film also featured most of the original cast, while introducing new characters that only enhanced this already popular cinematic universe. Stream on Disney+
5 Bambi II (2006)
Bambi II
- Release Date
- January 26, 2006
- Director
- Brian Pimental
Over six decades after the premiere of Bambi came Bambi II, a direct-to-video film directed by Brian Pimental that serves as a midquel to the original production. This 2006 film is set in the wake of Bambi’s mother’s death, and follows the young deer’s attempts to win the approval of his strict father, the Great Prince of the Forest.
A Midquel That Succeeded Over Six Decades After the Original
Bambi II introduced this lovable character to an entirely new audience with the help of a sweet story, brilliantly crafted animation and a wonderful voice cast led by Alexander Gould and Patrick Stewart. The film went on to become one of the company’s best direct-to-video sequels, and on top of the audience’s fondness, it won an Annie Award for Best Animated Home Entertainment Production. Stream on Disney+
4 Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005)
The 2005 film Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch became the third installment of the Disney franchise launched in 2002, following Stitch! The Movie. This production by Michael LaBash and Tony Leondis is set just after the events of the original Lilo & Stitch film, and in it, Stitch’s home life with Lilo and her older sister is jeopardized when he becomes destructive again as a result of a malfunction that, if not fixed in time, could potentially kill him.
A Heartwarming Story in a Very Familiar Tone
Lilo & Stitch is a Disney film loved by fans, and its first sequel failed greatly to please audiences. Lilo & Stitch 2, on the other hand, was deemed considerably better than the previous installment, mainly for featuring a tone that more closely resembled the original film. It received rave reviews for its heartwarming story, the work of its voice cast, and its amusing script — and just like Bambi II, it also scored an Annie Award. Stream on Disney+
3 Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007)
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time was released in 2007 to wrap up the trilogy of one of Disney’s most famous princesses. This production, directed by Frank Nissen, is set a year after the original film, and features Cinderella enjoying her happily ever after with the Prince. But when Lady Tremaine manages to get her hands on the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and uses it to change the course of events and erase the Prince’s memories with Cinderella, the princess is left with no other choice but to set out on an adventure to reverse the spell.
A Refreshing Twist on a Popular Story
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time is, for many, the best direct-to-video sequel produced by Disney. Unlike its predecessor film, it received critical and audience acclaim for delivering a story that puts a twist on the original movie aided by high-quality animation and excellent voice cast performances. The most lauded feature of this production is unquestionably the in-depth character development of Cinderella, Anastasia, and the Prince. Stream on Disney+
2 Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (1997)
Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin was released in 1997 to treat audiences to more adventures of one of the most lovable characters in film and literature. In this film, directed by Karl Geurs, Christopher Robin bids farewell to Pooh and his pals at the Hundred Acre Wood temporarily in order to return to school following his vacation. But a misunderstanding leads Pooh to think that his friend has been sent to a dangerous land known as “the Skull,” so he sets out on an adventure to rescue him.
Following Winnie the Pooh on Another Enchanting Adventure
Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin is a charming direct-to-video film and a pretty decent installment within the popular Winnie the Pooh franchise. It was praised for its character development, animation resembling the 1977 film and its songs, which back in the 1990s established it as the favorite movie of many, many toddlers around the world. Stream on Disney+
1 The Lion King 1½ (2004)
Rounding out this list is The Lion King 1½, the 2004 direct-to-video film that wrapped up The Lion King trilogy. This film, by Bradley Raymond, serves as a retelling of the original story, but narrated from the perspective of Timon and Pumbaa, two of Disney’s most popular sidekicks, who also seize the opportunity to tell the story of how they became friends in the first place. It is based on The Lion King’s Timon & Pumbaa, the animated TV show that aired for three seasons, ending its run in 1999.
A Charming Retelling by Two Brilliant Sidekicks
The Lion King 1½ ranks as one of the best direct-to-video films in Disney history, and stands as a sequel that lives up to the original film. Among the most acclaimed features of this production, it is worth noting its unique storyline that appeals to both children and adults, the quality of its animation, and the work of the voice cast, composed of many of the actors who worked on the original film. Stream on Disney+
