It's almost time for audiences to lose their mind over Jonathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo's rendition of "As Long As You're Mine" in Wicked: For Good (2025), as the conclusion to Wicked (2024) also shows what becomes of the beloved characters we first met in The Wizard of Oz (1939). There aren't many Broadway musicals that get the movie treatment on a scale this large, and even when there are some stage-to-screen adaptations like Phantom of the Opera (2004) or In the Heights (2021), they aren't given the sequel treatment that Jon M. Chu is delivering with Wicked: For Good.
But that's not all—the sequel is also set to have two brand new songs, and those who know the story already know how emotional the back half of the production will be. So with more songs, we're in for lots of tears and all the emotions. Interestingly, on many occasions, sequels don't hold a candle to the original or they flop and fly under the radar. But on some rare occasions, like with Wicked 2, sequels are so incredible, the original is made better because of their addition. Here are seven movie musical sequels that got it right, as well as where you can watch them on Disney+ and more.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
A sequel that kills off one of its main characters sounds horrifying on paper, but everything that Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again delivers makes it an even stronger musical than the original film. This movie is in my Letterboxd top four for a reason, and it's entirely because it's a heartfelt love letter to Donna Sheridan and a gorgeous depiction of how we find healing in our grief. Meryl Streep's character might be gone, but she's still a prominent presence throughout.
Lily James and every cast member who embodies the older characters as their young selves do a phenomenal job of not only matching their mannerisms in the past, but they also effectively show us how they got to where they are now, honoring the character backstories in a way that's so poignant, I could cry just thinking about it. Plus, it features some of ABBA's most underrated tracks, making it even lovelier because of this fact. Mamma Mia 2 might be a hard film to watch for some, but if you can handle the grief, it's a perfect movie about friendships, taking chances, and fighting through every obstacle.
Grease 2 (1982)
Grease 2 isn't a traditional sequel in the sense that we see original characters return, but it's significantly better in more ways than one. For the time period it's made in, the toxicity of Grease (1978) is understandable to a degree, but it unfortunately makes the film a bit less palatable for those who might not love the tropes. Grease 2, however, makes every beat of the romance feel earned.
The music may not be as memorable as the original, but how Grease 2 respects its female characters and their agency is no small feat. It's as though critiques were taken into consideration, and the improvement that's made tells fans that sometimes stories can grow from questionable choices. More importantly, the chemistry between Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Carrington is stunning and so swoonworthy. Plus, a British man? Yes, please. Oddly, also perfect for those who defend Mamma Mia 2! Here We Go Again like it's their job.
The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride (1998)
The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride, otherwise known as the one where Simba becomes a hot dad and his daughter falls in love with an even hotter bad boy. Don't ask me to explain it; this one's for anyone who finds Robin Hood (1973) and Thomas O'Malley from The Aristocats (1970) to be hot, too. It's for us. But on a serious note, Disney sequels are usually okay, but they rarely touch on the same magic as the original films, and in every way, The Lion King 2 honors the heart of The Lion King (1994), all while allowing the characters to improve for the better.
The songs are catchy (and tearjerkers), and the story is twice as emotional, giving us a perfect forbidden romance in a space where it could result in literal life or death. It delivers an achingly poignant story about forgiveness, nature vs. nurture, all while exploring grief and the relationship between fathers and daughters. If there's one Disney sequel that's a must-watch, it's this.
Frozen 2 (2019)
Like The Lion King 2, Frozen 2 is a rare instance where Disney gets a sequel right and does a beautiful job of expanding the lore while answering questions fans had from the original movie. If Frozen (2013) was for the winter lovers, the sequel is everything for those whose favorite season is fall. The animation in it is extraordinary in every way and takes risks to make it even more colorful.
While the songs didn't catch on the way they did with the original, the sequel does a gorgeous job of exploring the romance between Kristoff and Anna, making it the type of movie that's especially suited for people who love nerdy heroes. It feels refreshing and honest, but it also continues to develop the relationship between Anna and Elsa, bringing them closer as sisters as they understand more about their parents and Arendelle's history.
Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3 (2017) are for diehard Pitch Perfect (2012) fans. They aren't the type of movie that every filmgoer or critic will enjoy, nor do they have to be, and so much of the magic lies in the viewing experience when you're the type of fan who watches musicals for the fun of it all. The sequel gets it right by bringing all favorite characters back into the same space to tell a new story about growth and more music.
The sequel also gets everything right by giving Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, and the whole cast great material to work with as they continue to flesh out their characters while simultaneously showing off their musical chops. And while it's not a perfect sequel by definition, it's so easy to appreciate as a comfort film.
High School Musical 2 (2007)
High School Musical (2006), like Pitch Perfect, isn't for everybody. It's for the people who were teenagers or kids when the movie came out because the nostalgia is exactly what makes it glorious. It holds up for us when we rewatch because we remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when each of those songs was released, and we obsessed over them for days on end.
With that, High School Musical 2 nails it as a story that takes the original and explores the romance even further by adding angst into the mix to make everything more enticing. Zac Efron's "Bet on It" became a huge mood then and, occasionally, is still one today. And all the poignant emotions in "Gotta Go My Way" hit extra hard when you're desperately waiting for Troy and Gabriela to get back together.
Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010)
Camp Rock (2008) is great, but Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam is an even bigger doozy because it pumps up all the angst and challenges the romance like High School Musical 2. Demi Lovato and Joe Jones' "Wouldn't Change a Thing" is an emotional whirlwind that hits in all the right ways and shows us why the characters are so perfectly suited for one another, and Nick Jonas' "Introducing Me" was an absolute bop to sing along to.
The sequel not only adds more romance, but it also gives us a story about friendships that really emphasizes how going away to camp can be such a good thing for the people who need it. It's fun, a little cringy at times, but the type of sequel that feels necessary in the mix. You can't watch Camp Rock without jumping into the second one, and now, with a third movie confirmed, it's going to be so interesting to reunite with these characters and see how the times have changed them.
