Will Monsters at Work start a new sequel trend at Disney+?

A sequel to Monsters Inc. is something most of us have been waiting for since 2002. Thankfully, Disney+ finally decided to give fans one. Monsters at Work is surprisingly solid despite coming out 20 years after the film’s release.

Looking back at Pixar’s catalog, Monsters Inc. is one of the best movies. At the time, it was one of the few that didn’t get a sequel. Eventually, we did get Monsters University as a prequel where we see Mike and Sulley’s friendship from. However, the film seemed to lack the pizzazz and sparkle of the previous film.

While Monsters at Work isn’t exactly up to par with the original film, the series is still a lot of fun and does give us a direct sequel to the film. This time though, we’re introduced to new characters as we see the fallout of Monstropolis going from being powered by screams to the power of laugher. It’s an odd transition for sure, but it makes for some entertaining TV.

With Monsters at Work doing such a seamless job of transition from big to the small screen, could we be seeing a new sequel trend from Disney? Will it thrive or which movies could follow the same idea as Monsters at Work?

Will Monsters at Work usher in a new era for Disney+?

It would only be right to feature some pros and cons if Disney does decide to use this as its new “sequel funnel.” Back in the 90s and early 00s, Disney went on a kick of releasing direct-to-video sequels. Most of them were to beloved films such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Mulan. All in all, it wasn’t the best idea. The sequels always seemed to show a dip in quality compared to the original film.

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Thankfully, that idea has mostly been left in the past, and now, we’re seeing Disney trying out a new idea for its sequels. The pros of this idea are first that Disney is able to test out the waters. If the show does well, it proves that the idea was a success. Rather than focusing on how much a DVD sells, putting it on Disney Plus gives them a good idea of how many people are watching and enjoying it quickly.

Another pro of the Disney Plus sequel series is that it’s a good way to focus on some plot lines that aren’t as strong to carry a whole film. Sometimes, ideas are only worth an episode or two rather than an entire film. Having a series on Disney Plus allows for more concise ideas and the chance to experiment more rather than one solid plotline. Additionally, Disney can introduce new characters and allow them to be fleshed out while still featuring the beloved characters in the background.

The pros are pretty easy as Disney has already seemed to knock it out of the park with Monsters At Work. However, there are some definite cons with this idea, too. On the flip side of one of the pros, sometimes the theme of the original film can get lost with a series. Our favorite characters are no longer front-and-center, making for a somewhat disappointing outing.

Another con of a Disney Plus sequel is that it can feel too little, too late. While Monsters Inc is popular, the first film did come out 20 years ago. The audience who grew up with the series is likely parents now which can be good and bad. Ultimately, it’s going to depend on Disney and if they’re willing to hire the quality staff and crew to make the series successful. Monsters at Work is just the start, but we could be seeing a quality change within a few years.

Which other Disney movies could get the Monsters at Work sequel treatment?

It looks like for now, Disney is deciding to stick with their Disney Plus sequel idea. At this point, the streaming service already has some planned sequels. None seem to have exact dates yet but there is set to be sequel series for Big Hero 6, The Princess and The Frog, and Moana. All are more recent films and definitely could become successful TV series.

However, those Disney films aren’t the only ones that could be improved with a sequel series so let’s look at a few others. One underrated TV series I’d personally love to see is a sequel to The Good Dinosaur. As far as Disney films go, The Good Dinosaur is extremely underrated and doesn’t get nearly enough love. Giving the film its own series would hopefully reinvigorate love for the original film along with giving us a better look at what Arlo and Spot are up to.

Another Disney film that deserves a sequel series is The Great Mouse Detective. Originally released in 1986, the film doesn’t seem to get nearly enough attention. Based on a children’s book series, the film does feature a solid mystery, great songs, and an incredible villain. Honestly, it’s a wonder Disney hasn’t decided to modernize the series yet. Either way, a sequel series is more than overdue for Basil and his friends.

The final Disney film deserving of a TV sequel is Meet the Robinsons. Released in 2007, the film remains another underrated gem in Disney’s catalog. Following Lewis and his trip into the future, it would be fun to see more of the Robinson family. A sequel was planned but eventually scrapped. However, it would be nice to revisit the Robinsons and see episodes focused on the future and how the Robinson family is doing along with the scientific shenanigans they get into.

Ultimately, it will be up to Disney to decide if they want to go down this new sequel path. While it would be nice to see some sequels focused on the three movies above, it’s doubtful. Disney might surprise us, though.