Animated Sequels That Outshined Their Origins

The Best Animated Shows Born From HUGE Franchises Revealed!

Forget sequels that just repeat the past. Some of the most exciting animated shows have taken massive, well-loved franchises and made them even better. From beloved cartoons to groundbreaking series, these shows proved that animation can offer fresh takes and even surpass their original live-action or comic book counterparts. Get ready to revisit some animated magic!

‘Real Ghostbusters’ Ghosted the Original?

When you think of Ghostbusters, you probably think of the 1984 movie. But the animated series, The Real Ghostbusters, holds a special place in many fans’ hearts. While the movie had its adult humor, animation allowed the show to explore wilder, more ambitious stories and create an endless variety of ghosts. Some of these ideas were so big, they’d be too expensive for live-action even today. The show didn’t just rely on nostalgia; it evolved the Ghostbusters world, suggesting that maybe animation was the perfect home for the franchise’s future.

Mickey Mouse Gets a Makeover

Mickey Mouse is one of the most famous characters ever, a true icon for Disney. While his earliest version from Steamboat Willie is now public domain, Disney still protects later versions. The Mickey Mouse shorts by Paul Rudish brought Mickey back to his more mischievous, early days, before he became a safe corporate symbol. This new take felt fresh, even a little twisted, reminding some of shows like Ren and Stimpy. It’s amazing that Disney let them give Mickey an edge again. The series, including its follow-up The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, was a big success and lasted nearly a decade.

Muppet Babies: Imagination Unleashed

The Muppets are famous for Jim Henson’s incredible puppetry. So, the idea of a Muppet show without the puppets might have sounded risky. Plus, setting the whole series in a nursery seemed limiting. But Muppet Babies showed that with imagination, you can go anywhere! The babies used their creativity to visit amazing places, often using clips from movies like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Instead of blocking our imagination, the show proved that movies and TV can actually inspire us, expanding our creativity. It combined classic Muppet humor with timeless characters, making a show about babies that everyone could enjoy.

Garfield and Friends: More Than Just Jokes

Garfield is a household name, known for his love of lasagna and his hatred of Mondays. But the animated series Garfield and Friends, which included the U.S. Acres segment, was more than just simple jokes. Head writer Mark Evanier kept the spirit of Garfield’s creator, Jim Davis, but added a smart, satirical twist. This allowed Garfield to get into funnier, crazier situations that could still be wrapped up in just seven minutes. The show was also incredibly self-aware. Garfield would often break the fourth wall, pointing out animation mistakes or even pushing back against the network. It was a clever kids’ show that hinted at more sophisticated storytelling to come in animation.

The Spectacular Spider-Man: A Short-Lived Gem

Among all the Spider-Man shows, The Spectacular Spider-Man is often called the best, and sadly, the one that ended too soon. Even though its cliffhanger ending might never be resolved, the show managed to pack incredible character development into just 26 episodes. It explored classic Spider-Man stories, like the alien costume saga, but also gave us fresh takes on characters. We saw a Flash Thompson who wasn’t just a bully, a more sympathetic Eddie Brock, and a Norman Osborn who kept us guessing. The show also perfectly captured Peter Parker’s struggle to balance his normal teenage life with the huge responsibility of being Spider-Man.

Tiny Toon Adventures: A New Generation of Looney

The Looney Tunes were, and still are, incredibly popular. Warner Bros. created Tiny Toon Adventures to introduce a new generation to that classic style. While Bugs Bunny and the gang appeared as mentors, the show focused on a new cast of student characters. These new characters, like Babs Bunny and Plucky Duck, stood out on their own, even while being cut from the same cloth as their predecessors. The show blended slapstick humor with sharp satire, a style that creator Tom Ruegger would refine in later shows. Its adventure stories, especially in the straight-to-video movie How I Spent My Vacation, added another layer to its charm.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012): The Ultimate Turtle Power

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise started as a joke but has become a massive hit across generations. While everyone has their favorite version, the 2012 animated series is a strong contender for the best. It masterfully combined the best parts of every TMNT property: the grittiness of the original comics, the humor of the 1987 series, and the character-focused stories of the 2003 show. This version added its own unique style through its animation, writing, and approach to classic storylines. The creators were clearly fans, filling the show with inside jokes and Easter eggs. Yet, it also served as a perfect entry point for anyone new to the Turtles.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Filling the Gaps

While the Star Wars prequel movies have been re-evaluated over time, Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series is often credited with making them better. The show stepped in to fill the gaps where the movies felt lacking. Executive producer Dave Filoni and his team gave us amazing character development for figures like Anakin Skywalker, Count Dooku, and Darth Maul. Even Jar Jar Binks was made more likable! The series also introduced new fan-favorite characters like Ahsoka Tano, whose own journey added depth to Anakin’s tragic story. Even as Filoni moves to live-action Star Wars projects, The Clone Wars remains a crucial part of the saga’s lore.

Arcane: A New Gold Standard for Gaming Adaptations

League of Legends has been a dominant game for over a decade, building a rich world perfect for adaptation. Arcane took this world and created something truly special. Even the most dedicated League of Legends fans were stunned by how the series expanded on the source material. From its incredible world-building and character development to its sheer artistic quality, Arcane is a masterpiece. The animation is gorgeous, but it’s not just pretty pictures. It tells an epic story of rebellion, class struggle, and family as two sisters are torn apart. Arcane is the benchmark for video game adaptations, captivating audiences whether they’ve played the game or not.

Honorable Mentions: More Animated Excellence

• Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure: Showed the effort Disney’s straight-to-video sequels could have had.
• My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Became a massive hit, turning many into fans.
• Beast Wars: Transformers: Often considered better than the live-action Transformers movies.
• DreamWorks Dragons: A consistently excellent franchise with no weak links.
• X-Men ’97: Revived the beloved ’90s X-Men cartoon with huge success in 2024.

The Undisputed Champion: Batman: The Animated Series

When considering the peak of a franchise, Tim Burton’s Batman movies and dark comic stories set the stage for a more mature take on the Caped Crusader. Batman: The Animated Series, while aimed at younger viewers, offered incredible depth for all ages. Its character-driven stories, gothic atmosphere, and definitive portrayals of iconic villains like the Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill) are legendary. Kevin Conroy’s voice as Batman is still considered the definitive performance. From its stylish animation to its moody music, this series captured Gotham City like no other show or movie before or since. It stands as the absolute pinnacle of the Batman franchise.

Source: Top 10 Greatest Animated Shows In HUGE Franchises (YouTube)