10 Long-Gestating Movie Sequels That Were Worth The Wait

Years Waited: 11

The original Toy Story was Pixar's first-ever film, released in 1995. It quickly made people take notice, becoming one of the most highly acclaimed animated films of the decade. In 1999, Pixar followed it up with Toy Story 2, an equally beloved film.

So after years of being pushed off, it seemed like a third film was destined to fail. Living up to the insanely high expectations set for it and pleasing an entire generation of fans who had grown up in the interim between films seemed like an order too tall, even for Pixar.

Then came Toy Story 3.

The film surpassed all expectations, effectively outdoing each of the previous entries. It was funnier, more heartfelt, and furthered the development of these beloved characters in even more exciting ways. The choice to allow Andy to age in real time, making him an adolescent going off to college was a brilliant stroke of inspiration. Reflecting the lives of so many of the parents and children who grew up on the original film, Toy Story 3 tackled the issue of growing up so masterfully that it tugged heartstrings across the globe.

It also closes out the franchise in just about the most perfect way imaginable, with a shot of clouds outside exactly mirroring the clouds from Andy's room in the opening of the first film, showing the growth of both the franchise and these characters.

It's not this film's fault that there's a Toy Story 4 in production that will taint this perfect bookend.

Which long-gestating sequels do you think were worth the wait? Which ones let you down? Let us know in the comments.