Disney’s ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ Is Finally Getting a New Sequel

Disney is known for its iconic fairy tales, musical blockbusters, and more recently, live-action remakes that reimagine beloved animated films for modern audiences. Over the years, the company has had to evolve and push technological boundaries to fend off fierce competition from other animation powerhouses such as DreamWorks and Illumination, resulting in experimental periods wherein creative teams explored different storytelling styles, embraced darker themes, and tested out unique art styles. One of the studio’s most criminally underrated sci-fi classics emerged from this phase, and although the movie didn’t receive the recognition it deserved at the time, its enduring popularity has led to a surprising revival – 25 years later.

The lost city of Atlantis in Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a prime example of Disney’s Post-Renaissance Era, spanning from 1999 to 2008, which saw the studio abandon its traditional movie templates amid declining box office returns. The animated sci-fi epic, released in 2001, broke away from the tried and tested formula of fairy tales and musical numbers to deliver a more mature, highly stylized story packed with action and adventure. Legendary comic book artist Mike Mignola helped to establish the film’s unique visual DNA, making it feel like a moving graphic novel on the screen. However, the bold experiment proved too much for audiences at the time, which hurt its box office performance, but its pioneering achievements are the exact reason it is celebrated today.

In the 25 years since its release, Atlantis: The Lost Empire has built a massive cult following, with fans often demanding a proper continuation of the story after the original 2003 sequel Atlantis: Milo’s Return, which received a direct-to-video release, failed to impress audiences and critics alike. It seems that the calls for a revival of the franchise have finally been answered, as an official sequel is on the way that promises to expand on the universe and bring the movie’s famed adventurers back for another epic expedition.

Published by Papercutz in partnership with Disney, Atlantis: The Lost Empire Vol. 1 – The Curse of Kurok is an official graphic novel sequel, scheduled to hit shelves on Oct. 13, 2026. Written by Matthew K. Manning and illustrated by Christian Colbert, the story serves as a direct, character-driven continuation of the original movie, with Milo and Kida teaming up to try and overcome a new monstrous threat to the sunken city. According to the synopsis, it will take “all of their bravery and ingenuity to find the secrets below the waves” and “discover what ancient fables from Atlantis’s past are the key to unlocking the safety of their future.”

While it is not the cinematic continuation that fans of Atlantis: The Lost Empire may have wanted, it is arguably the one that they needed after the disappointment of Atlantis: Milo’s Return. It offers a long-awaited expansion of the Atlantis story and is the first genuine effort to build upon the original lore in a format that perfectly aligns with the movie’s visual identity. The sequel comic is also likely to reignite interest in the dormant franchise, which seems ripe for a live-action remake – but we shouldn’t push our luck.