Sequels often fail to live up to the standards the original sets, being regarded as average or bad and forgotten a few years down the line. But sometimes, a movie not only lives up to the original, it leaves it in the dust. Here, we look at those exceptional sequels that defy expectations to become popular in their own right.
The Dark Knight
As the sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight takes comic book characters and turns them into a crime drama/superhero crossover. While audiences were initially skeptical about Heath Ledger’s ability to portray the Joker, they were quickly proved wrong, and his performance went down as one of the greatest of all time.
Toy Story 2
A timeless classic, Toy Story 2 was intended to be a direct-to-video sequel before Disney saw its potential and upgraded it to theatrical release. Even more impressive was that, after Pixar completely rewrote the plot, production took place over nine months rather than the several years a Pixar movie usually takes.
The Godfather Part II
Although the original Godfather movie was a great success, the sequel surpassed it. Focusing on the harsh realities of organized crime rather than a romanticized movie version, Part II gave us a complex story showing the underworld’s horrifying extent.
Shrek 2
Shrek 2 starts where the previous movie left off and expands on the themes of the already brilliant original. It teaches important lessons of self-acceptance and being true to yourself while keeping the same humor as the first one.
Before Sunset
The sequel to the critically acclaimed 1995 movie Before Sunrise, Before Sunset manages to exceed expectations and become a success in its own right. Focusing on the same characters nine years on, Before Sunset tells a more mature tale of pain and love.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Starring Chris Evans as Captain America, The Winter Soldier is the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger and the ninth in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It has been praised for offering more realism than most MCU movies and its suspenseful plot, culminating in a gripping finale.
Paddington 2
Paddington is a live-action comedy movie loved for its charm and heart. Paddington 2 kept this and more, delivering a cute and fun family-friendly movie about Paddington’s need to prove his innocence to escape prison. At one point, it even knocked Citizen Kane off the top spot on Rotten Tomatoes.
Blade Runner 2049
Sequel to the classic science fiction movie Blade Runner, 2049 expands on the original’s themes of identity and humanity, telling a brand new story set 30 years after the first one. It also has stunning visuals, with perfect use of color and light.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
The Terminator tells the story of a cybernetic assassin who can travel through time to reach his targets. Judgment Day recaptures the original movie’s feeling but goes several steps further, adding a more nuanced plot and a thrilling blend of action and special effects.
X2: X-Men United
The sequel to X-Men, X2, has an ensemble cast that includes Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, and Halle Berry. It focuses on villain Stryker’s attempts to destroy the X-Men and has been praised for its ambitious plot and intense action scenes.
The Bourne Supremacy
The Bourne Supremacy continues the story of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), an assassin who cannot recall his past. With more action and a tighter plot, It builds on and improves The Bourne Identity.
Evil Dead II
The Evil Dead is widely considered a horror classic, so Evil Dead II had much to live up to. Although they share several similarities, Evil Dead II comes out on top thanks to its better direction and more effective mix of horror and comedy.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
As the sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was a commercial and critical success that many considered outdid the original. In it, humans tried to stay alive despite a pandemic sweeping through the population, while chimpanzee Caesar tried to keep his tribe under control.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
Fallout is the sixth Mission: Impossible movie, but it is often considered to rank first. Set two years after Rogue Nation, Fallout focuses on the effort to prevent a nuclear attack by the terrorist group the Apostles.
The Raid 2
This Indonesian action thriller, a sequel to The Raid, sees police officer Rama (Iko Uwais) working undercover to expose corruption in the force. Tight action scenes and superior storytelling help propel The Raid 2 above its predecessor.
John Wick: Chapter 2
Second in the franchise, John Wick: Chapter 2 sees a retired assassin pulled back into the underworld to fulfill a blood oath. Although John Wick also received positive reviews, Part 2 takes it further with its superb filmography and gripping action scenes.
Fast Five
The fifth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, Fast Five revitalized the series with a return to the heist format. Chaotic action and an over-the-top ending helped cement this movie’s place in Hollywood history.
Kill Bill: Volume 2
Tarantino’s iconic martial arts movie Kill Bill was a commercial and critical success, but Volume 2 held its own, improving the plot and dialogue. Uma Thurman returns as the Bride, continuing her mission for revenge.
Superman II
In the sequel to Superman, Christopher Reeve again stars as the titular character when General Zod arrives on Earth. Praised for capturing the comic book feel on screen, Superman II ramps up the action and is more fun to watch.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back takes what makes Star Wars great and turns it into something brilliant. With a more substantial plot, improved characterization, and fantastic dialogue, it is often considered the best of all Star Wars movies.
Aliens
Opinions may vary depending on what you’re looking for in a movie, but there is no denying that Alien and its sequel, Aliens, are excellent pieces of cinema. Aliens is the way to go for a perfect blend of science fiction and action, building on the first movie and delivering greater emotional depth.
Spider-Man 2
Widely regarded as the best Spider-Man movie ever, Spider-Man 2 gives Peter Parker a more personal story. It also has brilliantly choreographed action scenes that blend perfectly with the drama and humor of the script, giving us an enjoyable and gripping movie.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
The second installment in the Star Trek movie series, The Wrath of Khan, follows on from the original TV series episode Space Seed. It is often thought of as the best movie in the Star Trek universe and is credited with injecting new life into the franchise.
Scream 2
The sequel to Scream, this movie combines the slasher genre with satire and comedy for a distinctive style. Scream 2 benefits from a great plot, improved acting, and a satisfying ending to make the perfect mix of horror and laughs.
Bad Boys II
Buddy cop action comedy Bad Boys II matches and surpasses the original. With over-the-top action scenes and great chemistry between the two leads, Bad Boys II shows director Michael Bay at his finest.
Dawn of the Dead
George A. Romero’s sequel to Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, shows the broader impact of the zombie outbreak first seen in the original. While Night of the Living Dead works best as a horror movie, Dawn of the Dead has a tighter script and strong symbolism, making it an impactful choice.
Mad Max: Fury Road
The fourth installment of the Mad Max franchise, Fury Road, is a masterpiece widely regarded as one of the best action movies ever. It effortlessly mixes violent action scenes with a more introspective plot, creating a fast-paced and memorable adventure.
