When you think about sequels, what is your first thought? Probably some superficial movies that were made just to grab some cash from the fame of the original. Even we were influenced by this stereotype. Screenwriters frequently rehash previous narrative lines, and studios believe that “more is better” when it comes to cost and graphics.
However, this is not always the case. Several of the best movies ever created are sequels: Films such as The Dark Knight, The Godfather Part II, Toy Story 3, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly are constantly ranked among the greatest of all time. It might be difficult to write a decent sequel. The director must outperform the preceding film or, in rare situations, resurrect a stagnant franchise. Better-than-the-original sequels expand on what the public currently recognizes and adores about the franchise’s characters. Here is a collection of sequels that we thought were greater than the original.
#1 The Godfather Part II (1974)
By far the most well-known sequel of all. Francis Ford Coppola‘s Oscar-winning masterwork was The Godfather (1972). With The Godfather Part II, he succeeded to outdo himself and winning even more Oscars.
#2 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The biggest climax in film history is found in The Empire Strikes Back. That alone qualifies it for inclusion on any list of the greatest sequels ever created. It’s not only that our hero loses a hand—though it’s just one of numerous major hits in this dark movie.
#3 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The Two Towers expands on the world created by J.R.R. Tolkein. Yes, there are many more confrontations, but there is also deeper emotional complexity.
#4 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Prisoner of Azkaban symbolizes a dramatic change in tone and scope in both the book and film franchise. Alfonso Cuaron took up the series from Christopher Columbus in order to provide a darker story for adults.
#5 Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The dramatic stakes were raised in Sam Raimi’s second Spider-Man film, which achieved the ideal mix between youthful angst and stunning visual effects.
#6 Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Hellboy II is a spiritual successor to Pan’s Labyrinth (or even a spiritual forerunner to Shape of Water) rather than a standard superhero film.
#7 The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight is more than just the finest Batman movie. It’s the greatest superhero film ever created, thanks in large part to Heath Ledger‘s portrayal of the Joker.
#8 Toy Story 3 (2010)
Andy goes off to university 15 years after the first film’s release, just like all the boys and girls in the theater who grew up alongside Woody and Buzz. The film deals with age and loss. What a guilt trip for every adolescent who left their own toys in the attic before going to college.
#9 Fast Five (2011)
Before Fast Five, the Fast and Furious films were merely a collection of loosely related stories about street racers. Fast Five established the collection as a full-fledged phenomenon, grossing more than $1.5 billion at the box office.
#10 Before Midnight (2013)
Before Sunrise ended with the proper amount of ambiguity. So, what’s the point of making a sequel? Linklater’s clever premise of revisiting the same couple every nine years illustrates how love evolves and changes, for better or worse.
#11 How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
How to Train Your Dragon 2 was more visually stunning and emotionally impactful than How to Train Your Dragon. Critics lauded filmmakers for mastering the slow, hypnotic motions of flying for dragons and dancing for humans.
#12 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the most emotionally compelling and, possibly, the most psychological of the Apes films, including the 1968 original.
#13 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
In the second installment of the Captain America Trilogy, the Russos pushed the Captain out of his comfort bubble by putting the poster boy for fairness and justice against the nation he once admired.
#14 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller‘s next foray into a post-apocalyptic future, certainly outdid himself. The film received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, which is unusual for a summer blockbuster.
#15 Logan (2017)
The first 2 Wolverine films are some of the worst in the X-Men franchise. But when James Mangold determined to go rough and brutal with the R-rated Logan, he saved the saga. In a new political environment, the film manages to reconnect to the franchise’s original roots—how to accept what makes you unique even in the presence of oppression.
#16 Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Many critics deemed the second Thor film, which was released in 2013, the most terrible of the Marvel cinematic universe. The third Thor film, on the other hand, cleanses the protagonist of all his chivalry grandeur—along with his long locks—and is all the better for it. All thanks to Taika Waititi, an indie filmmaker with a unique style and a strong desire to highlight Chris Hemsworth‘s comedic abilities.
