“It is so bad that it is worse!” is a common tweaked expression that one has when we hear film sequels. As 21st-century cine-goers, we all are accustomed to anticipating the sequel of a film that we love. However, it has faded over time, because the studios’ lust for money and megalomania is so high that it is above a story. You may have wanted to rewind the time to 2009 when Todd Philips attempted to make the sequel to the classic ‘The Hangover’.
Nevertheless, sometimes the studios get our appetite for a good follow-up story that leads to some palatable content. Be it a sequel to ‘Evil Dead’, ‘Godfather’, or Pixar’s animated ‘Toy Story’, these films were better than their predecessors and were a smart move by the studio to bring in those stories for the audience which proved to be money spinners as well. We have curated a list of the 25 best sequels that have made the audience feel happy.
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25) Dawn Of The Planet Of Apes (2014)
In this sequel to 2011’s ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’. The events of the first film led to the destruction of the human race on the planet earth. The apes take over the planet and thrive.
After four years the simian virus apocalypse is in control and the apes are living in the post-simian utopia, they are met with the surviving humans. The film explores the inter-genetical struggles of two species to coexist in the world. This Matt Reeves directorial revived the drought-ridden box office that year.
24) Finding Dory (2016)
Summers brace Hollywood studios for prequel and sequel-themed releases. In 2016, Disney’s Pixar released the sequel to the 2003’s visual and emotional spectacle ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘Finding Dory.’
The story takes place post four years of the events of ‘Finding Nemo’ at the Marine Life Institute. At the institute, Dory gets to know that her parents are still alive at the same institution, so she takes her pals along with her on the expedition to the Australian waters. This sequel of the forgetful, loudmouth Dory is goofy and endearing much like its predecessor.
23) Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
After being on the sidelines for too long, this Russo Brothers sequel is worth the wait. The Joe Johnston film ‘Captain America’ showed the feeble-man-to-a-superhero story establishing the first avenger in the Marvel Universe. However, Russo Brothers took it a notch up with the addition of a moral angle.
While soaking up the workings of the new world, Steve Rogers is unsure of his position in S.H.I.E.L.D. The secrecy and the prioritization of greater goals have left him disillusioned. However, the death of Nick Fury takes him on a journey of fighting new evils with his companions Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, and Falcon.
22) Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)
Undoubtedly, the best in the Harry Potter series is its third installment ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.’ This Alfonso Cuarón directorial makes the Hogwarts world more dark and menacing.
The tension for Harry rises as one of the accused, Sirius Black in Voldemort’s plan to kill Potter’s parents, escapes the prison in Azkaban. Black’s motive is to complete the undone task of killing Harry. The Hogwarts along with the Dementors protects Harry from Sirius.
21) Evil Dead II (1987)
It is a fitting ode to its precursor ‘The Evil Dead‘. This Sam Raimi sequel uses the tropes from the first film to mount a package of a better horror comedy. The film since its release has had a cult following.
In the sequel, Ash Williams comes to an abandoned cabin in Michigan woods with his girlfriend. The love-struck couple is unaware of the demons summoned after the owner, an archaeologist, unearths the “Book of the Dead”. The menacing series of gore, supernatural assaults, and possession follows when his girlfriend gets possessed.
20) The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
This magnum opus mounted on the literary genius of J.R.R.Tolkien’s ‘The Lord Of The Rings.’ Peter Jackson took the task upon himself to create a visually enthralling trilogy. ‘The Two Towers’ is the second installment in the trilogy.
This follows the story of Frodo and Sam destroying the One Ring, but they are encountered with spectacularly created CGI creature Gollum. The sequel, though not in line with the literary work, serves its purpose of presenting the visually engulfing spectacle.
19) Skyfall (2012)
It is completely different from the other films in the 007 franchise, however, the core of it screams ‘Bond. James Bond.’ In this fitting sequel to ‘Casino Royale’, which launched the ever-suave Daniel Craige as James Bond.
In this spy thriller, we see that the M16 is jeopardized due to a task gone wrong. It compels M to transfer the agency. However, Gareth Mallory, the new chairman, challenges her position. The only person M can trust is Bond. He, with Eve Moneypenny, is entrusted with the task to trace down the nefarious intentions of Tiago Rodriguez.
18) Superman II (1980)
Credit must be given where it is due! The reason that this film makes it to the list is its attempt. The film pioneered the sequel tradition in the superhero and action genre. The story encapsulates the pain of being a superhero.
In the film, Clark Kent wants to sign off on his duties as a superhero. He wants to have a normal life with his girlfriend, Lois. However, all his dreams are shattered when General Zodd lands on earth.
17) Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Marvel fans were disappointed with the Thor franchise. However, Taika Waititi came along and radicalized the character, which changed the tone of the character and the MCU. In this saga, Thor is faced with a triple threat: his brother, Loki. On top of it, his sister, Hela has appeared, and both Thor and Loki get stranded on Jeff Goldblum’s planet.
In captivity, Thor has to fight the Hulk, a fellow avenger. The most intriguing part of the film is the juxtaposition of the humor in the most heartbreaking of all the MCU films.
16) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)
It was touted as one of the best films in the series since the pioneer in 1995 until ‘Fallout‘ was released. However, ‘Ghost Protocol‘ gave wings for it to fly.
The ever-handsome man with magical chutzpah on screen, Tom Cruise shines as Ethan. He and his team are breaking the US government’s ghost protocol. They are by themselves in Russia to stop a maniac terrorist. The goal is to snatch the nuclear activation device.
15) Back To The Future 2 (1989)
This funky, visionary tale of the future was “literally” ahead of its time. Though the timelines are hard to follow, the script compensates for it. It is the story of Marty McFly and Doc Brown who are living in 2015.
In the city of Hill Valley, everything is pulpy and futuristic with overhead sky bridges and flying hoverboards. However, their real mission is to stop the evil DeLorean, who has gone back to the past to become a millionaire as he finds an almanac from 1950 to 2000.
14) From Russia With Love (1963)
After successfully pioneering the 007 franchise, Terence Young creates a romantic thriller drama. Sean Connery appears as the suave Bond who has to save Tatiana Romanova. She is working for the organization ‘Spectre’, which is using her to kill Bond.
However, the story travels through the exotic locations of Vienna, Istanbul, and other locations defeating the enemies.
13) Spider-Man 2 (2004)
This is one of the most visionary sequels of all time. It cinematically well puts the anguish of acquiring superpowers in barter with the killing of internal voices. A new villain is in town, Dr.Octopus, who creates a source of perpetual energy forming tentacles that take over his mind. Though he is a menace, he is well aware of the implications that these destructive new limbs will have.
Our hero Peter Parker is on a hiatus juggling jobs, but the meandering menace compels him to wear the suit at the expense of his love for Mary Jane. This Sam Raimi creation has depth, emotions, and actions in the right amount.
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12) Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
It is a responsibility to revive a franchise when an iconic actor like Mel Gibson is associated with it. There was a failed attempt at doing so. However, George Miller was successful in resurrecting the franchise with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.
In this dystopian-action drama, we are introduced to a barbarian world beyond this planet where humanity is dead. However, two humans still believe in the restoration of civility. Both Max and Furioso are on a mission. The latter is helping the captive sex slaves of the king to be freed and the film follows their journey in this desert thriller.
11) Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
After the revitalization of the ‘Ocean’s’ series in 2001, Steven Soderbergh released this twisted take on caper flicks. In this one, the antagonist summons all the eleven who have stolen the money from Terry Benedict.
However, they ditch him and go on another heist to repay his money. They go to Europe for their purpose, but a French contender is a new hurdle.
10) The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
In this chase thriller series, Jason Bourne is a man whose real identity is known. In the series of three films, he has to find out his real identity while the CIA is tracing him. What sets the film apart is its high-octane action sequences, the edge-of-the-seat story, and the personality of Bourne.
However, why is the CIA chasing him? He is the man who has information that may threaten the position of the organization.
9) The Color Of Money (1986)
The tussle between youth and experience; ego and jealousy. The two charmers on-screen Tom Cruise as young Vincent and Paul Newman as Eddie meet each other at the pool hall. Both players are superior in the game. Eddie sees his reflection in young Vincent. He takes Vincent under his wings to train him to become a hustler.
However, they come at loggerheads when Cruise’s character becomes egotistical which puts his fate in danger. The film is a sequel to 1961s ‘The Hustler.’
8) Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982)
There was a drought in Lucas’ Star Trek world without any good sequel. However, when Ricardo Montalban reprised his role as Khan, there began the glorious Star Trek era.
In the film, Admiral (Kirk) comes head to head with his nemesis Khan Noonien Singh from the 20th Century. While he was on the USS Enterprise, Kirk sketches out a ‘Project Genesis’. Khan comes to the 23rd Century with the purpose to destroy this plan and the Admiral.
7) The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
In this period drama set in the background of the Civil War, this depiction of the classic West gained classic status.
It is a story of three friends cum foes Clinton Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. They are after $200,000 in confederate gold.
6) Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
One of the brilliant pieces of filmmaking, Bride of Frankenstein is both horror and endearing in its nature. It is a sequel to the 1931 Frankenstein, it tells us that both Dr. Frankenstein and his monster are alive. This time Frankenstein has to keep his wife alive by aiding Dr. Praetorious in creating a new creature.
The creature turns out to be a female companion for the monster. The film deals with a wide range of subjects including homosexuality and necrophilia in the garb of horror.
5) Kill Bill 2 (2004)
Both Kill Bill and its sequel proved to be a game changer for Quentin Tarantino. However, the sequel to the film was much more revered than the original. In the film, the Bride’s wedding was turned into a gang massacre by the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.
She sets out to kill Bill and reaches his master Pai Mei to learn sword techniques and joins Bill as a contract killer. Both films are the perfect ode to the martial arts genre which Tarantino presents in his gory, and kick-ass style.
4) The Dark Knight (2008)
The artistic frames and the story tropes that Christopher Nolan brought to the black-capped superhero are magical. In this prequel to Batman Begins, Nolan puts the Cape Crusader and the villain, Joker in a yin-and-yan situation.
The gray zones of both the superhero and a vigilante are where there is a confluence of individuality and social consciousness. In this gripping tale from Gotham, the two collide. One for his justice and one for his responsibility.
3) Before Sunset (2004)
This tale of love continues after nine years of the first encounter between the writer Jesse and Celine, they meet again. However, they are at different places, geographically and emotionally. Geographically, they are in Paris after meeting in Vienna nine years ago.
Emotionally, the characters are evolved, but the feeling of instant connection has not seeped into them. They again walk and talk through the city, garden, café, and courtyard amidst the realization that Jesse has to catch a plane. Celine quips, “Baby, you are gonna miss that plane.”
2) Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Lucas Films set out to make the most successful film in the Star Wars series when they conceived ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’. Fans today consider the film the best in the Skywalker era. In the film, the Rebels are raging and attacking the ice planet Hoth.
During the attack, Luke Skywalker, Prince Leia, and Chewbacca survive and escape. However, Luke escapes without them and goes in search of Yoda. Skywalker learns to become Jedi while Darth Vader is in search of him.
1) Godfather II (1974)
It was a tough act to follow the brilliance of the first installment of the ‘Godfather’. It was an epic gangster that reflected the immigration state, corrupting institutions amongst other things. This slow-burning political saga got a sequel.
Francis Coppola banks on the cultural and political capital that he iterated in the first part. Using it, he mounted a political, family drama following Michael Corleone on his journey to establish his control on the family and fend off new threats. The flashbacks of Michael’s father take on the journey of his becoming with the anxieties of him to follow his father’s act.
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