For better or worse,sequelsform an intrinsic element of cinema’s landscape. Whether the movie in question happens to be the continuation of a modern film series or the revival of an old and seemingly dead franchise, sequels are here to stay. This state of affairs has had mixed results, with the more detrimental outcomes includingfranchises ruined by unnecessary sequelsto highly anticipated sequels that becamemajor flops despite high expectations.There’s also an argument to be made that many are born out of financial motivation, as opposed to a genuine desire to produce a quality film.
In any case, it’s fortunate that several standout examples have effortlessly sidestepped the pitfalls associated with theworst sequels of all time, producing an inspired continuation of where the story last left off that rivals or even surpasses the original in terms of quality. It’s a trademark of some of the greatest film series in the history of popular culture, with thebest sequels of all timeincluding acclaimed movies from iconic franchises in the vein ofStar Wars,The Dark Knight, andThe Lord of the Rings.
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
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Kill Bill: Vol. 2 is the sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s martial arts action film, continuing the story of The Bride as she seeks vengeance against the assassins who betrayed her. The narrative follows her quest for retribution, culminating in a confrontation with her former mentor, Bill.
The only sequel ever made in the illustrious career of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, it stands to reason that 2004’s martial arts action outingKill Bill: Volume 2is one of cinema’s finest follow-up offerings.Continuing the blood-soaked tale of the Bride from 2003’sKill Bill: Volume 1, the two films were slated to be released in one go, but the original version was split due to concerns over runtime.
10 Martial Arts Movies That Inspired Kill Bill
Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill duology has many martial arts influences, from classic 70s Shaw Brothers films to the samurai movies of Kurosawa.
It’s a fortunate thing, too, given thatVolume 2is a superb movie in its own right, as well as a first-rate conclusion befitting of one ofTarantino’s best characters. While it arguably doesn’t match the first installment’s electrifying narrative or copious amounts of bloodshed, the 2004 sequel is still the inimitable director close to his outrageous best. A selection of wicked action sequences and Uma Thurman’s ice-cool portrayal of the Bride serve as the cherry on the cake for one of cinema’s preeminent action offerings and sequels.
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick is the sequel to the 1986 original film starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a top-tier pilot in the Navy. Thirty years after the original film’s events, Maverick is asked to head up a section of the TOP GUN program to embark on a dangerous mission. Things become personal when the program includes the son of Maverick’s late friend, forcing him to confront his past.
The first-rate sequel that no one expected, Joseph Kosinski’sTop Gun: Maverickserved as one of the more pleasant cinematic surprises of 2022. While the movie’s predecessor, 1986’sTop Gun, attained cult classic status, it only received middling reviews from critics. Throw in a fairly conclusive ending to the original movie, and there appeared to be limited potential for any form of sequel, let alone a successful one.
Of course, that was beforeMaverickarrived and blew a global audience’s collective mind. A direct sequel that seesTom Cruise’stitular movie characterreturn to train a younger group of graduates for a perilous mission, the 2022 movie surpassed the original critically and commercially. Kosinski’s picture was one of the best received films of the year, with the action drama receiving six Oscar nominations, including the prestigious nomination for Best Picture.
Blade Runner 2049
Set thirty years after the original film, Blade Runner 2049 is a sci-fi neo-noir film by the director of Dune, Denis Villeneuve. The film follows LAPD replicant officer K, who discovers a devastating secret that could throw society into total chaos. To stop a potential war between replicants and humans, he’ll need to locate missing former blade runner Rick Deckard and uncover the truth.
While 1982’sBlade Runneris regarded as a seminal science fiction outing, the notion of a successful sequel debuting thirty-five years later seemed unlikely to say the least. However, while 2017’sBlade Runner 2049might have been an enormousbox office bomb, Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed offering is a truly remarkable movie, a glorious sequel that somehow picks up seamlessly where the original left off following a break that lasted the better part of half a century.
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Blade Runner 2049(2017)
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A passionate love letter to its 1982 predecessor,Blade Runner 2049effortlessly modernizes the franchise while retaining all the elements that rendered the original such a success.Villeneuve’s picture is one of the most visually arresting movies in recent memory, a glorious smorgasbord of first-rate cinematography and jaw-dropping special effects. Throw in a pair of slick performances from leading duo Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford and this is a sequel for the ages.
Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family’s devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe’s future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
The first of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel of the same name, Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 outingDunereceived a positive reception but could not prepare audiences for the phenomenon that wasDune: Part Two.Chronicling Paul Atreides' fightback against the sinister House Harkonnen,the sequel was released to rave reviews from fans and critics alike, with many hailing Villeneuve’s offering as thebest movie of 2024.
A cocktail of magnificent performances, white-knuckle action sequences, and jaw-dropping visuals,Dune: Part Twois a near-flawless sequel in virtually every regard. It’s a truly epic continuation of the franchise that boldly stakes a claim as the 2020s' riposte to classic genre sequels in the vein ofThe Empire Strikes BackorAliens, as well as one of the finest sci-fi movies of all time.
Back to the Future Part II
Taking up where the first movie left off, Back to the Future Part II sees Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel to the year 2015, where their efforts to fix the future end up causing even bigger problems as Biff Tannen wreaks havoc across the timeline with the help of a stolen sports almanac. Martin J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd return in Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s second installment of their iconic trilogy.
The second outing in Robert Zemeckis’Back to the Futuretrilogy,Back to the Future Part IIreceived the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of the entire franchise.Depicting Marty McFly and “Doc” Emmett Brown’s attempts to fix the broken timeline,many critics deemed the 1989 sci-fi movie inferior to the 1985 original offering. 1990’s conclusive installment,Back to the Future Part IIIwas also met with a more positive critical response than its most recent predecessor.
Back to the Future Part IIfeaturesThe Lord of the Ringsstar Elijah Wood in his first feature film role.
It’s a remarkable state of affairs, given thatBack to the Future Part IIcontentiously features the highest stakes,best running jokes, and most compelling narrative in the entire trilogy. Deftly balancing the franchise’s trademark giddy tone and whimsical humor with a considerably darker premise than the original outing, Zemeckis' picture is one of the more consistently underrated sequels in cinematic history.
Aliens
Aliens, released in 1986, follows Ripley as she joins a group of Colonial Marines returning to LV-426, site of her previous encounter with the extraterrestrial species. Having been in hypersleep for 57 years, her story of survival is met with doubt, yet she assists in confronting the new threat.
The follow-up outing to 1979’sAlien, 1986’sAliensis a prominent example of a sequel that surpasses the original in terms of quality.Focusing on Ellen Ripley’s second encounter with the franchise’s nightmarish Xenomorphs,the movie saw James Cameron replace Ridley Scott in the director’s chair to a wildfire of critical and commercial success.Aliensis regarded as one of thebest sci-fi moviesof all time, as well as one of cinema’s finest and most influential sequels.
Aliensis a glorious blend of horror, action, and science fiction that never gets old.
Spearheaded by one of the most iconic female characters in the history of popular culture in Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley,Aliensis a glorious blend of horror, action, and science fiction that never gets old. The rampant success of the sequel transformed theAlienseries into a mainstream franchise, producing an array of video games and comic books in addition to the series of later movies.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back is the second installment in the original Star Wars trilogy, directed by Irvin Kershner. Released in 1980, it follows Luke Skywalker as he trains under Jedi Master Yoda, while Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the Rebel Alliance face ongoing threats from the Galactic Empire and Darth Vader.
The follow-up to 1977’s genre-redefining space operaA New Hope,1980’sThe Empire Strikes Backchronicles the evil Galactic Empire’s counterattack against the rebels in the aftermath of the Death Star’s destruction. The film also follows Luke Skywalker as he trains to become a Jedi under the ancient Master Yoda on the swamp planet, Dagobah. Despite receiving mixed reviews on release,The Empire Strikes Backis now widely regarded as one of the finest sequels of all time, as well as thebestStar Warsmovieever made.
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Return of the Jedi(1983)
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Featuring one of the most unforgettable and celebrated twists in cinematic history with the iconic reveal that Darth Vader is Luke’s father, the movie arguably laid the groundwork for future sequels in wider cinema that sought to employ a darker tone. Topping the acclaimed original outing is no mean feat, but the masterfully constructed sequel remains the highest rated outing from the original trilogy on IMDb to this day.
The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II is a continuation of the Corleone crime family saga. The film explores Vito Corleone’s early life in Sicily and 1910s New York, while Michael Corleone navigates the 1950s, seeking to expand the family’s influence into Las Vegas, Hollywood, and Cuba. Released in 1974.
1972’sThe Godfatheris widely regarded as a frontrunner for thegreatest movie of all time; only 1994’sThe Shawshank Redemptionboasts a higher rating on IMDb. Accordingly, it speaks volumes to the masterful nature of 1972’sThe Godfather Part IIthat the sequel is widely regarded as one of the few films that can rival or even overshadow the legendary original in terms of quality.
In addition to Best Picture,The Godfather Part IItook home a further five Oscars, including Best Director and Best Supporting Actor.
Chronicling the turbulent existence of the Corleone crime family from the perspective of different members across various time periods, Francis Ford Coppola’s star-studded offering bears the prestigious honor of being the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Despite a considerably more mixed critical response at the time of the film’s release,The Godfather Part IIis now regarded as one of the best movies in the history of cinema.
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
The critical and commercial success of 2005’s superhero origin storyBatman Beginscoupled with an innovative viral marketing campaign meant that 2008’sThe Dark Knightwas one of the most highly anticipated sequels of all time, even before the movie was released. However, this still did little to prepare viewers for the awe-inspiring nature of what they were about to be confronted with.
The Dark Knightisn’t just the best superhero movie of all time, it’s one of the most impressive and celebrated films in the history of wider cinema.
Leveraging a generational performance from the late, great Heath Ledger as Batman’s nemesis, the Joker, for the film’s gripping central narrative thread,The Dark Knightisn’t just thebest superhero movieof all time, it’s one of the most impressive and celebrated films in the history of wider cinema. A near flawless blend of blockbuster action and nuanced performances carried by an unforgettable score,the sequel toBatman Beginsrepresents a pinnacle for the genrethat no subsequent offering has come close to attaining since.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King concludes the epic saga of the Fellowship’s quest to destroy the One Ring and put an end to Sauron’s reign of terror. As Frodo and Sam continue on their way to Mordor and Mount Doom, accompanied by Gollom, the rest of the Fellowship work to defend Minas Tirith from Sauron’s forces. The film’s ensemble cast includes Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Vigo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan.
Peter Jackson’s trio ofThe Lord of the Ringsmoviesare the rare example of a trilogy that gets better with every installment. The gleaming jewel in the crown of one of the most celebrated and influential movie trilogies of all time, 2003’sThe Return of the Kingprovided a glorious end to proceedings, with the sequel to 2002’sThe Two Towersdepicting the final defeat of the Dark Lord Sauron and the ultimate triumph of the forces of good.
Why The Lord Of The Rings Books Were Banned
Like many classic fantasy series, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings books have a history of being banned, burned, or challenged - but why?
Taking home all eleven of the Academy Awards that it was nominated for, Jackson’s masterful conclusive chapter is exquisitely paced, meaning that despite clocking in at over three hours long, there isn’t a dull moment to be found inThe Return of the King. Featuring jaw-dropping visual effects and battle sequences that hold up to this day, the movie ties up the series' various loose narrative threads to provide a fitting sense of finality and closure to the greatest movie trilogy ever made andthe best movie sequel of all time.
