Off the Shelf Media

Most sequels far underperform the first movie in the series. This trend stands true for nearly all genres. Take, for instance, the jump in quality from Jurassic Park (1993) to The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). 

The cause for the drop in quality is no secret. A movie that was never intended to spark a franchise becomes a box office success, and the film studios do everything in their power to rake in on it. Studio greed is perhaps the biggest enemy of the entertainment business as a whole. 

Yet, there are a handful of shining stars in the group: sequels that build on the foundation of its predecessors’ characters, its setting, and its world in such a way that the whole franchise is elevated. Those rare few films deserve a shoutout, but every other list on every other entertainment website has already recycled those same lists a million times, so we’re hoping to fill in a few gaps. 

For the sake of this article, we’re going to primarily steer clear of any animated or superhero franchises of the modern era, as most of these are parts of pumped-out sequels or trilogies, by default, with a few exceptions to the rule. We also aren’t considering anything that is third or fourth or eighth in a franchise as a sequel. Though this technically goes against the formal definition of a sequel by Merriam-Webster’s standards, it does fit the colloquial use of the word. 

Without further ado, here’s our list of 8 sequels that are better than their originals. 

But first, the honorable mentions that are undoubtedly great sequels, but everyone knows that already: 

• The Dark Knight (2008)
• Shrek 2 (2004)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
• Toy Story 2 (1999)
• The Godfather Part II (1974)
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
• Spider-Man 2 (2004)
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
• The Road Warrior (original title: Mad Max 2) (1981)

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

To the 80s cult classic purists, I am sorry, but it’s hard to argue that Top Gun: Maverick doesn’t blow Top Gun (1986) out of the sky. 

Of course, Top Gun: Maverick only works because the original was so iconic to begin with. 

In a lot of ways, the two films are the same. Yet, Maverick takes full advantage of its fresh star power, improved visuals, and ability to leverage Tom Cruise’s experience and heightened insanity to bring audiences one of the best action movies to come out in the last decade. 

This film was also released at a time when movie fans needed a reason to believe in going to the theater again. And it delivered on that promise. 

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

DreamWorks Animation had two great films for the Madagascar franchise. They should’ve stopped at Escape 2 Africa. While this selection breaks some of the rules we aimed to set at the beginning of this article, I’ve made an exception because I feel this franchise has been somewhat forgotten by the audience it helped raise, unlike the likes of Shrek or Kung Fu Panda. 

Escape 2 Africa took what worked from the first film and built on it, keeping its most memorable characters intact while bringing in a number of big names to help carry the load. 

This film might not have won any awards, but I think its humor, animation, and overall plot have aged well and left us with more iconic scenes and quotes than the first film. 

Split (2016)

This film, starring James McAvoy as a plethora of characters, is so good, I didn’t even realize it was part of a trilogy when I first went to see it in the movie theater. It stood on its own two legs so strongly that it could’ve been a one-off film and have succeeded at the same measure. It also came about 16 years after its predecessor. 

It’s also, without a doubt, one of McAvoy’s most impressive acting performances that I can think of. One actor, a slew of characters, all vastly different. His performance is as impressive as it is haunting. It also features a young, up-and-coming Anya Taylor-Joy. 

Though I’m not a fan of horror, if that’s what you want to call this one, it’s nearly impossible not to appreciate a film as refreshing and impressive as Split. 

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005)

Chapter by the Dozen 2 is a quintessential early 2000s family movie. It has no business being as good or as funny as it is to begin with. And yet, it is. 

This movie takes the dysfunctional family trope, multiplies it, and takes it to the lake for a summer vacation. 

If Steve Martin wasn’t funny enough for you, let’s add Eugene Levy for good measure. While it’s a family classic, it stands on its own as a comedy with humor for all ages, though maybe some discretion is advised. It is an early 2000s movie after all. 

Dune: Part Two (2024)

Undeniably, the revamped Dune franchise under Denis Villeneuve with Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya at the helm will certainly be one of the greatest sets of movies to come out of the 2020s. Though it is currently unseen whether or not Part Three lives up to the hype, early rumors indicate that fans will not be disappointed. 

While Dune: Part One (2021) was good, it primarily set the scene for what we would witness in Part II, establishing the worlds, giving us insight into the lore, and teeing up a franchise that is absolutely taking off. 

Dune: Part Two wastes no time using the first film as a launching pad for bigger and better things. Chalamet completely solidifies himself as an A-lister, and the audience begins to understand the dark and threatening realities of a galaxy at war. 

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

I know I keep adding animated films after saying I wouldn’t, but since this one is featured as a sequel to a spinoff, so I’m making an exception. And, because it absolutely obliterates the first Puss in Boots (2011) movie, which is simply put: bad. 

Social media buzz drew me to this movie, and randomly one night, I decided to give it a try. Suffice to say, I wasn’t disappointed. 

What truly makes this one stand out and be an exception from the rules is that the animators were unafraid to break from the mold and completely take a risk with the animation style, which now seems to be replicated more and more. It also does what most new animated family films fail to do: it doesn’t shy away from themes or characters that have a darkness to them. 

The first film was bad, so I’m surprised DreamWorks took a risk to not only make a sequel, but to totally reinvent what the sequel would mean. It doesn’t feel like a Shrek movie; it’s simply a good animated film. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

This one might be a hot take, but I would argue that Catching Fire is a small step above The Hunger Games, though in truth, it isn’t by much. 

These films are also great book adaptations, in my view, but Catching Fire elevates the platform that the first film set. Even now, these movies keep being made, and so far, aside from Mockingjay Part 1 & 2, the bar continues to rise for Suzanne Collins’ epic franchise. 

Meet the Fockers (2004)

Again, similar to Split, I had watched Meet the Fockers before I had seen Meet the Parents (2000). 

Comedies might be one of the easier genres to pull off a successful sequel, but it doesn’t make it any less of a pleasant surprise when the writers can pull it off. 

Men in Black II (2002)

Similar to the Hunger Games franchise, this classic series is also a close call, but it builds perfectly off of its predecessor in a world already built and loved by its fans. 

Again, Men in Black is a franchise that should’ve quit while it was ahead and let sleeping dogs lie, but its sequel was not one of the series’ problems. 

One thing I did find interesting while developing this list was how many of these films also fall under the Universal Studios umbrella, which I would say has equally as many dud sequels as it has studs. Maybe there’s something to be gleaned from this realization, but maybe not. 

In either case, while everyone loves a good sequel, the unfortunate truth is that a sequel that can come close to competing with the original is a rarity. More frequently, sequels can be the final nail in a franchise’s coffin.