11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals

11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals

      These 11 sequels that surpass the originals challenge the belief that the first film is always the best.

      Let’s get started, celebrating Dune: Part Two's five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

      **Before We Begin**

      Dune: Part Two. Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Today, we're focusing solely on the second film in a franchise—not the third or fourth, or any beyond that. The second installment is vital because if it fails to demonstrate that the original story is worthy of expansion, any potential franchise could falter right there, having taken one bite too many from the apple. A poor sequel can even lead to diminished appreciation of the original.

      Thus, the following sequels that surpass their predecessors—each making us appreciate the initial film even more—are particularly commendable.

      **The Godfather Part 2 (1974)**

      Credit: C/O

      Many argue that choosing between the first two Godfather films is impossible, and we understand their perspective. However, we slightly favor Part 2 due to the remarkable backstory of Vito Corleone (portrayed by Robert De Niro) and the heartrending tension between Michael (Al Pacino) and Fredo (John Cazale).

      Notably, it won six Oscars compared to the original's three, including Best Director for Francis Ford Coppola for the second film, which he did not receive for the first. Both films earned the Best Picture award.

      If you favor the original Godfather, we won’t dispute that. Both films are nearly perfect.

      **Mad Max 2 aka The Road Warrior (1981)**

      Mel Gibson as Max in The Road Warrior. Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      While the first Mad Max depicted the downfall of society, Mad Max 2—released in the U.S. as The Road Warrior—fully immersed itself in life within a wasteland. Director George Miller and young star Mel Gibson delivered a grotesque, fierce, and gritty portrayal of war where gasoline holds more value than human life.

      With a larger budget than what Miller had for Mad Max, it took full advantage of the impressive set pieces that the Mad Max franchise is known for—techniques that Miller refined in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road. He aims to at least match previous films with the forthcoming Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

      **Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)**

      A promotional still of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. TriStar – Credit: C/O

      Another one of the all-time great sequels. As we've noted before, the original Terminator was a relatively low-budget film with modest box office earnings that found a significant home audience later on.

      Judgment Day raised the stakes. Sarah Connor, once just a frightened waitress, transforms into a hardened warrior attempting to save her son and avert the apocalypse. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 returns, but not as an invincible killing machine; instead, he emerges as a reluctant hero.

      The action sequences are phenomenal, Robert Patrick delivers a brilliant performance as the shape-shifting T-1000, and the film carries more emotional weight than anything else James Cameron has ever created, potentially excepting Titanic. It’s a monumental achievement.

      **Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1981)**

      (L-R) Nanci Rogers, Ricardo Montalban, and Laura Banks in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. Paramount. – Credit: C/O

      Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which marked the return to the Star Trek universe after the beloved TV series ended, was decent. It tended to be slow and lacked action, receiving mixed reviews, but at least our favorites were back.

      In contrast, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan is exceptional. It is genuinely frightening—Chekov, Terrell, and the eels in their ears? Yikes—and the stakes are incredibly high. Khan makes a menacing return, driven by a legitimate grudge against Captain Kirk following the death of his wife.

      Then comes the shocking twist—Spock dies! His death feels irreversible, and he remains dead for a significant time (though not too long, as Star Trek needs him). This loss adds gravity and genuine stakes to Wrath of Khan. Although Star Trek is cherished by intellectuals, this installment is strikingly emotional—making it an obvious selection on any list of sequels that excel beyond their originals.

      **Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)**

      A publicity still of David Prowse as Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back. 20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      The Empire Strikes Back is the cornerstone of fans' love for the Star Wars saga, with much of that credit going to the recently departed James Earl Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader.

      While the first Star Wars film is somewhat of a children’s movie—a fun, inventive

11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals 11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals

Other articles

Kate Mara collaborates with Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington in Imperfect Women. Kate Mara collaborates with Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington in Imperfect Women. Apple TV+ has finalized the primary cast for its forthcoming psychological thriller series, Imperfect Women. Kate Mara (House of Cards) will be joining Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Kerry Washington (Scandal) in this limited series. Imperfect Women is based on the novel by Araminta Hall and has been adapted by Annie Weisman from Physical. She will […] Sky releases a new trailer for the third season of Gangs of London. Sky releases a new trailer for the third season of Gangs of London. As Gangs of London prepares to return for its third season this March, Sky has released a new trailer for the BAFTA-winning crime drama. The series follows the gangs as they attempt to balance between revenge and survival amidst the chaos that ensues in London after a fatal betrayal. Season 3 will feature the return of Sope Dirisu in his role as Elliot. 15 Bond Girls Behind the Scenes: A Look at 007 Through the Decades of James Bond 15 Bond Girls Behind the Scenes: A Look at 007 Through the Decades of James Bond Bond girls are an integral element of the 007 films, alongside James Bond himself. Here are 18 Bond girls that 007 enthusiasts will remember for their notable contributions to the series. Sundance Review: 2000 Meters to Andriivka Portrays Unyielding Strength Amidst Conflict Sundance Review: 2000 Meters to Andriivka Portrays Unyielding Strength Amidst Conflict In 2000 Meters to Andriivka, we are plunged directly into the chaos of war. Through a first-person perspective, we accompany a brigade of Ukrainian soldiers on their journey to free the village of Andriivka, currently under Russian occupation. As the Ukrainians make their way through the forest, they must navigate carefully to avoid the mines scattered throughout the area. MUBI's lineup for February 2025 features titles such as Matt and Mara, Eureka, Asako I & II, and additional films. MUBI's lineup for February 2025 features titles such as Matt and Mara, Eureka, Asako I & II, and additional films. MUBI has announced its streaming lineup for the upcoming month, showcasing a range of significant new releases such as Kazik Radwanski's Matt & Mara, Lisandro Alonso's Eureka, Monica Sorelle's Mountains, Marija Kavtardzé's Slow, and Monia Chokri's The Nature of Love, among others. Other notable entries include works by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Brady Corbet, Peter Weir, and more. Recently naming The 10 Most Frightening Female Stalkers in Cinema - MovieMaker Magazine The 10 Most Frightening Female Stalkers in Cinema - MovieMaker Magazine In reality, the majority of stalkers are men, yet many films reverse this trend by featuring female stalkers prominently.

11 Sequels That Outshine the Originals

These 11 sequels that surpass the original challenge the idea that the first film is always the finest.