13 Sequels That Outshine the Original Films

      These 13 sequels that surpass the originals challenge the idea that the first film is always the best.

      To clarify: this list focuses solely on the second film in a series, not the third, fourth, or any others. The second installment is pivotal because it must demonstrate that the original's narrative is deserving of further development; otherwise, a franchise's future may be jeopardized. A poorly executed sequel can even diminish one’s enjoyment of the original.

      The following sequels, which enhanced our appreciation of their predecessors, deserve special commendation.

      **The Godfather Part 2 (1974)**

      Many believe it's impossible to choose between the first two Godfather films, and we understand that perspective. However, we favor Part 2 slightly over Part 1 due to the remarkable backstory of Vito Corleone (portrayed by Robert De Niro) and the harrowing dynamic between Michael (Al Pacino) and Fredo (John Cazale).

      For what it’s worth, Part 2 earned six Oscars, including Best Director for Francis Ford Coppola — a distinction not awarded for the first film — while both won Best Picture.

      If you lean towards the first Godfather, we won’t dispute you. Both films are as close to perfection as cinema can achieve.

      **Mad Max 2 (also known as The Road Warrior) (1981)**

      After the initial Mad Max depicted societal collapse, Mad Max 2 (released as The Road Warrior in the U.S.) could fully explore a future in a wasteland. Directed by George Miller and starring a young Mel Gibson, this film presents a grim and brutal world where gasoline holds more value than human life.

      With a significantly larger budget than that of Mad Max, it featured the breathtaking set pieces for which the franchise is known — elements Miller would later refine in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road.

      Despite its lackluster box office performance, it at least matched many earlier films with the excellent Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga released last year.

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

      Another contender for the greatest sequels of all time. As previously mentioned, the original Terminator was a low-budget film that achieved only moderate box office success before finding a vast home following.

      Judgment Day amplified everything significantly. Sarah Connor, once a fearful waitress in the first film, is now a determined warrior fighting to save her son and avert an apocalypse. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 reappears not as an invincible killer but as a reluctant hero.

      The action sequences are spectacular, Robert Patrick shines as the shape-shifting T-1000, and the film possesses more emotional depth than anything else James Cameron has created, aside from Titanic. It’s a monumental achievement.

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

      Star Trek: The Motion Picture marked a return to the Star Trek universe after the much-loved TV series was canceled. While it was decent, it was slow-paced and lacked action, receiving mixed reviews even though it brought back familiar characters.

      In contrast, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan is extraordinary. It’s genuinely frightening — Chekov, Terrell, and the eel larvae in their ears? Goodness — and the stakes are tremendously high. Khan, making a notable return, is a formidable and vengeful antagonist seeking retribution for his wife’s death, which he attributes to Captain Kirk.

      The most impactful moment? Spock’s death! He passes in a manner that feels conclusive and remains dead for a significant period. (Though not indefinitely: Star Trek requires him.) This death imparts a weighty sense of gravity and real stakes to Wrath of Khan. While Star Trek has always been favored by intellectuals, this particular installment is profoundly emotional, making it a clear selection for any list of sequels superior to their originals.

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

      The Empire Strikes Back is pivotal in fostering the affection fans have for the Star Wars saga, with much of the credit belonging to the recently departed James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader.

      The original Star Wars is somewhat of a children's film: a playful, inventive, and entertaining space adventure that rightly captured a massive audience. However, The Empire Strikes Back delves into themes of maturity.

      It demonstrates that easy choices are often incorrect, with characters constantly weighing current sacrifices against future rewards. Just when events appear straightforward, they become intricately and unfathomably tangled.

      It also features the most remarkable reveal in cinematic history. If you witnessed it as a child in theaters, as I did, unprepared for what was to come in Cloud City, you experienced a narrative explosion that shattered your innocent beliefs.

      **Spider-Man 2 (2004)**

      This film stands among the finest superhero movies ever made due to the profound questions it raises about heroism. Can Peter Parker (Tob