10 Best Movie Sequels Of All Time

For better or worse, sequels form 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 including franchises ruined by unnecessary sequels to highly anticipated sequels that became major 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.

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In any case, it’s fortunate that several standout examples have effortlessly sidestepped the pitfalls associated with the worst 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 the best sequels of all time including acclaimed movies from iconic franchises in the vein of Star Wars, The Dark Knight, and The Lord of the Rings.

10 Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)

Directed By Quentin Tarantino

Kill Bill Vol. 2 Film Poster

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Kill Bill: Vol. 2 RActionCrimeThriller

Kill Bill: Vol. 2, directed by Quentin Tarantino, continues the story of The Bride as she seeks vengeance against the remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. As she systematically confronts her former associates, her journey leads to an inevitable showdown with her ultimate target, Bill.

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*Availability in US Director Quentin Tarantino Release Date April 16, 2004 Cast Uma Thurman , David Carradine , Michael Madsen , Daryl Hannah , Vivica A. Fox , Ambrosia Kelley , Michael Parks , James Parks Runtime 137 Minutes Writers Quentin Tarantino , Uma Thurman Main Genre Action Expand

The only sequel ever made in the illustrious career of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, it stands to reason that 2004’s martial arts action outing Kill Bill: Volume 2 is one of cinema’s finest follow-up offerings. Continuing the blood-soaked tale of the Bride from 2003’s Kill 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.

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Meiko-Kaji-as-Yuki-Kashima-Shurayuki-hime-from-Lady-Snowblood-and-Uma-Thurman-as-The-Bride-from-Kill-Bill-Vol Related 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.

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It’s a fortunate thing, too, given that Volume 2 is a superb movie in its own right, as well as a first-rate conclusion befitting of one of Tarantino’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.

9 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Directed By Joseph Kosinski

Top Gun Maverick Latest Poster Tom Cruise

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15 9.3/10 Top Gun: Maverick PG-13ActionDramaWar

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.

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*Availability in US Director Joseph Kosinski Release Date May 27, 2022 Cast Tom Cruise , Miles Teller , Jennifer Connelly , Val Kilmer , Jay Ellis , Jon Hamm , Bashir Salahuddin , Charles Parnell , Lewis Pullman , Glen Powell , Monica Barbaro , Ed Harris Runtime 130 Minutes Writers Ashley Miller , Justin Marks , Peter Craig , Zack Stentz Main Genre Action Expand
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The first-rate sequel that no one expected, Joseph Kosinski’s Top Gun: Maverick served as one of the more pleasant cinematic surprises of 2022. While the movie’s predecessor, 1986’s Top 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 before Maverick arrived and blew a global audience’s collective mind. A direct sequel that sees Tom Cruise’s titular movie character return 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.

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8 Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Directed By Denis Villenueve

Blade Runner 2049 Poster

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9/10 Blade Runner 2049 RSci-FiActionDramaMystery

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.

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*Availability in US Director Denis Villeneuve Release Date October 6, 2017 Cast Ryan Gosling , Harrison Ford , Jared Leto , Ana De Armas , Robin Wright , Lennie James , Dave Bautista , Carla Juri , Hiam Abbass , Barkhad Abdi , David Dastmalchian , Mackenzie Davis , Sylvia Hoeks Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Studio(s) Alcon Entertainment , Columbia Pictures , Scott Free Productions , Bud Yorkin Productions , Torridon Films , 16:14 Entertainment Writers Michael Green , Hampton Fancher Runtime 163 Minutes Expand

While 1982’s Blade Runner is 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’s Blade Runner 2049 might have been an enormous box 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.

Blade Runner IMDb Ratings

Blade Runner (1982)

8.1

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

8.0

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A passionate love letter to its 1982 predecessor, Blade Runner 2049 effortlessly 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.

7 Dune: Part 2 (2024)

Directed By Denis Villenueve

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46 8.9/10 Dune: Part Two PG-13Science FictionAdventure

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.

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*Availability in US Director Denis Villeneuve Release Date February 27, 2024 Cast Timothée Chalamet , Zendaya , Rebecca Ferguson , Javier Bardem , Josh Brolin , Austin Butler , Florence Pugh , Dave Bautista , Christopher Walken , Lea Seydoux , Stellan Skarsgård , Charlotte Rampling , Souheila Yacoub , Roger Yuan , Babs Olusanmokun , Giusi Merli , Kait Tenison , Tara Breathnach , Akiko Hitomi , Imola Gáspár , Elbooz Omar Ahmed Fathie , Abdelkarim Hussein Seli Mohamed Hassanin , Joseph Beddelem , Xavier Alba Royo , Rachid Abbad Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Studio(s) Legendary Pictures Writers Denis Villeneuve Runtime 167 minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

The first of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel of the same name, Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 outing Dune received a positive reception but could not prepare audiences for the phenomenon that was Dune: 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 the best movie of 2024.

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A cocktail of magnificent performances, white-knuckle action sequences, and jaw-dropping visuals, Dune: Part Two is 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 of The Empire Strikes Back or Aliens, as well as one of the finest sci-fi movies of all time.

6 Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Directed By Robert Zemeckis

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ScreenRant logo 9/10 6/10 Back to the Future Part II PGAdventureSci-FiComedy

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.

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*Availability in US Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date November 22, 1989 Cast Lea Thompson , Elisabeth Shue , Christopher Lloyd , Michael J. Fox , Thomas F. Wilson Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Bob Gale Runtime 108 minutes Expand

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The second outing in Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future trilogy, Back to the Future Part II received 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 III was also met with a more positive critical response than its most recent predecessor.

Back to the Future Part II
features
The Lord of the Rings
star Elijah Wood in his first feature film role.

It’s a remarkable state of affairs, given that Back to the Future Part II contentiously 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.

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5 Aliens (1986)

Directed By James Cameron

Aliens Movie Poster

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ScreenRant logo 10/10 9.5/10 Aliens RAdventureHorrorSci-FiAction

Aliens is a 1986 Sci-Fi classic by writer and director James Cameron. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, it’s widely considered one of the best Sci-Fi Horror films ever made. Ripley must band together with a group of Colonial Marines to investigate a disaster at a terraforming colony.

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*Availability in US Director James Cameron Release Date July 18, 1986 Cast Sigourney Weaver , Michael Biehn , Carrie Henn , Paul Reiser , Lance Henriksen , Bill Paxton , William Hope , Jenette Goldstein Distributor(s) 20th Century Studio(s) 20th Century Writers James Cameron Runtime 137 minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

The follow-up outing to 1979’s Alien, 1986’s Aliens is 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. Aliens is regarded as one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, as well as one of cinema’s finest and most influential sequels.

Aliens
is a glorious blend of horror, action, and science fiction that never gets old.

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Spearheaded by one of the most iconic female characters in the history of popular culture in Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, Aliens is a glorious blend of horror, action, and science fiction that never gets old. The rampant success of the sequel transformed the Alien series into a mainstream franchise, producing an array of video games and comic books in addition to the series of later movies.

4 Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Directed By Irvin Kershner

Empire Strikes Back Episode 5 Poster

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21 9.1/10 Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back PGActionAdventure Sci-FiFantasy

1980 saw the continuation of the Skywalker Saga with Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Although this was the second film in the Star Wars series itself, it would end up being the fifth film chronologically in the Skywalker Saga itself. Created by George Lucas and directed by Irvin Kershner, this sequel sees Darth Vader attempting to locate the Rebel Alliance after they destroyed the Death Star.

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*Availability in US Director Irvin Kershner Release Date June 18, 1980 Cast Mark Hamill , Harrison Ford , Carrie Fisher , Frank Oz , Billy Dee Williams , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , David Prowse , Peter Mayhew , James Earl Jones Distributor(s) 20th Century Studio(s) Lucasfilm Writers Leigh Brackett , Lawrence Kasdan , George Lucas Runtime 124 minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

The follow-up to 1977’s genre-redefining space opera A New Hope, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back chronicles 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 Back is now widely regarded as one of the finest sequels of all time, as well as the best Star Wars movie ever made.

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Star Wars Original Trilogy IMDb Ratings

A New Hope (1977)

8.6

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

8.7

Return of the Jedi (1983)

8.3

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.

3 The Godfather Part II (1974)

Directed By Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather Part II Movie Poster

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The Godfather Part II rCrimeDrama

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather II continues Michael Corleone’s story as he expands the Corleones’ presence as a crime syndicate. The film is also half devoted to the backstory of Vito Corleone, following his rise to power in 1920s New York City. While The Godfather is considered one of the greatest movies ever made, The Godfather Part II was able to live up to the original and secure six Oscars at the 1975 Academy Awards.

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*Availability in US Director Francis Ford Coppola Release Date December 20, 1974 Cast Al Pacino , Robert De Niro , James Caan , Diane Keaton Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Francis Ford Coppola , Robert De Niro , Al Pacino Runtime 202minutes Expand

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1972’s The Godfather is widely regarded as a frontrunner for the greatest movie of all time; only 1994’s The Shawshank Redemption boasts a higher rating on IMDb. Accordingly, it speaks volumes to the masterful nature of 1972’s The Godfather Part II that 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 II
took 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 II is now regarded as one of the best movies in the history of cinema.

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2 The Dark Knight (2008)

Directed By Christopher Nolan

The Dark Knight Poster

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26 9.6/10 The Dark Knight PG-13ActionThrillerDramaCrimeSuperhero

Christian Bale once again embodies the man behind the mask in The Dark Knight, reuniting Bale with Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman has been making headway against local crime—until a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker unleashes a fresh reign of chaos across Gotham City. To stop this devious new menace—Batman’s most personal and vicious enemy yet—he will have to use every high-tech weapon in his arsenal and confront his beliefs if he hopes to stand a chance against the Clown Prince of Crime.

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*Availability in US Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 18, 2008 Cast Christian Bale , Heath Ledger , Michael Caine , Morgan Freeman , Nestor Carbonell , Ritchie Coster , Cillian Murphy , Chin Han , Gary Oldman , Eric Roberts , William Fichtner , Aaron Eckhart , Maggie Gyllenhaal , David Dastmalchian , Anthony Michael Hall Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Christopher Nolan , Jonathan Nolan , David S. Goyer Runtime 152 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand

The critical and commercial success of 2005’s superhero origin story Batman Begins coupled with an innovative viral marketing campaign meant that 2008’s The Dark Knight was 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 Knight
isn’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.

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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 Knight isn’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. A near flawless blend of blockbuster action and nuanced performances carried by an unforgettable score, the sequel to Batman Begins represents a pinnacle for the genre that no subsequent offering has come close to attaining since.

1 The Return of the King (2003)

Directed By Peter Jackson

lord of the riings

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9.2/10 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King pg-13AdventureFantasyAction

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. 

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*Availability in US Director Peter Jackson Release Date December 17, 2003 Cast Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Liv Tyler , Viggo Mortensen , Sean Astin , Cate Blanchett , John Rhys-Davies , Bernard Hill , Billy Boyd , Dominic Monaghan , Orlando Bloom , Hugo Weaving , Miranda Otto , David Wenham , Karl Urban , John Noble , Andy Serkis , Ian Holm , Sean Bean Distributor(s) New Line Cinema Studio(s) New Line Cinema Writers Peter Jackson Runtime 201 Minutes Main Genre Fantasy Expand

Peter Jackson’s trio of The Lord of the Rings movies are 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’s The Return of the King provided a glorious end to proceedings, with the sequel to 2002’s The Two Towers depicting the final defeat of the Dark Lord Sauron and the ultimate triumph of the forces of good.

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Frodo holding the One Ring in the foreground with a collage of Lord of the Rings scenes in the background. Related 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?

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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 in The 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 and the best movie sequel of all time.

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