Movie sequels can be tricky. Audiences have already seen the original film, and they come with a lot of pre-conceived expectations with the sequel. Either the sequel must prove to be a worthy successor, or stand alone in its own right. Either way, there is always room for disappointment, as many fail to strike a balance between the need to take the franchise forward without additional titles and a clear purpose. Here are some of the best movie sequels that not only match the expectations of the original story but also take it up a few notches. (Also read: When Jack Nicholson revealed the reason he turned down Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather)
the godfather 2
Original Film: The Godfather
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
What worked: The sequel to Francis Ford Coppola’s magnum opus The Godfather took the reins of the Corleone family to an even darker, harsher and more tragic turn. Divided into two parts, the film follows the story of a young Vito Corleone (played by Robert De Niro, for which he won an Oscar) and Michael’s (Al Pacino) rise to power as head of the family. The union of these two stories – and the thirst for power, makes this sequel one of the best ever made.
dark Knight
Original Film: Batman Begins
Director: Christopher Nolan
Heath Ledger brought a vibrancy to his role as the Joker that elevated the Christopher Nolan-directed film to even greater heights. The Dark Knight also works because it takes the central conflict between Batman and the Joker and makes it even darker and harsher. How can peace be restored in a Gotham City devoid of kindness and order? Evil doesn’t necessarily mean those with painted faces, and The Dark Knight understands that.
toy Story 3
Original Film: Toy Story
Director: Lee Unkrich
The emotional honesty of Toy Story 3 is what sets it apart from all the other films. While the premise of the story is more or less the same, Andy’s choices about his childhood toys, including Woody, don’t really mean much in terms of how long he can play with them. Toy Story 3 is more about the passage of time, the celebration of memories and the feeling of forgetting the past.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcpWXaA2qeg
mad max fury road
Original Film: Mad Max: The Wasteland
Director: George Miller
Mad Max: Fury Road came more than two decades after the third film in the franchise, and it was a brilliant update. I still remember being stunned when I first saw it in the theater—with the sheer scale of ambition, the extraordinary vision shown through the character of its badass heroine Furiosa (Charlize Theron), and the no-holds-barred approach to action. It reintroduces action spectacle, but never forgets what’s lost in the chase.
before sunset
Original Film: Before Sunrise
Director: Richard Linklater
How does one approach creating a sequel to one of the most romantic couples on screen? Before Sunset is your answer, as it features the beloved characters of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) who reunite in Paris nine years after that fateful day. Filled with sharp dialogue and excellent acting from its two leads, Before Sunset feels older and wiser. Even the conclusion is so ambiguous that it leaves us wanting more.
paddington 2
Original Movie: Paddington
Director: Paul King
Paddington 2 shines even brighter than its original, as it not only honors the main characters, but also serves as an important entry point for new characters. Its main thematic approach: leading with kindness, as it is recited by Aunt Lucy, is universal and memorable. “If we are kind and courteous, the world will be right.”
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Original Film: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
When filmmaker Cuaron came on board to direct Harry Potter, nothing more could have gone his way, but he really pulled it off. I don’t think any other film in the Harry Potter franchise can reach the heights of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The narrative boldness, the brutality in the world-building, and the dynamic visual elements of the film are still unmatched.
Special Mention: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Creed, Blade Runner 2049, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
