A typical factor that most individuals appear to assume on the subject of film franchises is that the primary installment is all the time the most effective, however that is removed from the reality lots of the time. Actually, many film franchises improved with their second, third, and even later entries. That has been the case with sci-fi movie sequence as properly.
There are definitely loads of sci-fi film franchises the place the primary movie is the most effective, like The Matrix, Predator, and Jurassic Park. There are additionally circumstances the place the most effective movie is debatable, like Again to the Future or Blade Runner. Nonetheless, we’re speaking concerning the instances when it is clear {that a} sequel is healthier.
Sci-fi sequels that improved upon the unique embody some all-time blockbusters, among the most critically acclaimed movies ever made, trippy tales, and even superhero fare. Not solely are they improbable sequels however, on their very own, they’re among the many finest sci-fi movies in historical past.
Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982)
The Star Trek TV sequence that debuted within the Sixties truly did not obtain its biggest success till the ’70s when it discovered a following via broadcast syndication. That led to Star Trek: The Movement Image in 1979, which carried out properly on the field workplace however was met with blended critiques.
Most of the complaints concerned the film being a bit uninteresting. The franchise rectified that with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, telling a extra action-packed story, boosted by the unimaginable efficiency of Ricardo Montalbán because the villainous Khan.
Khan stays one of many biggest antagonists within the historical past of this long-running franchise (even being introduced again by Benedict Cumberbatch in 2014), making each scene extra intriguing simply by being concerned. The Wrath of Khan additionally includes a memorable ending.
Khan might get defeated however Spock has to sacrifice himself within the course of, resulting in what is perhaps probably the most iconic scene in Star Trek historical past. The Wrath of Khan obtained sturdy critiques that included an 86% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and lots of take into account it the most effective Star Trek movie ever made.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Though lots of superhero films may fall into the sci-fi style, one that matches the invoice greater than others (which are sometimes rooted in motion) is Guardians of the Galaxy. The primary movie, launched in 2014, was a shock success that was well-received and grossed over $700 million.
Besting one thing that was a crucial hit was tough and upon launch, many really feel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 did not obtain that, regardless of being one other success. Nonetheless, it is the sort of sequel that solely improves and hits tougher upon subsequent viewings.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 does what all nice sequels ought to do, which is increase on what we preferred concerning the first film, give us extra depth for characters, and make all the things a bit larger and higher. GOTG Vol. 2 advantages from forged chemistry and new characters like Mantis and Ego.
What actually separates Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 from the primary film are the emotional moments. The primary movie has some however this one options Yondu’s funeral, Rocket’s single tear on the finish, and extra, making for a extra satisfying total story.
Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
Common’s Monster franchise has offered us with among the finest sci-fi films seen anyplace. That was the case with the long-lasting Frankenstein, which holds a 94% Rotten Tomatoes ranking and is culturally vital, incomes a spot within the Nationwide Movie Registry.
A number of years later, a sequel was launched titled Bride of Frankenstein. This time, Frankenstein’s Monster went on a quest to search out love, looking out the countryside. This led to Dr. Frankenstein and Ernest to create a bride for him from a reanimated corpse.
Whereas the unique is certainly a basic, many individuals consider that Bride of Frankenstein is even higher than what got here earlier than it. Actually, Bride of Frankenstein has a good increased Rotten Tomatoes rating than its predecessor at 98%.
Among the best issues concerning the film is the efficiency of Elsa Lanchester, who is ideal because the titular bride. Lanchester does unimaginable work, managing to steal your entire film regardless of solely being on display screen for lower than 10 minutes.
Daybreak Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)
The unique Planet of the Apes franchise is one the place, regardless of some strong sequels, most followers agree that the primary installment is the most effective. When it obtained rebooted in 2011, Rise of the Planet of the Apes obtained off to a powerful begin as a powerful film.
Nonetheless, Matt Reeves took over for the sequel and delivered one thing considerably higher with Daybreak of the Planet of the Apes. The movie picks up a decade after the occasions of the primary, with apes now outnumbering people and Caesar attempting to keep up peace inside his neighborhood.
Daybreak of the Planet of the Apes permits much more shine from Andy Serkis, who does a masterful job along with his motion-capture efficiency as Caesar. The movie earned an Oscar nomination for Greatest Visible Results and nonetheless appears to be like gorgeous over a decade later.
These particular results are one factor however the place Daybreak of the Planet of the Apes really stands out is in its emotional resonance. Caesar turns into a personality we really love and watching him take care of his household whereas coping with a rise up from Koba makes for one thing really gripping.
Avatar: The Approach Of Water (2022)
There is not any doubt that 2009’s Avatar was groundbreaking. The movie grew to become the highest-grossing film in historical past because of its spectacular 3D results, which meant individuals simply needed to go to the theater to expertise it not less than as soon as.
Whereas Avatar was film exterior of its results, it wasn’t thought of by many to be really nice. Avatar: The Approach of Water rectified that by telling an emotionally gripping story as Jake and Neytiri have began a household, giving us extra causes to care about all the things.
In fact, the visuals in Avatar: The Approach of Water are breathtaking as soon as once more. The 3D was as soon as once more a deal with, whereas the scenes shot underwater look nearly too spectacular to be actual. There’s additionally a very devastating scene involving a whale-like species that is heartbreaking.
Mainly, no matter labored in Avatar was beefed up for the sequel, making for an additional James Cameron hit. Avatar: The Approach of Water received Greatest Visible Results on the Oscars and was nominated for main accolades, together with Greatest Image.
Dune: Half Two (2024)
The legendary Dune novel, as unimaginable as it’s, was lengthy stated to be unadaptable. The story is just too dense to cowl in a single movie, which was confirmed by David Lynch’s adaptation in 1984, which was met with blended critiques.
In 2021, acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve debuted his tackle the story and whereas followers had been excited, they remained skeptical. The movie turned out to be a rousing success and stunned everybody by revealing itself to be simply half considered one of two.
Dune: Half Two centered on the second half of the novel and splitting the story into two films was smart, permitting sufficient time for all the things to get showcased. The second movie was extra action-packed, making for one thing really epic on the large display screen.
Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson did improbable work, Zendaya steals the present as Chani, and the addition of Austin Butler and Florence Pugh solely made issues higher. Dune: Half Two earned two Oscar wins, with a nomination for Greatest Image.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
In 1984, James Cameron’s The Terminator proved to be among the finest sci-fi films ever launched. It holds up shockingly properly and continues to be held in extremely excessive esteem. Besting it will be tough however Cameron was greater than as much as the duty.
In 1991, he launched Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which did one thing particular that took lots of guts. The primary movie noticed Arnold Schwarzenegger because the titular villain, whereas the sequel selected to change issues up by turning him right into a hero.
This was extra suited to Schwarzenegger, who was one of many high motion heroes of the last decade. He was nice on this position, whereas Robert Patrick made for a stellar villain, and Linda Hamilton proved to be one of the badass females ever put to the display screen.
Within the eyes of many, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is within the dialog for the best sequel of all time, no matter style. It’s the finest movie within the careers of just about everybody concerned.
Aliens (1986)
When Ridley Scott put out Alien in 1979, it was one of the spectacular sci-fi films made to that time. Nonetheless, the movie leaned extra into the horror style than sci-fi, as if it happened in house, watching Ripley attempt to survive towards the Xenomorph was harrowing.
James Cameron, a constant identify on this record, was introduced in for the sequel a number of years later and took issues down a extra action-packed route. Aliens mainly bought the concept if Xenomorph was a menace, a bunch of them can be worse.
Aliens once more follows Ripley and Sigourney Weaver is magnificent within the lead position. She kicks ass in each scene and the bond she kinds with Newt makes for one thing compelling and emotionally gripping.
Though it is powerful to really pick the higher movie between Alien and Aliens, the sequel is extra of a crowd-pleaser and one thing you’d wish to rewatch. It is thrilling, holds a 94% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, and is among the finest sequels in historical past.
The Empire Strikes Again (1980)
When Star Wars arrived on the scene in 1977, it was like nothing that got here earlier than. A sprawling house epic with visible results that had been onerous to fathom, an immersive new world to get enthralled in, and charismatic characters to fall in love with.
Topping it gave the impression of a idiot’s errand however The Empire Strikes Again bested it in a number of methods. George Lucas stepped away as director, with Irvin Kershner stepping in and enhancing on nearly each side.
The house battles had been larger, the characters obtained extra growth, the story was extra intriguing, and new characters like Yoda and Lando proved to be crowd favorites. The film options probably the most iconic plot twist in sci-fi historical past, and presumably in all of cinema.
It is darker, has a tough hitting ending, and expands on the franchise in unimaginable methods. The ending can be revolutionary for the twist and the way it units up the third movie, making it the right center entry. In some ways, The Empire Strikes Again stays the most effective movie in your entire Star Wars saga.