The best sequel of the past 20 years

The list includes hits like Mad Max: Fury Road, Deadpool 2 and Spider-Man 2, and includes movies whose first films broke box office records and opened the door for sequels. To be included on the list, movies had to have been made in 2004 or later.

Film critics stressed that it is not easy to make a sequel, and it is even more difficult to make a sequel that is better than the original when the original work has already established its foothold.

Here are the best sequels from the past 20 years that almost surpassed their originals and pushed their own series forward…

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

What makes George Miller’s fourth Mad Max movie so impressive is that no one expected it to be like this. Mad Max is a much-loved sci-fi character that hasn’t been seen in a movie since 1985, and Miller seems to have given up on the role. Mel Gibson certainly won’t be reprising the role. When photos of the new Mad Max movie were released, the scenery was bland and dull, a far cry from the bright colors of the previous movie. Even the first trailer didn’t give a strong idea of ​​what the movie was like.

2. The Black Knight (2008)

The sequel to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (2005) was so widely discussed and beloved that it’s impossible not to consider it. But the film did change some perspectives and established Nolan’s brand in its own right. Even more impressively, The Dark Knight showed that a filmmaker didn’t have to be a comic book fan to make a great comic book movie; he showed that it was possible as long as he had a vision and a good screenwriter. Additionally, Heath Ledger’s Joker died after filming and quickly became an iconic character.

3. Tenet: Birth of a Legend (2015)

In the Movies Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), tries to make a name for himself as a boxer and brings Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) out of seclusion to train him. As Adonis struggles with the pressures of his own heritage and his relationship with musician Bianca (Tessa Thompson) complicates his relationship, and Rocky battles a cancer diagnosis, the two heroes embark on an emotional journey as they learn to trust each other before their families.

Director Ryan Coogler changes his tune with the revival of the Rocky series and brings together old and new Rocky fans by offering a stylish blend of old and new school.

4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2023)

Into the Spider-Verse (2018) was a triumph of animation and superhero storytelling, making Miles Morales a first-line character outside of the comics. In a way, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse surpassed him because it used a more visual style, references to Spider-Man’s history, cultural touches and impressive character studies. Directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson drew on the work of hundreds of animators to create a work of art that had never been adapted to the screen.

5. Doctor Sleep (2019)

Mike Flanagan took on a seemingly impossible task: adapt a sequel to Stephen King’s novel The Shining and make a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980). Not only did the film deviate significantly from the original, but King didn’t like it. Yet Flanagan somehow managed to make something personal that both paid homage to the works of King and Kubrick while also being true to his own cult.

6. Avatar: The Path of Water (2022)

After 13 years, James Cameron finally made a movie that was worth the wait. The Avatar movie, which attracted attention with its visual feast, did not just make money because of this. It was because the audience cared about and connected with the characters and the story being told. This sequel has a universality – family; it tells a story about parents meeting their children’s expectations, and the children meeting their expectations in return.

7. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Matt Reeves further develops the conflict in this reboot, making Caesar (Andy Serkis) a Shakespearean character trying to maintain an impossible peace that will inevitably lead to war. As Caesar tries to find equal ground with the remnants of humanity, Koba (Toby Kebbell) escalates the conflict, stealing weapons from the humans and launching a full-scale attack on their hideout. A human family also tries to secure the peace, but they too are met with their own warriors led by their leader, Dreyfus (Gary Oldman).

8. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

In Sam Raimi’s sequel to his smash hit Spider-Man (2002), Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) tries to juggle his life as Spider-Man and Peter Parker, while Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) tries to get away from him. Harry Osborn (James Franco) seeks revenge on Spider-Man for the death of his father. These personal crises are compounded by the arrival of a new antagonist, Doc Ock (Alfred Molina), who is suffering from losses of his own. Spider-Man 2 is one of Raimi’s most personal films, and while it delivers on the promise of intense action in the train sequence, the film also examines these characters psychologically.

9. Mission: Fallout (2018)

Christopher McQuarrie directed the fifth installment of the Mission: Impossible film franchise, and he has done a major part in keeping the franchise that began in the 90s engaged and exciting today. This film goes a little beyond Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as it gives Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) an adversary that matches his physical and mental abilities, August Walker (Henry Cavill). With the help of his team – Luther (Ving Rhames), Benjy (Simon Pegg), and Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), Hunt tries to prevent three plutonium cores from falling into the wrong hands and plunging the world into nuclear war.

10. Logan (2017)

James Mangold joined the team in the sequel Wolverine (2013), but was able to break free in Logan, in which former hero Logan (Hugh Jackman) is tasked with protecting his genetically engineered daughter Laura (Dafne Keen) and he is being hunted by scientists who have created a dystopian western in which it is used as a weapon. The performances of Jackman and Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier provide a well-deserved finale.

11. John Wick: Episode 4 (2023)

John Wick has a problem that only a few franchises have: All of the sequels to the 2014 film are better. Choose from three sequels. Each one surpasses the original with spectacular action set pieces and production design. But episode 4 delivers everything audiences love about the series, from epic samurai sword duels and aerial building shootouts to instantly iconic stair-climbing battles. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is back, as agile and ready for a fight as ever.

12. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain America (Chris Evans) teams up with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie) to confront his old brainwashed friend the Winter Soldier, aka Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). The sequel also opens up the superhero’s spy channel and provides Evans with a deeper character as he grapples with his place in both his past and his present.

13. Fast & Furious 5: Rio (2011)

In Fast Five, Justin Lin steps up to transform the franchise from one focused on street racing and small-time heists into a global action-adventure filled with fistfights and gunfights. Fast Five uses the right cast to create one of the biggest and most entertaining heist teams on the big screen.

14. Deadpool 2 (2018)

Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool quickly turned the Marvel anti-hero into one of the most recognizable comic book characters. David Leitch’s sequel pits the celebrated actor against fan-favorite mutant Cable (Josh Brolin). Cable’s fate threatens the future of humanity as he attempts to kill young Russell (Julian Dennison). This sequel is faster, funnier, and more entertaining than the original.

15. The Terrorizers 2 (2022)

The first film, The Terrorizer (2016), was considered an experiment, using less-than-detailed effects and a weak story. However, director Damien Leone received positive reviews for the film and used them to create an epic horror film that improved upon the original in every way.