Let's be honest: sequels have gotten a bad rap. For every attempt to wring more cash out of an established, brand-name movie, there's another that deepens and expands upon the cinematic world that preceded it. With that in mind, we at Rotten Tomatoes have compiled our Best Sequels list, a comprehensive countdown of the best-reviewed follow-ups and continuations in movie history!
Before digging in, let us establish some ground rules. We've used a weighted formula that takes the Tomatometer, the number of reviews, and the year of release into account. In addition, a film needs at least 20 reviews to qualify. We've also excluded spinoffs and prequels. Anyway, check out our list, which contains enough classics that you'll learn to stop worrying and love the sequel.
Before digging in, let us establish some ground rules. We've used a weighted formula that takes the Tomatometer, the number of reviews, and the year of release into account. In addition, a film needs at least 20 reviews to qualify. We've also excluded spinoffs and prequels. Anyway, check out our list, which contains enough classics that you'll learn to stop worrying and love the sequel.
Kill Bill, Volume 2 (2004)
84%
Adjusted Score: 90.357%
?
Critics Consensus: Talkier and less action-packed than Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2, nevertheless delivers the goods for those expecting a satisfying conclusion to this two-parter.
Synopsis: Quentin Tarantino's sprawling homage to action films of both the East and the West reaches its conclusion in this continuation of 2003's ultra-violent...
[More]
Directed By:
Quentin Tarantino
#
50
Thunderball (1965)
85%
Adjusted Score: 90.23%
?
Critics Consensus: Lavishly rendered set pieces and Sean Connery's enduring charm make Thunderball a big, fun adventure, even if it doesn't quite measure up to the series' previous heights.
Synopsis: Thunderball finds James Bond matching wits with the sinister espionage organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E, (which stands for Special Executive for...
[More]
Directed By:
Terence Young
#
49
Fa Yeung Nin Wa (In the Mood for Love) (2000)
88%
Adjusted Score: 91.215%
?
Critics Consensus: This understated romance, featuring good performances by its leads, is both visually beautiful and emotionally moving.
Synopsis: For his first film since the 1997 Hong Kong handover, auteur filmmaker Wong Kar-wai directs this moody period drama about unrequited love that, like...
[More]
Directed By:
Kar Wai Wong
#
48
The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
88%
Adjusted Score: 91.55%
?
Critics Consensus: Foregoing the horror thrills of its predecessor in favor of childhood fantasy, Curse of the Cat People is a touching and psychologically complex family film couched in a ghost story.
Synopsis: Officially a sequel to Val Lewton's psychological-horror classic Cat People (1942), Curse of the Cat People is in fact an engrossing and oftimes...
[More]
#
47
Superman II (1981)
89%
Adjusted Score: 92.871%
?
Critics Consensus: The humor occasionally stumbles into slapstick territory, and the special effects are dated, but Superman II meets, if not exceeds, the standard set by its predecessor.
Synopsis: Between giving up his super powers, confronting criminals from outer space, and having problems with his girlfriend, it's a bad time to be the Man of...
[More]
#
46
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
84%
Adjusted Score: 92.101%
?
Critics Consensus: Dark, thrilling, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying.
Synopsis: Adolescent wizard-in-training Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for another year of schooling and learns more about the dark past of the boy who grew...
[More]
Directed By:
David Yates
#
45
Three Colors: White (Trzy kolory: Bialy) (Trois Couleurs: Blanc) (1994)
90%
Adjusted Score: 92.358%
?
Critics Consensus: Taking a lighter tone than the other films of the Three Colors trilogy, White is a witty, bittersweet comedy with heavier themes on its mind than one might at first realize.
Synopsis: The second feature in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy, the black comedy White features Zbigniew Zamachowski as Karol Karol, an...
[More]
Directed By:
Krzysztof Kieslowski
#
44
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Hellboy 2) (2008)
87%
Adjusted Score: 93.888%
?
Critics Consensus: Guillermo del Toro crafts a stellar comic book sequel, boasting visuals that are as imaginative as the characters are endearing.
Synopsis: Ron Perlman returns to the role of the big red BPRD agent in this sequel to 2004's Hellboy, directed once again by Guillermo del Toro and scripted as...
[More]
Directed By:
Guillermo del Toro
#
43
Saraband (2003)
92%
Adjusted Score: 93.599%
?
Critics Consensus: If Saraband appears to be a minor entry in Ingmar Bergman's filmography, it's still an accomplished piece of work from one of cinema's greatest masters.
Synopsis: As the final masterwork of Ingmar Bergman, the world's most revered cinematic craftsperson, Saraband embodies the sequel to the director's five-hour...
[More]
Directed By:
Ingmar Bergman
#
42
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
88%
Adjusted Score: 93.561%
?
Critics Consensus: Lighter and more comedic than its predecessor, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade returns the series to the brisk serial adventure of Raiders, while adding a dynamite double act between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery.
Synopsis: The third installment in the widely beloved Spielberg/Lucas Indiana Jones saga begins with an introduction to a younger Indy (played by the late River...
[More]
Directed By:
Steven Spielberg
#
41
X2: X-Men United (2003)
87%
Adjusted Score: 93.015%
?
Critics Consensus: Tightly scripted, solidly acted, and impressively ambitious, X2: X-Men United is bigger and better than its predecessor -- and a benchmark for comic sequels in general.
Synopsis: When a failed assassination attempt occurs on the President's (Cotter Smith) life by the teleporting mutant Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), it's...
[More]
Directed By:
Bryan Singer
#
40
Shrek 2 (2004)
89%
Adjusted Score: 94.653%
?
Critics Consensus: It may not be as fresh as the original, but topical humor and colorful secondary characters make Shrek 2 a winner in its own right.
Synopsis: After battling a fire-breathing dragon and the evil Lord Farquaad to win the hand of Princess Fiona, Shrek now faces his greatest challenge: the...
[More]
#
39
Star Trek - First Contact (1996)
92%
Adjusted Score: 94.834%
?
Critics Consensus: While fans of the series will surely appreciate it, First Contact is exciting, engaging, and visually appealing enough to entertain Star Trek novices.
Synopsis: The first "Trek" film to feature the cast of the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series without any of the members of the original series, this...
[More]
Directed By:
Jonathan Frakes
#
38
Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan (1982)
90%
Adjusted Score: 94.55%
?
Critics Consensus: Considered by many fans to be the best of the Star Trek movies, Khan features a strong plot, increased tension, and a sharp supporting performance from Ricardo Montalban.
Synopsis: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is fondly regarded as being the closest in spirit to the 1966-69 TV series that spawned it. Admiral Kirk (William...
[More]
Directed By:
Nicholas Meyer
#
37
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
87%
Adjusted Score: 94.151%
?
Critics Consensus: The main characters are maturing, and the filmmakers are likewise improving on their craft; vibrant special effects and assured performances add up to what is the most complex yet of the Harry Potter films.
Synopsis: Directed by Mike Newell, the fourth installment to the Harry Potter series finds Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) wondering why his legendary scar -- the...
[More]
Directed By:
Mike Newell
#
36
The Color of Money (1986)
92%
Adjusted Score: 95.006%
?
Critics Consensus: That it's inferior to the original goes without saying, but Paul Newman and Tom Cruise are a joy to watch, and Martin Scorsese's direction is typically superb.
Synopsis: Oscar-nominated in 1961 for his performance as pool hustler Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler, Paul Newman won that award a quarter century later when...
[More]
Directed By:
Martin Scorsese
#
35
A Shot in the Dark (1964)
93%
Adjusted Score: 95.687%
?
Critics Consensus: A Shot in the Dark is often regarded as the best of the Pink Panther sequels, and Peter Sellers gives a top-notch performance that makes slapstick buffoonery memorable.
Synopsis: A murder has been committed at the palatial Parisian residence of Benjamin Ballon (George Sanders). All the evidence points to sexy, wide-eyed...
[More]
Directed By:
Blake Edwards
#
34
49 Up (2005)
95%
Adjusted Score: 96.339%
?
Critics Consensus: The latest installment in this remarkable series, 49 Up is a satisfying continuation of Michael Apted's singular sociological and cinematic experiment.
Synopsis: Filmmaker Michael Apted returns to the director's chair to catch up with the subjects he has been following since the 1963 telefilm 7 Up with this...
[More]
Directed By:
Michael Apted
#
33
Triad Election (Hak se wui yi wo wai kwai) (2006)
96%
Adjusted Score: 96.742%
?
Critics Consensus: Taking its cues from the Godfather series, Triad Election understands how a giddy mix of thrills and gunplay can make for compelling cinema.
Synopsis: Superstar action director Johnny To's Hong Kong gangster picture Triad Election (aka Election 2) revolves around Jimmy (Louis Koo), a second-tiered...
[More]
Directed By:
Johnnie To
#
32
Flirting (1990)
96%
Adjusted Score: 97.034%
?
Critics Consensus: A terrific follow-up to The Year My Voice Broke, Flirting is a teen movie worth watching, thanks to emotionally engaging performances and an endearing script.
Synopsis: Australian filmmaker John Duigan followed up his captivating The Year My Voice Broke with Flirting. Noah Taylor repeats his "Danny" characterization...
[More]
Directed By:
John Duigan
#
31
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
88%
Adjusted Score: 98.306%
?
Critics Consensus: The Dark Knight Rises is an ambitious, thoughtful, and potent action film that concludes Christopher Nolan's franchise in spectacular fashion.
Synopsis: It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of...
[More]
Directed By:
Christopher Nolan
#
30
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
91%
Adjusted Score: 97.185%
?
Critics Consensus: A powerfully humanistic portrayal of the perils of war, this companion piece to Flags of our Fathers is potent and thought-provoking, and it demonstrates Clint Eastwood's maturity as a director.
Synopsis: After bringing the story of the American soldiers who fought in the battle of Iwo Jima to the screen in his film Flags of Our Fathers, Clint Eastwood...
[More]
Directed By:
Clint Eastwood
#
29
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
91%
Adjusted Score: 97.805%
?
Critics Consensus: Under the assured direction of Alfonso Cuaron, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban triumphantly strikes a delicate balance between technical wizardry and complex storytelling.
Synopsis: After directing the first two movies in the Harry Potter franchise, Chris Columbus opted to serve as producer for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of...
[More]
Directed By:
Alfonso Cuarón
#
28
Supercop (Police Story 3) (Ging chaat goo si 3: Chiu kap ging chaat) (1992)
96%
Adjusted Score: 98.954%
?
Critics Consensus: Blending hand-to-hand combat with breathtaking stunts and slapstick comedy, Supercop reminds us why Jackie Chan is one of the world's great entertainers.
Synopsis: A Hong Kong detective fights to stop a Chinese drug czar.
[More]
Directed By:
Stanley Tong
#
27
Baisers Volés (Stolen Kisses) (1968)
96%
Adjusted Score: 97.846%
?
Critics Consensus: Stolen Kisses is a fine feature follow-up to The 400 Blows, transforming Antoine Doinel into a sympathetic, silly, and romantic figure that carries to the series' end.
Synopsis: The episodic romantic comedy Stolen Kisses is the third installment in François Truffaut's Antoine Doinel series, which started with The 400 Blows in...
[More]
Directed By:
François Truffaut
#
26
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
94%
Adjusted Score: 97.765%
?
Critics Consensus: One of the most compelling and entertaining zombie films ever, Dawn of the Dead perfectly blends pure horror and gore with social commentary on bourgeois society.
Synopsis: Director George A. Romero's epic sequel to his legendary Night of the Living Dead has firmly established itself as the equal of its ground-breaking...
[More]
Directed By:
George A. Romero
#
25
For a Few Dollars More (Per Qualche Dollaro in Più) (1965)
94%
Adjusted Score: 98.431%
?
Critics Consensus: With Clint Eastwood in the lead, Ennio Morricone on the score, and Sergio Leone's stylish direction, For a Few Dollars More earns its recognition as a genre classic.
Synopsis: This pulse-pounding follow-up to Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars brings back Clint Eastwood as the serape-clad, cigar-chewing "Man With No Name."...
[More]
Directed By:
Sergio Leone
#
24
Before Sunset (2004)
95%
Adjusted Score: 99.47%
?
Critics Consensus: Filled with engaging dialogue, Before Sunset is a witty, poignant romance, with natural chemistry between Hawke and Delpy.
Synopsis: Richard Linklater directs the romantic drama Before Sunset, a sequel to Before Sunrise (1995). Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) were...
[More]
Directed By:
Richard Linklater
#
23
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)
93%
Adjusted Score: 99.379%
?
Critics Consensus: Stylish, fast-paced, and loaded with gripping set pieces, the fourth Mission: Impossible is big-budget popcorn entertainment that really works.
Synopsis: This is not just another mission. The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan...
[More]
Directed By:
Brad Bird
#
22
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
94%
Adjusted Score: 100.932%
?
Critics Consensus: Boasting an entertaining villain and deeper emotional focus, this is a nimble sequel that improves upon the original.
Synopsis: Stan Lee's all-too-human superhero returns to the screen in this highly anticipated sequel to 2002's blockbuster hit Spider-Man. Peter Parker (Tobey...
[More]
Directed By:
Sam Raimi
#
21
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
94%
Adjusted Score: 100.642%
?
Critics Consensus: Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful, The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King is a moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy.
Synopsis: The final battle for Middle-earth begins. Frodo and Sam, led by Gollum, continue their dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to...
[More]
Directed By:
Peter Jackson
#
20
From Russia With Love (1963)
96%
Adjusted Score: 101.194%
?
Critics Consensus: The second James Bond film, From Russia with Love is a razor-sharp, briskly-paced Cold War thriller that features several electrifying action scenes.
Synopsis: From Russia With Love, the second in the series of James Bond films, is the film that solidifies all the Bond film elements into a formula -- the...
[More]
Directed By:
Terence Young
#
19
Goldfinger (1964)
96%
Adjusted Score: 101.611%
?
Critics Consensus: Goldfinger is where James Bond as we know him comes into focus - it features one of 007's most famous lines ("A martini. Shaken, not stirred") and a wide range of gadgets that would become the series' trademark.
Synopsis: With Goldfinger, the James Bond series took a turn away from relatively straightforward spy thrillers and toward campy gadgetry, extravagant sets, and...
[More]
Directed By:
Guy Hamilton
#
18
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
92%
Adjusted Score: 96.678%
?
Critics Consensus: T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi/ action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters.
Synopsis: A sequel to the sci-fi action thriller that made him and star Arnold Schwarzenegger A-list Hollywood names, writer/director James Cameron upped the...
[More]
Directed By:
James Cameron
#
17
Evil Dead 2 (1987)
98%
Adjusted Score: 102.021%
?
Critics Consensus: Evil Dead 2's increased special effects and slapstick-gore makes it as good -- if not better -- than the original.
Synopsis: This high-octane semi-sequel to Sam Raimi's cult hit The Evil Dead has nearly eclipsed its predecessor's reputation thanks to an endless barrage of...
[More]
Directed By:
Sam Raimi
#
16
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
94%
Adjusted Score: 101.746%
?
Critics Consensus: The Bourne Ultimatum is an intelligent, finely tuned non-stop thrill ride. Another strong performance from Matt Damon and sharp camerawork from Paul Greengrass make this the finest installment of the Bourne trilogy.
Synopsis: Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) races to solve the mystery of his past while being hunted by members of the very organization he was hired into as director...
[More]
Directed By:
Paul Greengrass
#
15
Sanjuro (Tsubaki Sanjûrô) (1962)
100%
Adjusted Score: 101.695%
?
Critics Consensus: Technically impressive and superbly acted, Sanjuro is a funny, action-packed samurai adventure featuring outstanding cinematography and a charismatic performance from Toshiro Mifune.
Synopsis: Set in the mid-19th century when the disintegration of a rigid social structure was turning the once wealthy into paupers, or vice-versa, this kinetic...
[More]
Directed By:
Akira Kurosawa
#
14
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
96%
Adjusted Score: 102.14%
?
Critics Consensus: The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter.
Synopsis: Frodo and Samwise press on toward Mordor. Gollum insists on being the guide. Can anyone so corrupted by the ring be trusted? Can Frodo, increasingly...
[More]
Directed By:
Peter Jackson
#
13
Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) (2003)
100%
Adjusted Score: 62.637%
?
Critics Consensus: Achingly poignant, beautifully shot, and evocatively atmospheric, The World of Apu closes out Satyajit Ray's classic trilogy on a high note.
Synopsis: Originally released in India as Apur Sansar, The World of Apu was the last of Satyajit Ray's "Apu Trilogy." Pather Panchali (1955) covered Apu's early...
[More]
Directed By:
Satyajit Ray
#
12
Three Colors: Red (Trois couleurs: Rouge) (1994)
100%
Adjusted Score: 102.849%
?
Critics Consensus: A complex, stirring, and beautifully realized portrait of interconnected lives, Red is the captivating conclusion to a remarkable trilogy.
Synopsis: A beautiful model named Valentine crosses paths with a retired judge, whose dog she runs over with her car. The lonely judge, she discovers, amuses...
[More]
Directed By:
Krzysztof Kieslowski
#
11
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
100%
Adjusted Score: 102.897%
?
Critics Consensus: The Road Warrior is everything a bigger-budgeted Mad Max sequel with should be: bigger, faster, louder, but definitely not dumber.
Synopsis: Director George Miller's follow-up to his own 1979 hit Mad Max is proof that not all sequels are inferior to their originals. If anything, this brutal...
[More]
Directed By:
George Miller
#
10
The Dark Knight (2008)
94%
Adjusted Score: 103.87%
?
Critics Consensus: Dark, complex and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.
Synopsis: Christopher Nolan steps back into the director's chair for this sequel to Batman Begins, which finds the titular superhero coming face to face with...
[More]
Directed By:
Christopher Nolan
#
9
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
96%
Adjusted Score: 104.134%
?
Critics Consensus: Thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling, Deathly Hallows Part II brings the Harry Potter franchise to a satisfying -- and suitably magical -- conclusion.
Synopsis: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is...
[More]
Directed By:
David Yates
#
8
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
96%
Adjusted Score: 103.75%
?
Critics Consensus: Dark, sinister, but ultimately even more involving than A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back defies viewer expectations and takes the series to heightened emotional levels.
Synopsis: The second entry in George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy finds Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the green-as-grass hero from the first film, now a seasoned...
[More]
Directed By:
Irvin Kershner
#
7
Aliens (1986)
98%
Adjusted Score: 103.28%
?
Critics Consensus: While Alien was a marvel of slow-building, atmospheric tension, Aliens packs a much more visceral punch, and features a typically strong performance from Sigourney Weaver.
Synopsis: Big-budget special effects, swiftly paced action, and a distinct feminist subtext from writer/director James Cameron turned what should have been a...
[More]
Directed By:
James Cameron
#
6
The Godfather, Part II (1974)
98%
Adjusted Score: 104.617%
?
Critics Consensus: Drawing on strong performances by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, Francis Ford Coppola's continuation of Mario Puzo's Mafia saga set new standards for sequels that have yet to be matched or broken.
Synopsis: Francis Ford Coppola's legendary continuation and sequel to his landmark 1972 film, The Godfather, parallels the young Vito Corleone's rise with his...
[More]
Directed By:
Francis Ford Coppola
#
5
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Il Buono, il Brutto, il Cattivo.) (1966)
97%
Adjusted Score: 105.47%
?
Critics Consensus: Arguably the greatest of the spaghetti westerns, this epic features a compelling story, memorable performances, breathtaking landscapes, and a haunting score.
Synopsis: In the last and the best installment of his so-called "Dollars" trilogy of Sergio Leone-directed "spaghetti westerns," Clint Eastwood reprised the...
[More]
Directed By:
Sergio Leone
#
4
Toy Story 3 (2010)
99%
Adjusted Score: 106.331%
?
Critics Consensus: Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works.
Synopsis: Pixar returns to their first success with Toy Story 3. The movie begins with Andy leaving for college and donating his beloved toys -- including Woody...
[More]
Directed By:
Lee Unkrich
#
3
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
100%
Adjusted Score: 107.538%
?
Critics Consensus: An eccentric, campy, technically impressive, and frightening picture, James Whale's Bride of Frankenstein has aged remarkably well.
Synopsis: This greatest of all Frankenstein movies begins during a raging thunderstorm. Warm and cozy inside their palatial villa, Lord Byron (Gavin Gordon),...
[More]
Directed By:
James Whale
#
2
Toy Story 2 (1999)
100%
Adjusted Score: 106.988%
?
Critics Consensus: Toy Story 2 employs inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a top notch voice cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages, one that's arguably even better than its predecessor.
Synopsis: Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of their friends from the toy box return in this computer-animated sequel to the 1995 hit Toy Story....
[More]
#
1
