Sometimes,a movie is so goodthat it immediately makes the audience hungry for more. Often, studios attempt to capitalize on this desire by churning out sequels as soon as they possibly can, even if it means pushing out amovie sequel with a massive budget. By doing this, they can continue to keep people excited about the franchise, maintaining its status as a lucrative outlet for the company. The downside of this strategy, however, is that the need to rapidly produce these movies can often come with the consequence of having to sacrifice the high level of quality achieved by the original film.
Once in a while, though, a studio makes the bold decision to make audiences wait quite a while before giving them the sequel they have been craving. This is a risky move, as it can result in losing the excitement surrounding the franchise, but it also has the potential to pay off in major ways, withsome movie sequels being even better than the original. Waiting so long to release a sequel also gives the filmmakers much more time to ensure that they give their stories a proper continuation. These sequels may have taken over ten years to come out, but they proved to be worth the wait.
Blade Runner 2049
Cast
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.
In 1982, Ridley Scott took the director’s chair for a bold cinematic adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s classic novel,Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?TitledBlade Runner, the film may not have been an immediate hit, but its popularity continued to grow over time, eventually being regarded as one of the greatest science fiction movies ever made.Needless to say, it would be no easy feat for a sequel to live up to the same level of acclaim. Fortunately,Blade Runner 2049proved itself to be up to the task.
The team behindBlade Runner 2049clearly opted to prioritize quality over speed, as the film was not released until 35 years after its predecessor. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film takes place decades after the events ofBlade Runner, introducing an assortment of new characters, while also welcoming back Harrison Ford, who returned to reprise his role of Rick Deckard.AlthoughBlade Runner 2049did not end up being a success at the box office, it received widespread acclaim from critics, even going on to win multiple Academy Awards.
Top Gun: Maverick
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.
Even among a sea of popular action films being released in the 1980s,Top Gunmanaged to stand out as a fan-favorite.36 years later, Tom Cruise returned to the skies once again, reprising his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the long-awaited sequel,Top Gun: Maverick.This time, though, Maverick was forced to play a much different role, becoming a mentor for the latest batch of Top Gun graduates, and having to face his past when introduced to the son of his deceased friend.
10 Highest-Grossing Sequel Movies Of All Time
It’s no secret that major studio blockbuster films tend to dominate box offices. However, their sequels often result in even higher lifetime grosses.
Top Gunfans may not have been happy they had to wait nearly four decades for a sequel, but they surely were not disappointed by it when it finally arrived.Top Gun: Maverickeffectively managed to capture all the elements that viewers loved about the first film, while also putting an exciting, modern twist on the story. With a captivating story and plenty of high-altitude thrills, the sequel definitely lived up to expectations, even receiving six Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture.
Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 continues the beloved animated series, reuniting Woody, Buzz, and the gang as they face new challenges when they are mistakenly sent to a daycare center. With Andy headed to college, the toys must collaborate to navigate the perils of their new environment and find their way back.
Toy Storychanged the future of animation in 1995, becoming the first fully computer-animated feature ever made.Unsurprisingly, a sequel soon followed, which also experienced massive success. Fans of the series had to wait quite some time until the next installment came, though, withToy Story 3not hitting theaters until 2010, over a decade after the previous film. In a bold decision, the Pixar team decided to have the third film take place equally as long afterToy Story 2, electing to focus on how the beloved toys respond to Andy no longer needing them as he grows older.
The film was a box office triumph, earning over a billion dollars, as well as becoming a critical hit.
The decision paid off, withToy Story 3achieving massive success on all accounts.The film was a box office triumph, earning over a billion dollars, as well as becoming a critical hit.Toy Story 3was widely praised for its surprisingly mature, emotional story, consistently making adult audience members shed a tear while also being a fun time for younger viewers. The film became one of only three animated movies to ever be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, while also winning in two other categories.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road is a post-apocalyptic film set in a desolate desert landscape where society has collapsed. Released in 2015, the story follows two rebels, Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa, as they attempt to survive and bring balance to a world torn by chaos and strife.
Within a span of only six years, action lovers were gifted the first three installments in theMad Maxfranchise, a series of thrilling action movies directed by George Miller, each set in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth.Despite these first three films coming out in such close proximity to each other,George Miller made fans wait three full decades forFury Road, the fourth (and arguably best) installment.Mad Max: Fury Roadhit theaters in 2015, and vastly exceeded all the expectations that had built up over thirty years.
Mad Max Took 36 Years, 4 Movies & 2 Actors To Finally Live Up To Its Original Title
The Mad Max franchise started off incredibly but it took 36 years and four actors to finally live up to its name in Mad Max: Fury Road.
Mad Max: Fury Roadfeatures not only some of the most dazzling action sequences in recent memory, but also a compelling story about some daring individuals teaming up to fight for a better future in the bleak, post-apocalyptic world.The film is widely considered both the greatest film in theMad Maxfranchise, and one of the best action movies of all time. It managed to win six Academy Awards out of ten total nominations, an astounding feat that very few action films have even come close to replicating.
Finding Dory
The sequel to Pixar’s Finding Nemo, Finding Dory focuses on the character of Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) as she sets off to locate her parents. Still living with amnesia after the events of Finding Nemo, Dory is unable to remember her parents, but an unexpected flashback prompts her to find them. Her journey takes her not only across the ocean but also out of it, enlisting all manner of marine life to help her in her quest.
Finding Nemomade quite a splash when it premiered in 2003, further establishing Pixar as a force to be reckoned with in the world of animation.Years later, following the success of other Pixar sequels likeToy Story 3andMonsters University, the studio finally decided to give fans a continuation of their favorite fish-focused story.Finding Doryhit theaters in 2016, thirteen years after the release of its predecessor. The sequel shifted the main focus to Dory, following the forgetful fish as she embarks on a journey with her friends to locate her long-lost parents.
Finding Dorydefinitely proved to be worth the wait, delighting critics and audiences alike with its clever story that was as heartfelt as it was humorous.
Viewers loved seeing all the beloved characters from the first film make their triumphant return to the big screen, alongside a vast assortment of delightful new additions as well.Finding Doryeven managed to outperform its predecessor at the box office, earning over a billion dollars, setting various box office records in the process.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Avatar: The Way of Water, set more than a decade after the original film, follows the Sully family as they face threats to their survival. With Jake and Neytiri at the helm, they strive to protect their children while combating external perils and confronting personal losses.
James Cameron is no stranger to successful sequels, having been the driving creative force behindTerminator 2: Judgment Day, which is often considered one of the greatest sequels ever made.Needless to say, expectations were very high when it was revealed that he would be making a follow-up toAvatar, the groundbreaking science fiction film that currently stands as thehighest-grossing movie of all time. Cameron proved to be up to the challenge, though, releasingAvatar: The Way of Waterin 2022, marking another major triumph for the acclaimed filmmaker.
Although the thirteen-year wait did not please fans by any means,Avatar: The Way of Watercertainly made the most of the time it was given, offering a dazzling spectacle from beginning to end, enhanced by a strong, thought-provoking story.Like its predecessor,The Way of Wateralso proved to be quite explosive at the box office, earning an astounding $2.32 billion.Audiences were consistently blown away by the stunning, Oscar-worthy special effects used in the film, which immediately transported viewers back to the mesmerizing world of Pandora.
4Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Released 11 Years After Puss In Boots (2011)
Every once in a while, a sequel comes out that not only meets expectations, but vastly exceeds them.This was the case forPuss in Boots: The Last Wish, the sequel which came eleven years after the 2011 animated feature,Puss in Boots. The originalPuss in Bootsreceived decent reviews, but very few people anticipated the widespread success and acclaim that its sequel garnered. Instead of offering another straightforward fantasy adventure,The Last Wishpresented a surprisingly clever commentary on aging, as well as the anxiety that comes with it.
The film hugely exceeded expectations of what a sequel to a spin-off could be, establishing itself as a solid standalone film, as well as being a valuable addition to the pre-existing universe.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wishimpressed both critics and audiences, largely thanks to its impressively creative visual style and its thoughtful storytelling.The film hugely exceeded expectations of what a sequel to a spin-off could be, establishing itself as a solid standalone film, as well as being a valuable addition to the pre-existing universe.The Last Wishproved that thinking outside the box in terms of animation could be a rewarding decision, one that the audiences were bound to thank the filmmakers for making.
Twisters
A follow-up to the 1996 original film Twister, Twisters is a sequel set years after the original, said to be fast-tracked by Steven Spielberg and Mark L. Smith, with Frank Marshal as producer. Little details exist about the film, but Helen Hunt is expected to reprise her role as Jo, with the film likely to pay homage to the late Bill Paxton.
In 1996,Twisterroared onto the scene with its thrilling story about a group of individuals risking their lives in the path of some deadly tornadoes.The film quickly became a classic in the disaster movie genre, and, after 28 long years, finally received a sequel in 2024.TitledTwisters, this summer blockbuster presented a modern twist on the classic story, showcasing a diverse new team of storm chasers determined to put a stop to a deadly tornado outbreak in rural Oklahoma.
With a charming cast led by Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos,Twistersdelighted its viewers, effectively breathing a new life into the long-dormant franchise.The film was praised for its charismatic lead performances, impressive visual effects, and exciting story.Twistersmay not have been the kind of film to dominate awards shows, but it provided a fun, thrilling moviegoing experience from beginning to end, and that is exactly what viewers wanted from it.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl features the beloved duo as they confront a “smart” invention gone rogue. When an autonomous gnome hints at larger schemes by a vengeful adversary, Gromit must navigate perilous challenges to protect Wallace and prevent a threat that could end their inventive escapades forever.
TheWallace & Gromitfranchise has been delighting its viewers since the 1980s with its lighthearted stories about the eccentric, cheese-craving inventor and his loyal dog.Sadly, the series went dormant for many years, with its last feature film coming in 2005. Thankfully, the claymation franchise was brought back to life with a new film released on Netflix at the very end of 2024.Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowlreunited the lovable duo for one more adventure, set in motion by the infamous, villainous penguin, Feathers McGraw.
Vengeance Most Fowldid everything fans were hoping it would do.The charming film paid tribute to the pastWallace & Gromitfilms while also highlighting a modern story (as well as surprisingly topical commentary on artificial intelligence). The film was witty, humorous, and an impressive demonstration of what stop-motion animation is capable of.Vengeance Most Fowlshowed audiences that, no matter how much time has passed, some friendships will never grow old.
Halloween
Halloween is the first film of the David Gordon Green-directed sequel trilogy to the 1978 original horror/slasher film. Having been institutionalized for forty years after the events of the original Haddonfield murders, Michael Myers escapes during a prison transfer to pursue his original target, Laurie Strode. Having lived in fear of his shadow for years, Laurie learns of his return, setting the stage for war while trying to protect her daughter and granddaughter from her masked tormentor.
The 2018 horror hit,Halloween, is far from the only sequel to the original slasher film of the same name.TheHalloweenfranchise first began in 1978, and has since accumulated a whopping thirteen cinematic installments. However,Halloween(2018) decided to wipe the slate clean, and serve as a direct sequel to the film that started it all, ignoring all the other additions. The haunting film features the long-awaited return of Jamie Lee Curtis to the franchise, reprising her role of Laurie Strode for one more face-off against the horrifying Michael Myers.
It may have taken forty years, butHalloweenfinally gave horror lovers the proper sequel they had been craving. The film gave viewers all the heart-pounding thrills and gruesome kills they could have wanted, while also being rooted in a strong story about coping with trauma-related issues. Curtis proved that her acting chops had not diminished at all over the last forty years, melting back into the role and giving a standout performance.Halloween(2018) proved that revisiting a classic story can be a thrilling experience if done properly.
